Sunday, June 29, 2014

How To Build A Time Machine


How to Build a Time Machine - Teaser from Jay Cheel on Vimeo.

movie poster
poster by Jesse Philips
How to Build a Time Machine

Directed by Jay Cheel
Produced by Kristina McLaughlin, Kevin McMahon, Roman Pizzacalla
Executive Produced by Michael McMahon
Cinematography by Jay Cheel
facebook.com/TimeMachineDoc
twitter.com/TimeMachineDoc
fastandscientific.com

For information: jay.w.cheel@gmail.com

How to Build a Time Machine is the story of two men, both inspired by H.G. Wells' 'The Time Machine', who have set out on a quest to build their own time machines.

When Rob Niosi decided to build a full scale replica of the time machine prop from George Pal's adaptation of H.G. Wells' novella 'The Time Machine', he had no idea what he was getting himself into. The three month project is now in its eleventh year, and he's not sure it will ever end. His perfectionist attitude and obsessive nature -- cultivated by years of detail oriented, time consuming work as a stop-motion animator -- has elevated his machine from prop replica to a true work of art. His goal? To capture the impression he had as a kid when he first laid eyes on the beautiful machine.

When Ronald Mallett was a young boy, his Father died unexpectedly of a heart attack. This event turned his world upside down. He became ostracized from his friends and family and found solace in science fiction. It was H.G. Wells' The Time Machine that inspired Ron to pursue a career in physics. His goal? To build a time machine so he could go back and save his Father.



If, like me, you're a regular reader and listener of Film Junk, then you've known about this upcoming documentary for a while. If you're unaware, How To Build A Time Machine is Jay Cheel's follow-up to the excellent Beauty Day.When I say that, I mean it's his first documentary movie since then but in reality it could be considered a follow-up to his short doc Obsessed & Scientific. Consider his new documentary an expanded/extended version of O&S.


Obsessed & Scientific from Jay Cheel on Vimeo.

Originally, according to this older trailer, the movie was supposed to focus on the story of John Titor, who claimed to be a real-life time traveler. Judging by the new trailer at the top, that direction seems to have been abandoned in favor of focusing on Rob Niosi and Ronald Mallett.

Niosi is a stop-motion animator with an extensive and impressive body of work as evidenced in the video below. He also contributed the animated opening credits to Cheel's short video, A Very Gerry X-Mas!




Theoretical Physicist Dr. Ronald Mallett explains his reasons for wanting to build a time machine.




movie poster
The Time Machine
If you've never seen George Pal's version of The Time Machine, I highly recommend it. It's got some impressive effects for its time and the Morlocks are great monsters that make for some terrifying moments. Rod Taylor as George is great in the lead role and Yvette Mimieux is striking as Weena, one of the Eloi people. Alan Young as George's friend is a little distracting because when I hear his voice, I picture Scrooge McDuck.

Of course, the film features its most iconic star, the movie prop time machine itself, which Rob Niosi is replicating in full scale. You can judge for yourself just how accurate Niosi comes to the movie version one by studying the scenes that show it off.


The iconic time machine even traveled onto an episode of The Big Bang Theory with Sheldon having some fun and nightmares with it.




Makeup artist Rick Baker talks about his love for the movie.


No comments:

Post a Comment

Redbubble

Featured Post

Fourteen Movies MST3K Should Riff

If you were a fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000 , then you no doubt know that it is being rebooted, thanks to the successful Bring Bac...