Dark Crystal restoration project

[TomSpinaDesigns]

Hey all,

Figured you guys would wanna see this one. I've got one pic attached. I've posted up other pics and details on my site... http://www.tomspinadesigns.com It's currently the top item on the news/updates area. (or you can look directly in the Movie Prop Restoration Gallery )

Robb (Propazoid) picked up an original Landstrider from The Dark Crystal and brought it to me for restoration. When it arrived at my shop it was in VERY rough shape. Dry and crumbling and very fragile. It did, however have the original fiberglass underskull which was a great asset when it came time to rebuild the missing areas. It's also likely what kept this piece from crumbling completely over the last 20 years.

The "nose" section is mostly original, though it needed considerable repair. There's a shot on my site that's a collage of "before" pics, including a shot of the misc pieces that were included, but had fallen off over the years.

I'm really proud of the way this one turned out and just thrilled to have been able to work on such an important and unique piece.

Tom

 

[Lord Abaddon]

Wow. A very rare, and one of the coolest, props. Great restoration.

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

Are you the master of latex repair or what? Wow, amazing restoration job. :thumbsup :thumbsup

 

[juno]

When you do a restoration like that, is it permanent -- or more permanent than the original (will the owner have to restore it again?)

 

[TomSpinaDesigns]

<div class='quotetop'>(Qui-Gonzalez @ Sep 5 2006, 01:16 PM) [snapback]1313384[/snapback]</div>

Are you the master of latex repair or what? Wow, amazing restoration job. :thumbsup :thumbsup
[/b]

Thanks. No, not the master... still learning, in fact. Each project brings a little something new though.

Tom

<div class='quotetop'>(juno @ Sep 5 2006, 01:33 PM) [snapback]1313393[/snapback]</div>

When you do a restoration like that, is it permanent -- or more permanent than the original (will the owner have to restore it again?)
[/b]

The areas that have been restored are actually likely to outlast the non-restored parts. It's a difficult process but a large part of keeping this sort of thing in good condition is support. On many restorations, I've patched from behind with fabric and such in the brittle areas, making a support in the process to hold things together in case of future drying out or foam cracking.

In this case, there is a fiberglass undershell which is custom made to support this skin. The condition was so poor that there was no way to ever remove the skin (though why would you want to, really?) so I adhered much of the pieces that remain to that underskull where possible, which will help hold things together for years to come.

Tom

 

[GroundskeeperWillie]

Wow that is just awesome. Those guys were always my favorite part of that movie. Amazing restoration job..

 

[Apollo]

Another great save Tom.

 

[LogansRunner]

Looks awesome man. I don't even know what else to saw, other than it looks perfect.

 

[rmschneider104]

Amazing save. Thanks for sharing the before and after pics. It is easy to see all the work in the piece.

 

[rileyreplicas]

Man, you breathed some new life into that. Great work Tom. I have to say I have never seen the movie the Dark Crystal but I think I will check it out

 

[Talisen]

Nice work, boy, never realized how creepy those creatures were.

Nice save Propazoid.

 

[Rebel Hunter]

Tom, As always...TOP NOTCH work.. Looks like it was a tedious restoration to say the least...


-Mark

 

[frosty]

Fabulous work bud, great to see these things being saved from rotting away to nothing, one of my favourite films, sad to see the way these props end up, i attended a henson exhibition years ago and hoggle was there and was falling apart then, as was the ritual master from Dark crystal, you would think they would preserve there own history.
Once again bud, great work

 

[TomSpinaDesigns]

thanks everyone. definitely a tedious process but well worth it when all the work has been completed. There was a lot of planning and consideration that went on prior to starting, but a good deal of it is just putting fear aside and "diving in" cautiously (if one can do such a thing.)

Certainly tests your nerves. I always think of Bob Ross paiting big trees in the foreground of what looked like a beautiful, completed painting and saying, "here's your bravery test" with a wry smile and a chuckle.

Working on these restorations... the whole darn thing is a bravery test..

Thanks again. Glad everyone can share in and appreciate the work that went into this as well as the result.

Tom

 

[Darth Kahnt]

Outstanding Tom.... as we've come to expect.

 

[blipper]

Great job Tom, I always loved that particular creature design too. I'm really impressed with your latex restorations, I'd never have expected such an amazing job from something that looks so beyond saving.

 

[adamata]

wow. another amazing job.

You would make a fortune in Hollywood. Joan Rivers would pay a MINT to get restored like that.

 

[TomSpinaDesigns]

<div class='quotetop'>(adamata @ Sep 6 2006, 04:33 PM) [snapback]1314194[/snapback]</div>

You would make a fortune in Hollywood. Joan Rivers would pay a MINT to get restored like that.
[/b]

:lol ....

thankya.