Adam Savage's One Day Builds: Aliens Motion Tracker Prop!

Adam tackles a key piece of his Aliens Colonial Marines cosplay with the assembly and finishing of a Motion Tracker prop kit from propmaker Victor Broadley! This kit is comprised of most of the original found parts used by the original production to make the Motion Tracker, including the distinct shape of a Kango 426 drill and even the Casio calculator buttons that mount on the side! Next up will be making this actually work as a motion tracker!
Adam's build of the Aliens welder torch: • Adam Savage's One Day ...
Colonial Marines shoulder lamp: • Adam Savage's One Day ...
Colonial Marines armor: • Adam Savage's One Day ...
Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Josh Self
Music by Jinglepunks
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Ryan Kiser / ryan.kiser
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Kishore Hari / sciencequiche
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Bill Doran / chinbeard
Ariel Waldman / arielwaldman
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!

[@tested]

Adam's build of the Aliens welder torch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2XZamqwm62tmbc Colonial Marines shoulder lamp: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5vSpKKEm6p1hpY Colonial Marines armor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKmvZYaCr6ael9E

[@MrMiguella]

Is there a p.o. box to send things to Adam?

[@JaxHad]

Crazy! I was watching the making of 'Aliens' last night and when they were showing off the motion tracker and discussing how they made it I wondered if Adam had made one.. I thought if he hadn't already it must be on his to do list... Funny old world ✌☺

[@P-J-W-777]

I can say from first hand experience that you are definitely prolonging the life of your parts washer fluid. Love watching your KZbin channel as well. Have been following you since you started and have watched every video you’ve released. I had also followed you throughout your entire Mythbusters Career as it was my favorite TV show. Keep up the great work inspiring others to work with their hands and minds as well as utilize probably the most important thing in life next to love and in my opinion that is your Imagination.

[@secondarycontainment4727]

Adam, you have boobs. Figure out what this means to you.

[@MatDuck4130]

For all the people worried about the laptop. It was not as on the edge as you think. It was mostly safe every time it appeared to be to close to the edge. I promise.

[@davidhiscock1969]

Always feel for the set builders and film crews from Aliens, Star Wars etc . Can imagine them asking " has anyone seen my flash / has anyone seen my drill ? " . Prop builders be like, nope sorry not seen it, whilst taking said item to bits🤣

[@AstrumG2V]

"I have no idea what you're talking about" *buzzsaw noises*

[@burnnieholliday7205]

There's a DP somewhere out there regretting throwing away their malfunctioning Graflex handle. There's another one reevaluating the locks on their equipment trailer.

[@tomhorsley6566]

I see the Mac book hanging well off the edge of the workbench again.

[@quantumfluxuation]

The laptop hanging over the edge keeps giving me more anxiety than I'm comfortable with

[@bcrich792000]

I love the one day build videos, but one thing I've noticed lately is the time lapse portions are a little lengthy! I enjoy watching Adam work on the meticulous portions of the build. I felt like this video went from red parts to suddenly assembled and painted in a blink of an eye. Not sure how other fans feel, but I'd love to see more of the build's full on details and his process of getting there. Hour long vid? Love em.

[@GingerBeardDublXL]

Same. I often play these when I'm working on something myself to appease my ADHD lol.

[@Notimportant1995]

Fun fact, The Jobo Minilux (held up at 2:15) Is actually for colour darkroom printing! As you have to print in complete darkness for colour darkroom printing (no red safelight) you have to do everything by feel, although there is an exception to everything! Jobo (a German company) made the Minilux and Maxilux which were small, extremely dim orange light that doesn’t affect the paper if used for very short durations. It works because colour film base is orange and the dim light is the same colour so it doesn’t affect the paper the same way other colour light does!

[@WiseRiley]

amazing fact, thank u 🙏🏻

[@DanHarkless_Halloween_YTPs_etc]

Thanks, I was wondering if that was a color temperature reference light for motion picture work, or what.

[@roycairns9357]

I remember those days working in a darkroom 😂😂

[@BeExcellent21Another]

Awesome bit of trivia thanks for sharing!

[@JaxHad]

Crazy! I was watching the making of 'Aliens' last night and when they were showing off the motion tracker and discussing how they made it I wondered if Adam had made one.. I thought if he hadn't already it must be on his to do list... Funny old world ✌☺

[@13panda13]

Didnt happen to me, so not funny

[@DivineCerinian]

@@13panda13 I can't find anyone who asked.

[@braija]

@@13panda13 life of the party, right here.

