Hugo Automaton | Robotic Film Prop

Film & Television

The Automaton - Behind the Scenes from Sociates on Vimeo.

Initial Brief

To create the robotic hero prop 'The Automaton' for Martin Scorsese's film Hugo.

Process

For twelve months our team of prop makers created over 15 different versions of the automaton along with other film props such as replica film cameras, reproductions of Melie’s film sets and clockwork toys.

Final Piece

Two of the 15 mechanical automata actually drew the image featured in the film, many people believe it was CGI or a camera trick; it took the Automaton 43 minutes to draw the picture of Melie’s trip to the moon and sign his signature at the end.