Moderator
{public msg} hello
17:56:05 Moderator {action} hello everyone. we're getting
ready to chat with matt plummer, the key scenic artist for b5.
17:56:14 Moderator {action} go ahead and begin sending
in your questions now
17:57:34 Moderator {action} tonight we're chatting
with matt plummer, the key scenic artist for b5. welcome matt!
17:57:45 Reschell {question presented} What' s the
most challenging scenic art you've had to create for B5...for any other
show?
17:58:20 matt_plummer {public msg} The starmap for
the War room!
17:59:02 matt_plummer {public msg} I guess we went
through five different versions!
17:59:17 Reschell {question presented} Is the War Room
starmap actually painted on Plexiglass?
17:59:47 matt_plummer {public msg} It was painted on
canvas, just like a theatre drop--over and over!
18:00:03 matt_plummer {public msg} When we got done
it could almost stand up by itself!
18:00:09 Reschell {question presented} Are there any
kinds of scenes that you know will give you a headache to produce?
18:00:55 matt_plummer {public msg} Caves are always
very difficult--the first one at Z, Ha, Dum almost killed me!
18:01:11 Waywardflf {question presented} How hard was
it to keep to the colors/textures over the course of B5? Any panic 'reconstructions'?
18:01:45 matt_plummer {public msg} I have about four
hundred color chips, and you can see gradual changes over the years!
18:01:55 Reschell {question presented} Are there any
scenic parts that you wish you could have used more or done more often?
18:02:19 matt_plummer {public msg} That's a tough one!
18:02:51 matt_plummer {public msg} There's so much
in this biz tht never gets seen, it's hard to remember it all!
18:02:53 Chyro {question presented} How do you decide
on the look of a certain world, such as the Drazi and Narn?
18:03:55 matt_plummer {public msg} That stuff comes
down from John Iacovelli (design) and Mark Walters (Art Dir) through
Joe.
18:04:06 matt_plummer {public msg} You know who he
is, I guess...
18:04:11 Bajele {question presented} Is there a specific
look that you are particularly proud of?
18:04:55 matt_plummer {public msg} I pretty pleased
with all of it...'glad we got to do it all!
18:05:02 Waywardflf {question presented} Matt, you
alluded to some anecdote about the Centauri cell in this week's ep? Wanna
share right now?
18:05:43 matt_plummer {public msg} Oh boy!!!!
Well, sometimes we get a little tense in a set like that...
18:06:07 matt_plummer {public msg} And one of the old-timers
had a way to break the ice....
18:06:34 matt_plummer {public msg} He's sidle up to
one of his very professional colleuges...
18:06:42 matt_plummer {public msg} and goose them.
18:07:12 matt_plummer {public msg} Not on camera, but
the scream would always crack everyone up...
18:07:18 matt_plummer {public msg} so to speak!
18:07:54 matt_plummer {public msg} Anyway, he was that
cell, and we were lighting that thing for a G'Kar closeup,
18:08:18 matt_plummer {public msg} which meant the
litle room was completely filled with flags and stands.
18:08:41 matt_plummer {public msg} Bobby was in the
midlle of, just tweaking away, when we got him,
18:09:05 matt_plummer {public msg} and I swear he almost
took the whole set down!
18:09:19 matt_plummer {public msg} He's retired, but
we still laugh about that day!
18:09:23 Shawn {question presented} How do you create
the scenes, by hand or computer?
18:09:49 matt_plummer {public msg} We now have a CAD
station, which is really changing the process...
18:09:52 JoanDarc {question presented} LOL, now that
was funny!! :-P Have you personally done anything to get the rest of the
cast & crew going?
18:10:22 matt_plummer {public msg} You must get thee
to a convention to see the gag reels! I've done it all...
18:10:24 Reschell {question presented} What overpainting/texturing
technique is the most fun for you to use?
18:11:27 matt_plummer {public msg} My favorite is the
last glaze I put on before Iacovelli says, OK, you can go home now!
18:11:32 Waywardflf {question presented} Ever had a
chance to go over to Netter and visit with the anim team in the 'pit'?
(The guys who paint in pixels)
18:11:49 matt_plummer {public msg} I'm here as we speak!
18:12:02 K57 {question presented} do you have a staff?
or crew?
