Rigs & Props
Underwater Simulation Rigs
Deepwater Sponger | 2020 | Dir. Connor Ryan
“After the worlds water is contaminated and polluted, Deepwater Sponger must travel to the deepest depths of the ocean to find the final remaining source of pure water. He leaves behind loved ones clinging to survival and a world now counting on this sole diver to accomplish what no man has done before. The fate of the world is at stake.”
Deepwater Sponger was a constant collaboration between the SFX and VFX departments in order to achieve the dry-for-wet approach for the film. Many rigs were created in order to sell the bouncy effects of water, so that actors and props could be composited into the final shots. Parts of the practical suit were created and/or modified by Lucas.
Lifting Rig BTS.
Deepwater Sponger grabbing junk object.
Lucas puppeteering the junk object.
Fabrication of the lifting rig seat.
Lucas' initial tests of the lifting rig.
BTS from the hose cutting shot.
MiniAture Rig with Unreal Enigine Background|2021
With the advancement of LED volumetric stages ever evolving, Lucas wanted to try and combine the worlds of miniatures and live virtual backgrounds. Using a found model, Lucas created a pneumatic rig to simulate the movement of the boat. Surrounding the boat are 3 LED Tv’s which provide the backdrop and reflections for the environment using Unreal Engine 4.
Stills from footage (VFX planned for the future)
Sparking Repair Tool Prop
Adrift | 2020 | Dir. Brian Storck
“After crash landing on an unpopulated planet, a lone pilot forms a connection with their flight computer while trying to escape.”
Adrift allowed Lucas the opportunity to create a sci-fi repair tool that would produce real sparks on set. The effect was achieved by arcing a car battery between the tip of the tool and the inside of the panel. Protocols for both actor’s safety and fire hazards were enforced throughout design and execution.
Prop before paint and scenic
Blood Chandelier
PRISM | 2021 | Dir. Jack DillaplainA
“Nightmare that re-scrambles our reality into an alternative human civilization. We follow and underground society that showcases an imprisoned population to it’s public. Within this world, we view the mirrored events of an imprisonment and an escape attempt.”
Prism required Lucas and his team to fabricate a complete rig based simply on the phrase: “Blood Chandelier.” Using a submersible pump, blood-like liquid would flow 15 feet to the top of the chandelier and then trickle down to the collection pool created in the great dining table.
Lucas next to the chandelier
Nobles sitting under the chandelier.
Sinking Floor Rig
They Bloom and Fade | 2021 | Dir. Zharia Spaulding
“While mourning the death of her family, a hedge witch accidentally creates a magical invasive plant that produces both fond memories and destruction, forcing her to choose between keeping a piece of her family alive or saving herself.”
For the finale of the film, the plant consumes the witch and pulls her into the earth. For this effect, Lucas and his team modified a hydraulic lifting cart and hid it under a false floor. On action, the platform would lower the actor through a slice in the floor and safely cover them in the rubber mulch and debris.
Testing the rig before handing it over to the art department.
Sinking floor within the film.
