Robotic Beetle!

Michael Anthony Horrigan

Michael Anthony Horrigan

More Cowbell Pictures
Anyone here any good with robotics or animatronics?

I need a large beetle for a movie that I plan on making. Something that can be controlled remotely would be ideal. Anyone here know anyone up to the task?

Thanks,

Mike
 
You could buy premade robot bugs at your better toy stores, then modify it so that it doesn't look like an off the shelf toy.
 
Jack Daniel Stanley said:
is it supposed to be a "robot beetle" in the movie? or is it supposed to be a real beetle.
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No, it should look robotic but resemble a beetle. :thumbup:
About a good foot in length with some sort of diagnostic attachments.
Futuristic looking but not fancy. Exposed wires and mechanics would be fine.

Thanks, guys. I'll check out the links.

Mike
 
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Actress Julie Horner is a good friend of ours and she was in a little indie feature called EYEBORGS. They made CG robotic camera bugs that look pretty good. (Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJTU1YWm91I)

If I was going to make a film with a robotic beetle I would do it as an animated CG element using HDRI lighting like they used in Eyeborgs. Unless it doesn't really have too much required of it, I think going practical is going to look lame in comparison to well done CG. Of course, that's just my opinion and if the CG isn't done well it would look more lame than a practical robot. So, I guess it would depend on the talent of your CG artist.
 
Mark Johnson said:
Actress Julie Horner is a good friend of ours and she was in a little indie feature called EYEBORGS. They made CG robotic camera bugs that look pretty good. (Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJTU1YWm91I)

If I was going to make a film with a robotic beetle I would do it as an animated CG element using HDRI lighting like they used in Eyeborgs. Unless it doesn't really have too much required of it, I think going practical is going to look lame in comparison to well done CG. Of course, that's just my opinion and if the CG isn't done well it would look more lame than a practical robot. So, I guess it would depend on the talent of your CG artist.
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Thanks, Mark!

I was actually thinking of a mix between the two. A practical mechanical beetle with some markers so that some CG elements could be added. Good or bad idea?
No experience in this field so all comments are welcome.

It will also be shot in a snow covered (outdoor) surrounding.

Mike
 
Of course, the big boys generally use a mix between practical and CG because there are advantages to both. The real key is finding people who are talented. As seen in this fest, there are many people with chops. Raptor blew us away with his work on O2 and is certainly one of the best, if not the best CG artists on this board. I'd be interested in hearing his take and thoughts on this issue.
 
Hey thanks Mark. 02 was fun. Your design sketches and feedback really made it a cool gig, and setting up the render farm was a life saver. I still have a ways to go with CG yet though.

I'm going to chat with Mike and see if there's anything I can do to help out. Not sure if I'm looking forward to getting all of those Beatle legs to sync up, hehe. I'll probably try a script of some kind, but sounds interesting so I'll take a look at it and see what we can come up with.

//Oh, didn't David Cronenberg have a robotic beetle in one of his movies? Videodrome maybe? I'll have to check.
 
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