|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4..19..33..47..61..75~76~77 [Next] | ||||||||||
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
My initial thoughts on Axtell's Remote Control Animatronic Characters I couldn't help myself reading each word carefully and thinking about these remotes.
I have three concerns with these Animatronics, that Axtell may be able to shed some answers: 1. Who becomes the Star of the Show? The Toucan or the Magician? (This is something vents could possibly answer) 2. For a Magician, the "live" movement when not using it becomes a distracter or misdirection (if so desired). If the focus should be on me and the puppet is moving, then could the puppet indirectly steal the show lime light. A solution is to bring it out and put it away, or covering/shielding it before and after use. 3. To get the most out of the unit, then the whole act needs to be centered around the Toucan, making the show more of a vent act not a magic act with a vent routine in it. My gut feeling in maintaining the Magician image is to bring the Toucan out and then put him away. (Both actions break the continuity of the magic show. Not a real big thing with kids.) As for a themed show for assemblies, the Toucan can be used very nicely. For a Daycare/Preschool act it sure would grab and hold the attention of the little one who would absolutely believe it is real. The ideas and possibilities are really limitless. Is there a "ballpark" availablity date? Are you focused to "Break it Out/Show and Tell" at the Annual July 16-18, 2008 Vent Haven convention? Dennis
Dennis Michael
|
|||||||||
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Kimmo, you are a power puppet user, email me.
As far as replacing the latex on the robot, it would be the same deal, just replacing the latex head with a fair cost. You would not have to replace the whole robot, of course. Ax Quote:
On 2007-11-08 06:49, Dennis Michael wrote: Yes this is a great example of programming the character to interact with you. There will be timing and memorization issues of course, just like with AxTrax. So keep it simple Quote:
Think Abbott and Costello, the Straight man and the Comic relief, you of course would be the fall guy in an interaction with the puppet. Anything a vent (puppet) can do now, he can do better. Well, it can do "Hands-Free". The advantage a puppet has is the instant and total control you have with it, but if you want the character to be remote and not on your hand (as a vent) this is it! Additionally a vent can now operate a held puppet, AND with the tiny control hidden in his hand, can control the mouth of the remote puppet! Or if you are a MAGICIAN and not a VENT and don't consider yourself to be a puppeteer, this can provide a magician with a remote control animated character (an additional personality) that you don't have to operate on your arm, leaving you free to do your magic! Quote:
Also The freedom of movement allows for a complete interactive show with the Animatronic, the audience and yourself. It could very well put a new dimension to the performing artist. Yes, providing these is only the beginning. Once you start exploring the possibilities, they will become customized for your show. And the pre-programmed ones will be different in your show from the actions in another magician's show. Unless you are using one of the upcoming "AxTrax Automated" routines, yours can be totally customized for your show, introducing YOU, mentioning YOUR name, doing YOUR scripted ideas. Quote:
Can this unit be programed for varies themed shows? "The programming of the animation is done at Axtell Expressions." If one had multiple uses for the Animatronic, must each program be entered once or must the remote be sent back to Axtell for re-programing? No. That's the beauty of this new technology. You can email me a script, we can record it, program the animation for the Toucan, and email you an "ENCODED MP3". You just load the mp3 into the mp3 system for your Programmed Stage Character, (not the Vent version)and it is ready to go! Change it as often as you want! We provide this service for you with any of our 5 AxTrax character voices, or you can even record your own voice and email us the mp3 to encode with the programmed animation! Quote:
Is it a "one shot" One-Routine or a Multiple Routine remote. I can visualize a whole show written around the Animatronic. This is so new it takes awhile to grasp, we've been working on it for months now, and it's constantly changing and improving as we work on it, but think about it as an ipod with a playlist of mp3 songs. The Playlist is your SHOW. You can have as may BITS or "songs" in the playlist as it can hold (depending on memory). A "BIT" can be dialog, or it can be singing (including all the music tracks we can put in)...it can also be storytelling with sound effects (no limits!)...it can be a timed "reaction" to one of your tricks like "Wow! That was amazing! How did you do that?", etc. In between the BITS that you want your Toucan (or other character) to do in your show, it goes into our "Auto-Alive" mode. You don't control this mode, it just watches you 80% of the time (left or right dominant choice) and looks around 20% of the time, just like it's alive(very subtle, not to distract from you). Quote:
What does one do if they have multiple shows, like a Halloween Show, A Christmas Show, A General Magic Show, A Daycare Show, etc.? Isn't this cool? You just have a different playlist! They can all be loaded into the system. Now this part is premature to discuss, but you could even have a trick where the Toucan has multiple answers (depending on a card force, or prediction) and you could locate the specific track to play the appropriate response! (This would take navigation, not just "next" advance functions.) Quote:
