r/Animatronics

Heya everyone, wanted to share the build behind Boris, the animatronic dragon I made for Grayson Gilmour's "Minus Times Infinity" music video. The whole thing was hand-built and and most of it came together with hardware-store materials and recycled bits... (it is a bit silly looking but that was part of it). See it in motion here.

The eyes were the most fun part, remote-controlled using the little servo motors pulled out of a cheap RC toy car. I could operate them live on set from a few metres away. My next build will have more face movement.. a snarl would of been nice.. but I learn as I do..

The skin was bathroom sealant mixed with green dye, layered over the form. The sealant gave it this incredible reptilian shine and texture once it cured, that finishing was what I was most happy with... and it held up to mud and rain on location.

The rest of the mechanics were super old-school springs and pulleys (laid out in the schematic I've included). Two operators worked inside the body to drive the larger movements. Again, it is pretty lurchy and limited.. but that is kinda part of the vibe for me..

The smoke from his mouth was an emergency marine flare. Worked beautifully on camera. Slightly less beautifully when we realised the smoke column was visible above the tree canopy from a long way off (obvious in hindsight) but lucky no one called in a rescue mission.

Happy to answer questions about any part of the build and would especially love to hear from anyone else doing practical creature work on a budget..

Thanks to the people who gave me ideas for it!

Feel free to use this design! Im here to help other fellow creators make animatronics.

Ive never once enjoyed making something so much but seeing your guys comments is really helping me!

Hopefully she enjoyed it

It later became CaptSlappy's Dolli according to this video (at the 1:41 mark). She might've come from a drug store? (It's hard to hear in the video). Would love to know more info!

Found here! Been trying to find any photo of them and I think I got it! The animatronic was put in storage when the ride got a remodel in 2009/2010. Jack Turner bought all of the animatronics, besides Mitzi, from their storage.