Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1177962
1 1 8 P E R S P E C T I V E | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 of humanity meets artificial intelligence that Stu is struggling to achieve. Throughout the season there were many interesting swing sets that extended the world, from environments like a Pointed Circle resistance bunker to Xanastu's brain room. The variety of swing sets also gave a platform for the creative juices of prop master Gabriel Higgins, who created everything from a basic cum whisk (not a misspelling) to a neural transmitter that consisted of a brain cap attached to a thick bundle of fiber optic cables, a metal head enclosure, and giant needle to insert into one's spine. One other hero prop Gabe created was the Octocycle, a bicycle with eight wheels that had to function and be ridden by the actors. The brain room was a particularly close collaboration between the Art, set dressing and props departments. The central element of the set was Stu's brain, part of which was contained in an acrylic case with the rest extending out like A C a neural network that attached to the chamber's ceiling. The original inspiration for the brain room came from an art installation created by Austrian design firm For Use/Numen. It was one of the first pieces of research Lisa presented during the first week of preproduction, not knowing what it would be used for, but knowing it had a place in season two. The acrylic case, which was built by the prop department, had to be opened by a lead actor and still provide an anchor point for the sculptural tendrils created by the set dressing team. Because the tendrils needed to look as if they emerged from an 8-foot area ceiling and end in a 1-inch point, construction worked alongside set decoration to provide a support system for the sculptural structure. A mock-up of the frame and tendrils was built prior to the final execution of the elements within the finished set to make sure this idea would actually work. The future jail swing set was also an exciting challenge. The main thing the writers asked for was "three glass boxes in a black void," i.e., the A. CONCEPT ART FOR M.A.R.S. BRAIN UPLOAD DEVICE DEVELOPED BY PROP MASTER GABE HIGGINS AND TEAM. B. PRODUCITON STILL THE POINTED CIRCLE FEATURING HERO PROP CREATED BY PROP MASTER GABE HIGGINS. C. HERO PROP, THE OCTOCYCLE, A BIKE WITH 8 WHEELS THAT NEEDED TO BE RIDDEN. DEVELOPED BY PROP MASTER GABE HIGGINS. D. BRAIN ROOM MODEL DRAWN IN SKETCHUP BY ART DIRECTOR BRIAN GREGO AND SET DESIGNER RHEA REBBE, RENDERED IN V-RAY, AND THEN TAKEN INTO PHOTOSHOP TO CREATE THE FINISHED CONCEPT IMAGE. B D