This REAL TIME LIVE ROBOT VERSION really is not really meant for stage workers like vents or magicians. This is more for events and crowds or walk arounds. You could stand back behind a crowd of people (at a trade show, or at an event) and you can talk for and control the character in real time. There is no reason here to have the "Auto-Alive" function because you are working joysticks. The robotics engineer I work with also often hides his microphone in a coffee cup, rather than using a head mic. This way, he's just drinking coffee when the character talks. This might have some possibilities for some of you who could use this, and it will be an add-on to the other versions. Quote:
This is the problem I face with my Multi-Purpose Levitation. Most acts don’t have an assistant to use such a device. This may be the case and limit it’s selling potential. You are the STAR. The character is the supporting actor in your show. He can be as in your face, or as subtle as you want. It's all a choice. Quote:
2. For a Magician, the "live" movement when not using it becomes a distracter or misdirection (if so desired). If the focus should be on me and the puppet is moving, then could the puppet indirectly steal the show lime light. A solution is to bring it out and put it away, or covering/shielding it before and after use. 80% of the time he's just watching you, with a slight head tilt, all smooth action, not distracting. 20% of the time, he might look down, or around. Do you think 100% of the time on you would be better? YOU can set left or right dominance on it, so if you have him on your left, he looks to his right to watch you (visa versa. Quote:
3. To get the most out of the unit, then the whole act needs to be centered around the Toucan, making the show more of a vent act not a magic act with a vent routine in it. YOU are the center of the show. The character is your side-kick. Quote:
My gut feeling in maintaining the Magician image is to bring the Toucan out and then put him away. (Both actions break the continuity of the magic show. Not a real big thing with kids.) It's your choice. In that case you could have us program something like "Goodbye folks, I'll see you later...Enjoy the rest of the show!" (as you take him off stage). Quote:
As for a themed show for assemblies, the Toucan can be used very nicely. For a Daycare/Preschool act it sure would grab and hold the attention of the little one who would absolutely believe it is real. And therein lies the beauty and the challenge! So many choices. We are on a journey here with this... different characters, different programming, different animations, different routines....WOW! Quote:
Is there a "ballpark" availablity date? [b]We might have this available as soon as Feb 08. But with all the email I'm getting on this, there WILL be a waiting list as usual. Quote:
Are you focused to "Break it Out/Show and Tell" at the Annual July 16-18, 2008 Vent Haven convention?[/b] It will be there of course, but this is too big for any one event. I'll have them at the big IBM/SAM convention too! Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
|||||||||
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I have three words: WOW! - WOW! - WOW!
REAL TIME LIVE ROBOT CHARACTER Under the Illusion section, a question was asked about Osborne's "Ask Clara" illusion. This is where the magician uses a puppet for fortune telling. I've looked as this for a halloween illusion, and now I can see where this new concept eliminates the hidden space for the puppeteer. It's like those ghostly crystal ball illusion but cannot work with a microphone.
Dennis Michael
|
|||||||||
Neznarf Inner circle NY then AZ now 1840 Posts |
These characters that Axtell will create will be like the ones' at Chucky Cheese, but much smaller.
Years ago I lived in northern CA and they had a place called "Showtime Pizza" and they had a band like Chucky Cheese, but WAY better. My buddies and I would go to Chucky Cheese or Showtime Pizza and drink cheap beer and listen to the band play the Beatles,Stones and other Rock n Roll. Now I typing on the magic Café, drinking coffee and Diet Coke! I'm looking forward to seeing what Axtell comes up with. Nez
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."
|
|||||||||
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Ha! Love it Neznarf...Now sit back for a second...sip on that beer and consider this..... You have a remote control palmed in your hand and your buddies and the others in the pizza place don't know it. You stand up and interrupt the band with a request for a special song. With the secret click of a button, the animated band stops and looks at you, and the lead singer....a Toucan of course...says "Sure George, we can do that one"...and breaks into Domo Arigoto Mr. Roboto. Now that's more like what we are doing! heeheehaaahoooo....(evil laugh as I return to the labratory).....Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
|||||||||
Magicmike40 New user 96 Posts |
Steve,
Love the idea! I hope your not getting tech support from Florida Robotics. They use a coffee cup remote. I bought one of there units at a very high price. Once it arrived it was not quality for the money spent. (Radio shack parts) I used it once at a fair and the two-way audio went out, with no technical help from Florida Robotics. Could the bird be programmed to read instructions to the magician? Also is there internal speaker system or will he be wired into the PA system. And if wired into the PA system will it be wireless connection? Having wires trail away from the perch would ruin the illusion. Magic Mike
Magic Mike
www.MagicWithaTwist.com |
|||||||||
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Mike... We're developing these exclusive products with robotics expert Ron Palmer one of the best robotics in the business. He's promising top notch technical support as well.
