We speak to mechanical whale expert Justin Buckinhamshire!

How big were the whales you were working on?

Big! From the whale’s nose to just behind the pectoral fin area, they measured over three meters in length. 

Are they the biggest thing you've ever worked on?

We have been lucky enough to have created a few different sized whales in the past. The largest thing I’ve created is a 60-foot bull Sperm Whale, which is currently lying on top of some old containers outside my workshop. We have also constructed an adult Southern Right Whale.

Did you have to get up close and personal with real whales to learn about them?

Not on this project. However, we did have hours of original material from the actual events, which inspired Big Miracle to study and learn from.

What other mechanical beasts have you made?

Quite a few over the years - everything from raccoons to Great White Sharks! Whales would always be my favourite though.

What were the biggest challenges of this job?

Ensuring that the mechanics could withstand the Alaskan elements was definitely our biggest concern. We knew that the whales worked when tested in the moderate temperatures in New Zealand; however we had a healthy nervousness about the effect of the freezing water!

How did you get into this job?

I watched a sci-fi movie in the seventies, which fascinated me so much that I went home and started making cardboard spaceships!

When will you be making robotic humans?

I’m not sure - maybe when someone comes along with the right budget!

What's the best thing about your job?

Seeing all the hard work come together and producing a successful result!

Big Miracle is out now on Blu-ray and DVD from Universal Pictures UK