Studio profile: Gadget-Bot

140716_GadgetBot_logoGadget-Bot Productions was founded in 2011 by Art Center College of Design graduates Peggy Chung and Robert Simons. The studio develops concept designs for games, movies and commercials, with a list of credits including Pacific Rim, Ender’s Game, Jurassic World and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and recently worked on Treyarch’s upcoming first-person shooter, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. Gadget-Bot also creates original intellectual properties such as its two films, Momentum, co-created with Mark Yang of Shyft, and the upcoming Konnexion.

We caught up with Peggy Chung to find out how Gadget-Bot got started, how the studio has found the experience of creating its own IP, and to get her advice for other artists hoping to found their own companies.

What made you set up your own studio?

A first-world problem. Either I or Robert would receive jobs that would very clearly be too much for one person to crack out in a short amount of time. It became apparent that it would be more desirable to create a company, hire talented concept designers and work on the jobs together.

But in the grand scheme of things, we are storytellers at heart. We have stories to tell and concept design, along with filmmaking, is a great medium through which to reveal them.

How long did it take?

A couple of months, including the official paperwork and legal work. A good amount of time was spent on branding and deciding the name and logo. From there, the website and business cards were next on the list. Then it was just a matter of advertising the company and the work we do.

Who currently works for the studio?

At the moment it’s a slimmed-down team for production, including music composer and sound designer Robben Fenderson, prop master Michael Simons and set builder Sean Fenderson.

However, with work having to ramp up soon again, we will definitely be hiring. We are always in the look-out for hardworking concept designers with great attitudes.

What are you currently working on?

We’ve just wrapped up our live-action sci-fi drama, Momentum. We just released the concept trailer [embedded below] on the film’s website. With the help of our co-creator Mark Yang and the hours put in by the tireless and talented crew, the project is complete at this stage. Through the website, you can see the concept art, props, actors, set photos and a ton of other goodies.

What would be your dream project?

We firmly believe in creating your dream instead of waiting for your dream to happen. We hope to not sound too repetitive, but Momentum was our dream project.

What’s your #1 advice to anyone founding a studio?

Have endurance. It isn’t hard to start a studio, but it is hard to maintain and grow it.

Related Links
Visit Gadget-Bot Productions online
Visit Gadget-Bot’s ArtStation gallery

Concept art for Momentum, Gadget-Bot's own live-action sci-fi drama.

Concept art for Momentum, Gadget-Bot’s own live-action sci-fi drama. The project is a collaboration between Shyft’s Mark Yang and Peggy Chung and Robert Simons

Concept art for Momentum, Gadget-Bot's own live-action sci-fi drama.

More concept art from Momentum

Concept art for Momentum, Gadget-Bot's own live-action sci-fi drama.

More concept art from Momentum

Concept art for Momentum, Gadget-Bot's own live-action sci-fi drama.

More concept art from Momentum

Concept art for Momentum, Gadget-Bot's own live-action sci-fi drama.

More concept art from Momentum

Concept art for Momentum, Gadget-Bot's own live-action sci-fi drama.

More concept art from Momentum

Concept art for Rhino in the The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Concept art of Rhino’s mech suit from the The Amazing Spider-Man 2, created by Robert Simons. See more of Gadget-Bot’s concept art from the movie

Concept art for Ender's Game.

Concept art for Ender’s Game by Robert Simons. See more of Gadget-Bot’s art from the movie

Concept art for Ender's Game.

Concept art for Ender’s Game by Robert Simons. See more of Gadget-Bot’s art from the movie

Concept art of a dive bar for Jason Statham crime thriller Wild Card. See more Wild Card concept art on Gadget-Bot's site.

Dive Bar: environment concept art for Jason Statham crime thriller Wild Card by Robert Simons. See more of Gadget-Bot’s concept art from the movie


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About the author

Jim Thacker is a contributing editor for ArtStation Magazine.