"Return of the Living Dead 2" Zombie Barrel Build (UPDATE 11-28-10) w/ VIDEO

Rusty85 · 08-24-2010, 01:05 PM

Just wondering if anyone has ever done the barrels that the Zombie's are contained in, in "Return of the Living Dead." I noticed that the second movie has a key panel on the front, while the first movie doesn't. Someone on another board made an awesome one, but never posted a tutorial for it.

Anyone here ever attempt one?

jasonw2112 · 08-24-2010, 01:49 PM

Well as far as the first "Return" movie, it actually looks like plastic 55 gallon drums. If you look at a metal 55 gallon drum, you can see the ribs on the side, for durabillity, for rolling on it's side. They also have a certain lip to the top edge. The plastic style, on the other hand, have a different look to them, they have more of a rounded taper towards the top. I don't know where you can get the plastic style, or if they still make them.
I know there were certain elements to the film that they had to do quickly, so there is probly very little thuoght and alot of simplicity to the design of the hinged top...well that's my thoughts, I could be wrong!

Rusty85 · 08-24-2010, 02:14 PM

Yeah, that's true. I might re-watch them with the commentary to see if they drop any clues about the construction of them. I can't really remember what they look like in the 3rd movie though.

Kyle138 · 08-24-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty85

Yeah, that's true. I might re-watch them with the commentary to see if they drop any clues about the construction of them. I can't really remember what they look like in the 3rd movie though.

They are hardly mentioned in the commentary. No talk of the construction of them.

Rusty85 · 08-24-2010, 03:07 PM

Oh well. They look just like the 55 gallon drums. So I guess I've got to get looking.

Rusty85 · 08-30-2010, 02:07 PM

Well, here's the barrel I'm currently working on. For some reason I can't seem to find any 55 gallon barrels with removable lids here with the pour spouts built in, only without. So I bought one I found that has them, and then chopped off the top with a saw. I also drew the viewing window on the top and then cut that out too.

Since I'm going to place a panel over the hole that has the bolts that hold the plexi-glass, I drew the hole extra wide so it could be made accordingly.

Here's a few shots of it so far. Next, I'm going to sand the edges, draw the top cover template to saw from MDF, and then sand the whole thing.

A guy who built a really cool one on the Halloween board said that I'd need a special type of plastic primer. Apparently he had a hell of a time getting the paint to stick to the barrel, which isn't hard to imagine.

Oh, and does anyone know if the Tarman head and hands are still available?

This was also the only barrel I found that had a special ring around the edge (my guess is for grip) that had a design somewhat similar to the movie.

I'm planning on doing this in the style of the second movie with the key-panel, and the modified top lid with the knob at the center.

Two questions though. Firstly, there's two stickers in the films. In the first movie there's a white one on the bottom of the barrel. Pretty sure its a triangle. The second is above the key-panel in part two. Can't read either of them though. I think the second says something like instructions for the key-panel.

Is there someone who could figure out what they say? I think the first is on Blueray now.

whoever · 08-30-2010, 02:48 PM

Hate to tell you this, but you let out the crazed albino zombie rat-dog.

Rusty85 · 08-30-2010, 03:03 PM

It's escaped!!!

Knightjar · 08-30-2010, 05:34 PM

I've sculpted the tar-zombie, as seen through the window of the barrel. I had planned to do the complete barrel until I worked out the size, and realised I'd have nowhere to put it. I now plan to do just the top with the window as a wall-mounted display.

Looking forward to seeing your completed barrel!

Rusty85 · 08-30-2010, 11:16 PM

Sweet! Do you offer casts? I saw a bust but its a little pricey for me. I've got a little more done today. Traced the panel that's going to have the plexi-glass, and did some sanding. I tried for about 20min to get the ring back on top but almost killed myself doing it. So now its still off, I got too frustrated and thought I'd better stop before I get mad and throw it at something, lol.

Knightjar · 08-31-2010, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty85

Sweet! Do you offer casts? I saw a bust but its a little pricey for me. I've got a little more done today. Traced the panel that's going to have the plexi-glass, and did some sanding. I tried for about 20min to get the ring back on top but almost killed myself doing it. So now its still off, I got too frustrated and thought I'd better stop before I get mad and throw it at something, lol.

