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Rostrus: A Real-Life Film Set Inspired by The Lord of the Rings

Mark Melnikov's Rostrus is a captivating real-life film set inspired by The Lord of the Rings, meticulously crafted to bring the fantasy world of Middle-Earth to life on screen. Drawing inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien's books and The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, the project aimed to create a new architectural set that embodies the artistic style of John Howe and meets the highest standards of Weta Workshop.

Unlike the prevalent use of computer technologies for creating visual effects in films, Rostrus stands out as a traditional masterpiece. Crafted with medium density fiberboard, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and polyvinyl chloride, the set is molded and casted with poured plastic (SmoothCast), ensuring a high level of detail and realism. With dimensions of 600mm in width, 400mm in depth, and 760mm in height, Rostrus offers a unique and immersive experience for both film shootings and exhibitions.

The project, which commenced in April 2020 in Novosibirsk and concluded in September 2020, was a result of extensive pre-production research. The team collected behind-the-scenes photos from The Lord of the Rings and original John Howe sketches to analyze the architectural style of Middle-Earth and push the boundaries further. Overcoming the challenge of creating a landmark of a fantasy world that is both plausible and impressive, Rostrus offers a 360-degree shooting opportunity, maintaining a 1:1000 scale and finely detailed model for enhanced visual impact.

Mark Melnikov, a concept artist and model maker for the entertainment industry, has showcased his exceptional creativity and craftsmanship with Rostrus. His dedication to traditional techniques and attention to detail have earned him the Bronze A' Design Award in the Fine Arts and Art Installation Design category in 2021, recognizing his outstanding contribution to bringing fantasy worlds to life on screen.

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