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The logo for the film, as seen in the trailer.
In the 1980's, a CGI animated film called The Works was in production, with contributions from Pixar and DreamWorks pioneers, and would have been the first ever 3D animated film in history.[1]
Plot[]
It was set in the future where a malfunctioning computer triggered a last World War but it repopulates the entire planet with robots, not long later where it would have focused on a experienced pilot named T-Square and a robot named Ipso Facto and the former would go to Earth to return humanity.
Development[]
The film was speculated to have been partially produced from 1979 to 1986, developed by the staff of the Computer Graphics Lab in association with the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, New York. It was originally intended to be approximately 90 minutes long although less than 10 minutes are known to have been produced.
One of CGL's main goals was to use computers to produce 2D animation and invent tools to assist traditional animators in their work. Schure reasoned that it should be possible to develop technology that would make the animation process cheaper and faster. An early version of the CAPS system later used by Disney animators was among the tools created. Upon recognizing its potential, the Lab's focus shifted to 3D computer graphics, and when Lance Williams presented his story, The Works the idea was to attempt to make it as a 3D computer-animated feature. This project became the center of attention at NYIT CGL.
Many staff members contributed designs and modeled characters/sets under the coordination of art director Bil Maher who created blueprint-style designs for T-Square and many of the 25 robots called for by the script. Dick Lundin, known for exhaustive and elaborate creations, designed and animated a mining ship and the gigantic robot "Ant". Going into the project, Dr, Alex Schure, who had long had a very ardent and passionate view on animation, had been aware of the challenges and potential for success and consistently provided extensive resources to aid the research and development of the necessary technologies. He believed his staff would work best if they were constantly being supplied with the latest computer hardware. However, this meant that his staff would regularly have to upgrade their systems, convert existing programs, and rework familiar tools for use on new machines, delaying production significantly.
Why It Was Cancelled[]
- There were production difficulties defining on the traditional produced ink or work.
- The developers had an extreme lack of interest to continue the progress of the film due to their computer systems being down. While the most powerful hardware at the time, they were too slow and underpowered to generate the number of images required for the film.
- There was extremely lukewarm reception towards Disney's action sci-fi 1982 film, Tron.
Results[]
- The film was permanently cancelled.
- Despite the film's cancellation, the trailer is still up.
- Instead, Toy Story became the first CGI film in history. It was released in 1995 by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Studios.
Trivia[]
- Famous industry professionals like Chuck Jones and Shamus Culhane toured the Lab while the film was being produced.
- Other interested representatives from movie studios and television networks and other mediums whom toured the lab include singer Laurie Anderson, rocker Peter Gabriel, and puppeteer Jim Henson.
- The name was inspired by the original meaning of the word "robot", derived from "robota" ("work"), a word found in many Slavic languages.[2]
- The film's entire planned script can be read on Google Drive.[3]
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