3D Printing Sweeps the Oscars

It is hardly a secret that 3D printing is becoming a key technology in the film and movie industry. From FDM to Material Jetting and everything in between, additive manufacturing technologies allow for the production of beautiful and intricate props and costumes at a fraction of the cost. Now, the value has been confirmed even more as two separate projects using 3D printing have been awarded at the Oscars this year. We speak of course about Pinocchio’s win for Best Animated Feature and Ruth E. Carter’s win for Best Costume Design.

It is actually not the first time that a project involving 3D printing has won an Oscar. Indeed, part of what is incredible this year is that for Ruth E. Carter this is her second Oscar, making her the first Black woman to win two Oscars as well as the first designer to win for both an original film and its sequel, with 3D printing already being used for the first Black Panther movie. But the fact that 3D printing was involved in at least two of the biggest movies of the year and that the technologies helped them to win these prestigious awards is worth noting. As such, we wanted to take a closer look at both projects and how additive manufacturing was used.

SLS 3D printing was used to create this incredible crown for Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, helping to lead to a second Oscar win for designer Ruth E. Carter (photo credits: Materialise)

3D Printing With Stainless Steel for Pinocchio

Pinocchio’s win for Best Animated Feature is certainly no small feat, going up against the likes of Disney’s popular feature Turning Red as well as Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and The Sea Beast. Adding on to that, it also marked a unique achievement in the industry: Pinocchio himself bears the distinction of being the first puppet to be made using 3D printed stainless steel.