XKX Projects, a creative design and engineering business based in Bradford, has been commissioned to create a hand crafted ‘Rebel Cruiser' as a show stopping visitor experience for Ultra Con 2016.
The team of talented designers and engineers, that specialise in bespoke creative solutions for event organisations, architects, film and television, plus retail brands, has created the ‘Rebel Cruiser' to pay tribute to the Star Wars film franchise's iconic spaceship.
It's said to be a first of its kind as the film set only ever had individual models of the interior and exterior. Ultra Con has commissioned XKX Projects to build a replica that combines both.
Ultra Con is a cinematic experience event for family, cosplayers, comic fans, collectors and fans of Sci-Fi. The ‘Rebel Cruiser' has been custom-made as a fan-built dramatic centrepiece to the show for visitors to experience up close the exterior and interior of the most iconic spaceship in movie history.
Dino Parrinello, founder and owner of XKX Projects, comments: "We design, manufacture and build permanent and temporary installations in our Bradford based 13,500 square feet workshop. Being asked to create a tribute spaceship for Ultra Con was a challenge that we were keen to undertake. Working from movie images we have collaborated with the Ultra Con team and together we have custom-built a detailed replica space craft experience to thrill film fans attending the show.
"As an event centrepiece the ‘Rebel Cruiser' cockpit stands at 13 feet tall and is more than 42 feet in length. To create the science fiction fantasy adventure the structure is made from Plywood and MDF and is supported on steel tube legs and can be split into separate components for transporting. Every project we undertake is bespoke and we will do whatever it takes to get the job done and ensure the client and their customers have a fantastic experience."
Rob Ormondroyd, owner of Ultra Con, comments: "Fans will board the space craft by a 13 foot ramp and walk down an atmospheric tubular corridor. Luke Daily, myself and the Ultra Con team, along with XKX Projects, have spent thousands of man hours recreating a stunning interior, surrounded by custom lighting and authentic weathered wall detail. The walkway will lead to the cockpit doorway where inside there is a science-fiction fantasy environment with over a thousand brightly coloured LED lights, switches, and hundreds of scratch-built components and highly detailed panels.
"Ultra Con is a leading film fan event in the UK for families to enjoy. When we commissioned the ‘Rebel Cruiser' we needed a team that would get the job done but would also bring incredible attention to detail to the project. Film fans are the best critics and we want to ensure that they receive an experience that is authentic, thrilling and memorable. We are delighted with XKX Projects' approach and the way they have collaborated with us to interpret the brief."