New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!)

duck · 09-15-2009, 06:13 PM

OK, I can't believe I agreed to do this, but only 1 day after I joined the RPF and posted a few "Hey, hiya doin', here's some stuff I've made" pics, I was contacted by a certain member who wanted to buy my Chewbacca costume right then and there. I was blown away, because one, I couldn't believe someone liked my costume that much and two, the person was none other than Adam Savage from Mythbusters fame! Needless to say I pooped my pants (figuratively) and was extremely bummed that I had to refuse, since I had several events lined up that I had to wear the suit too... plus, I couldn't sell my baby!

Well, that Mr. Savage drives a hard bargain, and somehow, he convinced me to make him a whole new Chewie costume. Either it was too much Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, desperate financial straits or good old fashioned star-struckedness (not a word), but I agreed. I knew I would be willing to make a new mask, feet and gloves, but no way I was making another suit, so for that I roped in my good friend Syagria who helped me with my wookiee suit. It helped that she had a decent nerd-girl crush on Mr. Savage. Anyway, the crazy plan was to make it for him to wear in secret at San Diego Comicon, but that was 2 weeks away and we all agreed was impossible, so we decided to shoot for Halloween.

Then Adam asked if it would be impossible to shoot for Dragon Con as a due date (about 4 weeks away at that time). We said we'd do it or die trying... me not even factoring in a week long trip to a wedding across the country in the middle of that build schedule). Well, somehow, we got most of it done. Adam ended up wearing my suit because his shirt wasn't done and the pants and shirt needed to match, but he wore all new feet and mask.

Here's the mask at 3AM before I had to pack it for overnight Saturday delivery so he had it in time for Dragon Con:

Anyway, it was quite the adventure.... dozens of back and forth emails, progress pics, lots of beer, tons of fear that it wouldn't get done in time, a freaky hairless life cast of Adam's head arriving at my doorstep like the movie Se7in... but in the end a totally amazing experience. And if most of you already didn't know this, Adam is the coolest dude you will ever come into contact with (I actually didn't ever meet him, but Syagria delivered the suit to him in person at Dragon Con and even helped wrangle for him for a few hours).

So thanks for a crazy experience Adam!

And yes, much to my shock, I posted an interest thread in the Junkyard to see if anyone else would want to commission one of these monstrosities.

MooCriket · 09-15-2009, 06:39 PM

Awesome! Congrats on a great "Chewie" (Truly the best I have ever seen), and for coming through for DCon

ArtisanProps · 09-15-2009, 07:31 PM

Adam is gonna be quite the happy camper... Excellent work!

Mr Fett · 09-15-2009, 07:40 PM

Awesome!!! Great project for someone we're proud to call a fellow RPFer.

Kwally89 · 09-15-2009, 07:48 PM

Wow! That is very impressive buddy. Adam will be extremely happy with this one!

Kody

Uncle · 09-15-2009, 11:11 PM

I saw the suit at DragonCon and it was quite impressive.

Very nice work for any amount of time and unbelievably great for the short amount of time you had in it.

Many cudos.

Dougie Fett · 09-16-2009, 04:23 AM

Great work as usual Duck!!
You have certainly inspired me to give the wookie thing a go (apologies in advance for the million and one questions and emails you'll be receiving - you can always charge consultancy fees

).

So it begins, did you use the same method as your original?

Trap Joe · 09-16-2009, 05:17 AM

very cool, Duck! Congrats!

d3po2u · 09-16-2009, 07:42 AM

amazing work, as always.

vaderdarth · 09-16-2009, 08:20 AM

Sweet stuff.

DOGFOX2109 · 09-16-2009, 04:17 PM

Holy Kashyyyk!

Awsome work and very interested in a finished piece dependant on price? Unable to post in Junkyard yet as im a new boy!!!

LittleBit · 09-16-2009, 05:04 PM

Great story and good job, Duck. As great-grandpa always told me, "The world needs more wookiees."

Red Five · 09-16-2009, 05:20 PM

Looks great! Good work!

