Astyanax's Makes, Builds and Acquisitions: 2023

[Astyanax]

September 11, 2023

I adjusted, printed, and mounted these these Mulder & Scully Lanyard Badges from The X-Files (TV), as found in the RPF Paper Props forum and various sources online.



After printing on glossy photo stock, I found the right-sized, matching badges online.

 

[Astyanax]

September 11, 2023

I adjusted, printed, and mounted this Thomas Anderson's Employee Badge from The Matrix (1999), as found in the RPF Paper Props forum and various sources online.



Before printing, the signature needed some correction, which I took from Neo's newer badge in The Matrix Resurrections (2021). I had an old badge holder and clip from work.

(The badge can't be found in the movie, but I believe there was one made for production.)

 

[Astyanax]

September 11, 2023

I adjusted, printed, and mounted this Harry's Hogwarts Acceptance Letter from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001), as found in the RPF Harry Potter Paper Props forum and various sources online.



After making some adjustments in Photoshop, I printed this on aged paper I had found on Etsy, and sized and folded it as seen in the movie.



(Harry's real letter seems to be on nicer paper, but I like the old-style look!)

 

[Astyanax]

September 12, 2023

I adjusted, printed, and mounted this prop and this "homage" from the Back to the Future trilogy, from the RPF Paper Props forum and various sources online.

• Disappearing Family photo from Back to the Future (1985) - Sized to match the film, and with one character half disappeared. (Yes, I've seen the lenticular versions, but I preferred more like a real photo.)
  
  
• Clock Tower photo from Back to the Future Part III (1990) - Smaller than the movie version and unframed...It's there for ambience on the BTTF shelf!

 

[Astyanax]

September 13, 2023

I adjusted, printed, weathered and mounted this Sarah Connor photo from The Terminator (1982), as found in the RPF Paper Props forum and various sources online.



After printing it to the proper size and bending and creasing it, I applied a heat gun to warp the photo. I followed with a very brief touch of flame on a couple edges, followed by a little bit of black wash.

 

[Astyanax]

September 14, 2023

I received this Nostromo Patch from Alien (1979), purchased from RPF user NostromoCrew .



In my opinion, other than the frayed edges, this is the most accurate replica of the patch out there!

 

[Astyanax]

September 14, 2023

I made this Grail Diary Canyon page from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), as found in several areas here at the RPF.



It was printed on aged paper (found on Etsy), and then cut and torn, followed by some brown ink applied to the edges with a sponge.



(This page serves as a background "paper prop" to help highlight the Indiana Jones items in my collection.)

 

[Astyanax]

September 15, 2023

I made these Night Fury Pages in the Book of Dragons from How to Train Your Dragon (2010). The art was captured directly from screen shots of the film.



After putting the art together in Photoshop, it was printed to aged paper. I tore the edges, and then weathered a bit with brown ink and a sponge.

The art is available here on the RPF.



(My thinking was that I would like to combine Hiccup's drawing with the empty pages in the Book of Dragons, and showcase them "torn out" as background paper props for my "animated items" shelf. Maybe as a backdrop for some Night Fury Scales?)

 

[Astyanax]

September 16, 2023

I finished this Heart of Te Fiti from Moana (2016), 3D printed in resin from a file downloaded on Thingiverse.



It was printed in transparent green resin, and then clearcoated in high-gloss rattle can to clarify it.



(The Heart of Te Fiti looks great illuminated from underneath with a green LED!)

 

[Astyanax]

September 17, 2023

I finished this Pack of Morley Cigarettes from The X-Files (TV) and too many other movies & shows to list! The art was initially found here on the RPF, thanks to YenChih Lin!



I made significant changes to the original art, idealizing the fonts, text, colors, and spacing. Then I printed it on gloss card stock. After cutting it out, folding it, and gluing with PVA glue, I added real cellophane from a pack of Marlboros for lower section.

The cigarettes are not real nicotine-based ones, but rather "Honey Rose Herbal Cigarettes" found on Amazon, free of logos! These are the kinds of cigarettes that are often smoked on film.

The art is available here on the RPF.