[@kenfryer2090]

Adam's pure enthusiasm for everything he does gives me motivation and cheers me up every time. Makes me more self accepting of being a nerd and geeky

[@braija]

I want him to be my dad, but since that won't happen I'm gonna be like Adam to my kids!

[@TimberBiscuitWoodworks]

As a fellow maker and builder I love when I see new builds from you pop up. Thanks for all the inspiration Adam!

[@knightsofrreee7961]

If you build Aliens props you'll know Humbrol 'Brown Bess' is long OP. I have discovered that Vallejo 871 'leather brown' is a dead ringer. It might seem weird, and when you look at the bottle it doesn't seem very likely, but I just painted up a motion tracker kit and it looks absolutely beautiful. It's also an acrylic, which I personally find much easier than enamels. Hope this helps somebody, somewhere, but I only just found it out myself.

[@DEADPEDAL]

I love the clanky noises it makes when it's handled after completion. Gives it weight and age. A masterpiece as usual.

[@davidzeto2446]

Love it. Using parts of real things, to replicate objects that simulate an imagined some thing. The rabbit hole that perpetuates ingenuity, creativity, myth and back again.

[@MrSpannners]

I'd love to see him try (because getting the parts would be difficult) to make an original New Hope Graflex from scratch. Or Obi Wan's Saber.

[@mromutt]

That silver paint pen for weather is amazing! Its like instant gratification/perfection.

[@JPrime1973]

Oh wow! Thank you, I have one of those ray guns from a thrift shop and have never been able to identify it! Surreal to see you holding one in a video. I concur, that grip is amazing, so much fun to hold. Thank you for another classic build.

[@DanHarkless_Halloween_YTPs_etc]

Kind of like an exaggerated version of the 3rd-generation Glock pistol grips. Perhaps this toy inspired Glock's finger grooves? 🤔

[@joshua.snyder]

The moment during a build when you grin with excitement at what has come together is always worth it!

[@CaribouKH]

That "Nice!" caption at the drill throw match exactly what I thought! :D

[@StormRaider200]

Adam, God bless you man! You are the inspiration that is getting me into prop making, and every time another one day build comes out, I feel I learn more tips about the art! Stay frosty!

[@phillbeith7079]

That sounds like my life motto... "I don't know if we'll need it, but I'm holding on to it!"

[@hannahpumpkins4359]

Adam, I used to be in law enforcement - the equipment that was available to all of us to use (which would be something like the Alien's Motion Tracker) always had a good deal of wear on the handle - I noticed you didn't weather that here. These Marines would have been using that motion tracker device pretty regularly - maybe issued to one person in each team, so the handle would definitely show wear (I'm not sure if the one in the film does or not, but it definitely should have)! Awesome build regardless of my silly little detail suggestion!!!!

[@DanHarkless_Halloween_YTPs_etc]

You used Aliens-esque motion trackers while working in law enforcement…? Did you come back to the past to save humanity?

[@wayneking9997]

@@DanHarkless_Halloween_YTPs_etc they obviously lying KZbin is full of people that bs unfortunately

[@DanHarkless_Halloween_YTPs_etc]

@@wayneking9997 Actually, I was just joking. Hannah no doubt just meant that her department's equipment (batons, riot shields, guns, etc.?) had wear patterns that you'd expect would be similar to that of the equipment of the Colonial Marines.

[@WaghorneTruss]

Was anyone else afraid for Adam's Macbook perched half over the edge of the workbench?

[@tehryanx]

On the edge of my seat the entire time.

[@richardpratten7076]

Can’t stop looking at it!!

[@Voirreydirector]

@george ion yes, but think of the ideas and inspirational material which might be lost!

[@moultriemanicmechani]

@@Voirreydirector I'm sure it's all backed up on the cloud

[@JohnathanPulos]

Oh man! It was so difficult to pay attention! I was biting my nails the whole time!

[@simongander3089]

I love how this era of film was populated with scratchbuilds and kitbashes. I just found out the other day exactly how the Blade Runner was pieced together from a Steynr Bolt-action rifle and a tiny handgun called a Bulldog. I wonder if we really see that anymore in major film production? I would have to guess it's not very prevalent anymore.

[@hazonku]

Not as big as it used to be, especially for major blockbuster budgets, but you'd be surprised how often real world things end up in digital kitbash kits and then end up becoming real things again. Very akin to Adam's Universal greeble story. And a LOT of mid to lower budget stuff still do this sorta work.

[@simongander3089]

@@hazonku Ahh interesting! It just became digital.

[@hraefn1821]

some impressive recent indie sci-fi flicks have used kitbashed nerf, airsoft and paintball guns to great effect.