Funky Jedi · 09-16-2009, 05:27 PM

I'd love to see one in action! You Tube a possibility?

kimncris · 09-18-2009, 08:20 PM

congrats to both of you! The best Chewie ever!

asavage · 09-19-2009, 01:36 AM

The head is a work of art. The wookie feet are light, make me, with the mask, a total of over 7' tall (I had to duck out of the way of multiple sprinkler heads at dragoncon).
I love this costume. I'm going to trot it out again on Halloween here in SF.

asavage · 09-19-2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asavage

The head is a work of art. The wookie feet are light, make me, with the mask, a total of over 7' tall (I had to duck out of the way of multiple sprinkler heads at dragoncon).
I love this costume. I'm going to trot it out again on Halloween here in SF.

BTW, here's a couple pix of me in costume. I need to apply some better styling, my chewie was apparently fresh from the salon.

Third pic is me managing STAIRS in the Chewie lifts. That's Mer on the right, she hand knotted the shirt and pants, and helped wrangle me at D*C for a while.

asavage · 09-19-2009, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asavage

BTW, here's a couple pix of me in costume. I need to apply some better styling, my chewie was apparently fresh from the salon.

Third pic is me managing STAIRS in the Chewie lifts. That's Mer on the right, she hand knotted the shirt and pants, and helped wrangle me at D*C for a while.

Whoops! HERE are the pix.

Shadowknight · 09-19-2009, 01:50 AM

Sweet!

fettpride · 09-19-2009, 02:47 AM

Very sweet indeed !

How tall are you Adam ?

-Chris

Forestmoonstudio · 09-19-2009, 08:50 AM

WOW! Adam it looks fantastic! Duck GREAT job as always.

PHArchivist · 09-19-2009, 10:27 AM

Awesome! How tall are you without the costume?

DivineHeresy · 09-19-2009, 10:34 AM

That is insane!
Love it.

bmused55 · 09-19-2009, 11:22 AM

That looks insanely awesome, and likewise insanely hot!

Geniepants · 09-19-2009, 03:32 PM

Great work. I'd love to Adam wearing his Indy hat with that costume at least once, but that's just me.

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09-15-2009, 06:13 PM	#1
duck Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 122 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) OK, I can't believe I agreed to do this, but only 1 day after I joined the RPF and posted a few "Hey, hiya doin', here's some stuff I've made" pics, I was contacted by a certain member who wanted to buy my Chewbacca costume right then and there. I was blown away, because one, I couldn't believe someone liked my costume that much and two, the person was none other than Adam Savage from Mythbusters fame! Needless to say I pooped my pants (figuratively) and was extremely bummed that I had to refuse, since I had several events lined up that I had to wear the suit too... plus, I couldn't sell my baby! Well, that Mr. Savage drives a hard bargain, and somehow, he convinced me to make him a whole new Chewie costume. Either it was too much Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, desperate financial straits or good old fashioned star-struckedness (not a word), but I agreed. I knew I would be willing to make a new mask, feet and gloves, but no way I was making another suit, so for that I roped in my good friend Syagria who helped me with my wookiee suit. It helped that she had a decent nerd-girl crush on Mr. Savage. Anyway, the crazy plan was to make it for him to wear in secret at San Diego Comicon, but that was 2 weeks away and we all agreed was impossible, so we decided to shoot for Halloween. Then Adam asked if it would be impossible to shoot for Dragon Con as a due date (about 4 weeks away at that time). We said we'd do it or die trying... me not even factoring in a week long trip to a wedding across the country in the middle of that build schedule). Well, somehow, we got most of it done. Adam ended up wearing my suit because his shirt wasn't done and the pants and shirt needed to match, but he wore all new feet and mask. Here's the mask at 3AM before I had to pack it for overnight Saturday delivery so he had it in time for Dragon Con: Anyway, it was quite the adventure.... dozens of back and forth emails, progress pics, lots of beer, tons of fear that it wouldn't get done in time, a freaky hairless life cast of Adam's head arriving at my doorstep like the movie Se7in... but in the end a totally amazing experience. And if most of you already didn't know this, Adam is the coolest dude you will ever come into contact with (I actually didn't ever meet him, but Syagria delivered the suit to him in person at Dragon Con and even helped wrangle for him for a few hours). So thanks for a crazy experience Adam! And yes, much to my shock, I posted an interest thread in the Junkyard to see if anyone else would want to commission one of these monstrosities.

