Easy to forget that what we see on film is largely a carefully-contrived illusion.
BBC artcle here.
Alf Hunter, from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, worked on more than 60 films including the first three films in the sci-fi franchise and the Indiana Jones series.
The 90-year-old, who started working at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood in 1951, said he developed a reputation for his skills in set painting and was regularly requested by directors...
Alf Hunter still has his Raiders of the Lost Ark crew cap
After Star Wars, Mr Hunter went on to work on Raiders of the Lost Ark with fellow decorator Jack Josey and said they always appreciated the film's director personally thanking 'two hairy-arsed decorators'.
He recalled: "Steven Spielberg shook my hand and thanked me for my sets."
Mr Hunter said the pair not only painted the sets, but were also involved in decorating the giant ball that Indiana Jones runs away from in the opening sequence.
"I forget how many times we had to decorate that bloody thing, every time it rolled on the floor, it damaged the paintwork."..
Mr Hunter wishes he had written a book which would include the time he took Elizabeth Taylor to the local pub and how he called Clint Eastwood a "big handsome git" to his face...
BBC artcle here.
Alf Hunter, from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, worked on more than 60 films including the first three films in the sci-fi franchise and the Indiana Jones series.
The 90-year-old, who started working at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood in 1951, said he developed a reputation for his skills in set painting and was regularly requested by directors...
Alf Hunter still has his Raiders of the Lost Ark crew cap
After Star Wars, Mr Hunter went on to work on Raiders of the Lost Ark with fellow decorator Jack Josey and said they always appreciated the film's director personally thanking 'two hairy-arsed decorators'.
He recalled: "Steven Spielberg shook my hand and thanked me for my sets."
Mr Hunter said the pair not only painted the sets, but were also involved in decorating the giant ball that Indiana Jones runs away from in the opening sequence.
"I forget how many times we had to decorate that bloody thing, every time it rolled on the floor, it damaged the paintwork."..
Mr Hunter wishes he had written a book which would include the time he took Elizabeth Taylor to the local pub and how he called Clint Eastwood a "big handsome git" to his face...
