My "new" project

[MonCal]

We were hired to make a "character" / prototype costume by a large effects company. I wanted to share some progress pictures of it. I can't give too much information on what it is at the moment. They will probably have us do several more prototypes too but we're starting with just this one for now. They supplied us with their own concept art for the character and I'm following it pretty closely but am adding my own ideas to it as well.

This character will have armor similar to a Stormtrooper, being vacuum formed in plastic. They wanted to make the parts as symmetrical as possible to be worn on either leg which is why I'm only sculpting one side. It's a challenge to make the shape so it can be used on the other side!

Enjoy:

 

[OdiWan72]

Hey Cal

You man are a MACHINE!!!! Looking great already, so smooth and crisp.
What clay are you using and how do you archieve such a smooth surface?

Markus

 

[Mr. No Stripes]

Hey Cal

You man are a MACHINE!!!! Looking great already, so smooth and crisp.
What clay are you using and how do you archieve such a smooth surface?

Markus

I second everything said above :thumbsup I'd really like to know as well.

 

[KaanE]

Nice work as always MonCal, and the cod has a similar look to the Boba/Jango one :love

 

[Tk-Devo]

Looking good Cal! Can't wait to see the rest of it!

 

[Matakin]

Sculpting look great.

 

[MonCal]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the kind words. It's fun to post progress of a totally new creation... and fun to create it as well. I wish they would have hired our concept artist but oh well

Mmm.. yes.. the cod piece is very similar to a Jango or boba. It was partly my influence but the guy had it drawn that way already. I was half tempted to sculpt an accurate jango cod piece and kill two birds with one stone but it wasn't close enough to their concept hehe

I don't have any magical secrets as to how I get it smooth. I just work the heck out of it with rakes and use my fingers. I haven't even gotten to the final smoothing stage yet. One trick at the very tale end of it is to use lighter fluid and a scotch brite pad in different coarseness. You sort of sand it with the pad and then smooth again with your fingers but you have to get it really smooth before that step anyway to get rid of larger dents and bumps. Just get some good, sharp rakes and keep working it

The clay I'm using here is classic clay, soft. I like it well enough and I've used it on most of my projects. I recently was adviced by a professional special effects artist to try chavant y2 clay so maybe I'll get some of that for more detailed work in the future.

 

[MonCal]

Made a little more progress. I'm not as fast as I hoped I would be unfortunately ... too many distractions

 

[jonny5]

[Casually fishing for details mode]

So, Cal...
I'm sure you are sworn to secrecy and all but by any chance is this for a live action TV show due out, oh say, somewheres around mid 2010 perchance?

and did you retain the rights to produce copies for resale?

[/Casually fishing for details mode]

 

[karstva]

That looks awesome, but I think the massive Apple on/off button on the abdomen may as well be a bulls eye

"AIM FOR HIS OFF SWITCH BOYS!!!!" :lol

seriously though..looks awesome.

karst

Made a little more progress. I'm not as fast as I hoped I would be unfortunately ... too many distractions

 

[Banzai88]

Looks great bro. Thanks for taking time to post this WIP; these are always fascinating to watch!

 

[Chris07]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome Job. Can wait to see more WIP.

Chris

 

[Mr. No Stripes]

That looks awesome, but I think the massive Apple on/off button on the abdomen may as well be a bulls eye

"AIM FOR HIS OFF SWITCH BOYS!!!!" :lol

I was thinking the exact same thing )

 

[Trooper TK409]

[Casually fishing for details mode]
...is this for a live action TV show due out, oh say, somewheres around mid 2010 perchance? ..
[/Casually fishing for details mode]

I'm sure it isn't. That power button is so obvious that it says to me that it's more for a electronics commercial or something. Apple maybe? :ninja

Really cool work Cal - sharp and smooth!

 

[slave1pilot]

Will there be a red ring of death around tht power button?
:lol

 

[MonCal]

Thanks! I like the guesses and I appreciate the compliments very much!!

It definitely could be the X-box guy hehe


A little more progress..... I'm way behind for the deadline though!!! AHHHHH I'm supposed to have 3 wearable copies of this costume by the 30th... ugh.. and now I don't have plastic either..

This face is sort of a test / concept at the moment. No idea if we'll use it for sure. We might be making some alternate faces or just a more simple design.... That will be one of the final decisions.

And some more recent progress:

 

[MonCal]

Mysterious post lost / edited / something ...

 

[ItsThatGuy]

The 30th!? What are you doing posting?! Get to work! :lol

 

[womo68]

Looks great as usual!

 

[Bigturc]

Those arms kinda have a Megaman look to them ..

Great sculpt!