Spy in the Ocean
Spy Iguana - Build
Working for Mangostone in Bristol, and with design input from Master Animatronics Engineer Josh Lee, we designed and built two lifelike Marine Iguanas for filming in the Galapagos. Studying their mannerisms carefully, and working with sculpter Mathew Healy, we used 3D scan data to draw working 3D models and produce two mechanisms. The first used cables and a control handle to manually puppeteer a static Iguana, the second used a cable mechanism and an off-center axel plate to produce a self contained free swimming Iguana. Built from acetal and marine grade stainless steel, they operated at depths of up to 26m.
Spy Macaque - Shoot
Filming in Thailand on my first natural history shoot, I was on standby with "Spy Macaque" that had been built by John Nolan Studio. The spy ran into a number of difficulties, both electrical and mechanical, for which I had to find solutions away from the workshop. Further duties included placing and monitoring remote spy cameras, as well as guarding and retrieving them from small hairy thieves... Producer: Huw Williams Camera Operator: Steve Downer
Multiple Spies - Sea Krait Shoot - Indonesia
This shoot involved a team of scuba divers on a three week liveaboard shoot at a remote volcano in Eastern Indonesia. I was kept busy throughout; charging, maintaining, fixing and resurrecting eight spy creatures built by several different engineers. Working underwater with the divers, alongside one of the worlds most venomous snakes… Producer: Huw Williams
Spy Manatee - Build and Shoot - Belize
Probably my most epic undertaking to date, I was involved with Spy Manatee from concept design right up to the final operation. This exceptionally complicated self propelled animatronic was designed by Josh Lee, sculpted and skinned by Mathew Healey, with the build and electronics falling to me. With a self propelling tail, moveable head, ballast tank, pitch and roll movements and moveable pectoral fins, we utilised every inch of space. Originally designed to work in shallow fresh water on 35MHz radio, the shoot relocated to the ocean, meaning the movements had to fall to the backup system and be preprogrammed before each dive.
Spy Hermit Crab - Build and Shoot - Belize
The first 2 weeks of 4 week shoot in Belize. Based on an tiny Island on the Belize Barrier Reef. This job involved maintaining and operating two Spy Hermit Crabs then adapting them to fill the shot list. Between this we would be patiently monitoring crab behavior and operating other small cameras. I provided the electronics, whilst the Spy Hermits were designed and sculpted by Mathew Healey at Mangostone. Camera Operator: Richard Woolacomb Producer: Huw Williams
