Behind the Scenes: Our Model Shop

QMx FX Cinema Arts artisans work on an Enterprise D replica

OCALA, Fla. – September 28, 2012 – There's a bit of magic that goes into making our collectibles, and much of it happens in the central Florida city of Ocala. That's where the QMx FX Cinema Arts division is located, in a 3,000-square-foot model shop that boasts some pretty fancy equipment and some of the best model-making talent in the world.

Our team does everything from digital design to detailed finishing. They create prototypes and assemble numerous parts (many of them scratch-built) into the ship replicas and props seen or represented in such movies as Star Trek and Super 8, and such TV shows as Warehouse 13 and Battlestar Galactica.

Steel, fiberglass, polyester resins, acrylic, styrene are among the materials our model makers work with. They install electronics and tiny LEDs in our Artisan collectibles. They apply paint meticulously by hand, layer upon layer for texture and depth under different lighting conditions. They build displays and even construct wooden prop crates for shipping.

John Eblan, VP, QMx FX Cinema Arts

John Eblan, Vice President of QMx FX Cinema Arts, leads the shop. Formerly a model maker at Industrial Light & Magic, John has created models and miniatures for Pearl Harbor, the Star Wars movies Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Star Trek.

"There's no doubt that what we do is work," says Eblan. "But it's in a really fun environment. We get to build spaceships and cool props all day. Everybody here has the opportunity for creative input and collaboration."

Most of our Artisan collection comes out of our model shop: everything from the Serenity replica to the Vipers from Battlestar Galactica and the various ships from Star Trek. The shop also creates Farnworths from Warehouse 13 and is working on a 1:6 scale TARDIS from Doctor Who. The model-making team is thrilled to be working on some of the hottest projects in show business.

"When we look back at what we've created, it's exciting," says Eblan. "It's invigorating, and we have a great time doing what we do."

For a closer look at our model shop, here's our photo gallery:

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