Does anyone know how the necks were made for the velociraptor in Jurassic Park?

michael aycock

I've seen the special features but the details in which it was made I feel as left us in the dark. Does anybody know how this works? How is was made?

Brently Davis

I know the video on here mentioned a spiral kneck piece.  I imagine this would give the ability to have an open core while maintaining form and resistance.  I'm not sure how they would've constructed this in the early 90's, but it seems like something that could be fairly easily designed and printed digitally.  This is a question that I have often pondered myself. 

Brenson Humphreys

Probably some cable mechanisms on a few steel rods. 

Jared Lee

I assume it was made like a huge tentacle, and maneuvered with cables from the inside.

Tom Stewart

https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/blog/jurassic-park-t-rex-skinning-animatronic-dinosaur

John Vaughters

Wow, Tom. That sure shows it. Thanks for the link.

Adam Bradley

I see the "parallelogram" or triple parallelogram used to describe the mechanism used to control the head and mouth, of the raptors and the aliens.  But I see anywhere how to build it or even how it works.  Has anyone come across this mechanism? 

Chris Ellerby

Adam:  As for parallelogram mechanisms, here is an example of one that I am currently prototyping.  Please do not share these designs outside of this community, as they are proprietary and attached to a big project.  I've had to hide much of the design just to be able to share it here.  But I promise the finished project will eventually be shared on these forums.

This prototype is unfinished/untested.  For big projects I typically build and test designs and mechanisms virtually prior to physical construction.  I can rapidly iterate through many virtual designs, saving the time/materials associated with physical construction and identify pain points before they become an expense.  The final design can then generate a precise materials list, also helping save on cost.

This design does not yet incorporate head roll.  Here's what it does incorporate.

Neck raise/lower

Neck yaw left/right

Head pitch up/down

Head yaw left/right

With the parallelogram the head will remain at what ever angle you set it at with the hand controls as the neck raises and lowers, allowing the character to maintain it's general gaze. 

/Chris

Chris Ellerby

This video also demonstrates a similar mechanism that is a lot simpler than my configuration, as it's all in-line.  (mine needs to have the controls below the mechanism, which adds a fair bit of complication)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jspeKuVzd9o

Neev Asken

I still have questions about how the form attached to to the skull and how the spiral maintained its shape without impeding flexibility

Chris Ellerby

Hi Neev,

While I don't have the actual method used, the foam would most likely have been glued where a permanent connection was needed.  It would also be possible to glue fabric tabs the neck and use a temporary method to attach the fabric to the skull like snaps, velcro, etc.

Foam, depending on the density, is great at holding its shape.  In the case of the neck, the spaces between the form in the spiral allowed extra room for compression and less resistance for expansion. 

/Chris