1. Who are you, and what was your part in "Titanic?"
Well, you already know my name [Jeff DiSario]. I was on the visual effects team at Digital Domain. I was on the model team, and we built all of the miniatures used in the movie's effects shots.

2. What was your typical day like?
We would arrive at the model shop at about 6:30am. After opening up the big doors for some air (the model shop was an old Hughes aircraft hanger in Playa Del Rey) we would get to work on the models, picking up where we left off the night before. We had plans of the ship to look over, and many on the spot drawings were made so we could tell the machinists what parts we needed made. Problem solving was never ending on models of that scale and detail. I particularly had the duty of fixing a symmetry problem with the main model used in most of the shots. The tasks ranged from the challenging to the mundane. At times I would fix big problems and get to design and make pieces by hand, and at other times I was doing nothing more than hammering in thousands of brass brads that were used to simulate the ship's rivets in the hull. On Fridays we would meet with the digital crew at DD's main office to coordinate our efforts, and hammer out timelines as to when certain aspects could be expected to come together. Usually it was each of us bringing in footage of tests and shots and saying, "hey look what we did!" Then we would gather around the keg and drink and eat. I think it was mostly used as a release after a week of long hours.

3. What did you think of the outcome of the movie? Did you like the final product or not?
I most certainly like the outcome. I have heard the wide range of compliments and criticism about the movie, and all I can say is that I thought it was well planned and executed by James Cameron. But don't take my word for it, look at the box office returns and video sales. I thought the story was well thought out, and achieved its goal of connecting a modern audience with the lives of people on board. It was done so well that when the disaster strikes, you actually feel that sense of loss and sadness. That is what was intended, the emotional connection. It wasn't meant to be a documentary on the details of each passenger on board. And of course I have to say I am happy with the outcome of the visual effects. :-) Not only because I worked on them, but because many of them are not obvious. So many shots that you would think have no effects in them, actually have many. Of course there are the panoramic shots that were done to be beautiful breathtaking views of the ship, but most were there just to make certain shots "look" right, and not obvious at all.

4. What did you personally contribute to the movie? Any ideas that you came up with? Suggestions?
Well as one of the visual effects artists that worked on this film that was effects intensive I would have to say I contributed quite a bit. :-) As far as exactly what unique ideas that I had, I would have to say the biggest contribution I made was how to go about fixing the symmetry problem that existed on the main model, the 1/20th scale Titanic used in most of the shots. The wood and fiberglass hull of the ship was not exactly symmetrical from one side to the other. It was close, and you couldn't tell with your naked eye, but when it came time to map out the lines where we were going to be gluing on hull panels, it became apparent that they were not meeting at the aft section as we had planned. That meant that a symmetry discrepancy existed. As small as it was, once you continue to draw that line 45 feet to the ship's rear, that small problem near the front, became a huge problem at the back. So I had to tweak slightly the shape of each hull panel so they would meet in back, AND not be obvious that the panels were not uniform. Also, the back section of the hull had some interesting shapes for the hull plates to conform to. This meant that plastic panels couldn't be used there as they wouldn't bend enough to fit into or around some of those curves. I had to decide what other materials we could use. I settled on sheet aluminum. That was thinner than the plastic, so we doubled up on the layers of aluminum. This brought on more problems, but in the end it worked out and looked great.

5. What did you learn from the experience?
I certainly learned all about the anatomy of the Titanic. But more importantly I received an in depth understanding of this historical event. There were historians that helped guide the accuracy of the sets, props and models. They would share their deep knowledge of the Titanic and the lives that were part of her. We also had extensive footage of the wreck from which to guide the building of the wreck model. Seeing the ship in all of its detail at the bottom of the ocean, and hearing the stories of the historians really helped me feel responsible for doing my absolute best, not just so the film's effects shots look good, but in some way to make sure I got it right for history. Everyone I think felt extra proud to be working on this project. As the huge models slowly took shape, and our model shop started to look like a shipyard itself, at times I forgot I was working on effects shots and started to focus on building the Titanic. With the plans of the ship hanging all over the shop, it felt like a miniature Harland and Wolff shipyard. Thousands of pieces were taking shape all over the shop, and making their way to the hull of the ship which dominated the center of the shop's floor. All of these elements combined and really immersed everyone in the story of Titanic.

6. Did you work with Cameron? Is he as bad as they say?
I personally did not work with him. Our crew supervisors would meet with him and then pass along the job that was laid before us, or the changes that needed to be made. So if you are asking did I feel the infamous "wrath of James Cameron" I would say no. One thing I think effects people would prefer, is a director like Cameron who knows exactly what it is that he wants to see. There are too many directors that give such vague instructions that you have no idea what to create. Then you would show them, and they would say, "no that's not it." When you would then ask them what would be it, they would reply, "I'm not really sure, but I'll know it when I see it." That is a frustrating task. Not so with James Cameron. He knows exactly what it is that he wants, and makes sure it is crystal clear. That is a much more desirable situation. I cannot personally vouch for his personality as I was not exposed to it, but I will say that with as much money, time and resources that were on the line with HIS project, I would probably be edgy and really cranky at times also. He was getting it double barreled from the Fox and Paramount producers who's money was funding the movie. They are bottom line people and not the "creative" type. It is an age old battle in Hollywood. As creative a medium as film is, it is in the end a business. I think this particular bunch got a good return on their investment that they made reluctantly while making Cameron fight for every scene and cent that went into the production.

