The following list is an attempt to create a generalized hierarchy of animatronic movements. The first movements on the list are often the most important for an animatronic to have. As each animatronic exhibit or attraction is different, this hierarchy is simply a starting point for a discussion that should involve the client, show designer, and animatronic designer.
The Essentials
Mouth and eye blinks: The mouth and eye blinks are essential for creating a character that talks. A single digital mouth move can simulate most talking movements, and the blinking eyes are absolutely required.
Head turns and eye turns: Head and eye turns are typically the next movements added because they help the animatronic figure appear to have an awareness of it’s surroundings. The eyes make it appear to look around the room, and the head follows where the eyes lead, just like in humans.
Arm gesture: One or two moves are typically added to the arm or wrist before additional head moves are included. This allows the figure to make a few casual gestures or movements that make it appear that the body could move more if the figure so desired. The audience makes the same assumption about the figure that they make about a human or animal they walk up to: that it could move all if its body parts if it wanted, it just does not need to at that point. Typically the arm movements are concentrated in one arm, with the other arm being positioned so that the lack of movement does not appear unnatural – holding something, leaning on something, etc.
Body move: Once a body has been give the ability to gesture an arm, the next move added is typically a body lean or weight shift. This movement goes a long way toward creating personality in the figure, and also making the figure appear real. The personality comes from the ability of the figure to lean toward part of the audience when delivering a dramatic idea, or lean back when surprised or laughing. The increased realism come from the appearance that the figure’s body is mobile, and so it could walk away if it wanted.
Head nods and tilts: Additional head moves are added to create personality for the figure. It can look up as if remembering something, it can tilt its head if it is curious about something. It can look down if it is sad.
Additional arm moves: These are moves that allow the figure to point at something, or make more sophisticated gestures than the couple of arm moves discussed above.
Additional body moves: These are moves in the torso area that help create a more dynamic presentation, and give the figure the ability to look more places around the room.