For the second series of the WMR produced documentary series Air Crash Confidential we provided recreations of several real life aviation accidents, taking advantage of a clear horizon line at Ealing Studios to shoot a lot of the ‘in flight’ sequences against a real sky. Night time sequences, or those requiring very specific skies, were shot against painted backings.
Air Crash Confidential
Air Crash Confidential
Air Crash Confidential
Air Crash Confidential
This is just a small selection of the work done by The Model Unit. For more images and information please visit The Model Unit Facebook Page, or contact Mike Tucker via the email address shown here.
For this episode of the long-running BBC science series we provided numerous shots of the space shuttle in flight, as well as a recreation of the tragic accident that destroyed the vehicle.
Horizon: The Last Flight of the Columbia, BBC2
Horizon: The Last Flight of the Columbia, BBC2
Horizon: The Last Flight of the Columbia, BBC2
This is just a small selection of the work done by The Model Unit. For more images and information please visit The Model Unit Facebook Page, or contact Mike Tucker via the email address shown here.
Working with visual effects supervisor Tim Goodchild, a 1/18th scale model of the lunar model was constructed as a basis for digital matte paintings. The model was photographed on set alongside the live action, and then composited with footage of the actors interacting with a full-sized leg.
Moonshot – The Flight of Apollo 11
Moonshot – The Flight of Apollo 11
Moonshot – The Flight of Apollo 11
This is just a small selection of the work done by The Model Unit. For more images and information please visit The Model Unit Facebook Page, or contact Mike Tucker via the email address shown here.
Whilst the vast majority of this Discovery Channel film was achieved via digital means, several key moments revolving around the asteroid and its impact with earth were deal with my the Model Unit team. An extensive forest set was constructed at 1/6th scale, and used both for fireball effects and a tidal wave sequence.
Last Days of the Dinosaurs
Last Days of the Dinosaurs
Last Days of the Dinosaurs
Last Days of the Dinosaurs
Last Days of the Dinosaurs
Last Days of the Dinosaurs
This is just a small selection of the work done by The Model Unit. For more images and information please visit The Model Unit Facebook Page, or contact Mike Tucker via the email address shown here.
The second series of Raging Planet features episodes on tornadoes, hurricanes and mud slides. The Model Unit was responsible for the design, construction and filming of several destructive sequences, both interiors and exteriors.
Raging Planet
Raging Planet
Raging Planet
Raging Planet
Raging Planet
Raging Planet
This is just a small selection of the work done by The Model Unit. For more images and information please visit The Model Unit Facebook Page, or contact Mike Tucker via the email address shown here.
Having had a long association with the classic series of Doctor Who, The Model Unit has been involved with several iconic sequences for the new series, including the destruction of Big Ben, building the Dalek Emperor, sinking a Soviet nuclear submarine and shooting a key action sequence featuring the TARDIS in the 50th Anniversary story The Day of the Doctor.
Doctor Who: Aliens of London
Doctor Who: The Parting of the Ways
Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion
Doctor Who: Cold War
Doctor Who: Cold War
Doctor Who: Cold War
Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor
Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor
This is just a small selection of the work done by The Model Unit. For more images and information please visit The Model Unit Facebook Page, or contact Mike Tucker via the email address shown here.
This landmark four-part series for the Discovery Channel required a variety of very disparate large-scale miniature effects sequences, both in studio and on location. These images show the trailer home used for a tornado strike sequence and the cloudscape miniature constructed for a sequence about long distance balloon flight.
Human Body – Pushing the Limits
Human Body – Pushing the Limits
Human Body – Pushing the Limits
Human Body – Pushing the Limits
Human Body – Pushing the Limits
This is just a small selection of the work done by The Model Unit. For more images and information please visit The Model Unit Facebook Page, or contact Mike Tucker via the email address shown here.
For the BBC docu-drama Hiroshima we worked alongside the digital effects team to create dynamic simulations of effects of the blast waves. A 1/6th scale model of a typical street was constructed out of lightweight breakaway materials and blown apart with air cannons and pyrotechnics.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
This is just a small selection of the work done by The Model Unit. For more images and information please visit The Model Unit Facebook Page, or contact Mike Tucker via the email address shown here.
award-winning models and miniature effects for television and film