Written by Qianhui 2022 Cohort
As part of my architectural studies as an undergraduate, we were required to watch many movies and analyze scenes. Today I would like to discuss the specifics of scene construction in science fiction movies, using the LAPD in Blade Runner 2049 as an example.
The entire L.A. scene appears as K (the main character) finishes his work and returns to the LAPD. Based on the art department’s concept design, Weta Workshop created a 4-meter-tall miniature of the LAPD. The crew replicated the 1982 miniature, enclosing the building, covering it with pipes, adding new freestanding windows, and creating a randomly broken appearance which gave the massive complex a more realistic look.
The ceiling of the LAPD building resembles a giant aircraft carrier landing strip, with vertically parked entrances that descend like deep wells. In addition, as the pillar of this society, Villeneuve wanted the Police Department building to exhibit a solid totalitarian character.
Digital urban architecture and miniature models were combined.” Paul Lambert explains, “We added architectural and environmental effects, and Dennis urged us to add more environmental effects as the footage progressed. In addition to snow and rain, he wanted the city to appear underwater. We installed a small model and digital technology at the top to make the police station’s appearance shine in the rain.”
In addition, the buildings surrounding the LAPD are available in miniatures and digital models, with the representations ranging in height from 2 to 3 m. Double Negative produced the digital models, and the team built 16 skyscrapers in Los Angeles, each 1,000 m tall and finely textured.
Overall, this is the process of how the LAPD was created. The whole process required the participation of architects. In addition to the movie scenes, the architecture is closely related to the game scenes, which I will mention in a different entry.
Reference: https://youtu.bhpCgdtnMcfE