Darth Will's Budget Build

[Darth Will]

Hi Everyone!

My wife Nikki wants to build a Predator costume and her enthusiasm is infectious. Especially after joining this forum and seeing all the great work and costumes out there. So we are both going to make costumes but in different ways. I'll be like most 1st time builders and going the budget route. Rubies Deluxe mask and Mr I suit. Hopefully following what others have done I'll have something cool to walk around conventions in.

I'll be blogging my progress here in this thread.

And with that, I got my first piece today.
Rubies Deluxe Predator mask.
Whoo hoo the journey begins.

 

[A Hunters Moon]

Awesome! Welcome to the Lair.  Look forward to seeing what the two of you do with your builds. 

 

[HAL1138]

And we both bought our elevator shoes today. So really two things! 

 

[HAL1138]

Oh, and pfffttt to budgets! I'm all in baby! May have to pimp you out Darthy sweets, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice.

 

[Darth Will]

When it comes to costuming, I've been told that I can't pull off certain characters because of my height. I'm 5'4. But I've never let that stop me, I find ways around it or just don't worry about what others think. I do it because I want to.
One of the solutions has been elevator shoes. For this project I think they will work out great. My wife, HAL1138, and I will build the feet around the shoes.
This particular shoe increase height by 5.2". And I think I'll add another layer to the bottom of the shoe to be the the Predators sandal sole.
It's kind of like walking on high heels, I guess, and it takes a little getting use to but it's worth it.

 

[wonko]

No need to worry about height, I'm 5'6 and have never been told I was 'too short'.  I have about 4" of lift, and by the time I have the mask and bio on, I come in at around 6'1".  The thing about doing lifts is (IMO) it's possible to go too far.  I've seen some that clearly look lifted, which (again, just my opinion) ruins the proportions and makes it look goofy.  

Brian 

 

[Darth Will]

Found these monster hands. With a repaint I think they could work. There is one thing to note, these have an open palm but that might be a good thing. Will have to play with it and see.

 

[Darth Will]

I actually started doing something.

Removed the elastic strap from the bio. Will glue in magnets to hold it on.

Then cut out the eyes and removed the 4 dreads.

 

[Darth Will]

My Mr Incredible costume arrived.
Not a bad fit.

 

[Darth Will]

DRUM-ROLL PLEASE....

Here it is, my Predator costume. What do you guys think?

 

[A Hunters Moon]

   Those mr. I's almost always start off looking goofy.  Luckily, they turn out pretty badass once the latex and paint go on.  Off to a nice start on the build. 

 

[KmikzeKen]

Looks like you're off to a good start, I'll be following in your footsteps soon!  Someone should do a Mr. I inspired paint job over the latex...Mr. InPredible?  I'm sure that joke's been done to death already...

 

[Darth Will]

I bought 4 different sizes of backer rod to play with. Each roll is 100 feet long.
That's 400 feet and I need 40 dreads.
So, 10 foot long dreads. Does that sound right?

 

[Darth Will]

I bought this stuff for umm.. reference material.
Yea, that's it reference.

 

[HAL1138]

No...you bought these for me.  They are mine.  I claim them.... Mine.

You may "borrow" them for your so called reference, but then you give them right back.......Mine.

 

[Darth Will]

2 hours in the kitchen over a hot stove and it was fun.
Guess what I made.

The kids had a blast too.

 

[Darth Will]

One can of plasti-dip covered 19 dreads. This is 25 drying. Will do the rest tomorrow.
For the experts out there, is one coat enough or do I have to go over them again?
I've read to use perma-wet after using the plasti-dip. Is it necessary?

I'm hoping one coat is good to go.

 

[Darth Will]

Finished off the dreads. Today 2nd can of plasi-dip covered 18 dreads.

 

[XxPRA3T0RIANxX]

I bought this stuff for umm.. reference material.
Yea, that's it reference. 

P3313714a.jpg

Just started making a mask, I think I may need some reference material too... haha

 

[HAL1138]

Picked up some polymorph.
It's little plastic balls that you put into boiling water and then you can mold it into any shape you want.
Playing around with it and trying to make dread beads here.