Beetlemen - Pete Peterson stop-motion test reel

Pete Peterson's rediscovered "Beetlemen" color test reel. Read how these pre-digital effects were accomplished at http://www.bluespill.com/?p=12

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• animation
• stop
• motion
• stop-motion
• sfx
• science
• fiction
• scifi

[blackfransis]

that movement is so fluid - and yet not. very creepy.

[Conbus]

Holy shit that's terrifying.

[oprep3]

In 1969 David Allen had several of the Beetlemen and used some to make the

Lizard Man armatures for Raiders of the Stone Ring which later became the

Primevals. One became the Flesh Gordon Beetleman and The Las Vegas monster armature later became the Nesuahyrrah in Flesh Gordon.

[Dinoslay]

I love the way they move. And the end part where they start swarming over the ridge. It makes me sad to ask why people can't make stuff like this today.

[4thtroika]

That is creepy, especially the way they just keep coming over the top of the hill.

[lavverlylad]

Loadsa Gollums! Heh, heh, Jackson, you should be ashamed of yourself! :)

[GeneralOlde]

It's kind of like Fantasia, only with stop-motion effects.

[areles]

I've been an admierer of Pete Peterson's animation since I came across his name back in '64. I dare say his animation is simply stunning, possibly besting Jim Danforth is every aspect but sculpting and creature design.

[kuhnigget]

Amazing! What a talent. Peterson is one of the great unsung heroes of stop motion. The movement and personality in this test is incredible! I wonder if his ability to create such nuanced movement had anything to do with his own disabilities? I know he eventually ended up in a wheelchair...was he still mobile at this point? Great stuff.

[flasputnik]

Thanks. Extraordinary, eerie feel.