Help with Lightsaber Prop Construction

[rogue9607]

It sounds like you may have the electronics figured out already, but in case you're still working on it... I really like using the DX RGB LED along with a 3.7v battery and a latching switch (plus lens/lens holder from TCSS) for a basic electronics setup. The blue and green dies can be directly wired to a 3.7v battery, though the red needs a resistor. As a bonus, you can easily get a variety of colors with the same LED. It's worth noting that the +/- signs printed on the LED are reversed, or at least they use to be, and shipping can take a looong time (they ship quickly, but my last order was over a month in transit for LEDs and some batteries).

 

[patolcott]

Go to FX-Sabers.com you will find everything you need to know on how to build a lightsaber, go to their forum obviously. also check out tim's website thecustomsabershop.com although if you are doing anything other than a sinkpipe build it will get expensive

 

[The Terminator]

It would be much more practical and cost efficient to add the glow in post. You'll get a better effect that way as well

Oh hell yes and most definitely:

Also means you can add lightsabers to anything :lol

I know it would seem easier to do that but some scenes are during the night. Also its a LIGHTsaber so to make it more real and believable I need lights.

It worked pretty damn well without lights in you know the actual Star Wars films.

I totally would hav used that effect but the problem is, there are a lot of group shots for fighting during the night and day and having lights shine at people would be really tricky and almost impossible. I all ready hav the electronics figured out for pretty cheap, its just the colour grading I need to figure out.

You do know that you can shoot "night" scenes in the middle of the day right? Movies/tv-shows do it all the time. As long as it's overcast, meaning no sharp shadows it isn't that difficult to make it look good.

I'm sorry you're going for the black core saber blade look. Worst thing ever invented in the Star Wars universe IMHO (well, besides midi-chlorians and Jar Jar). I hate it... with a passion. To get that look, you will still need to rotoscope the blades, frame by frame. All that hard work for black blades that glow. *shakes head and walk away*.

Not to mention beyond stupid. Blackness, that glows - say whaaat? :wacko

 

[CodenameTalon]

I would make PVC hilts and just add a clear blade from TCSS or ultrasabers and an LED,it'll run you maybe $35 for it all if you find the right place