Jan 29, 2020
CALLING ALPHA CONTROL: JEFF WARGO
EPISODE SYNOPSIS: We welcome, Sci-Fi Fantasy Master Model Maker Mr. Mr. Jeff Wargo. Jeff is an extraordinarily talented scale model maker with expertise in both kit & scratch building techniques. Highly respected in the Pro-Modeling community; many of his dazzling creations have been the subject of several articles for modeling publications such as “Fine Scale Modeler" and "Sci Fi and Fantasy Modeler". Over the last several decades, Jeff’s produced scores of gorgeously crafted scale vehicles FROM A VARIETY of Sci-Fi Film & TV properties including; Fantastic Voyage, Thunderbirds, UFO, & Space 1999 & of course Irwin Allen’s Sci-Fi TV series among many others. Recently, his beautiful ‘studio scale’ filming replica of the Moon Bus from 2001: A Space Odyssey was on display in the London Design Museum, as part of their Stanley Kubrick Exhibition which ran thru SEP 2019. Jeff’s Moon Bus will be on display in New York at Museum of Moving Image’ Stanley Kubrick Exhibition JAN – JUL 2020. In addition, Jeff has extensive professional experience in the Model Kit & toy industry as a Mold Fabricator, Model & Pattern Maker & Design Engineer, working for companies such as Lunar Models & Monogram/Revell models. Later in his career he transitioned along with the industry becoming skilled in 3D Printing & Computer Aided Design working for various firms such as Zenith & Molex Fiber Optics before retiring.
JEFF’S BIO: First, before we speak with him, a little background information on Mr. Wargo. Jeff grew up in the greater Chicago area and resides there still today. His early fascination for Sci-Fi Fantasy modeling was inspired by watching the vintage 1960’s shows such as Star Trek, VTTBS, TT & of course LIS. In the years since, he’s not only become an expert model maker himself, he’s made an extensive study of the miniature building & photographic techniques used to produce those dazzling special effects shots from Movies & TV series in the era before CGI. In addition, he’s also currently working on several other modeling projects that will be of particular interest to our audience. We’re going to speak with Jeff today about his love for Classic Sci-Fi TV shows & Movies & get some behind the scenes information on how the original Miniatures & Effects were created for those productions, as well as a little surprisingly interesting information on the nuts & bolts of the Plastic Model Kit industry. Now, sit back & enjoy this captivating & informative interview with Master model maker Mr. Jeff Wargo.
PODCAST INFO: This interview was conducted on 06 SEP 2019.
LINKS: https://www.facebook.com/jeffery.wargo
http://www.marccushman.com/books.html