The completed short film can be seen by clicking the following link - Heart Wired Film

Although, I was the lead of the overall project build, I was the primary on the Eye Augmentation.

Concept Drawings

Based on details from the script and Production Design Look Book, I made some concept drawings of the eye augmentation to be built. This allowed for the production team to work thru the design and functionality of the prop.

3D Modeling

I did a 3D scan of the actors head in order to get a profile for a fitted edge of the augmentation. Additional parts were 3D modeled to incorporate and conceal a servo, remote control receiver and battery package.

We did a few test fits on the actor as the build progressed. This was a back and forth process to check proper fitting and to get desired design input from the Director. This was also an opportunity for Wig and Makeup staff to provide input on attachment and concealment application strategies prior to filming.

The eye augmentation is primarily 3D printed parts from the 3D model. The reticle is made from blue tinted acrylic panel that was laser cut to fit and engraved for a viewing pattern. We had planned to include lights in the reticle to highlight the view design, but the director chose to not include this feature. The reticle arm was made from aluminum metal stock that we could shape to align with the actor's eye.

The final paint application was done by Griffin O'Connor IG:@moptopprops. Griffin was an additional team member working on an arm augmentation prop for the same actor as see below. Since the paint scheme needed to match, I decided it was best that one person do the final paint application for consistency between the props. Griffin is an expert at paint applications and weathering, so he was the natural choice. 

The designed allowed for batteries, that powered the servo and remote receiver, and the receiver itself to be housed inside a removable compartment in case they needed to be switched out on set.

The inside of the eye augmentation was lined with a combination of moleskin fabric and foam. The foam cupped around the actor's ear and both materials allowed for applying pros-aide adhesive in order to attach to the actor's head. Originally, I had designed the eye augmentation to be integrated with a silicone prosthetic application. After consulting with wig and makeup designers, we decided to use this method in order to reduce application time and costs. I added the headband to the design for securing the prosthetic for scenes with active movement. It was easily hidden by clever hair styling of the actor's existing hair.  

On set I was responsible for controlling the eye augmentation at the directors command during filming. In the above video we are conducting a quick test after the actor was prepped for shooting.

The completed short film can be seen by clicking the following link - Heart Wired Film

Additional Props

Hacked Datapad and data cylinder

The Datapad was a tablet like device that had been scavenged together by the main character. In the film he uses it to watch the 1927 film "Sunrise". I built the datapad on a lighted tracing pad made for children. I modeled the additional add on parts in Fusion and 3D printed them. 

The Datapad was designed so that the actor could plug and unplug the data cylinder into the datapad. Once turned on the datapad would light LEDs to indicate activity and the data dylinder would turn in it's socket. We added a green chroma key to the front of the datapad for VFX video to be added in post.

Multi Function Scavenged device