Upgrade (2018) props and background details

[MatterWiz]

I'm making this thread because I love this movie and want to invest a bit of time searching for background details, props etc.

 

[MatterWiz]

The song playing in the opening scene is "Smokestack Lightnin'" by Howlin' Wolf, however the Vinyl cover seen on the workbench shows the title "Don't" which isn't the name of any of Howlin' Wolfs albums. Additionally the artists or bands name seems to start with 'Alert'.
I can't find any single or album fitting this description.

I wonder if they originally wanted to use a different song for the opening but had to change it in the edit. Maybe they didn't get the rights?

 

[MatterWiz]

The Robot arms installed on the kitchen counter are Kinova Gen2 Robots. They are specifically designed for interaction with humans.

 

[MatterWiz]

Here are some nice set shots from Production Designer Felicity Abbotts Instagram (@felicityjeaneabbott)

 

[MatterWiz]

And some Concept Art for the Autonomous car by Concept artist Xavier Irvine, also from Instagram (@xavierirvine)

Note that the Images have the STEM logo, which was the working title for the movie. I wish they'd kept it as the title. Upgrade is a super generic and common word and makes researching stuff for this a nightmare.

 

[MatterWiz]

And the Concept art for the implanted gun by Seth Justus on ArtStation

The prostetic used in the movie is pretty much identical to this so I think this is the final design

 

[MatterWiz]

The prostetic used in the movie is pretty much identical to this so I think this is the final design

Actually the muzzle hole seems to just be circular on the final prosthetic

 

[Rogue]

The song playing in the opening scene is "Smokestack Lightnin'" by Howlin' Wolf, however the Vinyl cover seen on the workbench shows the title "Don't" which isn't the name of any of Howlin' Wolfs albums. Additionally the artists or bands name seems to start with 'Alert'.
I can't find any single or album fitting this description.
View attachment 1514647
I wonder if they originally wanted to use a different song for the opening but had to change it in the edit. Maybe they didn't get the rights?

There's a band called "Alert!" who released a song called "I don't get it" on an album called... "I don't get it". (Edited to add: the youtube channel seems to belong to their record company, not a "fan upload", so I assume it's not an issue to post it here)

This seems to be the cover art for the album, which is very different to the screen grab. I think the film album cover is an imaginary "future" re-release of this album.

 

[joberg]

Interesting thread for sure. A mix of Mid-Century Modern + Brutal Architecture + Japanese design. Love it very much
The sleeve for the LP shouldn't be too difficult to make from scratch. Other props could be more complicated (robotic arm and "Gun-in-arm" stuff).

 

[MatterWiz]

The STEM chip/"roach" seems to have some kind of holographic effect on the back. I can 3d-print the body and have the legs laser-cut but has anyone an idea how one could achieve this effect? Maybe a reflective sticker?

 

[MatterWiz]

This seems to be the cover art for the album, which is very different to the screen grab. I think the film album cover is an imaginary "future" re-release of this album.

This is the closest one yet, although discogs.com lists it as being released in 2020 and Upgrade was filmed in 2016/17 so I don't think that's it...

 

[Kobeque]

And the Concept art for the implanted gun by Seth Justus on ArtStation
View attachment 1515407
The prostetic used in the movie is pretty much identical to this so I think this is the final design

This is really cool, reminds me of the altered carbon concept art by Weta I feel like you'd like that stuff too.

 

[MatterWiz]

This is really cool, reminds me of the altered carbon concept art by Weta I feel like you'd like that stuff too.

Yes, Altered Carbon had great Production Design. Too bad the writing was pretty sub par (especially for Season 2)...