18:12:52 matt_plummer {public msg} I've been able to
become the on set painter, luckily, and we have a crew who does the initial
work.
18:12:54 Reschell {question presented} Since your work
will look different under lights, do the paint chips help you to make sure
the sets and costumes look as they are intended, or do you use your own
visual memory as well?
18:13:19 matt_plummer {public msg} I use both, but
when we have a large set...
18:13:37 matt_plummer {public msg} like the War Room,
or The Excalibur...
18:13:56 matt_plummer {public msg} we prepare extensive
samples, and even then,...
18:14:05 matt_plummer {public msg} it's a roll of the
dice!...
18:14:44 matt_plummer {public msg} I had just finished
the first wall of the Excalibur...
18:15:24 matt_plummer {public msg} about four-o'clock
on a Friday (before shooting)...
18:15:57 matt_plummer {public msg} And Joe, and John
took a look, and it wasn't still there...
18:16:14 matt_plummer {public msg} so I had to change
my plans that weekend!
18:16:22 matt_plummer {public msg} That's the way it
goes!
18:16:23 Reschell {question presented} Since you mentioned
Excalibur, I take it you're working on Crusade. Does it look like
jms' more wide-ranging story will give you even more starmap-like challenges
than B5?
18:16:54 matt_plummer {public msg} Do you work on the
show? Great questions!
18:17:16 matt_plummer {public msg} Any way, we wrapped
that one--
18:17:39 matt_plummer {public msg} and yes, as Joe
has mentioned, he's really having fun with the new stuff!
18:17:56 matt_plummer {public msg} Too many caves,
though ;(
18:18:15 matt_plummer {public msg} But the same wonderful
universe!
18:18:16 Bajele {question presented} Could you please
explain a little more about what you do on a day to day basis?
18:18:54 matt_plummer {public msg} I try to make sure
that each frame of the live action sequences look perfect.
18:19:22 matt_plummer {public msg} Sometimes that means
painting out a scratch...
18:19:41 matt_plummer {public msg} or picking up a
coffee cup,...
18:19:59 matt_plummer {public msg} But whatever I do,
it means that you shouldn't...
18:20:12 matt_plummer {public msg} have anything to
distract your experience...
18:20:40 matt_plummer {public msg} of viewing the show.
Willerth calls me a "full-frame artist."
18:20:47 Reschell {question presented} I work for a
licensee in the middle of Ohio -- but my questions are based on lots of
community theater experience. Did you ever do live theater scenic
work?
18:21:01 matt_plummer {public msg} I am steeped in
the theatre...
18:21:27 matt_plummer {public msg} which helps me understand
the other departments!
18:21:32 JoanDarc {question presented} How long have
you been in the business, where did you start and what drew you (so to
speak) to this field?
18:21:49 matt_plummer {public msg} Loneliness.
18:22:05 matt_plummer {public msg} Actually, I didn't
want to go home one day,
18:22:20 matt_plummer {public msg} and our shool needed
a set painted,
18:22:30 matt_plummer {public msg} and that was the
perfect fit.
18:22:45 matt_plummer {public msg} I was sixteen, and
I never looked back.
18:23:08 Shawn {question presented} When Londo was
outside entering palace, was that a set?
18:23:26 matt_plummer {public msg} We call that a Composite...
18:23:49 matt_plummer {public msg} the floor and a
small part of the set are real...
18:24:10 matt_plummer {public msg} can you believe
it was drizzling as we took that shoot?
18:25:05 matt_plummer {public msg} As the standby painter,
I noticed the water glistening...
18:25:40 matt_plummer {public msg} on the walls, so
it was my job to take it off with a
broom...
18:25:55 matt_plummer {public msg} just before the
cameras rolled for each take--
18:26:03 matt_plummer {public msg} reverse painting
in a sense!
18:26:07 Waywardflf {question presented} If you're
visiting Netter, have the anim team been trying to interest you in the
CGI side of the work?
18:26:30 matt_plummer {public msg} When I get too old
for ladders,
18:26:39 matt_plummer {public msg} I would love to
do this!
18:26:45 JoanDarc {question presented} Well 1st off
I must say that you and the rest of the crew behind the scenes do such
an AWESOME job!! I give you all my utmost respect cuz you all deserve kudos
and 2 thumbs up (the fans like us really appreciate all the effort you
put in the show) :-P How long have you been in the business Matt and what
other things would you like to do if anything?