Seen here on The X-Files (TV):


Yellowstone (TV):


The Twilight Zone (TV) and Friends (TV):



(Although there are many versions of the Morley cigarettes over the years, in my opinion this is more accurate to the intent in 1990s films and TV than the Earl Hays Press versions, which seem to be off themselves!)

 

[Astyanax]

September 18, 2023

I received this vintage Tweety Bird Pez Dispenser from Seinfeld (TV), from a seller on eBay.



Not much to say...it's a perfect match!



(They can still be found pretty cheaply!)

 

[Astyanax]

October 2, 2023

I received this pack of 5 ESP Experiment Cards from Ghostbusters (1984), from a seller on Etsy.



Wow, what can I say? The quality is phenomenal. These are giant Bicycle cards, every bit as stiff and plastic-coated as their smaller cousins. They look perfect! The set came in an in-universe envelope (which is not a prop from the film) from the university, with Peter Venkman's signature on it.



(This serves as a really great background paper prop for my Ghostbusters shelf!)

 

[Astyanax]

October 5, 2023

I received this Red Keycard from Doom Eternal (game), from a seller on eBay. It is made out of cast metal, and comes as an officially licensed item from Bethesda.



I made a few alterations. After a light black wash in the recesses to help them pop a little, I took a silver marker to the two black vertical contacts, attempting to make them look a bit worn from overuse. And then I splattered blood-colored paint across both sides, to make it look like its owner no longer needs it!



(This is my first attempt at blood spattering. Next time I will not thin it so much.)

 

[Astyanax]

October 6, 2023

I received this K.I.T.T.'s Key from Knight Rider (TV), from a seller on Amazon. It's Doctor Collector's version, and I believe it is officially licensed.



Sadly, I've never seen the key used on the show, so I haven't tracked down any screenshots. So I'm not sure if it's a real prop or just an in-universe "homage". Does K.I.T.T. even need a key in the first place?

 

[Astyanax]

October 6, 2023

I received this Jen's Flute from The Dark Crystal (1982), from a seller on eBay.



This flute appears to be resin-cast, and is poorly finished. This is probably my one prop that I am most embarrassed about, because I paid an inordinate amount of money for something that looks NOTHING like the actual prop in the film, and is clearly cheaply made.



(But I have to keep it until I can replace it with something more accurate!)

 

[Astyanax]

October 6, 2023

I received this OUTATIME License Plate from Back to the Future (1985), from a seller on Amazon.



This plate is a single piece, stamped, with registration stickers added. The "weathering" is painted on.



(This is not the most accurate replica of this prop, but I like the weathering style, so it makes a better-looking background item.)

 

[Astyanax]

October 6, 2023

I received this Delorean Key and Fob from Back to the Future (1985), from a seller on Amazon. I believe the brand is Doctor Collector, and it is clearly officially licensed.



I'm very pleased with the accuracy overall!

 

[Astyanax]

October 9, 2023

I finished making this Scully's Badge & ID Wallet from The X-Files (TV), from various resources on the internet.



The metal badge was found on eBay, and I gave it a bit of a black acrylic wash. The wallet was purchased separately (also on eBay). Art for the ID cards was found in the RPF Paper Props forum and various sources online. I made some alterations for accuracy and sharpness.



(Where is Mulder's badge? I opted for something a little different. Read on!)

 

[Astyanax]

October 9, 2023

I finished making this Mulder's Badge & ID Wallet, NOT from The X-Files (TV), but from the agent's guest stint on The Simpsons (TV)!



I produced the art myself from a screen capture from the episode, and then did some significant resizing, drawing, and cleanup. The wallet came from a seller on eBay.

The art is available here on the RPF.



(I display the badge next to Scully's...you have to lift it to see the gag!)

 

[Astyanax]

October 9, 2023

I finished making this Holy Zippo Lighter from Constantine (2005), significantly modded from a cheap knockoff on AliExpress.



You can see my full Build Log here on the RPF. It was a great way to put together something very close at a fraction of the cost!



(This project was a great way to learn how to apply gold leaf, as well as how to tarnish the metal leaf. It was easy!)