Jeff Boddy Talks About "My Giant Robot"

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Avery Guerra

Back in November I wrote a little story about Jeff Boddy and his "My Giant Robot!" project. If you remember the gist of the project was that twenty lucky kids were being given a chance to design their very own giant robots via computer software. In turn, Boddy was filming the process from concept to 3D CGI, in hopes of producing a documentary film.

Now, our dear friend Avery Guerra has had a chance to corner Boddy and get the inside scoop on "My Giant Robot" straight from his own mouth.

Here is what Boddy told Avery: “I came up with the idea for the film after watching a collection of vintage toy commercials from the 50s, 60s, and 70s…Over the decades, many of the robot ads had the same message: ‘You control what it does!’ Which reminded me of an interview I heard with George Lucas about the original trilogy. Apparently, a lot of kids actually liked Darth Vader more than Han and Luke. Why? He said it was because kids are the powerless, having to look up at the world, and dependent on their parents. So Vader is more heroic in that respect because you know he’s the most powerful. Now this all happened just after 9/11 and I thought it would be a great time to empower some kids through their own creativity. In fact, the logo I designed was based on the idea of one of these creations guarding a city."

“Additionally, the film’s animated sequences allowed me to challenge myself with some 3D and compositing techniques I was eager to learn. The results, which you’ve seen and posted, really helped strengthen my portfolio. So before I finished the film, an opportunity came to relocate from Ohio to LA, where I’ve been able to put my new skills to work."

“In terms of giant robots, I think the highlight of the first year in LA was animating some promotional ideas for Transformers 2! I’ve also worked on trailers and promos for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Bedtime Stories, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and several commercial campaigns. I can tell you that a friend of mine, 3-D artist Chris Schoenman, has begun helping me and we’re in the midst of bringing Parker’s Spidertron to life.”(http://mygiantrobot.com/blog/2003_10_01_archive.html) (See Photo Above)

“He [Schoenman] also shot live action footage of downtown office buildings and tracked in the 3d ‘bot, jumping from rooftop to rooftop — which will be coming soon so….. stay tuned.”

Avery was quick to point out that the project had gone a hiatus back in 2006, but interest generated by my initial article and one by Robert Hood for Undead Backbrain, actually got Broddy back in the mood for restarting the project. (See: http://mygiantrobot.com/)

Broddy is promising to send both us, and Undead Backbrain, a lot of exclusives in the upcoming months!

See: Kids Given A Chance To Build Their Own Mechs Via My Giant Robot!

Kids Given A Chance To Build Their Own Mechs Via My Giant Robot!

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Undead Backbrain / Avery Guerra

Okay, all you geeks and fanboys out there, who amongst you has never sat awake at night dreaming of designing your very own giant robot? Anyone? Of course not, we all have.

Here is the big question though, "what would it look like?" or maybe more importantly, "what would you do with the darn thing once you had it?" Would it look like a Gundam, a Veritech, Mazinger or any of the other hundreds of giant mechs from Japanese anime? Would you use it to wreck havoc on your hometown, use it to protect mankind, use it to pick up hot chicks or fight Godzilla? The possibilities are endless.

Well thanks to Jeff Boddy and his "My Giant Robot!" project, twenty lucky kids have gotten a chance to live that dream. Well....not as a real, "life-size", 3-D creation, but as a high-quality computer animation.

What.....did you think that Boddy had a factory that was churning out 50ft tall robots? That's silly......sigh.

The ultimate goal of the project, which Boddy has been working on since 2004, is to produce a a short film that traces the process by which the giant robots were conceived, designed and brought to life. Recently he told Avery Guerra, “I’ve been taking my time to get this right — that and getting sidetracked by other projects. I’m still working out the animation effects.”

The My Giant Robot! website has several great videos of the designs the kids came up with, plus step-by documentation taking each design from concept to animation.

There are two fine examples of the kind of designs the kids came up with shown here. One is “Parker’s Spidertron”, which you can see from the previous photo, was inspired by several real and fictitious creatures.

In the above photo is "Lovey", which was designed by Avery (not Avery Guerra........I don't think.....well...probably not). Lovey has the ability to fly and has a lot of secret powers that could be used on an unsuspecting foe.

Boddy has promised to keep us and the readers of Undead Backbrain, apprised of any future developments, but in the meantime fans should check out the My Giant Robot! website .