Motorized Orrery

For the Pilot Episode of theTV Series BEYOND

Project Breakdown by Department

​by Richard Molnar

This assignment was somewhat of a challenge to spec-out, as no less than three production departments had requested specific design and functional attributes.  As normal, the Director had initial and ongoing input into the final design.

Prop Department:

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  • Full remote control of the lighting and motorized elements.
  • The orrery's major components had to be items easily available to a 12 year old…  to give plausibility to the narrative that it had been built by him (hardware store, hobby shop, Radio Shack type sources).
  • The rotational speed of the planets in orbit had to range from a slow crawl, to very fast.
  • All of the Prop's functions had to be as easy as possible to operate, and of course, the entire device must be reliable.
  • At least one of the device gears had to be attachable magnetically, to provide easily achieved, onscreen attachment by the performer.
  • Offer some alternate choices to accomodate the above requirement… using other components.
  • As it was being installed in a real bedroom on location, it had to be mounted to an existing ceiling electrical box, and be powered by it.


Art Department:

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  • The orrery to needs to plausibly appear the product of a 12 year old, while conveying unusual technical ability for a boy of this age.
  • A functional, yet eclectic design, utilizing as many household and garage sourced components as possible.
  • Aging of at least some of the components, to suggest their scavenged origins.
  • Two additional options to the final assembly action (already specified by the Prop Department).
  • Some design element that could appear capable of projecting a star field around the orrery (although not necessarily the actual device producing this effect).
  • Components should not be easily identifiable as being manufactured after 2003 (the year the story takes place).
  • A maximum height, of 14 inches (ideally, no more than 12 inches).  This is to accommodate scripted action, that requires the boy stand on a chair, in order to reach the orrery.


Camera Department:



  • Requested that an incandescent bulb be used to illuminate the "sun", and that it be fully dimmable over a wide range.​
  • The bulb used for the "sun" should be high-output, with a visible filament…  in order to ensure well defined shadows are produced by the orbiting "planets".
  • The option to disable the "star field lighting device", if required.​

A truly satisfying collaboration and build, with a well received outcome.