OBLIVION

This is the original artwork created for Joe’s graphic novel Oblivion in which the movie was based. Later concept artists Ed Natividad, Phil Saunders and Neville Page contributed to these final designs.

Joe coined the phrase “ Beautiful Desolation.” Each image was like a nature photographers best efforts.

Darren and Joe came up with the idea that mountain ranges were created by the fossilized remains of towering architecture.

Tom’s motorcycle began with design concepts. Final design was realized by concept designer Daniel Simon. Once that direction was met we worked with Glory Motorsports to fabricate a functional motorcycle. Due to the minimal mass to the bikes’ bodywork, much of the mechanics of the original Honda motorcycle was repositioned and reduced in size. To complicate matters the bike needed to fold into a storable size. This was accomplished by several non-powered foldable bucks. Many bucks were created to show the differing ways the bike was to fold. One was a unit that folded and retracted the handlebars. Another was a version that folded the bike in half.

The Bubbleship was an amazing undertaking. Design was based off Joe’s graphic novel. Daniel Simon brought the design to life. I started by setting ergonomic parameters. I scheduled time with Tom Cruise to measure his ergonomic requirements. Next, we mocked up in Styrofoam forms to check the ergonomics. We had Tom return to try out these test pieces. Reach points to hand and foot controls were tested. Position and form of the seat was also tested. We got 3d files of a NASCAR seat Tom had made for Days of Thunder. My belief was to include Tom in development so that on the shoot date there would be no surprises. Tom could focus on performance as the craft would be familiar. Also, the controls were based off helicopter controls as Tom can fly that craft.

I had put a challenge in front of our fabricator Wildfactory and owner Adam Gourley. When Tom goes to step into the bubbleship I did not want to see the ship bounce. Stress tests were conducted as shown in this image. Along with the mechanical engineering to ensure safety. Another challenge was to have the craft breakdown into shippable sections.

The photography of the bubbleship in flight was accomplished by putting the cockpit on a gimbal. The cockpit was also made to disconnect from the fuselage. A unique feature of the cockpit, as seen in the film, was its ability to have the cockpit chairs and controls rotate as a globe did in grammar school. Another development was that Joe K had all the moves of the cockpit in flight based off programmable moves he created in previz. We had each sequence programmed. However, we also had manual control as well.

Again I may sound like a broken record but any destruction shown I take very seriously. I have been disappointed many times seeing improper crashed craft, Here I worked with our set decorator. I wanted to utilize an actual airplane fuselage. My belief is it’s hard to recreate proper airframe structure using standard construction techniques. This also saves time and resources, aircraft salvage is sold by the pound.

My 15 seconds of fame. Joe K is such a giving soul. He allowed me to be a part of the shooting. I became the dead astronaut.

We did utilize the projected backdrop for this set. Practical playback was used but was enhanced via VFX. It’s always beneficial to have practical interactive lighting from the proper source.

Darren and Joe were gracious enough to allow me to develop the Odyssey spacecraft with a small team. Maybe it benefitted to have another aesthetic perspective to compliment the design.