My ANIMATRONIC PROJECT

[shadowopal]

Okay. I spent the weekend watching the set and all I can say is....wow! What a great project. The filmwork is great. The angles are perfect. And the information is priceless to most. Being completely new to animatronics, I found the information to be fairly complete without being condescending. The organization of the information is fantastic. I've never worked on an animatronic. However, I assume that there are always many things going on at the same time. The flow of the presentation is well organized and goes at a good pace.

Now having said all this, there are a few suggestions for a follow up disc/video. One things that I felt was missing is a list of materials/tools used. I know you probably weren't keep track of all that. But, even a rough list/estimate would help us newbs out immensely. I find parts lists very handy when I'm shopping. that way if I can't find an exact match, I can ask a salesperson for an equivilent. This could be an insert for the dvd case even.

I wish that Gary had gone a little into the planning of the lips wire. I'm sure there was a lot of thinking that went into it. I'm also not aware of how to plan the lip wires, where the servo linkage wire should be placed and how the mechanics of lip wires work. But, otherwise, it's a good section.

Another video to consider, Gary, is how you chose your products. Why use Monster Makers/Smooth On over the others out there. Also, how you went about choosing your servos. How did you figure out the torque neccessary for each servo?

As you all can see the things I'm bringing up are small matters. The set is gold and will be watched ofter as I start my project. I'm not going to have hair on my project and will not have the articulation that Gary's does. But, one thing I wondered. Gary said that he had problems with punching the hair, the color of the silicone showed through the paint job where he punched the hair. If Gary had tinted the silicone to a grey before pouring the silicone, would this have been an issue still?
_________________
-Sean Overton
"I've got the bodies. Just need the time."

[willettfx]

Thank You Sean,

[shadowopal]

Thanks for those answers. I can tell you did a lot of editing. The results speak volumes. You did a great job. Thanks for your work on this set. I know I'll be making good use of it. Cheers.
_________________
-Sean Overton
"I've got the bodies. Just need the time."

[willettfx]

Now with a Free bonus disk
My New Animatronic Eyes , It’s what I put on youtube ,It looks better on DVD.


_________________
http://www.willettfx.com

[RubberDudeFX]

I got my Christmas gift to myself on december 23th. This is a great DVD set with TONS of info for those who are new to animatronics, like myself. This is a generous DVD, a rare thing. It kicked my ass to stop waiting and start work on my animatronic mask project. This set will complement my old VHS tape of Michael Burnett's tape on how to make a basic mechanical mask. Now, I want to give it a try.

Thank you Gary for this endeavor. That is something to be very proud.

Now, question: I never used liquid plastic before. Is it possible to work this material in a similar manner as the fibreglass to make the underskull (brushing it in a silicone negative), or is it abolutely necessary to cast it in a closed pos/neg mold ? I noticed in your dvd that it took a lot of additionnal moldmaking work to build your underskull.

Again, congrats, and hoping to see more of the same in the future.

Eric

[willettfx]

[RubberDudeFX]

I think I'll go with the Shell Shock. I don't like the idea of using fiberglass because I don't have a workspace well ventilated enough for these too strong fumes.

Thanks for the info, Gary.

Eric

[KitAnimboy]

Fiberglass outside with the wind on your back or use carbon or kevlar matt with epoxy, less noxious. Also the styrene fumes from polyester resin are heavier than air so sink, if you leave the garage door open a tad they should drop...
Chris
_________________
Got baggage, but still care!

[grundy2k]

also, maybe have a look into aqua-resin or forton MG which is a non toxic alternative as it's water based, basically meaning you can work indoors if your space isn't well ventilated (though should always at least have a window open) and it's extremely strong. look around the lab for more info or maybe get intouch with mouldlife/smooth-on etc and find out their alternatives...

[FCFX]

I finally ordered a set of your DVDs and I'm kicking myself that I hadn't done it sooner. They are amazing! The information contained in them is invaluable. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this all together and sharing with the rest of us. If anyone is interested do yourself a favor and order a set - you won't be dissappointed!
_________________
Frank
www.themodelgarage.blogspot.com

[Ankh]

Ordered my set back on Friday (the 26th). Can't wait to get this. Man, I'm stoked.

Thanks again for making this available. Definitely looking forward to it.

[uratz]

I saw this on Youtube and I learned how Matrix Molds is Made. Thanks!

[aine8891]

all i can say is thank you thank you thank you!!! im a final year student doin model makin for films n i want to do animatronics for my final project n dis is perfect! exactly wot i need to help me! im sooo buying the set!

[Monkeywiz]

First post here, just wanted to say what a great resource this post is (and the whole site), I'll be going through it again in more detail (after work ) so if I ever manage to finish a sculpt to a high enough degree I'll have an idea where to start if I want to make it 'live'