Photo-real Marine Animatronics Disney Nature Galatee “ Oceans ”
Greg was approached by the french Galatee documentary film makers to supervise
production of full scale photorealistic animatronic robot replicas of marine
creatures for the epic feature film documentary “Oceans” released by Disney Nature.
The film makers were determined that no real animals were to be harmed in the
making of the film.
Greg supervised two teams of artists including trusted colleagues Paul Trefry
and John Cox to produce silicon replicas of endangered marine species caught in
driftnets and long-line fishing.
Animatronic blue sharks were also produced for a sequence recreating the brutal cruelty of shark finning. They were fully self contained
with no external power source.
Greg’s team also produced a powerful freeswimming broadbill sword fish that could
swim under its own power using natural tail and body action.
During filming off Australia’s Gold coast, a family pod of Humpback whales swam over to inspect the drift net
with its trapped and apparently struggling replica sea creatures. The real whales made repeated passes with apparent
concern for the plight of the replica creatures. One wishes more humans could
show such concern.
