'AUTÓMATA' movie explores what life might be like in the not-too-distant future

With a name like AUTÓMATA I am almost obligated to post news of this upcoming movie. Clearly, it's borrowing some of its major themes from Asimov's classic novel titled I, Robot. One also catches the scent of Blade Runner. Still, the trailer does look exciting.

A synopsis from the film's official web site:

Fast forward fifty years into the future, planet earth is in the midst of gradual desertification. Mankind struggles to survive as the environment deteriorates and the slow regression of the human race begins in AUTÓMATA. On the brink of life and the reality of death, technology combats the prevailing uncertainty and fear with the creation of the first quantum android, the Automata Pilgrim 7000. Designed to bring support to society's plight, man and robot reveal what it means to co-exist in a culture defined by human nature.

The descent of civilization is juxtaposed by the rise of ROC, the corporation at the helm of robotic intelligence. Despite the demise of humanity, the company has set forth security protocols to ensure mankind always maintains control over the manufactured population.As ROC insurance agent, Jacq Vaucan (Antonio Banderas) routinely investigates cases and complaints surrounding defective androids, he begins to uncover the secrets behind who is really manipulating the Automata Pilgrim 7000. Jacq's own suspicions propel the mystery — uncovering a truth that is far more complex than the make or model of any machine.

Here is where you can learn more about the upcoming film, AUTÓMATA.

[ Thanks Glenn! ]

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Terrifying animatronic baby in stroller scares the living crap out of unsuspecting New Yorkers

Have you seen this video of a Devil Baby scaring New Yorkers half to death? Some are funny, but I just feel bad for most of these folks. This thing looks real and is frightening! An animatronic baby and remote-controlled stroller are a promotional stunt for Devil's Due film to be released this month.

According to The Examiner, the robotic devil baby was created by Creature Effects Inc., the company who has created animatronic effects for movies such asI Am Legend and Star Trek. There were three people operating the horrific device -- one for the stroller and two for the baby.

I doubt I'll see the movie, but I would watch a video on the making of the mechanical baby.

If you aspire to scare the crap out of New Yorkers, then here is list of books on animatronics to get you started. Happy hunting!

[ Thanks Steve and Jere! ]

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Andrew Baron to speak about his restoration of the 18th-century Maillardet drawing automaton

Did you see Hugo? Want to learn about the real historical automaton that inspired the film? Good news: Andrew Baron will be presenting a lecture about his work on the restoration of the famous Maillardet drawing automaton housed at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. The lecture -- along with a showing of the film Hugo -- is part of an annual commemoration of Benjamin Franklin’s birthday held at the New Mexicao History Museum.

Here is where you can get detailed information about Baron’s restoration of the Maillardet automaton.

What:
Art and Engineering in the World of Benjamin Franklin

When:
1:00pm on Sunday, January 19, 2014

Where:
New Mexico History Museum
113 Lincoln Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 476-5200

Additional information may be found at the New Mexico History Museum web site.

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Film documenting The Museum of Automata once located in York

Here's a wonderful film about The Museum of Automata in York, England.

Sadly, the Museum closed in 1996, and the collection is now in Japan. At least we have this 30 minute documentary to get a glimpse at what it once contained.

In the film, you will see a wonderful variety of automata including everything from fine antique examples to contemporary makers such as Frank Nelson and Jan Zalud.

This video comes to us by way of automaton enthusiast Sergio Pinese who obtained the film from the late artist Frank Nelson.

[ Thanks Sergio! ]

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The enchanting rustic automata and 'organic mechanic' of artist Blair Somerville

Please check out this charming video about Blair Somerville -- an artist and self-described tinkerer located on New Zealand’s South Island. The film by Joey Bania is titled Lost & Found.

From the video description:

For over ten years Blair has single-handedly owned, operated and ceaselessly expanded the Lost Gypsy Gallery, his wonderland of homegrown wizardry and a playground for kids and adults alike. Using only recycled materials, Blair takes DIY to artistic extremes. His creations are ingenious, interactive, and often hilariously impractical. They take many shapes and forms and share an uncanny ability to amaze, entertain and inspire.

I love the use of stop-motion animation in the film. The effect complements Somerville's playful, imaginative style of creativity.

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Automata hit the big time: Coke uses automata for new commercial

Check out this commercial for Coca-Cola. The idea is to show a time-travelling trip back through one happy man's life that cycles around to another generation. According to the video description, the concept was "to show how movement was key to his happiest moments". Coke commissioned model-makers Anarchy to create a set of moving animatronic puppets that can run, jump and throw babies in real time. The Anarchy Special Effects team is listed as Bob Thorne, Jason Szukalski, Paula Vine, Jonathan Bickerdike, Dave Allum, James Churches, Alex Roseberry, Robin Saunders, and Joe Szukalski. Well done!