I haven't got round to casting it yet. I just have my sculpt. I might consider a limited run if there's any interest - not sure there's much demand!

Howlrunner · 08-31-2010, 09:59 AM

The barrel is looking sweet already!

I have a 1st generation cast taken from the original Alterian Studios movie mold and I've always been meaning to do the top of the barrel to make it into a full wall display piece.

How much did the barrel cost you? I'd be loathed to pay too much and then have to throw 80% away!

TK648 · 08-31-2010, 10:09 AM

55 gallon plastic drums...NEW.....
55 Gallon Plastic Drum - PLASTIC DRUMS CLOSED TOP

$59.99 for one

Howlrunner · 08-31-2010, 10:28 AM

Thanks. Yep, not keen on paying that when I just need the top.

ONEYE · 08-31-2010, 11:07 AM

What a cool and creepy project!

Now what we need is 1:1 Julie to go with the barrel.

Rusty85 · 08-31-2010, 11:23 AM

Well, I called a few places first. The first barrel I got was a closed lid, and cost 10 bucks. It was from a place called Interstate Oil Company. I think they said it had car washing liquid in it.

The second was the one I decided to use, and it cost me about 35. A little more expensive. I know that they sell them used on Craigslist for really cheap, you might want to check there.

Nice Tarman! If they originally just used the head, did they just prop it up in the barrel I wonder, or put it against a black background....

Anyone know where to find a head and hands?

howlingwind13 · 08-31-2010, 12:06 PM

Ask and you shall recieve

Sam Macain did these awhile ago...site says to be discontinued but give it a shot.

HSS TARMAN ORDER PAGE

mike

Rusty85 · 08-31-2010, 12:24 PM

Thanks for the link, but I was actually looking for the head and hands only. That's a great bust, but I didn't really want to spend that much on it.

Knightjar · 08-31-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howlrunner

The barrel is looking sweet already!
I have a 1st generation cast taken from the original Alterian Studios movie mold and I've always been meaning to do the top of the barrel to make it into a full wall display piece.

Wow that would have been handy reference to have seen before I made mine! Nice piece to own, congratulations.

patsmear · 08-31-2010, 05:27 PM

Side note, I have the comic they are reading in the car on the way to the cemetery. If I can find it I will scan it for freebie in the paper prop section.

Rusty85 · 08-31-2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsmear

Side note, I have the comic they are reading in the car on the way to the cemetery. If I can find it I will scan it for freebie in the paper prop section.

Mighty generous of you!

Anyone know where to find the keypads at?

tk1055 · 08-31-2010, 07:00 PM

Ah yes, one of my favorite zombie series. Unfortunatly after the third one they went WAY down hill, but they are still cheesy and good, like a pizza......like a pizza (putting away the Morgan Freeman voice now)

I must say I did like Julia in the third film (and even more when she popped up on CSI as Mistress Heather.) but the first film has the honor of being the first horror film to actually freak me out! Ever since I first saw Tarman I have been very Leary of any OD Green barrels.

I actually did something like this for Halloween a few years back using an old garbage can. I put an air cylinder in it to propel a zombie mask up, and had fog billowing out the top. I also had a strobe light in it flashing very fast. Good times..... Good times.

I look forward to your progress since I have two plastic barrels sitting next to my garage that are begging to be turned into something like this.

Rusty85 · 08-31-2010, 07:06 PM

I was thinking about installing a fog machine inside of it. Be kinda cool if it could shoot out from the top somewhere. All the extra inside space could be used for anything really. I know I'm going to install some LEDS inside for the side key-panel lights.

Should look pretty cool by the time Halloween rolls around!

Anyone know what they used for the DOME tops? Looks like the top of a bbq?

ecmagee1984 · 08-31-2010, 08:03 PM

I like the fog machine idea, I cant wait to see it finish

Rusty85 · 08-31-2010, 08:40 PM

Here's some screen caps of the barrel I'm working toward. Notice that the different ones have different designs at the top. The one at the back left looks like its based off the design of the first movie. The others look newer.

And there's a pic of the template I made for the lid and plexi-glass, and some sanding done on the barrel.

		Replica Props	Screen Used Props	Replica Costumes	Sculpture and Makeup	General Modeling	Studio Scale Models	Movie Discussion
	Collaborate, create, and collect at the internet's largest community dedicated to props, costumes and models.

