First, I should introduce myself, as even though I've spent hours upon hours combing through the boards marvelling at the ingenuity on display. My name is Devilicia and I specialize in mostly horror/scifi themed burlesque, and I make most of my own costumes, props, FX, etc...its all very low budget DIY, but figuring out how to make this stuff work is half the fun (right....? she says after working 14 hours a day for the last 5 days on costumes and wipes what she thinks just may be brain blood from her eyes....):facepalm.
Anyways, I'm at a bit of a loss for a solution to this particular FX/costume element. I wasn't sure if my question should be here, or the Replica Movie costumes section, but as this is my own design and not a replica of anything, I thought I would start here.
I am making a Cthulhu costume for an act I'm doing in a couple of weeks. The headpiece/makeup (I tend to combine liquid latex with fabric and makeup) will be a bulbous cephlapod head (stretch fabric with an oblong balloon inserted) that comes down over the face and ends in dangling tentacles. What I would REALLY like to do is make the face tentacles so that at least a couple of them move independently (I can use fishing line to connect the others so they pick up some movement). The limitations are that I can't be plugged into anything (though I may be able to obscure battery packs under the wing harnesss) and I need to be able to move somewhat freely (though I WILL be moving slowly as part of the character). Most of the small motors I found are too bulky and/or would have to be placed at the front of the mask, which I don't think I could make work, at least with the short window of time I have to finish up the costume (which is also going to have wings, a wraparound tail,a self inflating belly and a scatter laser from...well....let's just say BEYOND).
I may be able to rig something to my fingers under the clawlike hands and under the liquid latex covered nylon I'll have on my arms, but I've just hit DIY'ers block on making this one work, so I thought I would put it out to suggestions. It's not a deal breaker on the costume, but it would just add that extra oomph I'm looking for ....and as it looks like I'll be performing this piece in front of Neil Gaiman, I want a whole lotta of Old Ones oomph.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
(and let me know if this is indeed the wrong forum for it....I figured since it falls into the realm of FX and a bit of sculpture, you all would be the best resource).
Anyways, I'm at a bit of a loss for a solution to this particular FX/costume element. I wasn't sure if my question should be here, or the Replica Movie costumes section, but as this is my own design and not a replica of anything, I thought I would start here.
I am making a Cthulhu costume for an act I'm doing in a couple of weeks. The headpiece/makeup (I tend to combine liquid latex with fabric and makeup) will be a bulbous cephlapod head (stretch fabric with an oblong balloon inserted) that comes down over the face and ends in dangling tentacles. What I would REALLY like to do is make the face tentacles so that at least a couple of them move independently (I can use fishing line to connect the others so they pick up some movement). The limitations are that I can't be plugged into anything (though I may be able to obscure battery packs under the wing harnesss) and I need to be able to move somewhat freely (though I WILL be moving slowly as part of the character). Most of the small motors I found are too bulky and/or would have to be placed at the front of the mask, which I don't think I could make work, at least with the short window of time I have to finish up the costume (which is also going to have wings, a wraparound tail,a self inflating belly and a scatter laser from...well....let's just say BEYOND).
I may be able to rig something to my fingers under the clawlike hands and under the liquid latex covered nylon I'll have on my arms, but I've just hit DIY'ers block on making this one work, so I thought I would put it out to suggestions. It's not a deal breaker on the costume, but it would just add that extra oomph I'm looking for ....and as it looks like I'll be performing this piece in front of Neil Gaiman, I want a whole lotta of Old Ones oomph.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
(and let me know if this is indeed the wrong forum for it....I figured since it falls into the realm of FX and a bit of sculpture, you all would be the best resource).
