Tell us about your incredible ORCA model.
(First, I owe some credit to Jesse Thompson - a very talented and dedicated Orca model builder, who has done many over the years.)
For me, it all started when I finally succumbed to my long-time obsession to own an Orca scale model, and looked on eBay for one to purchase. I promptly found one that Jesse had made, which although quite pricey for me, was too hard to pass up. I had seen many for sale before, but none of them had a what I considered an accurate hull shape. This one did. So I bid on it ...and won.
Once I received it, however, there were several issues I had with the quality of piece, particularly in its detailing. I’ve only built a modicum of model kits over my lifetime, but when I do, I am truly obsessive about detail and accuracy. I couldn’t help myself. So, on and off, over the following nine months, I deconstructed the model down to its raw hull and started over from scratch, utilizing the newly-released Jaws Blu-Ray with its stunning new clarity as a reference source for every aspect of the build.
What materials did you use?
Mostly thin basswood to replace balsa wood parts originally used, and thin acrylic for windows. (As a fun bonus, I actually incorporated a small fiberglass piece of the authentic sinking ORCA into the stern section of the model. So, it basically contains D.N.A. from the real thing.)
How did you manage to achieve such an accurate and detailed recreation?
I’m still sometimes asked if I would share the schematics I used to build my ORCA, but I have to say I never used any blueprints, reference charts or instructions. I simply eyeballed my way through the process. There was a lot of trial and error, and re-thinking how I would approach every aspect.
The process was slow, organic, messy, and sometimes literally painful. At one point for example, I was using an X-Acto blade to cut the letters for “ORCA” and sliced my thumb but good. In my dedication to realism, I quickly applied some of the blood dripping from my hand onto the transom of the boat - where Brody dishes out the chum. Combined with a little red paint, It certainly added an authentic tone, making it look like dried blood from many days’ use.
Painting was the real fun part for me. It was very important to get the colors right, which required a lot of testing. I used to work at an animatronic company called Sally Corporation back in the nineties, where I was in charge of art-finishing props and themed environments. Weathering, in particular, has always been a passion of mine. And the ORCA required lots of it: Rust, grime, paint-peeling, hard water spots, fish blood, and even purple and white seagull poop, for example. All were a delight to work into the model. Over the months, the project came together until I was satisfied, and I was finally able to have my dining room table back.
So, with the exception of the excellent hull made by Jesse Thompson, everything else is my own work. After I completed and posted it online, Jesse contacted me and graciously complimented the overhaul I had done. We kept in touch for a while, and I was happy to share tips on weathering, how to make cloth folds on a miniature scale using wet paper, distressing techniques, etc. He has since implemented some of the tricks I shared, and uses them on his own ORCA builds. He’s the go-to guy if you want an accurate ORCA model. I HIGHLY recommend him for his excellent work - if he’s still making them these days.
What was the hardest part of the process?
Probably working on the inner cabin parts once the cabin was secured. Also, navigating around the delicate mast details without snagging the wires and delicate miniature instruments. The latter became more difficult due to the build-up of superglue residue on my fingertips, which diminished my gripping ability significantly.
Any advice for Jaws fans out there looking to make their own ORCA?
Probably don’t. Unless you have more free time, discretionary money, and band-aids than optimism. ;)
But if you take on the work, know what you are getting yourself into. Hope the short video “My Little ORCA” I made will help in that regard.
What makes the ORCA so iconic?
The overhaul of the original lobsterboat, “Warlock” spearheaded by Production Designer, Joe Alves was so visually effective for the third act -the wide cabin windows allowing the viewer to experience the claustrophobic, tiny, tenuous refuge of our heroes juxtaposed against the blue vastness of the shark’s domain in every shot... brilliant! The iconic pulpit design, the dismal green color scheme against a red hull outlined in black - Perfection!
(An aside here, I’ve noticed that the color “red” is associated with each fatal attack by the shark in Jaws (and I’m not referring to any blood). 1). Chrissie’s death - the buoy is red. 2). Alex Kintner’s swimming trunks are red. 3). Teddy Grossman’s little boat - red. 4). The ORCA-with its red hull lining...) Don’t know how intentional that was, but kinda cool.
Any plans to make more Jaws related models?
Nope. :) I did assemble a Millenium Falcon (Bandai) sorta recently though. - Different galaxy.
One last thing...
Going back for a moment to Jaws’ influence on my life...
Today, as a professional graphic designer, I still credit Roger Kastel’s painting for the Jaws novel for inspiring me to design book covers and poster art - now my own ‘bread and butter’. In childhood, many were the times I practiced my art skills by drawing Roger’s famous shark and swimmer. I still have some examples in a box somewhere.
As it turns out, one of my long-term clients is Author Steve Alten - most of whose MEG novel covers bear my artwork. In 2018, when Warner Bros. released the Jason Statham blockbuster, The MEG, based on Steve’s book, I was given the privilege to design the title treatment for the film. And now, a wrapped MEG 2 is preparing for worldwide release next year. (Still waiting to see if I’ll be involved again.) The irony is not lost on me that after decades of obsessing over a shark novel cover, I’d be creating shark-centric imagery for contemporary novel covers and their inspired film adaptations.
Anyway, back in 2005, when I finally met Roger Kastel at his New York home during the filming of The Shark is Still Working, I asked him to sign the cover of a Jaws novel I had brought with me, which he happily did. I also brought along a copy of Steve Alten’s novel MEG: Primal Waters, (featuring my cover art) to give to him, in appreciation for the inspiration his work had been to my career. The moment meant a lot to me.
Then, he asked me to sign it for him.
Wait. What?
So there I was, signing my cover art on the actual art table upon which he painted, not only the Jaws masterpiece that I had imitated for as long as I could remember, but also The Empire Strikes Back poster - another favorite of mine! It was, simply surreal. And one of my most meaningful moments related to Jaws. Thanks Roger!
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