Animatronics and Props
The Traveler
Animatronic build for a short film project. The assignment was to build an animatronic using multiple servos that would bring life to a character. We also had to shoot a short film with the animatronic.
Design and Build Photos
My goal was to design and build an animatronic head that would be a puppet head. I would be dressed in the character's costume and on one hand would be the head and my arm would act as the neck. I started with sketches of the traveler character and sculpted a shell in Zbrush.
The head shell sculpt was 3D printed. I used an experimental printing mode which was fast and I attempted to use the least amount of material as possible. Due to these factors, the top of the head shell did not print as perfect as planned. Since I had planned to figure finish the head shell, I decided to repair the top by starting the finishing process instead of reprinting. I attached some foam with hot glue and sculpted the foam to get the ridges I wanted. I then covered the foam with a cloth material that already had a texture like wrinkled skin. I coated the cloth with crystal gel and blended the edges into the shell.
3D printed and painted eyes and eye mechs.
Working out eye placement in head shell.
Crafting a leather hand strap for puppeteering head.
Sculpting a mold for facial features to be casted in latex.
Attaching latex parts to head shell.
Wiring and programming Arduino controls for eye mech.
I had an old WWII aviators headpiece from another project that I decided to use as head dressing for the traveler.
Pattered a pleated expansion piece to make it fit myself and the animatronic head. I also patterned a neck covering from fur materials.
Crafting alien arms and hands. I needed 2 that I could wear for close up action shots and one fake arm for when I would be controlling the head.
Final tests of completed head. Adding programming for the eye movements to correspond to scripted activities that would be filmed.
Constructed a rig to hold animatronic head for close up activity shots. Also constructed a dolly for tracking shots.
Clips from film.
Additional props for film.
Some hand tools and an AV entertainment device used by the Traveler.
Pods for Alien plants
Alien Communication device
Build photos for props
