Acting Like C-3PO https://bc3pobuilders.runboard.com/t36 Runboard| Acting Like C-3PO en-us Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:05:14 +0000 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:05:14 +0000 https://www.runboard.com/ rssfeeds_managingeditor@runboard.com (Runboard.com RSS feeds managing editor) rssfeeds_webmaster@runboard.com (Runboard.com RSS feeds webmaster) akBBS 60 Re: Acting Like C-3POhttps://bc3pobuilders.runboard.com/p67,from=rss#post67https://bc3pobuilders.runboard.com/p67,from=rss#post67I posted this on RPF and thought I'd copy it here. Below is an example of what I see from inside the helmet. Not only is the vision restricted, you can't look at people's faces, you have to look at people's chests in order for Threepio's eyes to appear to be looking straight forward (as opposed to gazing skyward and appearing aloof.) And if someone puts their hand out to shake your hand, forget it. If anything falls outside of this immediate field of vision, I'll miss it. The only visual contact I have with the outside world is through those two 1/4" black holes (Threepio's irises). That's partially why I sometimes appear to jerk my head around a bit. I'm taking mental snapshots of my surroundings while still trying to perform the mannerisms. I've already karate chopped several people in the face! "Oh, I beg your pardon sir!" See what it's like to be C-3PO: http://www.jeffcohost.com/~tk409/c3po/fanm...ngthreepio.html If you don't have the latest flash player, here's a static image: http://www.jeffcohost.com/~tk409/c3po/fanm...ingthreepio.jpg Having said all that... Being Threepio, and knowing you look like him on the outside makes any unpleasantness on the inside all worth it. The reaction from fans quickly evaporates any feeling of claustrophobia, discomfort, bad vision - it literally takes all that away. . .nondisclosed_email@example.com (Trooper TK409)Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:33:30 +0000 Re: Acting Like C-3POhttps://bc3pobuilders.runboard.com/p66,from=rss#post66https://bc3pobuilders.runboard.com/p66,from=rss#post66quote:Treadwell wrote: Glad to hear my big mouth has been helpful! Arafinwe, those are some great suggestions, too! One more observation from looking at the video with Artoo: I'd avoid leg movements sideways whenever possible. If you have to move to the left, rather than just step sideways, turn to the left first then shuffle forward. One really good piece of reference for behavior is the anti-smoking PSA. He's a little more animated than usual but there's some really good stuff there. Once again, man that suit looks great. When you had the helmet in hand on Sunday, I did notice that spider-crack in the plating you mentioned but was surprised by it, as it totally doesn't show in photos. I tell ya, Episode III notwithstanding, I find myself repeatedly looking for that silver leg. nondisclosed_email@example.com (Trooper TK409)Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:32:55 +0000 Re: Acting Like C-3POhttps://bc3pobuilders.runboard.com/p65,from=rss#post65https://bc3pobuilders.runboard.com/p65,from=rss#post65Yep, after the shorts. Once I have satisfactory results we'll move on to handplates and shoes. By the way, I did the dvd/game release event last night as Threepio and I tried the "toned-down" tips Tony gave me - they worked great! Someone who had seen me as Threepio before said she noticed a real difference between the performances and that it definitely looks like the real Threepio. Basically, all I did was stand still more often, move more deliberately and try to separate the movements. Of course, I forgot about that briefly after I accidentally karate-chopped a kid in the eye. "Oh, I beg your pardon sir!!! I'm terribly sorry!!! Oh dear, oh dear." Ugh. I felt horrible. Luckily, his excitement appeared to buffer the pain. .nondisclosed_email@example.com (Trooper TK409)Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:32:35 +0000 Re: Acting Like C-3POhttps://bc3pobuilders.runboard.com/p64,from=rss#post64https://bc3pobuilders.runboard.com/p64,from=rss#post64quote:Arafinwe wrote: My 2 cents: I would keep your fingers pressed together, not like a fist. But it looks like you are doing that already in the most recent videos with Anthony. Also when C-3PO walks it seems like he mostly walks by bending his knees rather than using his hips. I agree with treadwell that bending your knees like a human does not look as good, but when I say bend your knees I mean keeps your thighs isolated the best you can and use your calves. This can really be seen when he is running to the Falcon "Hurry up goldenrod!" in Empire. Lastly, When 3PO walks he really isolates his upper body holding his arms in a fixed position, instead of moving them up and down with his strides. If you really wanted to get some know-how, I would take a miming class. Cuz Anthony has said in the past that being a professional mime what got him the job in the first place. I took a miming class at a summer program and I learned a lot. nondisclosed_email@example.com (Trooper TK409)Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:31:54 +0000 Acting Like C-3POhttps://bc3pobuilders.runboard.com/p63,from=rss#post63https://bc3pobuilders.runboard.com/p63,from=rss#post63This came up in another thread and I thought it so interesting I thought I'd start it's own thread. Anthony Daniels himself has given us some great first hand information that I'll post that here as well. quote:Treadwell wrote: quote: Trooper TK409 wrote: [Anthony Daniels] suggested I needed to work on being less animated Based on your video game presentation, I'd have to agree. Mind you, all of the mannerisms you displayed are solid Threepio, but it's just that he doesn't do them all at once--they're occasional highlights, not constant behavior. Just dial it down a couple of notches and you're gold! (Er, you're already gold, but you know... ) I'd also suggest you don't bend your knees quite so much when walking. Shuffle more. (Climbing sand dunes notwithstanding. ) You obviously did far too good a job making the knees work smoothly! Did Tony have any tips concerning the feet? I noticed from pics that you were having a bit of trouble with them not always covering your shoes. I've been studying and mimicing Threepio for 29 years. Unfortunately I'm not of the build to ever, ever fit in that suit, even if I were at 0% body fat. Which I am most certainly not. ... Great feedback Treadwell! I'll need to go back and check the films and do some side-by-side video comparisons for myself. One thing Tony suggested was to stand more still, with slight, separate movements. Think of a robot where each limb is it's own separate machine - not interconnected like human muscles. Begin standing as a statue, and move the head without moving the torso. You'll see in my Dragoncon videos where Tony tells me to turn toward him and reminds me that I'm still moving my whole body - "just move your head" he says. Then try moving an arm to gesture without moving anything else. This is the starting point. The feet in ANH were vacuformed ABS and he had the same problem. In all subsequent movies, they were urethane, flexible rubber and were whole shoes, soles and all. nondisclosed_email@example.com (Trooper TK409)Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:31:30 +0000