ROBOT BIRDS

These Robot Birds were created for UNCSA's 2023 production of Orlando Paladino. The show required two versions of the bird, one alive and one dead. I cast the base of the live bird in resin, and the wings, tail, and legs were all lasercut out of MDF. I attached the wings to the torso using flexible spring doorstops, which allow them to flap in unison when the actor moves the bird up and down. I made the chest and handle out of wood, and the eyes light up using two small LED bulbs wired to a battery pack concealed behind the birds tail. The head, feet, and chest details, were all 3D modeled by Skyler James, and printed by Miles Maline.

 

The dead version of the bird had to look limp and lifeless, and also had to survive being thrown on the floor every performance. in order to make this version lighter and more durable, I cast the base piece out of urethane resin. I used EVA foam to replicate the wings, tail, and chest of the live bird, which further decreased the weight and allowed its wings to be flexible and hang loosely at its side. The head, legs and feet were all made from the same materials as in the live bird, but I left the legs on this one loose, so they could flop around, whereas the live bird's legs are glued into a pose. The dagger that runs through the chest of the dead bird was created by Mackenzie Potter.

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I painted both birds with a metallic basecoat, and then used masking fluid to apply a chipping effect when I applied the blue topcoat.