Check Out These Stunning Miniature Sets Used in BLADE RUNNER 2049

Sometimes old tricks are just better than new technology. Case and point the visual effects wizards who worked on the worn futuristic version of Los Angeles in Blade Runner 2049, in a new featurette we see how filmmakers relied on detailed miniature sets and buildings instead of just building it all in CG.

In this short, Weta Workshop gives us a look inside its model shops. Their work is incredibly detailed, and when filmed with the right camera angle, lens, frame speed, and lighting, it can actually look more realistic than any cutting-edge CG. The creators still use 3D modeling software to design the scale-model cities, but they are all built, painted and weathered by a group of talented artists.

Weta Workshop was honoured to contribute practical miniatures, selected cinematography, and concept design work to Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve. This was a passion project for our crew, who are huge fans of Ridley Scott's iconic 1982 original. Here in Wellington, NZ, we hand-made enormous miniature sets which were then filmed by legendary cinematographer Alex Funke.