Billy Bob Control

[yorkmiss]

Can anyone tell me how that interactive Billy Bob controller was connected to the system?
For example, did it wire into the existing computer system and work through the grey-box, or did it connect in between the wires from the grey-box and the mac valves?

Any info would be great. I'm finished with my own computer controller and would like to build an interactive controller.
Thanks,
Beth and Chris

[menutia]

The controller was wired to the grey box cards. You it was basically like jumping the hot wire to the bare pins in the grey box drawer. There was a multi wire cable that ran from the computer to the booth controls.

There are videos available to teach operators how to use the controller and tells the basics. Turn the lights on open curtains and do a short bit. Remember that the show was on a timed start so the interractive portion would have to be short and sweet, and be over before the showtape started.

Menutia

[RodHouTx]

Menutia,
You could do the segment as long as you wanted to because the Show/Birthday switch was moved to the panel where you control the character (the switch between the two hand controls). So you would just put it on "Birthday" to hold the show indefinitely. There was also a switch that would let you start a video if you wanted to. I wish I had taken a picture of captslapply's board.

[menutia]

Hey Rod.. that is my controller. I can send you pics later. As for the "hurry up and go" thing, that is based on the training manual and video I have. It specifically says that you need to be quick.

I did not know that the B-Day switch was added later. Cool to know.

~Menutia (Michael)

[yorkmiss]

Are these things hard to come buy? Or are they around if someone wanted to buy one?

Thanks for the information either way guys...

Beth

[VegaNova]

I'm pretty sure those controllers are hard to come by - not to say that there aren't more floating around out there, but if I'm not mistaken Menutia snabbed the only one to ever come up for sale on eBay. ;) And even it needed some work.

That video does talk about how to 'get out' of an interactive skit if the regular show happens to start (what to do if the RAE starts performing and/or if a Billy Bob show comes on). This video can be seen in 3 segments at the bottom of this page:

rockafire.tripod.com/vide...index.html (http://rockafire.tripod.com/videos/spp/promo/index.html)

But as for finding other controllers... the only other one I've known about that's out there was offered by a man in WV. Hard to say if he still has it or not, but if you're seriously interested in trying to get it let me know and I'll try to get some contact information for you. (This is going back about 5 or 6 years here so it's a long shot).

-VegaNova

[yorkmiss]

Thanks Vega!
If you think of the name - I'd love to ask. But don't go into a big mess just for me... I'd love to have one, but it all depends on the price.
I have such a hard time with prices on this stuff. I've bought full robots for $500.00, and then when looking for a jacket for the same robot - finding out it was $800.00. So if the control pad would be around $500-$700ish range, please feel free to point anyone my direction. If I'm way off on my price - don't go through the trouble... I hate making a fool of myself!

Thanks, Beth

[menutia]

WOW, for that I will sell you my Billy Bob controller. :)

The only action is has seen in the past few years was the appearance at CV3.

~Menutia

[yorkmiss]

Menutia,

If you are servious - drop me a line. Beth@yorkmiss.com

I have some money set aside in my pay-pal account, and could use the control pad.

I hope to hear from you,
Beth

Hey everyone (and Menutia) I forgot to say - if anyone writes to me, pleae put SHOWBIZ pizza in the "Re" section of your email. I get SOOOOOOOOOO much spam mail I delete everything unless it says something I know is for me. Please dont use "Hi" or "it's me" because that is a good sign of spam!
Thanks... Beth and Chris

[VegaNova]

Price wise is hard to say on this one... but like I mentioned Menutia has the only one I've ever actually laid eyes on. I was trying to get a Billy Bob (no cosmetics) and that controller back then for about $600 - but I can't remember if that was the offered price or just the one I threw at him.

It never panned out, as I didn't have much money then and getting it back to Colorado was going to be a pain. Let me do some asking around and I'll see what I can turn up though.

-VegaNova

PS - Menutia's should be workable too if a few buttons can be replaced. Not sure how the wiring works inside of it, but it would be fun as hell to play with one of them.

[menutia]

Just give me a few days to get through a busy weekend of work, and I will get the controller out of storage, e-mail pics & info, and answer as much as I can.

~Menutia (AKA Michael in Chicago)

[RodHouTx]

Wow! I just saw those videos. Awesome! However, Part 1 doesn't seem to work. But Part 2 and 3 work fine.

Brings back memories. I used to do Interact with Billy Bob all the time. I'd get to work early just to do that.

There was also a neon sign you could turn on that said Interact with Billy Bob or something like that.

By the way, would it be possible to build another controller? There aren't any electronics for it, just buttons and switches and the leaning hand controllers, right?

[pizzacam]

Yeah you can just buy a project box and put like 16 buttons on it or even buy a arcade joystick to cut down on the # of buttons and do it that way...Billy Bob Brockali did it that way originally with his Dook. ;)

[Snap]

Man when I went to go work on a show in Switzerland the guy tried to give me the old Brock controller. I didnt have a way to get it back on the plane. (No extra room) and it looked like more trouble than it was worth. The wires were cut etc etc.

[looneybird78]

You know... with the technology that is available today... and so many ELECTRONICS guru's around on this board.... Why wouldn't it be possible to just create a new version of the controller. One that would be easy to interface with the original control system.

I'm sure if enough of us wanted to buy one someone would take the time to make it?!

~LB78

[Snap]

Yeah..It looks like it would be simple..I can't do it. But I'm sure it would be simple for someone who is a computer guru. Damon...I think I know just the guy. You probably do also. Lets ask. ;)

[menutia]

Think more along the line of the "body suit" design. This is currently used for some computer animation where a jumpsuit is fitted with motion sensors which can sense the movement of individual body parts.

The system I saw used a camera to "Read" eye movements and the computer moved the mouth based upon the operator's voice, or a pre-recorded soundtrack.

A simpler system can use a few manual buttons for the mouth and eye movements which would be hand held devices.

Just another concept.

~M