[@robbeelsas]

@@hazonku this is precisely why I read the comment section

[@eliasripley2357]

@@hraefn1821 I make prop weapons and armour for cosplayers, indie films and one-off commissions, and I use a lot of airsoft and Nerf-type guns as the basis for most props. I have a habit of collecting interestingly shaped pieces of plastic and have an entire cupboard full of greeblies. I sometimes make little starships and RPG terrain in the Aliens complex style when I have time. I'd absolutely LOVE to have Savage's workshop, though. You could put together anything in that place. Ah, to be rich...

[@Netsuko]

The laptop in the table behind him at around 8:15 gave me anxiety xD

[@Jchmcom]

If you and Alton could team up again for an Aliens cosplay with a smart gun and Ripley's flamethrower/pulse rifle I do believe I could say my life was complete.

[@bangalorewolf5952]

Watching you in this vids, the way you do certain things. I'm reminded of a memory of my Dad. Any time I had problems with creating, fixing "projects. If I ran into an issue that would stump me, I would ask my Dad for advice. And, his first question would usually be "Well, were you holding your tongue right?" Watching you tinker around with your tongue sticking out, reinforces how important that seeming insignificant little factor is. Thank you.

[@DanHarkless_Halloween_YTPs_etc]

LOL. Although I'll say I cringed a little watching him sticking his tongue out while doing _sanding._ "But the grit, Adam, the grit!"

[@Dialogue_SC]

13:26 this look that Adam gives the camera is a "who are you and why are you watching me?" kinda look and i just love it

[@ReLiKchaser]

Sir, homage to one of the greatest movies ever made has been respectfully delivered. I salute you young man.

[@Double_Vision]

The little hidden cut at 15:53 was really smoothly done.

[@jkamine]

I would love to see you make a hyper realistic version of the big mouth billy bass. Like one that would convince anyone it was a real trophy fish until it started singing.

[@Tclans]

Last week while watching ‘inspecting colonial marines’ at the prop store, inspired me to watch Aliens again. I think it was my first deliberate viewing as an adult. I havent seen this movie in 20 years or so. A few things came to mind. 1) It still holds on amazingly well today! 2) the uniforms, props and miniature work is amazing. 3) omg I felt like I was watching a Halo episode. They took liberal strides with their inspiration. Haha 4) only some flying shots and some shots with lightning aren’t up to todays standards, the rest is still great. Keeping the Love for Alien alive, thank you for your enthusiasm.

[@Trixstien]

In three days I am meeting the man that taught Ellen Ripley how to use the Pulse Rifle. :)

[@JustinBellingerTV]

Anyone else got sweaty palms from watching that Mac precariously balanced on the end of the desk?

[@aidanchan2000]

Yes!!! Another one day build to watch during my dinner~

[@DavidThomasScorbal]

The editor! So there's a jump cut that goes from the moment Adam is about to slice off his finger with a saw, to a frame of Adam's finger covered in *something* very dark. Tell me that wasn't on purpose. Starting at 6:25. These are gems.

[@joshbymyself]

😅

[@DevinJHiggins]

Don't you just hate it when you walk into the office in the morning and your M41A pulse rifle is NOWHERE to be found?! 😆

[@Ivanovitch2885]

I had forgotten a piece of my childhood until you pulled out the folding rubber bullet blaster. I would kill for one of those just for nostalgia.

[@TheSkootenbeeten]

Even though he took it apart... the Casio calculator STILL WORKED! Love watching one my favourite humans doing what they do.

[@petermotta1623]

Thank you for sharing Adam !

[@NeriOrliani]

Great work as usual. I'm Italian and work in the VFX industry.. the digital side of it. Edison Giocattoli (which means simply Edison toys) is a toy factory specialised in toy guns and kids "weapons". Had plenty of their cap guns when I was a kid : )

[@octoberphoenix]

Yes, being Italian also, as soon as Adam said Giocattoli, I thought he may have misinterpreted the second word as a surname!

[@TheOnlyDaVinci]

Seeing the laptop hanging off the edge in the background caused more anxiety then it should have watching this lol 9:30

[@Ketacah]

This was awesome! I loved to see all the ingredients broke down before the build. This is a film history lesson. Thanks Adam

[@PhillipLaMarche]

I watch Tested when getting home from work and it really helps me wind down. Thanks for keeping me sane, Adam.

[@conorcook4061]

All those pieces of tech make such great noise when being disassembled.

[@GreenAppelPie]

As soon as you took the first piece off the cango is was immediately apparent that was the base of the scanner. Amazing. I spent a few years doing occasional parts washing, I used straight kerosene though.

