Dumper Truck This was part of a large model 'build' for John Boormans film 'Emerald Forest'. The main model action revolved around the Dam Burst sequence. We supplied cranes that despite being at 1;36 scale still stood at over 2 metres high all made in type metal and brass and designed with weakened sections to bend and crumple when hit by the wall of water. The film was shot 'overcranked' and played back at normal speed to iron out the bumps and increase the sense of life size action taking place. The Director wanted to be able to shoot the scene three times over (ready when you are Mr. Demille), and so some cranes needed to survive ( a nightmare for us ) and others were, as I mentioned, designed to perish. The shoot was scheduled for three consecutive nights allowing the day in-between for rebuild. OK for the camera crew, but not so hot for the model crew who had to be on stand by during filming and then work to re-arrange all the props. The dumper truck was an inset 'detail' shot whilst the mayhem was happening. We built it to survive being hit three times by a 3 metre wall of water and incorporated break-away parts which could be easily replaced. Although the truck was made at 1/4 scale it was still nearly as big as a small car. We had to make rubber tyres that would allow the dumper to bounce convincingly when required.

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