[ Thanks Alex!]

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Keith Newstead and Rob Higgs create two life-size clockwork men for the film 'The Best Offer'

What happens when you bring a well-known autoamton-artist like Keith Newstead together with a mechanical genius like artist Rob Higgs? Something like what you see in the video above happens, namely mechanical magic. Newstead has been featured here on The Automata Blog more times than I can count. Higgs has made a sensation of late with his giant wine bottle opening machine.

[ Thanks Phil! ]

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Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams - documentary about automata by Simon Schaffer

You MUST check out this incredible BBC documentary. Presented by Simon Schaffer, the documentary tells the story of automata -- those amazing clockwork machines designed to mimic and recreate life.

From the documentary description:

The film brings the past to life in vivid detail as we see how and why these masterpieces were built. Travelling around Europe, Simon uncovers the history of these machines and shows us some of the most spectacular examples, from an entire working automaton city to a small boy who can be programmed to write and even a device that can play chess. All the machines Simon visits show a level of technical sophistication and ambition that still amazes today.

Schaffer also explains the world in which these mechanical marvels were made: the workers who built them, their role in trade and the industrial revolution, as well as providing information on the designers who invented them. Finally, he shows that these fantastic hybrids of art and engineering are the ancestors of many of our most beloved modern devices.

Here is a link to the BBC page about the documentary Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams.

[ Thanks to all who sent this my way! ]

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Timekeepers: a new documentary about timekeeping needs your support!

The Timekeepers Kickstarter project is centered around the creation of a documentary on this history of timekeeping. A few months ago, Dustin Muncy and his colleagues stared interviewing watch and clockmakers in order to gain an understanding of their profession. They soon realized they had stumbled upon a subject with a rich history. The video shown here is some of the footage they have already shot. They are looking for supporters to continue and finish the film.

The part that really struck me was their recognition this is a field in serious jeopardy. Most watch and clockmakers are in the second half of their lives and many horology schools are closing.

From the Kickstarter project page:

This documentary will be for educational purposes to hopefully spark an interest in the next generation to appreciate and even pursue horology as a career or hobby. It will be available to national organizations such as the NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors) and AWCI (American Watchmakers and Clockmakers Institute) to hopefully be used as a means to educate and enthuse young kids or those who have never given thought to how their watches and clocks actually work.

I can't post about every laudable Kickstarter project out there, but this one is close to my heart. As you may know, automata and clocks have a long, shared history. There are millions of beautiful antique clocks and watches in the world. If all of the clock and watchmakers disappear, what is to become of these mechanical marvels? It's not a pleasant thought.

Please consider supporting the Timekeepers documentary. They have about two weeks left and are about 1/3 of the way toward their goal. If you cannot donate, please do what you can to spread the word!

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Paul Spooner and the automata he creates as 'wooden cartoons'

The BBC just featured one of my all time favorite automaton-makers, Paul Spooner. In the film, we get to see a number of his automata and here his thoughts about them. I could listen to Paul Spooner for hours. Or, at least I think I could. I haven't had the actual chance to listen to him for hours. The Tom Waits song used in the piece is both slightly disturbing and on the mark.

I've always agreed with his notion that his works are a form of cartoon. In his work in particular, his wit comes through in such a strong way, there can be no doubt that most are a form a joke. The analogy works in my mind even for those pieces that are not humorous. As with a single panel cartoon one might see in The New Yorker, the automaton depicts a snapshot in time. To understand the point of the piece, the viewer needs the scene to be set. The background, the objects, the figures, their clothing, expressions and posture -- these things must be carefully considered so that the viewer can quickly understand the broader context of the scene. Without this, the actions performed by the characters might come across as nothing more than simple, arbitrary motions.

Spooner is also brilliant with the titles of his pieces, which provide the right shade of glasses through which to view his work. Of course, his use of mechanics and his carving ability are some of the best around. Put all of this together and you get a body of work that's impressive and distinctive. He's one of the greats.

I think you will enjoy this BBC segment called Twisted toymaker Paul Spooner on his 'wooden cartoons'.

