BLADE RUNNER artist Syd Mead (BBtv interview)

The 1982 cyberpunk cinema classic Blade Runner remains one of the most influential science fiction movies of all time, and tops many a nerd's favorite films list.

Today on Boing Boing tv, Boing Boing Gadgets editor Joel Johnson visits the studio of artist and futurist Syd Mead, who designed the film's dystopian look and feel. We learn about the "erotic machine" he dreamed for the replicant Zhora (this breast-shaped dreampod was cut from the script when director Ridley Scott ran out of dough), the 1 2 3 *4* alternate opening scenes designed by Syd (one of them, which involved shoveling dead bodies, was deemed "too Holocaust"), what really lights up those building facades, and many more secrets.

Syd explains he envisioned the world of Blade Runner as a place "you wouldn't want to be for too long," and describes the challenges of designing for "a love story with moralistic underpinnings... if we could actually make people, would we treat them like dishwashers? Just use them up and throw them away?"

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  Science & Technology

[laughinsilence]

watched the final cut a couple months ago, i had heard of the movie but never watched it. when i did, as soon as it ended i felt like watching it again, it was the best movie i had ever seen, still is

[mjmanning123]

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-Beams glitter in the dark near the Tenhausser gate. All those moments will be lost in time like tears in rain.

Perhaps one of the most poetic movie lines of all time. God I love Ridley Scott

[Nickarrrrr]

That line was partially improvised, though. Especially towards the end. So give the actor Rutger Hauer some credit, please

[jmm1233]

Thankyou Syd Mead and all the workers on the miniaturize sets , i dream of thy work

[Simon Harris]

I am currently studying Industrial Design and I love the work of Syd Mead. He is a straight up amazing designer and engineer.

[ShadowsHeat]

"The book is better"

These guys, there is always at least one of them.

[MrRaigami]

the book from P.Dick is way better believe me

[OneofInfinity]

Nice video, cool that the artist kept so much original concepts, proud of his work :)