Planet of the Apes (2001) Chimp Warrior Costume and Display

[Elliot2000]

After three years I have recently finished getting all the pieces for my chimp costume from Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes. My plan is to eventually create a display done similar in the style to the Thade display that Rick Baker has in his showroom. I really loved the design of that display he created.




I tried to get all my chimp armor chip and damage free so it would look better displayed. Since I wanted it damage free I never got an armor that was meant for closeups. All the closeup armor has the monkey like dragon emblem painted either silver or gold. My armor never got that treatment done and I think it looks much better with it especially for display purposes. I decided to "restore" it to how it would have appeared on screen and paint on the silver details. I ended up using a metallic silver acrylic paint so that if I ever sell the costume the new owner could easily wash it off as it comes off easily with water. I attached some quick photos I took while painting it. After I painted it, went back to clean up the edges and rub off some paint so it didn't look so "new". I have some work to do on the bamboo skirt and need to get a mask from the movie, once I do that I will probably start a build thread for the display.

 

[Wes R]

Re: Planet of the Apes (2001) Chimp Armor

Good idea using the paint. It's durable but never hurts anything you put it on. Not a fan of the Burton movie but i did like the costume designs.

 

[Elliot2000]

Re: Planet of the Apes (2001) Chimp Armor

So after a year I finally got a production made mask which is unfinished.So now I have everything to create a custom display. I moved to a smaller apt in NNJ so I will have to change my design plan. Below are a few progress pics from the start of my themed base. I carved it out of leftover foam I had from moving.

 

[Elliot2000]

Re: Planet of the Apes (2001) Chimp Armor

Not sure why the photos uploaded in the wrong orientation and can't seem to fix them from the mobile site so sorry about that guys

 

[The Prop Stop]

Re: Planet of the Apes (2001) Chimp Armor

Hi Elliot. What is the process by which you made this base. Can you describe the chemicals etc and how you cut the base.

awesome stuff!

 

[Elliot2000]

Re: Planet of the Apes (2001) Chimp Armor

Thanks Mark!

It is super easy to do. I learned this method years ago when I built a reptile hide. There's a website called lizard landscapes I believe. It will show the general process of building fake rocks and other items from foam and hard coating it. You can buy large foam sheets and blocks or glue a bunch of scraps together like I did. Once I had a large foam sheet I took a hot knife meant for cutting foam to carve it. They sell two types of hot knives. The one I used was a straight rod but they also sell one with a bendable wire which works much better at getting a rocky or natural texture. Hotwire Foam Factory sells them or you can find it at a craft store. Once you have the shape you want you have to hard coat. Essentially the same method as Tom Spina does. You can use different things for hard coating. I originally used this method with tile grout which works great. You basically hard coat in layers. You mix the tile grout a little thin and watery for the first layer, let it dry and repeat. Each layer you want the grout to be a little thicker. Halfway through this I did change my hard coat from tile grout to ultracal30. I found the ultracal worked much better and was much harder and durable. It dried really fast too and gave a nice stone texture. To paint the base I use normal acrylic paints which I watered down and added in layers to get the finished look. I might add vines or reall moss to it at a later date. Any questions feel free to pm me.

 

[Elliot2000]

Re: Planet of the Apes (2001) Chimp Armor

So I repainted the base again. I wasn't too happy with how the original came out. I started repainting it a light grey. Then dry brushed the edges white and did some black shading before doing a darker gray wash over it and highlited it with some green moss.

 

[Elliot2000]

I finally got around to doing more work on the base. I will probably add another plant and still need to get a plaque done for it. I should start making the mannequin within the next month or so and I should be finished relatively soon.

 

[Elliot2000]

Finally got around to doing work on the mannequin. I should be done with the full display in the next month. In all my total cost for the project so far is under $80, that includes everything for the themed based and mannequin up to this point.

 

[DavidB]

Starting to look really good!
I just bought some of my first props from this movie the other day, can't wait to get them home in the mail. Picked up an armor and a chimp helmet and some other small items. Really nice design and good prices too!

 

[Elliot2000]

Basically almost near completion. Just a few tweaks here and there. Total cost was under $100.