What Is Animatronics?

Animatronics refers to the technology of animated electronics used to create lifelike animals, humans, robots, monsters, and other fantastical or mythical creatures that can move and produce sounds.

Through the integration of robotic, mechanical, computer and electrical engineering principles along with 3D modeling and sculpting, film and television productions have been able to design and develop incredible, highly realistic displays of tangible special effects technology that seamlessly integrates with real people and real environments.

While the idea of animatronics has a very long history, as early as the 1200s or perhaps even earlier, modern animatronic technology in film began with Walt Disney in 1961. Disney coined the term “audio-animatronics” and his team went to work quickly on creating robots that could move and make noise. Animatronic birds were the first animatronics featured in a motion picture in the 1964 film Mary Poppins.

Watch the first few minutes of the clip below to see the animatronic singing birds in action:

“The Making of Mary Poppins (4/6)” by redmorgankidd

Since then, the quality and production of animatronics has improved so much that it has been used extensively throughout the film and television industry in situations where a particular type of action is either too risky, too expensive, or not possible to achieve with real actors or animals. Some of the most famous animatronics in film include Jaws, E.T., Jabba the Hutt, The Terminator, and King Kong (learn more).

While CGI always remains another alternative to using animatronics, animatronics has the advantage of offering a physical entity that moves in real time as well as a physical presence that can help actors experience a greater emotional connection with the animatronic that translates well in their performance.

Check out the tremendous amount of work and detail involved in designing and creating the Apatosaurus for the 2015 film Jurassic World:

“JURASSIC WORLD: Building the Apatosaurus – Legacy Effects” by Legacy Effects

If you are looking for a great team of artists and special effects crew to help you with your next production, check out our online Nevada Production Directory to find experienced Nevada production crew and support services or drop by our office and pick up a free printed directory!

If you offer production and film-related services in Nevada and are not yet listed in our Production Directory, you can learn more about how to sign up for the NPD here.

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