Blueprint for Lola's cinema den
Blueprint for Lola's cinema den
When I started writing for TCT about additive manufacturing back in February 2013, I never thought I’d be typing the name Mark Wright ever again. My previous role was working for Lime Pictures writing blogs for TOWIE about reality star, Wright’s on/off relationship with Lauren Goodger, who, coincidentally I resisted writing a story on when she visited Asda to get a “3D printed selfie”.
Whereas the Lauren Goodger story was a little bit of superfluous PR for the Walmart-owned supermarket, Mark Wright has actually been involved in a real feel good story for 3D technologies with a totally different Lauren. Alongside co-star Lauren Layfield, Mark present a CBBC TV Show called Dengineers, in which they create amazing dens for children whilst teaching them a little about engineering along the way.
For the latest episode Mark and Lauren visited a young girl called Lola, who wanted to be able hang out with her mum and watch films more. Because mum uses a wheelchair the den, a mini-movie theatre must be accessible and have all the bells and whistles of a cinema.
Lola with her 3D printed statue
Lola with her 3D printed statue
During the episode as a special treat for Lola, Mark Wright whisked movie-buff Lola off to FBFX, a leading company in the supply of special effects costumes to the silver screen. FBFX use 3D scanning technology to capture actors’ body shape and design costumes to fit on top. At TCT Show 2014, FBFX displayed the Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Lord helmet in the Innovation Showcase.
Star Lord helmet made by FBFX
FBFX scanned Lola with their rig of 120 DSLR cameras in order to create a digital model, which they then decided to turn into an Oscaresque statue for her den cinema.
What wasn’t mentioned in the episode was the actual printing of the statue, FBFX contacted good friend Gary Miller, MD at 3D Print Bureau. As is always the case with TV the turnaround had to be pretty quick. Gary managed to 3D print the statue of Lola using a Stratasys Connex 1 in under 24 hours.
