WORKSHOP LEADERS

Evan Atherton
Autodesk

Matthew Spremulli
Autodesk

Nick Cote
Autodesk

This workshop encouraged participants to make sci-fi movies reminiscent of the ones they grew up with, but using robots, and in just three days.

The workshops explored a unique blend of old‑school practical VFX and cutting‑edge robotic motion control for filmmaking—all powered by Mimic, a free, open‑source robot‑control plugin for Autodesk Maya.

In this workshop, participants kitbashed a sci‑fi spaceship, animated a cinematic flight sequence in Mimic, and then brought the starry voyage to life with one robot holding the spaceship and another holding a camera. Over three days, the group worked together to build a variety of physical spaceships and settings, experimented with robotically controlled shots, and ultimately produced a short sci‑fi film from their carefully crafted sequences.

Throughout the session, Mimic was used to control robot kinematics and create cinematic shots. The team experimented with dynamic framing, ultra‑smooth and complex camera manoeuvres, automated focus and lighting, and dynamic shot construction. They explored layered shots through repeatable camera motions and achieved specific shot dynamics—such as slow motion and rapid pans—by adjusting robot parameters like velocity and acceleration. Keyframed animation in Maya guided robots, cameras, and other on‑set assets.

Before the workshop began, an online pre‑session helped participants install Mimic for Autodesk Maya, learn the fundamentals of Maya and Mimic, and ensured they were ready for the week ahead.

By the end of the week, participants left with both a cinematic masterpiece and hands‑on experience using modern robotics tools for dynamic, creative camera work. They gained valuable insights into the synergy between robotics and filmmaking, expanding their creative and technical capabilities in motion‑controlled cinematography.

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