Just another Sunday afternoon waiting for a 4 second shot to render – 9 hours and 4 minutes to go. In the meantime I’ve been putting some thought into how how better to promote the new Killer Robots movie. Unfortunately, I’m not too fond of promoting. As someone hoping to be a successful artist and filmmaker, I realize this is something I should probably put more energy into.
Photo by Mike McGowan
So in the spirit of promotion, here is a shot of actor, Scott Yuken as a club-wielding barbarian battle machine. One of hundreds and the reason the above described shot is taking so long. Can you guess what recyclables were incorporated into this costume? This is of course assuming that Scott is not actually an android sent from the future to help us finish our movie.
As of today we’ve been in production on the Killer Robots Next Movie for a little over 2 years and it looks like we may have another year to go.
Once this movie is finished I hope to produce at least 3 movies per year and make a career of it. I think with a smaller cast and scope it can be done. I look forward to telling stories of mutants, supernatural forces and other fantastic myths that folks find that they identify with.
Despite the long hours in making the Killer Robots movie, I’ve been enjoying the process. The slow pace has allowed me to experiment with old school special effects, costuming and modelmaking. Plus I get to work with a variety of talented actors and artists.
Is it worth it? Yes!
Sam Gaffin, Charisse Lefebvre and Nicole Campbell secure Scott Yuken in his Robo-Zombie uniform. Photo by Mike McGowan.
In October of 2009, The Killer Robots appeared on Daytime TV, a nationally syndicated morning show. After receiving a request by an old friend of Mike “Max” McGowan to appear on the show, we began work in anticipation of our television debut. Our manager Ross “Captain Zonar” Parker drilled us through many rehearsals of our chosen single, the Killer Robots “Theme Song.” When not practicing, Samuel “Strobo” Williams set about constructing a large robot for Charles “Trog” Harris to fight while the rest of us performed our song.
The fateful day arrived and we set out for Tampa in the evening so that we could make it to the studio on time in the morning. The production was exciting and surreal. We shared a dressing room with several angry looking dogs in Halloween costumes (please see video below). The pets were really nice though and we traded war stories about the travails of show business.
The performance finally arrived and we blasted through our set. We were a little excited though and came in a little too quick. The producer came out and asked us to stretch it out. We went for another take while Trog demolished the giant robot costume worn by his brother, Mike Harris.
After we were finished, the producer hurried out of the control room and exclaimed, “That was so horrible it was amazing!” I laughed and explained, “Our manager tells us that all the time!”
It was a great experience and the production team seemed to be having fun with all of the strangeness. Our manager, Ross was amazing and moved around the studio like a tornado keeping everyone updated and our performance on a smooth and steady course. Ross unfortunately passed away a year later after a long fight with cancer but I will always remember his raucous laughter and the upbeat energy he brought to that day.
Sam Gaffin 