Iron Man (2007): Suit Up Sequence

Final keyframe and development sketches for Iron Man's suit-up sequence. Since principle photography had already finished, I was tasked with working out a sequence using existing plate photography of Tony Stark's workshop and minimal shots of Robert Downey Jr., as he had already wrapped shooting. ILM did a fantastic job of extrapolating from these rough sketches and singular keyframe to develop very believable robotics and an incredibly dynamic sequence that's one of the most memorable in the movie.

Final post-vis paint-over of Tony's workshop plate photography.

Final post-vis paint-over of Tony's workshop plate photography.

Suiting-up storyboards showing potential key shots in the suit-up sequence. (Pencil on vellum)

Suiting-up storyboards showing potential key shots in the suit-up sequence. (Pencil on vellum)

Suiting-up storyboards showing potential key shots in the suit-up sequence.(Pencil on vellum)

Suiting-up storyboards showing potential key shots in the suit-up sequence.(Pencil on vellum)

Suiting-up storyboards showing potential key shots in the suit-up sequence.(Pencil on vellum)

Suiting-up storyboards showing potential key shots in the suit-up sequence.(Pencil on vellum)

Suiting-up storyboards showing potential key shots in the suit-up sequence.(Pencil on vellum)

Suiting-up storyboards showing potential key shots in the suit-up sequence.(Pencil on vellum)

Concept sketch of the floor panel break-up (Marker)

Concept sketch of the floor panel break-up (Marker)

More concepts for the floor panel break-up (Marker)

More concepts for the floor panel break-up (Marker)

Working out how the panels would open around the boots (marker)

Working out how the panels would open around the boots (marker)

Building up the upper legs. Note how the floor panels are actually part of the robot arms. (Marker)

Building up the upper legs. Note how the floor panels are actually part of the robot arms. (Marker)

More boot securing greebly action. (marker)

More boot securing greebly action. (marker)

Boot-tightening-bolt-driver-thingy. (marker)

Boot-tightening-bolt-driver-thingy. (marker)

Showing how the panels would break up into the robot arm.  (marker)

Showing how the panels would break up into the robot arm. (marker)

Section showing how elements would be folded up under the floor. (Marker)

Section showing how elements would be folded up under the floor. (Marker)

Torso attachment. (marker)

Torso attachment. (marker)

Torso and hip attachment. (Marker)

Torso and hip attachment. (Marker)

Hip attachment device. (Marker)

Hip attachment device. (Marker)

Hip attachment exploration.(Marker)

Hip attachment exploration.(Marker)