08-24-2010, 01:05 PM	#1
Rusty85 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 1,122	"Return of the Living Dead 2" Zombie Barrel Build (UPDATE 11-28-10) w/ VIDEO Just wondering if anyone has ever done the barrels that the Zombie's are contained in, in "Return of the Living Dead." I noticed that the second movie has a key panel on the front, while the first movie doesn't. Someone on another board made an awesome one, but never posted a tutorial for it. Anyone here ever attempt one? Last edited by Rusty85; 11-29-2010 at 03:15 PM.

08-24-2010, 01:49 PM	#2
jasonw2112 "Roy-al with Chesse!" Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 293	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrels? Well as far as the first "Return" movie, it actually looks like plastic 55 gallon drums. If you look at a metal 55 gallon drum, you can see the ribs on the side, for durabillity, for rolling on it's side. They also have a certain lip to the top edge. The plastic style, on the other hand, have a different look to them, they have more of a rounded taper towards the top. I don't know where you can get the plastic style, or if they still make them. I know there were certain elements to the film that they had to do quickly, so there is probly very little thuoght and alot of simplicity to the design of the hinged top...well that's my thoughts, I could be wrong! Last edited by jasonw2112; 08-24-2010 at 01:54 PM.

08-24-2010, 02:14 PM	#3
Rusty85 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 1,122	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrels? Yeah, that's true. I might re-watch them with the commentary to see if they drop any clues about the construction of them. I can't really remember what they look like in the 3rd movie though.

08-24-2010, 03:07 PM	#5
Rusty85 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 1,122	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrels? Oh well. They look just like the 55 gallon drums. So I guess I've got to get looking.

( Don't want to see advertising between posts? Register for free and become a member of our community! )
RPF Sponsors

08-30-2010, 02:07 PM	#6
Rusty85 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 1,122	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build Well, here's the barrel I'm currently working on. For some reason I can't seem to find any 55 gallon barrels with removable lids here with the pour spouts built in, only without. So I bought one I found that has them, and then chopped off the top with a saw. I also drew the viewing window on the top and then cut that out too. Since I'm going to place a panel over the hole that has the bolts that hold the plexi-glass, I drew the hole extra wide so it could be made accordingly. Here's a few shots of it so far. Next, I'm going to sand the edges, draw the top cover template to saw from MDF, and then sand the whole thing. A guy who built a really cool one on the Halloween board said that I'd need a special type of plastic primer. Apparently he had a hell of a time getting the paint to stick to the barrel, which isn't hard to imagine. Oh, and does anyone know if the Tarman head and hands are still available? This was also the only barrel I found that had a special ring around the edge (my guess is for grip) that had a design somewhat similar to the movie. I'm planning on doing this in the style of the second movie with the key-panel, and the modified top lid with the knob at the center. Two questions though. Firstly, there's two stickers in the films. In the first movie there's a white one on the bottom of the barrel. Pretty sure its a triangle. The second is above the key-panel in part two. Can't read either of them though. I think the second says something like instructions for the key-panel. Is there someone who could figure out what they say? I think the first is on Blueray now. Attached Thumbnails

08-30-2010, 02:48 PM	#7
whoever Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 181	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build Hate to tell you this, but you let out the crazed albino zombie rat-dog.

08-30-2010, 03:03 PM	#8
Rusty85 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 1,122	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build It's escaped!!!

08-30-2010, 05:34 PM	#9
Knightjar smells of resin Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 520	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build I've sculpted the tar-zombie, as seen through the window of the barrel. I had planned to do the complete barrel until I worked out the size, and realised I'd have nowhere to put it. I now plan to do just the top with the window as a wall-mounted display. Looking forward to seeing your completed barrel!

08-30-2010, 11:16 PM	#10
Rusty85 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 1,122	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build Sweet! Do you offer casts? I saw a bust but its a little pricey for me. I've got a little more done today. Traced the panel that's going to have the plexi-glass, and did some sanding. I tried for about 20min to get the ring back on top but almost killed myself doing it. So now its still off, I got too frustrated and thought I'd better stop before I get mad and throw it at something, lol.