18:27:22 matt_plummer {public msg} This was my first
really nice project for television,
18:27:39 matt_plummer {public msg} but like I said,
I started apinting sets when I was
18:28:20 matt_plummer {public msg} about sixteen.
I love being around the sets, and seeing the work get done.
18:28:48 matt_plummer {public msg} But maybe a fireman
or a movie star!
18:28:54 Reschell {question presented} When you do
the scenic stuff for a composite, is the blending of color/shadow/whatever
more up to the CGI department or to your paint choices?
18:29:12 matt_plummer {public msg} Sometimes one, sometimes
the other,
18:29:26 matt_plummer {public msg} depending on who
has the better idea first!
18:30:01 matt_plummer {public msg} We get into some
of the work I love
18:30:32 matt_plummer {public msg} best, here...because
the rules are hard to learn!
18:31:00 matt_plummer {public msg} I've had to stick
by my guns on a few occasions...
18:31:15 matt_plummer {public msg} when I saw something
we could physically fix,
18:31:30 matt_plummer {public msg} so post wouldn't
have to slave over it for hours.
18:31:42 Waywardflf {question presented} Matt, are
you in on the pre-production planning meetings, the ones that help keep
the costs down by planning ahead?
18:32:49 matt_plummer {public msg} Hey, Wayward!
Are you asking about *our* show!?? ;)
18:32:58 Reschell {question presented} As far as stuff
attached to the walls, where does scenic art stop and set dressing begin?
18:33:38 matt_plummer {public msg} Scenic art usually
gets dropped in the mud in the back alley...
18:33:45 matt_plummer {public msg} It stops at the
walls.
18:33:50 Reschell {question presented} Are you responsible
for all physical scenic elements? Floors as well as walls?
18:34:03 matt_plummer {public msg} Ceilings, too!
18:34:10 Waywardflf {question presented} For the composite
for the balcony/Drazi homeworld scene, pre and post composite views are
in the Grey Sector area of the TNT site.
18:34:24 matt_plummer {public msg} And?
18:34:40 Reschell {question presented} Given the way
the industry is going, are you pleased to have Composite work on your resume
for consideration for future jobs?
18:35:00 matt_plummer {public msg} Oh yeah, you bet!
18:35:20 Waywardflf {question presented} And did you
have to compensate for the strong yellow lighting for the balcony scene?
18:36:00 matt_plummer {public msg} Personally, I didn't
have to deal with that one!
18:36:33 matt_plummer {public msg} It was really a
big giant set to begin with!
18:36:49 matt_plummer {public msg} Big *yellow* set,
that is!
18:36:55 Reschell {question presented} Does a continuity
person help you with the day-to-day stuff (Uh, Matt...this next scene has
the wall with a PPG burst in it...)?
18:37:23 matt_plummer {public msg} Yes, I try to stay
very close to the script supervisor,...
18:37:35 matt_plummer {public msg} but sometimes i'm
on my own...
18:38:01 matt_plummer {public msg} the last day of
shooting in the Excalibur was that way...
18:38:20 matt_plummer {public msg} we did some skipping
around in the shooting scheduale...
18:38:38 matt_plummer {public msg} and almost missed
a giant redress of the set!
18:38:53 matt_plummer {public msg} You just have to
keep the script handy!
18:38:56 Reschell {question presented} Do scenic artists
have their own superstitions about behavior on set?
18:39:45 matt_plummer {public msg} Never walk under
a ladder, unless you walk back,...
18:40:01 matt_plummer {public msg} *in exactly the
same way!*
18:40:07 Reschell {question presented} Are there any
color ranges that are particularly tricky to do predictably?
18:40:28 matt_plummer {public msg} Metallics
18:41:02 matt_plummer {public msg} You can't have them
matched at a paint store!
18:41:04 Reschell {question presented} Which kind of
set tends to make you have to work more time -- an ornate palace, an almost
destroyed C&C or your dreaded caves?
18:41:52 matt_plummer {public msg} The caves, it's
the cavvvvvves, damn them!
18:42:02 Zombiwoman {question presented} How come you
turn up in so many outtakes?