[@prometheus4268]

That's a dope build, the weathering makes it pop so much more when you see it close up

[@Ventuskeymaster]

I love watching these videos and what I love the most is that I use them while I do my crafting or making my cosplays. Adama is great and I so love this channel.

[@DHBat]

I enjoyed that immensely. Despite thinking i knew what it looked like, it took a little while before it became recognisable to me and i think that made it even more fascinating.

[@branchsnapper2228]

I had that little ‘spy toy ‘ that fires darts. And I remember adverts for the ray gun with the sexy grip but I couldn’t afford it. So glad you showed those!

[@WatermanW]

Love watching your builds. And inspired by your cave!

[@GryphonDes]

This was utterly absorbing and just too fun to watch ! Thanks \for a great episode Adam!

[@mikevincent8728]

Argh! These are my absolute FAVOURITE builds! Top stuff 👍

[@mattmarich2199]

Glad to see old school prop building! With 3d printing it's becoming old, old school!

[@225Perfect]

I'm so glad I watched this. I had one of those folding cap guns as a kid and had completely forgotten about it. It was the coolest thing. Now I'm going to have to buy one.

[@notlessgrossman163]

Sir I didn't realize how much I miss Mythbusters until it occurred to me how useful it would have been for Mythbusters to do a COVID two part special on prime time TV. I truly believe it would have saved lives

[@JonE5FPV]

love this type of build, and very nice seiko SKX. Beautiful watch taste that adam has

[@LaserGadgets]

I would love to see a video like this every week...still my fav!

[@peckenstein]

That edit at 6:28 was wrong! LOL Going from the metal saw to him holding up his finger with dark substance all over it. Someone knew what they were doing during editing. Well played!!!!

[@joshbymyself]

I just work with what he gives me 😅

[@peckenstein]

@@joshbymyself 🤣

[@ldickinson1984]

Absolutely awesome

[@marcpaters0n]

Give the music supervisor a raise! Some real bangers on here.

[@mickc8738]

Love it! I'll watch the movie again now just to see that scene again

[@Huguito]

Omg it's really amazing and accurate to the movie! I love it. Amazing and beautiful job, Adam!

[@TLOEric]

The motion tracker will likely go crazy because I clicked this video so danged fast

[@jarvas2681]

Love the Seiko SKX. Another icon of a watch. First time I have seen your wrist with anything other than the Speedy

[@tehryanx]

man the laptop on the edge of your desk is spiking my anxiety lol

[@shawnkarg3794]

I had one of those folding rubber bullet guns! I haven't thought about that thing in ages!

[@badaboom5830]

Very enjoyable process to watch

[@azmax623]

RIP Bill Paxton. He was my favorite Colonial Marine/Fly eating blob/storm chaser.

[@Jackalgirl]

I love watching you walk around and think. : )

[@neilperry2224]

You reminded me of when I tried to draw the light cycles from tron and how hard it was . Nearly ruined my parents video players hold button but got the drawing done.

[@josephcranmer5930]

I love watching Adam build almost as much as I love building myself...

[@FassEddie]

Man, I’m clenching up watching Adam’s totally cavalier and indifferent placement of that expensive MacBook Pro on his bench. It’s hanging over the edge in almost every shot.

[@nickblack423]

Adam, this is amazing. I have about 95% of the parts to do this exact build in a box, and my intention was to have it with electronics like you say. I found a tutorial for using Raspberry Pi but I couldn't get it to work. This was about a year ago. You've inspired me to get back to it and finish something that I've always wanted to have.

[@Voirreydirector]

Dude! Best of luck!

[@poopfartlord9695]

Depending on what functionality you want from the electronics a simple micro like an Arduino would be simpler, cheaper and smaller. Not often that you'd need a whole SBC for a build like this unless you wanted to do some actual processing of motion.

[@nickblack423]

@@poopfartlord9695 to be fair I'm floundering on all fronts with that. I've had a little success but don't know enough about micro processor programming to even know how to troubleshoot it when it goes wrong. Something simple would work for me, but there are some tutorials out there that use a pi and a compass to make a fairly functional tracker, I've just never been able to get them to work properly.

[@donaldty1599]

I love the shape of the idea

[@chris19873]

This is outstanding

[@jftureson]

Your bill Paxton impression... on point.

[@dgator7251]

My inner Flock of Seagulls is really digging the 80"s music vide.

