The full series is currently in post-production. We’re aiming for a full release in late 2025 or early 2026 on YouTube, social media, and wherever else people watch weird, heartfelt robot stuff.
Episodes 1–5 are complete, and Episode 6 only needs sound, color, and music. Episodes 7 and 8 are still in the rough cut stage. Post-production on this series is particularly demanding because small VFX adjustments are often required to refine LR’s appearance in scenes, and the sound design process is especially time-intensive.
Can't wait to share it!
By Ralph Blanchard
Back in 2020, during a sound design class, I created a short video about a tiny robot (voiced by me) who lived on my desk and just wanted to explore the world. I used a toy robot stress ball, some stop-motion animation, and a vocoder to bring him to life.
Even though it started as a class project, the story—about isolation and curiosity during the early days of the pandemic—resonated with folks. It ended up feeling like more than just an assignment. That little short became the pilot, and kicked off everything that came after.
When it became clear that my original documentary thesis wasn’t going to happen (thanks, pandemic), I teamed up with my friends Lucas and Matt to rework the robot concept into something bigger. Lucas suggested turning it into a full series, and the first three episodes became my MFA thesis project.
I had to pitch a season arc, draft new scripts, and bring on collaborators. Lucas came on as cinematographer. Nick helped design/3D-print a new version of Little Robot and provide additional vfx work. Carly was the production designer giving more thought to the world of Little Robot. And Erica, came in for makeup and sound. We leveled up the visuals and production quality from the pilot while still keeping DIY small team heart of the original.
Chris Warren from the Sound & Music department helped me dial in the voice using Ableton, Max 8, and a lot of experimentation. My voice just wasn’t cutting it and the idea struck me to ask my partner Carly (who is always doing weird little boices), to try voicing our little guy. I really think her interpretation really brings out a funny and unique quality to the characters voice and performance.
Production for the first batch of episodes ran from January to March 2021, with a fourth episode added in April. Barb joined as composer. Friends Scott and Sean appeared as guest characters, along with Matt’s cat Dupree (who deserves their own IMDb page, honestly).
I was juggling grad school and part-time work while trying to edit everything. Luckily, Hannah came on as co-editor and helped get us through the post-production maze.
By May 6, 2021, I presented three completed episodes to my thesis committee. Episode four wasn’t quite done, but the response was overwhelmingly positive—and I officially graduated.
Even after graduation, I couldn’t let the project go. I wrapped up episode four and started writing more with co-writers of future episodes Adam and Lucas. We completed five episodes and resumed resume production for the remaining three in late 2024 with the final episodes wrapping production in early January 2025.
Balancing teaching and a full-time job has made completing the project a bit tricky, but I aimed for about one episode a year—and each one is getting bigger and better in terms of story and production.
This series exists thanks to a rotating crew of creative friends I met in undergrad and grad school. Shoutout to the dream team:
We previewed two episodes at the San Diego Media Arts Latino Film Festival on March 14 and 23, 2024. Sharing the work with a real, live audience (who laughed at the jokes!) was one of the best moments of this whole journey.
Episodes also showed at Catalys Content Film FestivaL OCTOBER 2ND 2024 in Duluth Mionnestoa. Unfortunately we werre not able to make it to this one, but cool to see acceptance at other destivals for short form content!