7. If you could do it again, would you? Why/Why not?
Absolutely. It was a fun experience that was a lot of work, but mostly it was fun and educational. We would work long hours, but they flew by for me.

8. If you could CHANGE anything, what would you change?
Can't think of anything off the top of my head.

9. If you could go back and be invisible and observe the movie being filmed, what part would you go to? Why?
I got to see the footage as it was shot for our models, and some of the test footage of the digital renderings, but not too much of what was being shot in Rosarita at the live set. I think I would have liked to have been able to walk along the life size set of the Titanic and the Southampton dock with all of the period props, extras, and cars. I think it would have been like stepping back in time, just to take a quick look around.

10. Did you meet any of the cast members? If not, who would you LIKE to meet?
No, I didn't. I've never been "star struck" so I can't think of anyone in particular that I would just "love to meet." I would be curious to discuss with them though what it was like for them filming for hours in water, and just to hear some of their personal stories of what they got out of the experience.

11. What is the first question you are asked when someone finds out you were on Titanic?
The very first question is "What did you do?" Then, if it is a teenage girl who is asking, the next question is "Did you meet Leo?" However, usually people will ask what it was like working on that film, or how I got the job, or they want to know how certain shots were accomplished. Then they usually will ask if I have any pictures from the shop or of the models.

12. Did you keep your crew jacket?
I'm disappointed, but I didn't get a crew jacket. I got a hat, and a couple of sweatshirts and a tee shirt, but no jacket. I must have been out on the day that they were ordering them, or maybe they were only offered to the digital effects crew. I'm not sure. If anyone knows how I can go about placing a late order, let me know! LOL

13. How did you GET the job?
I was on an interview with Sony Pictures Imageworks when they were gearing up for Stuart Little. The person interviewing me was older than I was and obviously worked there for some time. She asked me the same question, but the emphasis was more on YOU rather than GET. She looked over my portfolio, then at my work from Titanic, then looked at me (I was 27 - 28 at the time) and she quite frankly sneered, "So how did YOU get to work on Titanic?" I suppose she was bitter since Imageworks was one of the very few effects houses that didn't get to work on any of the shots for the film. I just smiled and said, "Because I'm good." However, I will give you a less sarcastic answer. I had sent Digital domain a portfolio and resume. I called for 4 months to follow up. I finally just moved on and forgot about them. Then a few months later I got a call from the model shop crew chief for Digital Domain. He explained that he had my resume, and wanted to talk to me about working with them on a James Cameron film about the Titanic. My first thought was, "Who's going to go see this film? We know how it ends, it sinks right?" However, Digital Domain is rivaled only by Industrial Light and Magic and James Cameron is one of this town's major players when it comes to making movies, so I instantly agreed to go for the interview. It's not as though I was in a position to turn down an offer to work on a big Hollywood film. Thank God I didn't. It was a fantastic experience.
14. Were you interested in Titanic before the movie deal?

I was interested somewhat. But I would have to say much more now that I have been a part of this production, and learned, in depth, the details of this event.

15. What have you done before Titanic that is worth mentioning?
What do you consider, "worth mentioning?" I mean almost everything pales next to a project the scale of Titanic. I've worked on several commercials and PSAs as a lighting technician, gaffer, and grip. However, since Titanic I have transitioned to the digital software that produces today's magic. I currently work for a big Internet company creating interactive animations and graphics that are updated weekly. I've also started my own business developing graphics, interactive Flash media, websites, and any digital rendering or animation that a client may need. I work long hours each week
in the digital creating and animation arena here in Los Angeles. There is a huge market for this, and not enough people who can do it effectively. Besides, it is my passion and I have fun doing it. After all, that's what life's about right?

16. If you could meet anyone that was on the actual SHIP whom would you talk to and why?
I think the Captain and Bruce Ismay. I would just like to know what they were thinking when they decided to take a brand new ship that hadn't been extensively tested, and then run it through an ice field at full speed in pitch darkness. Don't forget, there was no such thing as sonar or radar in those days. Even ships the size of aircraft carriers don't do that today. The argument that everyone thought the ship was unsinkable only goes so far. The human body is an amazing engineering feat, but you know better than to run through a room full of furniture late at night with the lights off. If you DON'T know better than that, you just may be qualified to be on the
Titanic's crew.

17. If you could sail on the new Titanic would you?
I think I would, but I will wait until its second trip just to be sure I miss any strange coincidences that may be attached to the name.

18. Would you go down to the wreck?
Absolutely. I think that would be an awesome sight. From what I have seen of the footage of the wreck, it still looks majestic and proud, even in the state its in at the bottom of the ocean.

19. If you were ON the Titanic, what would you have done to save yourself?
I think I would have followed the cook's lead and drank myself into an
absolute stupor, jumped in the water and hope for the best. It worked for him. The extreme amounts of alcohol in his blood, kept it from freezing. This is NOT to promote drinking, or advocate why excessive drinking is "good for you."

20. If you could change ONE thing in the movie, what would it be?
Get my name in the damn credits. There were so many people that they had to leave many out who worked on the effects.

21. Favorite scene? Least Favorite?
My favorite scene is the "take her to sea" scene where we got to show off a little. I can't think of a scene that I don't like too much.

22. Final thoughts?
Wow, its 3:00am?