The Scale of Miniature Sets: Crafting Realism While Keeping It Small

Bigger Means More Precision, But…

For those familiar with meticulously crafted miniature sets, titles like Thunderbirds may come to mind. This British TV series, utilizing marionettes, became renowned for its detailed miniatures—airplanes, vehicles, spaceships, and indoor sets designed to look strikingly real.

British films like The Land That Time Forgot also demonstrate a remarkable dedication to mechanical model-making, which resonates deeply with creators like me who enjoy “craft-based cinema.”

However, I was surprised (and a little disheartened) to discover that the Thunderbirds’ miniature sets were built on a massive 1/3 scale. While larger miniatures are easier to construct with finer detail, the size seemed so vast that the effort required felt less remarkable.

Smaller, more intricate models evoke a stronger reaction:

• “Wow! This is amazing for something so tiny!” By contrast, 1/2 or 1/3 scale naturally appears realistic, removing the need for ingenuity to sell the illusion.

The Joy of Small Things

Consider bonsai trees: if a pine bonsai were a meter tall, it would lose its charm. The appeal lies in its small pot while evoking the majesty of ancient, towering trees.

Similarly, the appeal of miniatures in films stems from:

• Being incredibly detailed despite their small size.
• Fooling the eye into seeing them as life-size when viewed from the right angle.

Filmmaking projects can emphasize this by creating miniatures as small as possible, yet filming them to appear realistically full-scale. For independent filmmakers without widespread recognition, this adds extra intrigue to their work.

Entertainment Through Craftsmanship

While some may view films as “pure art,” I believe they can also thrive as “entertaining spectacles.” Imagine surprising an audience with a behind-the-scenes clip:

• “Wait, that scene was made with such a tiny miniature set?!”

For my own projects, I aim to create 1/20 scale miniatures—small enough for a set to fit on an A4-sized surface. These models are not only budget-friendly but also require less storage space, enabling the creation of many different sets.

Although finer details are harder to achieve compared to larger-scale models like Thunderbirds, the process of crafting realism becomes more rewarding. I plan to document and share these methods as I develop them.

Miniature Models: An Essential Part of Filmmaking

Filmmaking incorporates diverse artistic elements—storytelling, acting, visuals, and sound. I believe the “fun of miniature modeling” deserves a spot among these. Unlike live theater, miniatures leverage the unique visual illusions only film can create, enabling impossible-to-shoot ideas to come to life.

To support creators exploring this craft, I’ve prepared a video tutorial: “How to Build Miniature Ruins” (60 minutes). It includes footage of my miniature-making process with added narration. Whether you create models or simply enjoy watching the process, I hope it provides inspiration.

You can preview the PR video here.