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Full – scale models and reduced – scale miniatures are used whenever a three – dimensional object or setting is needed that either does not exist or when it would be too expensive or dangerous to use an actual object. A miniature may be required for a historical setting that no longer exists, or a full – scale model may be needed for a spaceship that hasn’t yet been constructed.
In some situations, such as when the camera must move within the shot, which requires a three – dimensional set to maintain realistic perspective, a painted two dimensional background cannot be used to create the illusions of a specific location. In this case, a three- dimensional miniature of that location can be constructed to allow for camera moves. Usually when actions occur with a miniature, the camera records the action in slow motion to adjust for the difference in time – scale relations between full – scale and miniature environments. Motion must be reduced proportionately to the reduced scale of the miniature. When complicated miniatures and movements are required, it is often prudent to shoot test recordings at a variety of speed before recording final takes or disposing of the miniature.
Effective use of miniatures and models requires preplanning, because these types of special effects are often extremely expensive. Similar types of coordination and planning are required, just the same as those that are demanded of an art director, producer, and cinematographer during full – scale, live – action production. Drawings are usually prepared and approved before miniatures and models are actually constructed.
Miniatures are difficult to record not only because of potential problems in perspective, scale, and speed of motion, but also because audience disbelief is often difficult to overcome. Larger – scale, highly detailed miniatures are usually required for longer shot durations where the audience will have an opportunity to carefully scrutinize them. When smaller, less – detailed miniatures are used; the editor often must keep the shot duration very short to reduce audience scrutiny and to maintain a willing suspension of disbelief.
Miniatures can take advantage of single- frame recording and matting or keying techniques to create apparent motion from stationary objects. A miniature spaceship or airplane, for example, can be recorded against a blue screen background while it is moved slightly along a suspended, invisible wire between each frame. Later a composite of the background scene and the moving aircraft can be made using photographic or electronic matting and keying techniques. Another advantage of miniatures and models is that they can be used to create inexpensive physical effects, such as various explosions, which would otherwise be too expensive to accomplish using actual objects and locations.
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