Frequently Asked Questions

Q. So, what exactly is this?

A. The 3D Blockbuster project came about because I’ve been trying to find an excuse to learn blender. With no paying reasons to do so, I needed something personal, and after recreating some rooms at Fawlty Towers and the Overlook Hotel, I wondered if I could recreate the Blockbuster I worked at from memory, as no photos of the interior seem to exist.

What’s great about this project is the wide variety of skill sets in model design, and geometry nodes required, so it’s forcing me to not play safe with my skills.

Q. Why spend your time building a 90s video store?

A. Like many movie geeks my age, I spent some formative years working at and managing a Blockbuster Video. Mine specifically was in Palatine, Illinois and my tenure was from 1997 to 2001.

Perhaps it’s the horrors of the modern day, or the fact that while it’s GREAT to have every piece of media ever at the click of a button, nothing compares to browsing the aisles and picking up boxes to read what a movie’s about. And literally judging a movie by its cover.

There’s something so visceral about seeing this place again, and every element I update to get closer and closer to the way it looked brings up new memories and nostalgia. Opening it up to other Blockbuster fans and employees has also helped bring surprising recall to a time that has long since passed. (25 Years for me!)

And I need a distraction from this hellscape of a country/news cycle.

Q. Is this a game I can play, or just a 3D model?

A. Right now it only exists on my computer as a 3D model, so the only way you’re able to experience it is through pictures.

That said, once the model gets closer to completion, and my skills with blender continue to improve I plan to do 360 photospheres, video walkthroughs, and, hopefully, a VR experience.

Beyond that? Well, this has already taken 100s of hours, but Rome and Stardew Valley were not completed in a day, and neither is this.

Also, I think it would be quite interesting to make it a game

Q. Are you building everything from scratch in Blender?

A. I would say I’m building 85-90% of this from scratch, as that’s part of the point. That said I have purchased models (the computers are just far too complex for my skills at this moment) and have kitbashed from some scenes I own. But everything that is quintissentially blockbuster has been built by hand by me.

Q. Where is the best place to keep up with the project?

A. Two places, here: 3DBlockbuster.com. And Reddit’s /r/3DBlockbuster community is the best way to interact and comment, as well as share your own memories of Blockbuster.

Q. How can I contribute/support?

A. As this project progresses I’m realizing it’s a fool’s errand to try to do it all myself. So many of you have already helped or offered support, and I appreciate every little bit.

That said, there are a couple of concrete ways you can help.

Share your memories.

This is a nostalgia based project, as I’ve said, so it’s nearly 100% reliant on the shoddy memory of an ageing geek. So tell me about your blockbuster, what it looked like, if you had one that matched my layout, etc etc.

Share pictures & video

If you have ANY pictures from your time at Blockbuster, especially circa @1999, please please share. Likewise if you know any scenes from movies (Like The Holiday, Last Action Hero, and Ethan Hawke’s Hamlet) that have scenes set in a Blockbuster.

Technical support

If you too are a 3D designer/modeler and want to try your hand at some (hopefully) lowish poly elements, please let me know. Same with having libraries of 3D models you can donate from/share. (Legally, of course. You wouldn’t download a car.)

Financial support

I hate this one. I grew up being told not to ask for anything. But as folks have asked me, CooperSBeckett.com/coffee is where you can “buy me a coffee.” This isn’t a kickstarter so I don’t have perks, but down the line I WILL have more intensive elements that will need to be previewed and you’d better believe those who help will get first dibs.

Specifically, though, computing is expensive, so are models and textures, and rendering support. I’m doing it all myself, so sometimes being able to afford something will be the difference between an update today and one in a month when I can get to it.

I can’t guarantee any return on investment. But then, neither can life.