protokev DMD
Sr Member
I am Vinz Clortho, Keymaster of Gozer!
Actually, I’m Dr. Kevin Kemarly, Captain, United States Air Force, Dental Corps. Occasionally though when I have the time, I like to attend conventions and well as thegreatgalling once stated, “Rock out with my Moranis out.”
All of my Prop related stories seem to start with one movie, Ghostbusters. As a kid it was one of my favorites. I watched the films, the cartoons, had as many toys as I could get my parents to get me. I even wanted to change my middle name from Eugene to Egon. One thing that always bothered me though was that my little blue pack was not close to the film. In early 2003 I stumbled on Keith Marshals (Commodore Starska) GB parts page and GBprop archive (now gbfans) and started my journey into the prop replica hobby. The following years my mainstay costume was a Ghostbuster. And it was great, but early fall 2007 came and I realized I wanted to branch out.
Now like most great ideas, I can’t tell you exactly what spurred it. But I decided to try my first attempt at Vinz. To decent results.
As you can see it was a convincing effort even then. Unfortunately I have no recording of the beginnings of my impression, but even back then I proclaimed to those who would ask how “Many shubs and zuuls knew what it was to roast in the depths of the sloar that day I can tell you.”
After Halloween, the colander went on a shelf out of sight out of mind. It was then that my Doctor Who phase began and my tenth Doctor became the mainstay of my convention going experience…
Until 2011.
Gencon Indy was rapidly approaching and I was on summer break in-between my third and final years of dental school, and I realized I once again needed something different. I started making lists and like Kris Kringle checking them twice, but nothing really clicked. That is until I looked up at the colander on top of my bookcase.
“IT’S THE SIGN!” I thought.
At this point in my propping career I was a lot more concerned with accuracy. I tracked down a better shirt, and after quite a bit of eBay hunting a more passable zipped under shirt. Then I turned my attention to the colander. I went through those scenes frame by frame, ordered the materials and completely rewired it. Still not quite perfect, but the results were times better.
I also worked on my impression.
I was concerned that it might not be as popular at the con, but I was wrong. It was a hit! It was the most fun I had ever had in costume! I almost won a lookalike contest…actually I might have, but I couldn’t stick around as I had to get back to school.
It was a great experience, but nothing compared to the road ahead. A road that lead to Atlanta Georgia…to dragoncon.
Dragon con Sunday night - YouTube
The parade was a blast. The Tully shamble for that long a walk did make me sore as I’ve been in a while…which only made my shamble the next day that more authentic.
DragonCon 2011 - Parade - YouTube
(Check the 36 min mark)
The looks on people’s faces were great, but the look when they heard me start talking, that was better. Of course this picture really took the cake. Mr. Lloyd told me, “I once had a helmet like that…didn’t work so well”
Now my friends will tell you that I am not ever satisfied with anything I’ve built if there is a way to make it better…I will figure out a way to implement it. Which is why I continued to search the internet until I found these gems
The belt
The chinstrap
A close enough watch and ring.
The new helmet:
These made their debut at a local small con in St Louis. I did win my first contest with the outfit. It was at the dance; people could buy beads and give them to the costume they liked best.
Wizard World Chicago was another con that was a blast. Thanks to boozebegood at Jason Bradford photography for some of the amazing pictures and video he took.
Again everyone loved Louis! Even got a few retweets!
These moments are unforgettable to me, but the big Twinkie would have to be meeting Dan Aykroyd. Unfortunately the guys who did the photos at the event didn’t get me the DVD yet prior to moving but I’ll be getting those soon enough. I do have a few pics though.
The greatest part was that Mr. Aykroyd had his personal assistant take me aside to get a picture for Dan. I felt really honored.
But I’m not done. April will see C2E2 in Chicago and Vinz will be on the floor as he tries to prepare for the coming of Gozer. And between now and then I will be looking for these!
No not Sigourney weavers legs…Tully’s socks!
So that’s my story. So far anyway. Since I’ve started the con circuit s Louis I’ve found myself popping up all over the place.
I’ve tried to keep a little digital scrap book but I know I have not found everything. So if you stumble across me and are wondering if I’d like a screen cap…
“Yes, have some!”
And now a word from Vinz
A word from Vinz - YouTube
Oh and since tis the season
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I loved watching you from afar doing your bit around Dragon Con. Very funny stuff.