[ Thanks Martin! ]

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Room for Wonder - A film about the magical collections of Richard Garriott

This short film features the many collections of Richard Garriott de Cayeux -- video game developer, entrepreneur, and space traveler. Garriott built Britannia Manor to serve as his observatory, home, and occasionally, a giant interactive haunted house. An avid collector of amazing and unusual objects, Garriott's home could fairly be classified as a museum. In this film, magician Brad Henderson from Austin, Texas takes you through this extraordinary collection, room by room.

Among the countless wonders and secret passages, you will find a collection of historic space-related artifacts in Garriott's office, complete with one of the original Sputnik satellites. In the dungeon, you can stare in awe at the shrunken heads and vampire hunting kits. In the laboratory, you will find esoteric scientific instruments and orreries, mechanical models of the planets moving around the sun.

I know you guys will be most interested in Garriott's automata collection, featuring antiques as well works by almost all of the modern makers. The automata collection, vast as it is, can only be covered in part, but you do get to see the works of three artists who surely deserve the limelight.

First, you see Paul Spooner's inimitable wit and ingenuity play out in his Sex Change Machine and Poisoned Milk automaton. The mechanism that makes the cat's tongue seem to lap up the spilled milk is a fine example of Spooner's cleverness.

Next, you get a close-up view of the Argentinian artist Pablo Lavezzari's piece Facing a Fake Foe -- a detailed automaton-within-an-automaton depicting a knight fighting a dragon. The dragon, as it turns out, is a fake controlled by a small demon figure. The piece is also notable for its mechanically produced dragon roar sound effect.

Finally, you are shown a few of the macabre and magical automata created by Thomas Kuntz. Kuntz hand sculpts each of the figures and scratch builds the all of the mechanical elements for his pieces, often on vintage watchmaker's lathes. His autoamta seem to be the direct descendants of the most exquisite automata of centuries past. His piece titled L'Oracle du Mort is a modern masterpiece, featuring an oracle who -- with the help of two imps, the Grim Reaper, and a burst of real flame -- will answer your questions.

Amidst so many incredible automata, and artists whom I hold in the highest esteem, I'm dazed and delighted that one of my own pieces made it into the footage. A Dug North original, titled The Birthing Engine is shown and mentioned early on. I couldn't be more pleased.

This film is rare look at one of the finest collections of contemporary automata in existence. I am glad it was made and I am glad to have had the chance to share it with you.

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Robotic puppetry at its finest: the animatronic creations of Gustav Hoegen

I had no idea this kind of thing could be done with animatronics.

From the YouTube Description:

Not CGI, but wow, what an amazing animatronic showreel by the talented Gustav Hoegen! Gustav's specialty is Animatronic Effects, Prosthetic Makeup Effects for TV and Film. His credits and some shots shown in this video include: Prometheus, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Clash of the Titans, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Doctor Who and more.

Here is a link to Gustav Hoegen's special effects credits on IMDb.

Found via Awesome Robo!

[ Thanks Glenn! ]

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Video profile of toy and automaton maker Ron Fuller

Artist Ron Fuller has been making toys, models, and automata for more than five decades. His name and art are well known in the world of contemporary automata. This short film gives us a glimpse into his workshop and his thoughts.

If you like what you see and want to make some of the same models and automata, be sure to check out Ron Fuller's book The Art and Craft of Wooden Toys. It's full of plans to make Fuller's charming creations including his famous Lion Tamer automaton. One of the best books of its kind. Trust me!

[ I first saw this video yesterday on the Junkculture blog. ]

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Film featuring the modern automata of David Secrett

Here is a wonderful bit of film produced by the BBC back in 1979. Automaton enthusiast Sergio Pinese was good enough to share this fascinating ten minute profile of automaton-maker David Secrett, which was also featured on the Spiel und Kunst mit Mechanik blog yesterday. The video shows Secrett's fastidious approach to the art, inspired by the automata of old.

[ Thank you Sergio! Thanks also to Michael Start who passed along information about the film! ]

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Hugo DVD and Blu-ray with bonus feature about automata

It's been an exciting week for me. The release of the Martin Scorsese film Hugo on DVD and Blu-ray confirmed at last that I was indeed included in one of the bonus features. I am one of the experts interviewed for a featurette titled The Mechanical Man at the Heart of Hugo.