18:42:36 matt_plummer {public msg} I got a double reputation--I'd
really make tough calls,...
18:42:57 matt_plummer {public msg} and I was good for
a joke! It just started and snowballed!
18:42:59 Moderator {action} moderator has a question,
why do the caves take the most time?
18:43:31 matt_plummer {public msg} The material comes
in sheets, meaning that has seams...
18:43:47 matt_plummer {public msg} when you put up.
Caves ain't got no seams!
18:43:54 Reschell {question presented} If you weren't
doing B5, (or any sf show), what kind of show would you most like to do
for the fun/challenge of the scenic work?
18:44:14 Moderator {action} we have time for 2-3 more
questions for matt -- get them in now!
18:44:39 matt_plummer {public msg} Wow! A western?
I just don't know!
18:44:59 Reschell {question presented} One more cave
question (sorry!) since cave walls tend to have "bulges" and bumps,
what's used beneath the canvas (or whatever) to create the bulginess?
18:45:12 matt_plummer {public msg} Mice.
18:45:41 matt_plummer {public msg} No, alot of it is
fiberglass--like a really rigid, bumpy baot.
18:45:51 matt_plummer {public msg} boat, that is!
18:45:54 JoanDarc {question presented} what scenic
work to you consider to be your favorite work and why?
18:46:23 matt_plummer {public msg} I like getting to
something really difficult...
18:46:43 matt_plummer {public msg} like fixing up some
lettering before my first coffee...
18:47:00 matt_plummer {public msg} in front of the
whole company, all of them...
18:47:11 matt_plummer {public msg} waiting for me to
screw up!...
18:47:20 matt_plummer {public msg} and doing perfect
work.
18:47:27 Waywardflf {question presented} Re the big
giant yellow set, could you elaborate please, Matt? Pretty please? ;-)
18:48:13 matt_plummer {public msg} Well, everything
was bleached out and yellow in that world...
18:48:34 matt_plummer {public msg} I think Mark talked
to the crew at JPL...
18:48:51 matt_plummer {public msg} (Jet Propulsion
Labs) and they told him...
18:49:00 matt_plummer {public msg} what kind of light
a sun...
18:49:27 matt_plummer {public msg} of that age would
emit. Funny, Mark has said that
18:49:53 matt_plummer {public msg} these folks are
relying on B5 to give *them*
18:50:00 matt_plummer {public msg} an idea of the future!
18:50:04 Reschell {question presented} It is hard for
you to watch other shows or movies simply for the story, or are you always
aware of scenic design (how did they get that effect, we coulda done it
better, etc.)?
18:50:34 matt_plummer {public msg} I love the movies,
always will, i've learned when to let go!
18:50:41 Reschell {question presented} For things like
lettering, do you use stencils?
18:51:03 matt_plummer {public msg} Sometimes, but to
me, it's like cheating---
18:51:16 matt_plummer {public msg} unless we have no
time, and then
18:51:23 matt_plummer {public msg} Anything goes!!!
18:51:38 Ivanava {question presented} Matt...can you
share with us (besides the caves) ...a project that was particuraly difficult...either
because of deadline concerns or project specifics....
18:52:07 matt_plummer {public msg} I've had so many
sets where it's been late,
18:52:21 matt_plummer {public msg} and we shoot the
next day, and if I don't
18:52:44 matt_plummer {public msg} stay it won't happen.
I can't tell you the number of times
18:53:13 matt_plummer {public msg} I've stood in the
middle of the Zocalo, (which is half gone now!),
18:53:37 matt_plummer {public msg} and said, "Can you
do it? Can you do this one more time?"
18:53:46 matt_plummer {public msg} It's something you
just do!
18:53:48 Moderator {action} one last question tonight.....
18:53:52 Bajele {question presented} how did you find
your way to B5?
18:54:25 matt_plummer {public msg} Through our production
designer, John Iacovelli--he hadn't seen
18:54:49 matt_plummer {public msg} my work, but had
a good reference, and gave me a try!
18:54:54 Moderator {action} thanks everyone for showing
up....and thanks to matt for joining us!
18:55:27 matt_plummer {public msg} As always, I really
appreciate your tremendous loyalty over the years!
18:55:35 matt_plummer {public msg} Thanks for watching!
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