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Pendulum Transforms Mecha-Inoki For Heiwa

Pendulum designed and created a complex 3D transforming robot for MECHA-INOKI, a :30 spot for Japanese pachinko manufacturer Heiwa Corp. The spot, for the Japanese market, focuses on the popular Japanese wrestling and film star, Antonio Inoki. The directors concept was to have Inoki interfere with the imminent clashing of two vast armies, and through an awe-inspiring display of robotic power, bring peace to the warring land. The challenge was to transform Inoki from a blue-suited live-action man to "mech" with pachinko at its soul, and finally into a small mech-tulip -- the logo of Heiwa.

To create these complex CG effects, Entity FX called upon Pendulum Studios. In addition to using a traditional Alias Maya-based pipeline, Pendulum implemented photogrammetry techniques to blend the live-action actors head and body into a CG stand-in. During production, the Pendulum team also had to come up with an interesting way for the actor to shed his cloth suit and reveal an underlying robot. At one point in the spot, the actors head opens up to reveal the robotics inside.

Of working with international partners, Taylor notes, The strong creative concepts being initiated in European and Asian commercial markets always pose an enticing challenge. Due to the creative diversity and technical challenges offered by international clients, were constantly seeking to expand and evolve our historically strong international relationships in the advertising and content development arenas.

Pendulum Studios is a San Diego-based animation studio. For more information, visit www.studiopendulum.com.

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Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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