[@d4ve587]

Hats off to the original creators unbelievable mash up 🤣👏

[@dkyates6333]

I’ve been waiting on this video! The timing is perfect as I’m healing after surgery and needed something fun to help my mood

[@PearlJam2k6]

Adam working on a motion tracker, on my birthday?! This is truly a gift for me

[@Dhx4466]

Happy birthday

[@PearlJam2k6]

@@Dhx4466

[@peterw8835]

Happy Birthday

[@pitchlink4499]

I am so thoroughly enjoying your channel and watching you build in your shop. So much respect and admiration for you, sir! I am, however, impressed with your occasional total disregard for eye protection! ;)

[@TheKnuckleneck]

@3:22 respect on that trigger discipline, Adam. 👉👍

[@cristopherknight3617]

that is a big box of fun right there.

[@SolarTara]

Wish he would come back to this!

[@hunterwyeth]

Yes please

[@DogDog173]

that was very VERY lovely.

[@josephcranmer5930]

Adam your enthusiasm makes me smile! I am also a fellow movie prop builder and enthusiast. Although im not as talented as you i am tackling a build of the motion tracker as well using original, 3d printed and resin parts. If mine comes out even half as good as yours i will be very happy.

[@nikonshooter71]

Am I the only one that was sitting on the edge of my chair 🪑 worrying about Adams Laptop 💻 😱🙈

[@kmh27pk]

Haha i swear i could barely watch this video!

[@mrspecks945]

Why?

[@Sacrer]

He is American. Easier to get one if you live and earn money there

[@deedeec160]

Adam's footsteps on the wooden floor is great for ASMR

[@melinda2877]

Adam’s hair is sticking up and it looks exactly like my cockatoo’s head. I love it! 😂

[@johngolombek61]

It's a dry heat man . Thanks for making a tracker sir. Great movie from the 80s rip Bill .

[@lucitribal]

That costume's gonna be awesome with these props👍

[@dearhorse085]

I was eagerly waiting for this

[@zoranbilbiloski652]

Epic!!Can't wait for the electronics to see it beep!

[@mr.bayless]

This was such a different vibe from usual One Day Builds and I kinda loved it. I also didn't realize how much prop making was just taking common items apart to reassemble them into something else.

[@scottmantooth8785]

*after a while you stop seeing any given object as it is presented or intended to function and begin to mentally deconstruct it into smaller and smaller pieces and reassembling them into far more interesting shapes...i've been doing this sort of thing for decades ... pretty addictive once you start down that particular path...you also quickly run out of room to store all the bits you salvage/rescue from the side of the road or the trash...just sayin'*

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

If you watch a lot of prop building shows like Smugglers room and the like you'll also notice that some pieces get used SO much they're considered too recognizable. People will instantly think of whatever juice bottle or model kit you sourced them from which is why it pays to use either things from new products that just came out OR really, really old (but not that valuable) pieces sourced from places like junkyards, flea markets, etc. It's also why so much of the stuff Adam builds is expensive to source since a lot of it (like from the original Star Wars trilogy) was shot over in England and was sourced from old productions & WW2 era stuff. That said old toys are definitely a great way to go-especially as a lot of Chinese knockoff stuff looks really funky.

[@moultriemanicmechani]

@@scottmantooth8785 I will go to goodwill and buy all kinds of random junk, just for this reason. I have storage buckets full of it ,I'll dig through it trying to create pieces at random

[@raoulduke8382]

I think 3D printing will make this prop art-form less prevalent, sadly.

[@moultriemanicmechani]

@@raoulduke8382 not likely , there is so much design involved in the 3D printing ,that you lose the creativity of building the found props , I think it will become more prevalent, in reproducing these found parts , as many are getting rare .

[@ionostro]

Excellent! beautiful job! and very entertaining! Greetings from Chile, South America

[@BunnyKins1970]

At 35:25 I have that exact same mechanical shutter release. It works with my 35mm Pentax MV and equally well with my Folding Autographic Brownie that was made in 1925(ish). Makes a lovely buzzy clockwork noise. 💚🐇🐴💚

[@donaldty1599]

Love the shape of that word

[@B-A-L]

You know Adam is getting on a bit when he's getting up early in the morning for no reason whatsoever!

[@rackzack]

the han solo vest at the end! coool! Im getting one

[@ukaszorowski8272]

As always in shape

[@TheStarBlack]

I loved this. I only wish there was a longer version with no time lapses and a bit more time on what the components actually are.

[@paultruesdale7680]

Super cool!

[@keithcacahuete8066]

You get slight differences on military equipment as stuff get modified from time, excluding those modifications and improvisations that get made out in the field, so if there are slight differences in the prop version that would be pretty much in keeping with a real world scenario. Great to watch this step by step process and see the end result