The DVD edition includes only one extra feature, a nice behind-the-scenes piece titled 'Shoot the Moon: The Making of Hugo'. The Blu-ray special features include:

• Shoot the Moon: The Making of Hugo
• The Cinemagician, Georges Méliès
• The Mechanical Man at the Heart of Hugo
• Big Effects, Small Scale
• Sacha Baron Cohen: The Role of a Lifetime

The Mechanical Man at the Heart of Hugo covers the history of automata, examines the human drive to replicate life in mechanical form, and explores why we find them so compelling. Among the speakers on the featurette are:

• Martin Scorsese - Director / Producer
• Ben Kingsley - Oscar winning actor
• Graham King - Producer
• Dick George - Automaton maker for the film Hugo
• Thomas Kuntz - Artist / Automaton maker
• Dug North - Automaton maker

The featurette includes footage from the motion picture Hugo, drawings of historical automata, 3D animations, antique automata in motion -- some without their outer coverings so you can see what is going on inside, and automata by artist Thomas Kuntz.

Clips from The Mechanical Man at the Heart of Hugo can be found here:

• The drive to replicate life in mechanical form
• The automaton the inspired the one in Hugo
• Why people are fascinated by automata

Being in the feature, I may be biased, but I believe the final product to be an interesting and informative look at mechanical automata. Clocking in at about 13 minutes, it is all to brief and cannot claim to be a comprehensive treatment of the topic. I am honored to have been a part. I hope you will enjoy it too.

Here are the various version of Hugo that are currently available:

• Hugo - One disc: DVD + Digital Copy
• Hugo - Two-disc combo: Blu-ray / DVD Combo + Digital Copy
• Hugo - Three-disc combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD + Digital Copy

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Artists speak about the mystery and motion of automata

This is the third video segment from the special feature included on the Blu-ray release of the movie Hugo. I had the pleasure of being interviewed for the feature which is titled The Mechanical Man and the Heart of Hugo. In this clip, I say a few words about the questions that automata raise in our minds. Other speakers in the clip include Martin Scorsese himself and artist Thomas Kuntz, whose incredible automaton art is also shown in various moments in the clip.

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Dug North speaks about the Maillardet automaton for Hugo bonus feature

I was interviewed recently for one of the bonus features for the DVD release of the movie Hugo. A team  associated with Paramount came to my studio to film an hour-long interview. Many of the questions I fielded were about the history of automata. This naturally lead to questions about connections between the automaton in Hugo and any historical automata. As it turns out, the automaton in Hugo is closely tied to a real automaton.

Here is a short clip from the special bonus featurette titled The Mechanical Man at the Heart of Hugo. In this segment, I say a bit about the famous Maillardet drawing automaton at The Franklin Institute. I had the pleasure of seeing the automaton in action during a visit there a few years ago. I think my reverence for the masterpieces comes through in the clip.

I particularly love how my segment transitions to Ben Kingsley's. I do hope that I set him up well.

Here is a web page where you can see the video of Dug North speaking about the Maillardet automaton.

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Mysterious Franklin Institute automaton identified itself in writing!

The Huffington Post published an article online yesterday about the automaton in the Martin Scorsese film Hugo and its connection to a real automaton now housed at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. The article covers the fascinating journey of this remarkable machine, created around 1800 my the Swiss watchmaker, Henri Maillardet. The story of the real automaton parallels that of the one in author Brian Selznick's book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, to a remarkable degree -- right down to the automaton identifying its lost lineage by writing a message. This really happened!

Here is a link to the full article from The Huffington Post titled Franklin Institute Automaton Has Link To 'Hugo'.

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Black & white film from 1950 featuring musical automata

Check out this preview clip provided by The British Pathé Film Archive featuring a number of automata filmed in 1950. Among the automata shown are a gorgeous watch-sized music box, a whistling figure, banjo player, musical birds, a monkey playing the harp, a tight rope walker, and a smoking cavalier figure puffing away on a real cigarette!

[ Thanks Michael! ]

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Automata in the news: CBS Sunday Morning feature

It seems everyone is talking about automata -- even CBS Sunday Morning. Here is a nice piece featuring automata from this week's program.

You get a great out-of-the-display-case look at the Maillardet automaton at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. The automaton, dating to around 1800, can draw four pictures and write three poems. The automaton is the mechanical marvel that inspired Brian Selznick, author of the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which Martin Scorsese brought to the big screen as the Oscar-nominated film Hugo.

Additional context on the history of automata is provided by Jere Ryder, Conservator of the Guinness Collection of automata located at the Morris Museum, in Morristown, New Jersey. He shows off a humorous automaton of a man and a pig as well as a clown performing a magic trick.

Have you seen the automaton at The Franklin Institute? What did you think of the movie Hugo? Finally, when will you make a trip to the Morris Museum to see hundreds of automata? Tell us about it in the comments!

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