The Tale of Despereaux maquettes and miniatures...

This is the final installment of all the wonderful costumes, props and models that were on display on my latest visit to Universal Studios Hollywood on June 21, 2010.

Today is the turn of the 2008 computer-animated feature film The Tale of Despereaux, featuring maquettes and miniatures used in the creation of the movie.

Maquettes from The Tale of Despereaux

Most CGI (computer-generated imagery) animated characters start life as a sketch or small sculptures called 'maquettes'. The small model serves as a reference aid for the animator when creating a computer image of the character.

Despereaux character maquette

The adventurous mouse 'Despereaux Tilling' is voiced by Matthew Broderick.

Unpainted Roscuro maquette from The Tale of Despereaux

'Roscuro' the rat is voiced by Dustin Hoffman.

Miggery Sow painted maquette from The Tale of Despereaux

In the movie 'Princess Pea's' servant girl, 'Miggery Sow', is voiced by Tracey Ullman.

Unpainted Andre maquette from The Tale of Despereaux

Kevin Kline provides the voice for 'Chef Andre'.

The Tale of Despereaux movie poster

In addition to the wonderful character maquettes, there were also a number of miniatures from the movie on display.

Mouse House miniature from The Tale of Despereaux

Pin Cushion Shelter miniature from The Tale of Despereaux

Jewelry Box miniature from The Tale of Despereaux

Hat Models miniature from The Tale of Despereaux

If you want to see more behind-the-scenes secrets from Universal Studios be sure to check out these other movie and TV costumes, props and models that were part of the recent exhibit.

Buy the storybook: The Tale of Despereaux Movie Tie-In: The Deluxe Storybook

Buy the movie: The Tale of Despereaux [Blu-ray]

The Tale of Despereaux

1962 Corvette featured in Route 66 TV series...

Route 66 was a weekly 1960's American TV series where two young men travelled across America in a Corvette convertible.

The show which ran from 1960 to 1964 starred Martin Milner as 'Tod Stiles' and for two and a half seasons George Maharis as 'Buz Murdock'. Due to health reasons Glenn Corbett replaced Maharis late in the third season and traveled with him as 'Lincoln Case', until the show ended with the fourth and final season.

1962 Chevrolet Corvette from Route 66

This car on display at the 16th Annual Gilmore Heritage Auto Show at the Farmers Market in L.A. on June 5, 2010, was one of the Corvettes used in Route 66.

According to Wikipedia, several cars were used over the course of the filming of the black and white television series, as the Corvette was annually replaced with a newer model by General Motors, the shows' sponsor.

Route 66 DVD cover art

Buy the original TV series: Route 66 - The Complete First Season

Route 66 - The Complete Second Season

Route 66: Complete Third Season

Classic and new Battlestar Galactica costumes on display...

In 1978 Glen A. Larson created the Battlestar Galactica TV show, which was later re-imagined in 2003 by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick as a mini-series, which then spawned a critically acclaimed TV series that ran from 2004 to 2009.

The sci-fi shows followed the survivors of the Twelve Colonies, which had been decimated by the robotic Cylons, as they searched, in a fleet of ragtag spacecraft led by the last Colonial warship Battlestar Galactica, for the fabled Thirteenth Colony of Earth.

Classic and new series Battlestar Galactica costume exhibit

at Universal Studios Hollywood

This fantastic costume and prop exhibit was photographed at Universal Studios Hollywood on June 21, 2010, with outfits from both the cult classic 1978-1979 series and the re-imagined show on display.

1970's Battlestar Galactica Colonial Warrior costume

Jean-Pierre Dorleac was the original series Costume Designer and was also responsible for other great wardrobes in 1980's TV shows like Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Airwolf, Automan and Quantum Leap, to name but a few.

Classic Battlestar Galactica TV poster

Gleene Campbell was the Costume Designer for the modern day version of Battlestar Galactica and was even nominated along with his team for a 2004 Emmy for Outstanding Costumes for a Series.

Admiral Duty Blues costume worn by

Michelle Forbes in Battlestar Galactica

This 'Duty Blues' outfit was worn by Michelle Forbes when she notoriously guest-starred as 'Admiral Helena Cain' in Battlestar Galactica episodes 'Pegasus', the two-part 'Resurrection Ship' and the 2007 TV movie 'Razor'.

Michelle Forbes in costume as Admiral Cain

Also on display with the original costumes was this 'Top Gun' tankard prop used in the season two episode 'Scar'. 'Starbuck' (Katee Sackhoff) concedes the title of 'Top Gun' to her rival pilot 'Kat' and lets her drink from the coveted beer stein after she shoots down a scarred Cylon Raider that has been stalking the fleet.

Beer stein prop from the 2004-2009 Battlestar Galactica

Finally be sure to check out Katee Sackhoff's 'Starbuck' Viper pilot flight-suit that was previously on display at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Buy the cult classic TV series: Battlestar Galactica - The Complete Epic Series

Buy the new TV series: Battlestar Galactica - Razor (Unrated Extended Edition)

Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series (with Collectible Cylon)

Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]