The audio can be handled in a number of ways.... Most likely for small venues you would run a wire down the back of the pole to a speaker at the bottom (it will be an option). For bigger venues, we have a wireless transmitter that will transmit to a receiver plugged into your sound system. There are many other configurations that will probably integrate perfectly with popular sound control devices some of you use now.... we're experimenting. As for the bird being programmed to read instructions, that falls under the heading "YES, anything is possible". You would just write out the script, email it to us, we would record it for you and encode a special mp3...then install it in the character, or if you already have it, we email you the new mp3! Bingo! This is hot stuff guys! Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
|||||||||
Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Steve, I wonder if you'll consider us folks over the water and produce a model that works on 240v? I realise there will be a transformer anyway, but the step-down transformer we need to adjust to 110v is really cumbersome. Also, despite the fact that I like the idea of a wire-free situation, what about having the bird hard-wired to the mains so it can perform continuously THROUGHOUT THE SHOW! I presume the power required would mean a rechargeable battery wouldn't make it through 45 or 60 minutes?
Of course, the best option would be rechargeable battery OR mains. Does the bird flap it's wings? :) |
|||||||||
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Doug....Yes we have solved the power supply issue already. You'll just need an adapter to convert to your plug style.
I'll look into the hard wire. The battery will run for 3 hours! We will have an option for the wings shoulders to lift away from the body some as wonderful addition to it's expressions. I really like it. Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
|||||||||
Magicmike40 New user 96 Posts |
Since there are not going to be cheep, no pun intended what happens if some of us buy this early version and you make changes in design or function can we have the original up grades or trade in for the new .20 version. Just asking because my money tree died last week!
Do you want my credit card now! Magic Mike
Magic Mike
www.MagicWithaTwist.com |
|||||||||
Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Three hours! Wow, that's great, Steve. Perhaps you could make the battery quite easy to change, then it would be possible to have additional batteries along, should the one pack in. Also, as rechargeables age, they tend to be less effective. I can well imagine using my puppet a LOT, but three hours sounds pretty darn good. As that's the case, I wouldn't be bothered about a hard wired version myself.
Thanks for all the info, doug |
|||||||||
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Magic Mike...point well taken. We strive to keep everything in an upgradeable path. That's not always possible, so if it's hardware related....we would give special deals to customers that already purchased an earlier version....something like that.
Potty - the 3 hours is from a larger battery option that would sit on the floor at the base of the stand. It can be hidden by a sign or placard. Ron has also designed the lower tube to have a stack of batteries *inside the tube* so it's completely portable for walk arounds if you want to carry the pole and set it down in different locations.... it would not last 3 hours but how cool is that? This is only the beginning.... Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
|||||||||
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Wow this all sounds very interesting.
As I finish my show with a kind of form of remote (albeit homemade and less impressive/expensive) animatronics I know it can have a great impact. (Last week, when my raccoon started dancing in his car one child said loudly to his friend "see, I told you he was real") However, they will never replace puppets. I think their strength lies in producing a different and unique finish to a puppet routine. No matter how good animatronics get I think you will always get more entertainment from a puppet but if you finish your puppet routine by swapping in an animtronic version of the same character you will end up with a climax that will be mentioned when clients call to book. So in short: Animatronics, short time on stage, long time in memories. George |
|||||||||
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Oh what a running gag routine can be made with this!
Dennis Michael
|
|||||||||
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
George - I've built RC characters in the past like that, for simple surprise endings. They are identical matches for the puppet you've just been performing with, but they pop up from a case, etc.
The "Hands-Free Puppet" concept is to be able to work remotely with a character *while you are doing something else* on stage! This makes your control and performance much bigger on stage. So for example, a magician could be doing a trick while the remote control puppet watches and comments from 5 feet away. You could tell the bird to count off 1-2-3 so your magical production can happen, but the bird does a running gag thing like..... 1...2.....three years ago when you did this trick it exploded and you.... (this gives you interactivity) that will kill). I don't want to underestimate that this takes scripting, programming and practice, but as you begin to see what you can do with this (without ventriloquism) it can be a very strong addition to an already great magic show. A ventriloquist on the other hand could be working with another hand puppet...or hard figure *and also* controlling the remote puppet from a distance, doing both voices by VENT! The Remote Control (RC) VENT VERSION of our puppet does not have the pre-programmed routines. It's head and mouth movement is remotely controlled by the tiny control. In both cases a very big feature of the Axtell line of RC Puppets will be the "Auto-Alive" mode. Just push a button to return the character to a mode where he "randomly" looks around and watches you on stage like it is alive. In other robotic character you've seen out there, they look like dead statues when you are not controlling them. Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
|||||||||
stevezenof New user 2 Posts |
Steve,
Are you planning on enhancing your Remote Drawing Board too, as part of your new animatronic product line? |
|||||||||
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Steve - Regarding the Remote Boards, we will have a future version that will be automated by a program, yes.
Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
|||||||||
chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
I was actually Steve's first animatronic creature..and I've been working fine for years!
Love ya, Steve! Like the great new ideas, as always you're a genius!!!! Chris |
|||||||||
Rupert Bair Inner circle ? 2179 Posts |
Ax, whats the possibility that say the animatronics develop a life of there own and go awall and start killing everyone?
|
|||||||||
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
That's a good point, Matt. How's your Asimov, Steve?
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Axtell's Remote Control Animatronic Characters (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4..19..33..47..61..75~76~77 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.11 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |