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2001 A Space Odyssey - Space Station Rotation Shadow
This slip-up occurs near the beginning of the movie, as the slim space shuttle is docking with the rotating "ferris-wheel" space station. Since the space station is turning relative to the sun, you notice in most views the shadow on the space station changing relative to the spokes of the space station wheel (as expected).
However, in one scene where the camera is rotating together with the space station (so it looks like the station isn't rotating at all in the view) you should theoretically still see the shadow moving relative to the spokes.... but it DOESN'T! The shadow stays in the same position for about 10-15 seconds! It looks ODD!
I'm not sure if many people pick up on it, but it just doesn't seem to look right... and that's probably why.
Edy
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Rated 5.0/10 (37 ratings) Your opinion?
Special Requirements: Any version of the movie
Contributed By: Anonymous on 12-01-2000 and Reviewed By: Webmaster
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Comments:
Matrix_Forensics_Laboratories writes:
You are right. I must say, though that the reason for this is because in the studio, for the interior shot of the shuttle about to dock the 'ferris wheel', they made the camera approach the 'ferris wheel' model when it was static (they could not use animations, as they weren't around then). So to fix this problem they should have made the model spin, with the camera spinning in the same direction and speed too(while still having the light-source/sun as a fixed position), or they could have made the model and the camera static(standing still) and had the light-source/sun move around the model in the opposite direction for that 'spinning' effect. But these solutions would prove too costly and/or time-consuming, so my best guess is that Kubick knew this, but hoped nobody would notice, and not too many people notice this. Well spotted. But whatever the explanation I give you, you are right, this is a relevant Slip-up.
15 of 6576 found this helpful. Did you? Yes
hulxter writes:
I agree with the comments made. However, I think we should consider the possibility that Kubrick was aware of the shadow inconsistency, but chose to let it be for a very good reason. A moving shadow would disrupt the intended illusion of still motion in the scene. I truly believe this is the case. Kubrick let the shadow be still, thus choosing style over realism, a choice which he consistently makes throughout the film.
15 of 6576 found this helpful. Did you? Yes

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