YOUR PLACE AS THE WORLD TURNS MAPS, MURALS FIND A PLACE IN THE FILM BIZ - AND IN YOUR HOME.

Map fans might notice that the huge world map in the background of Gene Hackman's 1995 movie ``Crimson Tide'' is the same one used in the war room in the new Kevin Costner film ``Thirteen Days.'' And neither is geographically correct for the era.

According to Todd Imholte, vice president of Environmental Graphics in Minnesota, ``Thirteen Days'' art director Tom Taylor picked it for ``Thirteen Days'' because it was the largest map available (8 feet by 13 feet), and the camera never lingered long enough for most folks to notice that the map is circa 2000 and countries in Russia and Africa are not the same as they were in the 1960s.

The modern maps are accurate and government-approved, says Imholte, who works with the U.S. Department of Defense and the CIA to make sure all the newest nations are correctly placed.

Environmental Graphics started making murals in 1969, beginning with a cloud mural that remains a best seller. It now has a number of designs, often seen in television shows such as ``Seinfeld,'' ``Law & Order'' and Nickelodeon's ``Goosebumps.'' The most realistic artwork is a trio of outer space murals for the film ``Space Cowboys,'' replicating the walls of the real mission control in Houston. Other designs include a space shuttle in orbit, various nature scenes and sports facilities.

All of the murals are available at Home Depot, Lowe's and Sherwin Williams stores for less than $100. Each comes with paste and detailed installation instructions. Some basic wallpapering tools are needed to put up the mural.

For more information, call [phone] or visit the Environmental Graphics Web site at www.egproducts.com.

- Barbara De Witt

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