Local News

Actions

Local company bringing Hollywood magic to Las Vegas with plane and helicopter sets

Posted at 5:55 PM, Jul 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-28 22:26:50-04

If you've been to the movies lately, chances are good you've seen the work of a local Las Vegas company.

Scroggins Aviation Mockup and Effects builds airplane and helicopter sets for big-budget Hollywood films.

Their first big break was the 2011 movie "Flight" starring Denzel Washington.

Scroggins supplied the plane that Washington crashes in the film.

Doug Scroggins owns the company that employs about 10 electricians, welders and technicians. 

"No one has to be an aircraft mechanic by any means," Scroggins said. "Nothing flies, it just needs to look like it does."

Since working on "Flight," Scroggins has added several other big-budget movies to his resume, including "Spider-Man: Homecoming," "Dunkirk," "Captain America: Civil War," "Iron Man 3" and "Jurassic World."

Nearly all the set pieces are built in Las Vegas.

"Hopefully the studios start to recognize that there are talented people here in the state," Scroggins said. "We're local. We're here."

Scroggins says one of the more enjoyable movies he's worked on is "Sully," starring Tom Hanks and directed by Clint Eastwood.

"We had to really focus on all the details," Scroggins said. "There was a lot of specific points that were addressed in the script that we had to be careful with."

Some employees say the job can feel pretty glamorous at times.

"I love finishing a job and actually going to the movies and seeing that and saying, 'I really did that,'" said Alan Taylor, who does body work on the planes. "I have to pinch myself."

Scroggins and other locals in the industry will be watching the progress of film tax credit legislation closely.

The tax credits would incentivize studios to make their movies in Nevada.