Went to Weta Workshops Thursday just gone.
For swords - 3 kinds:-
(a) Real steel made by in house self taught sword maker. Used for close ups, as imitations have different light reflecting qualities.
(b) Imitation swords made of highly polished aluminium, identical to the above. Used for out of focus, near camera shots, by stand-ins or crowd actors.
(c) Imitation rubber/polycarbonate imitations or 3D printed swords for wide angle crowd shots - eg. - large battlefield shots.
Saw two replica Mk 1 3* 303's - one full size and correct (including BP stamps & serial #'s), one exactly the same but twice life size of the same firearm.
For those that saw Sir Pete's WW1 set up at the National Museum (not Te Papa's version - but both displays done by Weta W/shops), most of the gear on display at National Museum, was from Sir Pete's private collection - planes, vehicles (trucks, cars and tanks), firearms and artillery pieces, uniforms, helmets and accessories.
Considering that Weta W/shops have a long history of coming up with original designs/equipment/film studios and post production facilities, I found some of the previous comments somewhat disparaging of our film making pioneers a little pissing off. Most of the action blockbusters that keep us enthralled have a contribution from these Kiwi pioneers.
Rant over fella's
Have a great day out doing the things you love to do.
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