June 8, 2004

If you've ever wanted to get up close to the Jolly Roger pirate ship, a fallen AT-AT, the Coruscant skyline or other amazing models from the artists of Industrial Light & Magic, the windy city offers such an opportunity. On May 28, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago unveiled Action! An Adventure in Moviemaking, a special exhibit showcasing some of ILM's most famous models.

The largest model of the exhibit has been on display since late March; guests of the Museum are able to view the Jolly Roger from the 2003 film Peter Pan. The ship measures more than 18 feet tall. Captain Hook's ship arrived at the Museum's Great Hall as part of the MSI's yearlong celebration of the movies, and as a prelude to the opening of the exhibit.

Created by ILM, the Jolly Roger's beam is 4 feet, she is close to 19 feet high, and her overall length is 22 feet. Called a "miniature" in production standards, the Jolly Roger model was used in conjunction with a 90-foot live action set. The team used a combination of shots of the model, atmospheric digital backgrounds and live action inserts composited together to create a total picture that is 100% believable.

To make the Jolly Roger miniature -- which is approximately 1/10 the size of a "real" pirate ship -- look correct, ILM looked at the detail of things such as the grains and tiny particles in wood, as well as the aging, salt spray, and dirt on the sails. "Guests will learn first-hand throughout the exhibit about the technological wizardry it takes to make a 18' x 22' model look like a massive vessel floating at sea," said John Beckman, exhibit producer. He extended a special thanks to Revolution Studios for the loan of the Jolly Roger.

Among the Star Wars models on display are the full-sized Imperial speeder bike from Return of the Jedi, the tripped AT-AT walker from The Empire Strikes Back, a fully-painted life-size Sebulba head maquette from The Phantom Menace, and a piece of the Coruscant skyline from Attack of the Clones.

Other ILM films spotlighted include the Indiana Jones trilogy, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, The Hunt for Red October, and The Mummy. The 12,000-square foot exhibit includes a section entitled "Meet the Moviemakers," presenting an inside look at the filmmaking process told by top professionals in the field. "The Sound Stage Experience" takes museum guests right into the action of a movie sound stage, on three live sets where scenes are being shot. Finally, the postproduction process is illuminated in a screening room detailing the editing and mixing of a movie, with Skywalker Sound lending its expertise to the exhibit.

The Museum of Science and Industry is one of the most visited museums in the world. It is on 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. It is open every day of the year, except December 25. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. For more information about the exhibit, visit the official website here.