Building the First Android in Science Fiction Film!

We assemble, paint, and build a custom LED display for this beautiful 1/8 scale model of Futura, the humanoid robot seen in the 1927 science fiction film Metropolis! This kit from X-Plus recreates the first android ever depicted in cinema--an art deco design that's the clear inspiration for many cinematic androids in years to come. Follow along the build of the figure and our custom display using flexible LED filament!

Shot by Josh Self and edited by Norman Chan
Music by Jinglepunks

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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman

Thanks for watching!

[_guillermo]

The rings would look way better if you used a clear filament instead of black.

[steveschritz]

I was blown away when I saw this movie. It was way ahead of it’s time and is still worth a watch.

[madddog]

For its time, still one of the best sciFi movies ever

[brettsalter]

When you ran the lit silicon led over the body I thought 'Oh, you're going to do the 'ring' effect! What a great idea!

[sbcinema]

Someone from my family was a actor in this film, so lucky that it has survived the test of time/ the war.

[SevenDeMagnus]

It was ahead of its time. That android design stood the test of time.

God bless.

[gpckoleco]

As always Norm is blowing us away with his talent, ingenuity and knowledge of what he does best. ell done once again 👏👏👏

[joshuaparsons]

Thanks for linking to Culttvman for the kit. Steve is the best in the business. I need to get one of these models.

[winterlighthome]

Spooky timing! I was just watching Metropolis 3 nights ago for the first time in years, and now this has turned up on Tested.

[zoinomiko]

omg everything about this is so fantastic!!

[ThatVideoGuyTom]

Love how excited you get when a project comes out awesome!

[kevinconnery]

Very nice! I particularly liked how you incorporated the brass support as conductor-slick.

[j.robertsergertson]

The model paint is perfect, could you use a clear 3D printed ring instead of the black rings and maybe add a sequencing to the lights to give it a strobing effect ?

[GaryDeWitt-tp]

What if you printed your rings with clear/translucent material? Excellent upgrade, nonetheless.

[GCJACK]

There's actually an anime based on this movie. It's fairly good but also an oldie going back to the early 2000s.

[olsonspeed]

Nice display upgrade to an iconic figure, Fritz Lang would be pleased.

[ubserrano]

It looks great! Just like she jumped out from the screen.

[GreyDevil]

Can't say i love how the rub and buff looks, i think Norm could've hit it with a dry brush to even out the clumpyness because the gunk is really obvious in certain areas with a lot of details. Still i love the model and would like to put one together in the future :)

[AlanRorrison]

NORM switch the bands out for clear filament .

[nerdingforfunprops]

Nice to see another variation of this build. I went down a different route with mine, particularly with the base, which I found to be a bit lacking in the kit.