Ever found yourself inside of a movie?
Okay, me neither.
BUT–a visit to Avatar: The Exhibition (currently at The Henry Ford*) comes pretty close. I got the chance to stop by a few weeks ago for a walk through Pandora, getting a behind-the-scenes look at movie props and interactive displays that created a world similar to the motion picture.
Figuring out this interactive screen–the little floaty-critters gravitate towards your shadow!
Above: Lifelike artist’s study of Mo’at
Above: Artist’s study of Neytiri
The exhibit was filled with life-like busts that served as character inspiration for the filmmakers.
While wandering around, I found Brad and my parents (who were in town for a few days) huddling around a table . . . doing something more interesting than hanging out with me. Okay, let’s go see what they’re up to.
They were playing a game on this giant touch-screen, where everyone has a fish that eats other fish. You control the movement of your fish, when it lights up (to attract smaller fish), and when to turn off your light (to avoid bigger fish). I think that’s right. I don’t know–my fish lost, so I’m probably not the best person to explain all of this.
The coolest part of the exhibit was probably seeing how Avatar actors were filmed and transformed into computer-animated characters. And guess what? I got to be one of those characters! Check it ouuuut . . .
That’s me. I’m in a [pretend] movie.
Inside this little stage area, a video of James Cameron popped up on a TV screen, letting me know he’d be my director that afternoon. Hey, Jim, nice to meet ya. A real person also stood nearby to tell me how to follow the lights on the floor (I guess even Jim Cam needs a little help now and then), but I considered myself to be a big-time actress all the same. Hey, nobody can make an eight- (ten?) foot Na’vi move gracefully through a sparkly forest quite like me.
Warming up with a robot dance. The final video was supposed to be emailed to me, but alas–it never reached my inbox.
Keep an eye out–I’m coming soon to a theater near you.
