Re: Creator of JP T-rex (was MY $.02 ON THE LOST WORLD (VERY LON

[dunn1@IDT.NET]

> From:          MBell16766@aol.com

> I too have great admiration for the design of Tyrannosaurus in the JP
> features. It is still a mystery to me who was actually responsible for the
> design. 

Mike Trcic did the sculpting.  Originally big "King Kong" fan 
Spielberg wanted it to look just like the "Allosaurus rex" from that 
film, and Winston's team obeyed, having "Crash" McCreary do up a 
great fossil lizard sketch.  Thank heavens that a responsible guy 
like Mike got the sculpting job.  He put himself on the line to get 
the job done right, feeling that the paleontological community and 
forward thinking dinosaur fans would be outraged by a great fossil 
lizard.  He fought for and eventually got a more accurate T-rex, 
which he considers to be about 65% correct. The sketches of the 
"Allosaurus rex" quietly disapeared and the McCreary sketches many of 
us are familiar with replaced them. I love Mike's JP T-rex.

By the way, to see his rendition of a T-rex unfettered by Hollywood, 
go here:

http://www.indyrad.iupui.edu/public/jrafert/trcic.htm

Sadly, it's gorgeous detail is obscured by the almost obligatory 
bronze finish (which will never fail to confound me), but you'll get 
the general idea.

Regards to all,
Larry

"Join the Mobile Infantry
And see the Universe"