Special effects student gets ahead on new E4 show
Final-year special effects student Jack Threlfall is definitely ahead of the game when it comes to getting himself noticed.
In just one week the talented under-graduate took time out from his Special Effects (BA Hons) course at Southampton Solent University to create the prototype head for the exciting new E4 prank comedy show Bad Robots which premieres on Tuesday 11 November at 10pm. http://www.channel4.com/e4.
The opportunity arose when course leader, Johnny Issapour, was contacted by Solent University alumni Ben Spiteri of Objective Productions Company. Ben who is writer, producer and performer in Bad Robots, wanted a character for the show based on Johnny Cab, the taxi driver from Total Recall.
Having graduated from Southampton Solent in 2007, Ben was aware of the excellent work students produce in special effects and student, Jack Threlfall, stepped up to the challenge. After researching different materials Jack identified P38 which is like car filler. He sculpted the head out of clay and used animatronics to make the eyes and nose move. Jack did try to make the neck move but the motor was so strong it spun the head right off!
Once finished, Jack packed up his robot (who he nicknamed Jerry), hid him in a bin bag and took him on the train, letting him out occasionally for the odd selfie. At the studio the guys thought it was amazing. They put a hidden camera under its hat and set up bogus meetings, filming the reaction.
Jack, his fellow students, course leader and family all the way up in Handforth, Cheshire will all be tuning into E4 to see the first episode of Bad Robots on Tuesday 11 November at 10pm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8201 3040 or press.office@solent.ac.uk
About Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University offers more than 23,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology. The University was awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning. Solent was voted one of the most creative universities in the UK in a Which? University 2013 poll of students. Solent Business School has been awarded the Small Business Charter Award, which is supported by the Association of Business Schools and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and ‘gold approval’ by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
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