08-31-2010, 09:59 AM	#12
Howlrunner Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,400	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build The barrel is looking sweet already! I have a 1st generation cast taken from the original Alterian Studios movie mold and I've always been meaning to do the top of the barrel to make it into a full wall display piece. How much did the barrel cost you? I'd be loathed to pay too much and then have to throw 80% away!

08-31-2010, 10:09 AM	#13
TK648 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,603	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build 55 gallon plastic drums...NEW..... 55 Gallon Plastic Drum - PLASTIC DRUMS CLOSED TOP $59.99 for one Last edited by TK648; 08-31-2010 at 10:17 AM.

08-31-2010, 10:28 AM	#14
Howlrunner Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,400	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build Thanks. Yep, not keen on paying that when I just need the top.

08-31-2010, 11:07 AM	#15
ONEYE Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Spokane, WA USA Posts: 1,959	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build What a cool and creepy project! Now what we need is 1:1 Julie to go with the barrel. Last edited by ONEYE; 08-31-2010 at 11:14 AM.

08-31-2010, 11:23 AM	#16
Rusty85 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 1,122	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build Well, I called a few places first. The first barrel I got was a closed lid, and cost 10 bucks. It was from a place called Interstate Oil Company. I think they said it had car washing liquid in it. The second was the one I decided to use, and it cost me about 35. A little more expensive. I know that they sell them used on Craigslist for really cheap, you might want to check there. Nice Tarman! If they originally just used the head, did they just prop it up in the barrel I wonder, or put it against a black background.... Anyone know where to find a head and hands?

08-31-2010, 12:06 PM	#17
howlingwind13 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,122	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build Ask and you shall recieve Sam Macain did these awhile ago...site says to be discontinued but give it a shot. HSS TARMAN ORDER PAGE mike

08-31-2010, 12:24 PM	#18
Rusty85 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 1,122	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build Thanks for the link, but I was actually looking for the head and hands only. That's a great bust, but I didn't really want to spend that much on it.

08-31-2010, 05:27 PM	#20
patsmear Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 5,053	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build Side note, I have the comic they are reading in the car on the way to the cemetery. If I can find it I will scan it for freebie in the paper prop section.

08-31-2010, 07:00 PM	#22
tk1055 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 566	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build Ah yes, one of my favorite zombie series. Unfortunatly after the third one they went WAY down hill, but they are still cheesy and good, like a pizza......like a pizza (putting away the Morgan Freeman voice now) I must say I did like Julia in the third film (and even more when she popped up on CSI as Mistress Heather.) but the first film has the honor of being the first horror film to actually freak me out! Ever since I first saw Tarman I have been very Leary of any OD Green barrels. I actually did something like this for Halloween a few years back using an old garbage can. I put an air cylinder in it to propel a zombie mask up, and had fog billowing out the top. I also had a strobe light in it flashing very fast. Good times..... Good times. I look forward to your progress since I have two plastic barrels sitting next to my garage that are begging to be turned into something like this.

08-31-2010, 07:06 PM	#23
Rusty85 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 1,122	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build I was thinking about installing a fog machine inside of it. Be kinda cool if it could shoot out from the top somewhere. All the extra inside space could be used for anything really. I know I'm going to install some LEDS inside for the side key-panel lights. Should look pretty cool by the time Halloween rolls around! Anyone know what they used for the DOME tops? Looks like the top of a bbq?

08-31-2010, 08:03 PM	#24
ecmagee1984 Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 89	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build I like the fog machine idea, I cant wait to see it finish

08-31-2010, 08:40 PM	#25
Rusty85 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 1,122	Re: Return of the Living Dead Zombie Barrel Build Here's some screen caps of the barrel I'm working toward. Notice that the different ones have different designs at the top. The one at the back left looks like its based off the design of the first movie. The others look newer. And there's a pic of the template I made for the lid and plexi-glass, and some sanding done on the barrel. Attached Thumbnails

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My "What If.." Night of the Living Dead newspaper	TylerHam	Replica Movie Props	8	11-20-2011 10:50 PM
"Walking Dead" Zombie Makeup	ChickenHaunt	Replica Movie Costumes	27	11-11-2011 04:33 PM
Return of the Living Dead Tarman costume!	patsmear	Replica Movie Costumes	15	11-01-2011 07:34 AM