Weta Involved with VDT?

[fantasia]

I'm putting this here instead of GMD cause I'm not 100% sure about this information, but I've heard that Weta Workshop has indeed done some work for VDT, though nothing compared to LWW and PC.

I know they were involved with pre-production, so it makes sense to me that they'd have stayed involved, but I don't think they're actively involved with the production at this point. Just did some stuff prior to filming.

[A_Narnian_Ship]

That makes sense since there are really no major armies for them to clothe(umm i mean "armor") Probably they outfitted the crew of the ship, but there's nothing really big for them to do.

[coracle]

Did they do any of the special props, or magical items I wonder? Were there any models etc? We shall see....

[Liberty Hoffman]

hmmm.....
I wonder what kinds of things they have made.
I know they would have had to make more weapons for the new characters that are on board the ship (Drinian, Rhince, ect.....)
but now that I think about it, there really isn't much for them to do, is there?

[Erucenindë]

WETA does more than just make armor, right? I thought they did alot of the special effects and props as well. such as big monsters too?

[HM Swanwhite]

I was really hoping Weta would do some stuff for VDT. Maybe we should email them. Normally they'll create a special movie page for the movies they've done and there isn't one for VDT. Though if it's just minor things they might not feel the need to do one. Correction: I just looked and they have a list of all the movies and VDT is not among them. I so hoped they did. But you never know.... I'm going to try contacting them. Because swords made by someone else just wouldn't look as good. (Anyhow, who else would they get to make them?)

Sorry, that was probably one of my most rambling posts.

[fantasia]

As far as weapons go, there is no reason whatsoever they can't use the ones from PC and LWW.

[HM Swanwhite]

That's very true, I hadn't thought of that but you'd think they'd want to design things like new Narnian armour for Caspian even a Narnian sword!
Anyway I did email them and apparently Weta is not involved and the things they'd normally do have been taken over by other companies. Very sad!

[Glenstorm the Great]

Oh bummer, I like Weta. *pouts*

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

That's very disappointing. Is it because of budgetary constraints or something else? Or because it's not being filmed in NZ?

[Liberty Hoffman]

I want WETA back!
I am sad.....

[coracle]

Weta hasn't gone anywhere! They are very busy right here in New Zealand. Perhaps they will do some work on a future film?

[Liberty Hoffman]

but why are they not doing VotDT? who is making all the weapons for VotDT?

[greenleaf23]

Well, I can imagine they're probably pretty expensive to use (they are one of the best companies out there I believe) and maybe Fox just didn't want to go into that kind of financial commitment. It does really stink though WETA was really amazing in the first two films.

I do wonder what company they used though Libby...I hope we find out soon.

[coracle]

Reminds all the non-NZers that it's spelled "Weta", not capitals (this is the name of a large insect native to NZ).

[icarus]

This is from an internet forum Q&A Discussion with someone who is apparently "Tim" from the "merchandising and promotional department at Weta" (From a brief look at the thread I would see no reason to doubt those credentials). Anyway...

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?s= ... ba&t=79712

Question: I have a question in regards to your work on Prince Caspian, and just wanted to know why they didnt produce the helmets from the film after all? Also, did you guys contribute to the third installment?

Answer: Do you mean the Prince Caspian helmet collectibles ? If so, we stopped them due to a lack of demand. Very sad. We liked them!

For Dawn Treader, we only did some minor work.

Cheers, Tim

So there is the answer: "Minor Work". That was only posted just this saturday, so if anyone wanted to register for that forum and maybe question him some more, you probably still can:

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=79712&page=5

That said, i don't see why anyone would have reason to be upset about Weta not being more involved than just minor work. If you've seen some of the absolutely stunning prop work by the likes of Chris Martin and Ian Kath then there is no reason to be worried at all.