Here's a unique limited-edition prop replica, licensed by Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment for the smash blockbuster hit, Jurassic Park. A Studio authorized and authenticated 1:1 scale, first generation, Jurassic Park "Velociraptor Egg" prop replica molded directly off of a screen-used original "Hero" prop, fabricated by Stan Winston Studios for Steven Spielberg's hugely popular dinosaur extravaganza.
Much like the Icons Velociraptor Claw prop replica, Icons had fun attempting to come up with some type of simulated "archeological-dig" display base.
Icons R&D referred to photos of actual dinosaur egg fossils and it was noted that actual dinosaurs would often bury their eggs in clusters in rock nests. It was decided to play off of this factual information by creating a rock cradle-like nest, to display the Velociraptor prop replica eggs.
Much like it is during filming on movie sets for film crews, the Icons staff had to utilize what was conveniently at hand to create something that was necessary. So, one of the Icons Fabrication and Design Group staff walked up and down Sherman Way adjacent to Burbank Airport and picked up some stones that were laying on the ground. In their natural state. These were brought back to Icons Fab & Design's shop and methodically and carefully glued together in artistic fashion, with the Velociraptor egg prop replica rock-nest (egg-holder) concept in mind.
A small engraved plaque bearing the initials USC (for Universal Studios copyright) and Amblin (for Steven Spielberg's production company name which he got from the name of his student film project "Amblin") was glued to the reverse side of the rock nest display. This hand-made display was then molded in Silicone and castings fabricated. These were then carefully airbrushed by Icons talented paint crew to identically match the original rocks found on the roadside.
It was brought up by one member of the Icons R&D staff that the Velociraptor egg should be hollow. Possibly "roto-cast" instead of it being cast in solid resin. This became a cost issue because Icons, at the time, did not have a roto-cast machine and new molds for roto-casting would have to be created.
Faced with this obstacle, it was decided that this manufacturing problem might actually become a positive marketing feature...one key member of the Icons creative team asked "Well..., how much does a real Ostrich egg weigh on the average ?" And, amazingly, it was found the Icons Velociraptor egg weighed the exact same weight as an Ostrich egg...1 3/4 pounds on average !! This interesting information was included in sales specifications for the item.
This is an early prototype for the JP egg coa. You can see some memos with annotations from Icons staff.
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