Grant Imahara (2017)

DAMMIT

I'm level 204 on Overwatch. I main Pharrah and Bastion (Bastion is making a comeback) as well as Soldier and Symmetra.

That statement is often misconstrued. They have mutual respect but don't hang out after work. But there's no "bubbling animosity" that's often implied. Since I was always at M7, I didn't often have the chance to interact with A+J, but watching them solve a problem in real time is really cool, actually. They do not bring ego into the suggestions.

Before starting on Mythbusters, I'd already known and worked with Adam, Jamie, and Tory for many years, and worked with Kari briefly. We weren't thrown together as a group of hosts, and I think you can see that chemistry.

I'm friends with Tory and Kari in real life as well, though it's harder to hang out since I've moved down to Los Angeles.

Due to non-disclosure agreements, I cannot say the exact nature of my work, but safe to say it was a robot.

The holy grail is the upside-down race car. By virtue of its design, an Indy race car has enough downward force at speed to run inverted. Just needed (1) a helical track (2) an Indy race car and (3) a driver.

Giant bipedal fighting robot. RobotJox style with live armaments!

Renaissance, maybe? I think it would be cool to visit Leonardo daVinci's shop.

There's always a chance. Sadly, there will be no season 2 of WRP on Netflix. Their focus at the moment is scripted series that are binge-able.

100 duck-sized kaiju LOL

My cosplays tend to be uniform-based. My two favorites right now are my BSG Viper pilot flight suit and the Star Trek Wrath of Khan-era ("monster maroon") Sulu.

We always use the blue rope.

That would never work. IT'S TOO CLOSE TO REALITY.

Self-driving cars. Foldable LCD panels. LCD contact lenses.

Start with a kit. When I was growing up, I had Lego (not even Mindstorms). Gotta start somewhere!

I'm apparently already there. That is Dipper. She was a rescue cat. She is a polydactyl (extra toes).

I might make a return to combat robotics. In the time since I actively competed, the technology has changed so much. The motors and batteries are significantly better. It's a fun but demanding hobby. When I look back at it, I was a much younger man. With apparently a lot more free time!

To be 100% honest, I tried comp and found it too stressful. I like to play mystery heroes because everyone isn't playing their main and it's more fun.

Ummmm

Perpetual motion/free energy machine

10 points for Gryffindor! Yes, Dipper was in fact named after Gravity Falls.

The best part of the tour was interacting with my friends in front of a live audience and hearing them laugh and cheer. For our finale, we create a giant cloud of nitrogen and walk through it to do our bows.

[The worst part is the travel. New city every day.]

Tesla

Two of my favorites from later episodes were the Earthquake Shake Table and Tennis Wing Walk. The earthquake table was cool because it required a giant air bearing (cushion of air like air hockey). The tennis wing walk required me to design a giant wing structure that we welded to a flat bed pickup. I was neat because of the sheer scale of it all.

Giving something the appearance of life. That's the most rewarding part of animatronics for me.

Squash Weightlifter. A growing pumpkin is supposed to have enough force to lift a car. We had champion giant pumpkin seeds and high-tech hydroponics. We couldn't grow a damn thing. Never made it to air.

I have my own shop. My tools include multiple 3D printers (Ultimaker and Zortrax), a laser cutter, a Tormach CNC machine, birdgeport mill, industrial lathe, and welding equipment. I put together the shop after leaving MB because I always wanted a place where I could make things. In fact, the mill is the same mill I used on MB. They let me buy it after we shut down M7.

If you've done a few projects and have a portfolio, congrats! You're ahead of the game. Now get your portfolio scanned into a PDF. Work on a professional cover letter. Email it out to any shops your can find. Scan movie credits for names and other leads. Do some detective work and get your name out there.

No, I had a friend many years ago who was trying to make a career mining. The technology leapt too fast and he couldn't get it going. They are super volatile currencies, which makes me a little wary.

Literal dream come true. Working on R2-D2 was a life achievement. As was playing TOS-era Sulu. I remember sitting in my Sulu costume, at my console, on the beautiful Enterprise bridge set, being SOO giddy because I couldn't believe I was doing it.

Very cool. I was working with Disney Research. We were building quick prototypes and testing ideas and making changes on the fly. Very much like how we did things on Mythbusters. Also, they have the most impressive shop I've ever seen.

Actually, I get asked what happened to Geoff a lot. Last Christmas, I was at Craig's christmas party and I asked him. He said, "would you like to see him?" and I said "yeah" so we went to Craig's personal office, and there was Geoff, sitting in a chair. So he's safe and sound with Craig.

I would love to do more stuff with Wil and Geek & Sundry! I'm also friends with Matt and Marisha. It all comes down to scheduling and whether they've got an opportunity.

Playstation. Resident evil 2 FTW. Played in the dark with all drapes closed.

I like paying Torb on mystery. I also like the voice like "I'm giving it all I got!"

I grew up with Next Gen. Inner Light and Darmok FTW

One of my great regrets is that we were planning on adding a pelvic thrust to Geoff (without telling Craig). This was right before they announced Craig leaving the show.

I moisturize.

Yes. And NEVER tell a television producer what ACTUALLY scares you.

Yes, I'm working on a personal BB-8 and R2-D2 right now.

Also, I was a mentor for Team 841 in Richmond, CA for four years.

I've had great luck with my Ultimaker 2+extended for PLA and Zortrax for ABS.

I can't justify a $250k car. Also, I don't need to go zero-60 in 1.8 sec. However, I do still love my Tesla Model S.

Challenging my students to do something they didn't they could do. It's the best when they realize that they have so much potential.

There aren't many opportunities for practical models or animatronics in movies these days. That's why I've been consulting for Imagineering.

Very emotinal. THe whole week, actually, because as each cast member would do their final scene, it would be announced and the whole cast and crew would applaud.

We actually have a common friend in LA (a photographer) and we were at his party and he introduced us. I knew who he was immediately because he's got a unique look. Not sure he knew who I was tho. But we bonded over being named Grant.

Something with a low center of gravity, and a robust frame. Maybe a mustang. Or a police cruiser. I would have dual miniguns. Rockets are too hard to aim.

Too Many Zoos

That's a tough one. I have so many common interests with both. As a movie prop geek, I definitely share a lot with Adam. He's also active in many of the geekerati (is that word?) circles that I hang in. Working with Adam is sometimes challenging because he is very fast, but it also means he's like a tornado whipping through the shop leaving a trail of devastation LOL

Jamie and I share a keen fascination with mechanics and we could talk for hours. (In fact, insider info: Jamie has a few code words that will trigger him into deep discussion. Magnets, for one LOL) Working with Jamie is very quiet and methodical. When alone, Jamie often plays music in his shop. Sometimes classical, sometimes whatever is on the radio.

So, sorry. Can't choose just one.

Kari Tory and I briefly considered some kind of Myhtbusters summer camp where you could get the MB experience. In addition to the obvious liability problems, there were licensing concerns, etc. So it was a fun idea but ultimately not feasible.

Jamoca Almond Fudge

OLD school: Cowboy Bebop and Full Metal Alchemist
New stuff: Your Name, Netflix Voltron is also pretty good

That Chysler Imperial (Black Beauty) from Green Hornet. It was a shame we had to destroy it. I still feel bad about that.

Yes, though I do not have certification. And I really need to practice my TIG welding more.

Over, obviously.

I have a Universal Laser and I love it!

I want Tony Stark's shop. Automated assembly line FTW