Rolling back the years once again we present Danny’s Diary, a series of article written back in 2007 – 2008 and originally posted on Lightsabre.co.uk by ILM and Kerner Optical multi-tasker Danny Wagner.
Thursday 4th October 2007
Dear Diary,
I want to mention all the talented Kerner Optical creature crew that worked on Pig Hunt.
Starting with our creature shop supervisor Erik Jensen a great leader who know who’s the best at each task. Mark Walas co-supervisor a great knowledge in all aspects of effects.
Bryan Dewe a mechanical genius who made the Pig move with cutting edge animatronics and worked out all the mechanical aspects of the project.
Carol Bauman a very talented artist who I’ve personal worked with many years, had a great contribution on the show, Lead Fabrication and body construction on the Ripper Pig. Also helped me sculpt the final Ripper sculpt. Along with Carol came Melanie Walas, a talented member contributing fur work and body construction. Assisting them was Anna Bies, a talented seamstress in her own right.
Nelson Hall, a talented and strong contributor that worked on the other special effects props and help me with the Ripper victims. Aurore Bergere who was eager to learn makeup and assist me in my special makeup effects duties after the Ripper was finished.
Mark Buck and Don Bies who did a great job on location shooting another specially prop.
Perrie Maur who contributed puppeteering shots for an earlier part of the film..
Scott McNamara and Tim Gillette mechanical wizards in their own right lending services whenever needed. Mike Jobe a fabulous mold, cast and materials specialist and Sean Casey our very own Kerner Optical photographer who lends his special eye thorough his magical lens to capture the true behind the scene magic that come to life before his very eyes!
If it wasn’t for him, there wouldn’t be any proof!
As for me contributing the Creature Sculptural Designs for this Ripper character and continuing on as its Lead sculptor and painter along with its eyes and teeth. Was only the beginning. I was fortunate enough to be able to serve as Kerner’s special effects makeup artist for our makeup duties. Building Ripper victims and creating and applying special makeup prosthetics for primary shots in the film. If that wasn’t enough I was able to join my dear friend Carol when I could to assist her with anything needed on the fabrication aspects of the Ripper.
When everything was finished The Ripper Puppeteering crew (Erik Jensen, Mark Walas, Carol Bauman, Alice Bryce and I), went to location in Boonville to Shoot the menacing huge wild boar. Boy what a wild ride! Shooting nights sleeping days and getting bloody and wet. The entire Pig Hunt crew was very generous, happy and supportive. They all love the Ripper and was pleased to see it in action. It was a great moment for Kerner optical to shine and we did proudly. We got kudo’s from director Jim Isaac and Production crew on the set for the Ripper and its victims. As for the our makeup effects each effects worked out beautifully and were executed very nicely on film. There was even an instance where the DP can back to us and said that shot looked great!
So this concludes without the amazing crew this whole project would not become as successful as it did.
Thanks Jim for giving us an opportunity to serve you on your dark journey into the dangerous world of PIG HUNT….
To a growing company that show tremendous ability for cutting edge special effects.
PIG HUNT our first and most mind blowing creature feature. May the effects pioneers of the creature shop of Kerner Optical and management continue to strive for excellence.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL! A job well done.
Meanwhile with other projects happening at Kerner Optical things a getting very busy. 3 projects are happening at the same time.
One of them I can’t mention. Sorry! And the other one is a sequel to National Treasure.
The 3rd project is a huge beautiful model project that has a unbelievable time schedule that would make any model maker cry! But not Kerner Optical we are the best, and fastest!