09-15-2009, 06:39 PM	#2
MooCriket Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Baltimore MD Posts: 5,161 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Awesome! Congrats on a great "Chewie" (Truly the best I have ever seen), and for coming through for DCon Last edited by MooCriket; 09-15-2009 at 06:42 PM.

09-15-2009, 07:31 PM	#3
ArtisanProps Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: S. Florida Posts: 534 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Adam is gonna be quite the happy camper... Excellent work!

09-15-2009, 07:40 PM	#4
Mr Fett Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,673 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Awesome!!! Great project for someone we're proud to call a fellow RPFer.

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09-15-2009, 07:48 PM	#5
Kwally89 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 396 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Wow! That is very impressive buddy. Adam will be extremely happy with this one! Kody

09-15-2009, 11:11 PM	#6
Uncle Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 84 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) I saw the suit at DragonCon and it was quite impressive. Very nice work for any amount of time and unbelievably great for the short amount of time you had in it. Many cudos.

09-16-2009, 04:23 AM	#7
Dougie Fett Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carlow, Ireland Posts: 400 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Great work as usual Duck!! You have certainly inspired me to give the wookie thing a go (apologies in advance for the million and one questions and emails you'll be receiving - you can always charge consultancy fees ). So it begins, did you use the same method as your original? Last edited by Dougie Fett; 09-16-2009 at 04:24 AM. Reason: More questions

09-16-2009, 05:17 AM	#8
Trap Joe Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ostfildern, Germany Posts: 1,584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) very cool, Duck! Congrats!

09-16-2009, 07:42 AM	#9
d3po2u Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 124 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) amazing work, as always.

09-16-2009, 08:20 AM	#10
vaderdarth Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 9,571 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Sweet stuff.

09-16-2009, 04:17 PM	#11
DOGFOX2109 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Holy Kashyyyk! Awsome work and very interested in a finished piece dependant on price? Unable to post in Junkyard yet as im a new boy!!!

09-16-2009, 05:04 PM	#12
LittleBit Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Usually Northern Hemi Posts: 100 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Great story and good job, Duck. As great-grandpa always told me, "The world needs more wookiees."

09-16-2009, 05:20 PM	#13
Red Five Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 235 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Looks great! Good work!

09-16-2009, 05:27 PM	#14
Funky Jedi Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Tulsa Okie-dokie Posts: 11,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) I'd love to see one in action! You Tube a possibility?

09-18-2009, 08:20 PM	#15
kimncris Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Dallas Posts: 4,030 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) congrats to both of you! The best Chewie ever!

09-19-2009, 01:36 AM	#16
asavage Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 309 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) The head is a work of art. The wookie feet are light, make me, with the mask, a total of over 7' tall (I had to duck out of the way of multiple sprinkler heads at dragoncon). I love this costume. I'm going to trot it out again on Halloween here in SF.

09-19-2009, 01:50 AM	#19
Shadowknight Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,061 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Sweet!

09-19-2009, 02:47 AM	#20
fettpride Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 506 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Very sweet indeed ! How tall are you Adam ? -Chris

09-19-2009, 08:50 AM	#21
Forestmoonstudio Formerly park vader Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Spotsylvania,VA Posts: 445 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) WOW! Adam it looks fantastic! Duck GREAT job as always.

09-19-2009, 10:27 AM	#22
PHArchivist Banned Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Closer to you than you think Posts: 16,477 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Awesome! How tall are you without the costume?

09-19-2009, 10:34 AM	#23
DivineHeresy Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 843 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) That is insane! Love it.

09-19-2009, 11:22 AM	#24
bmused55 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 79 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) That looks insanely awesome, and likewise insanely hot!

09-19-2009, 03:32 PM	#25
Geniepants Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 392 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Chewie mask for a secret client (well, not secret any more!) Great work. I'd love to Adam wearing his Indy hat with that costume at least once, but that's just me.

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