Alcades
New Member
Hey
So here's my tips. Most likely a real propmaker will get a good laugh.
First off supplies and my general overview of why I did what I did. When you create this giant prop people are going to look at the whole thing and most likely take a picture of the whole thing. Now first off you're going to need more duct tape than available in redneck heaven. I'll get to why in a sec.
1. Duct tape, preferably black duct tape. I used gray.
2. Craft foam Sheets.
3. A length of PVC pipe, good thickness.
4. Pink insulation foam that is sand-able, cutable, etc.
5. Gesso.
6. Wire pipe cleaners.
7. Fiberglass cloth, resin, and bondo.
8. Sand paper.
The idea for creating this comes in who parts, the sleeve and the actual blade arm.
The sleeve
The idea for this is a lot like creating a duct tape dress form but just for your arm. First create a sleeve like this using the craft foam sheet in two pieces, the upper and lower. Now you need to create the elbow actuator with duct tape. This is something you'll have feel out for yourself. Make sure you've got your jacket, sweater and white dress shirt on so you're creating for the right size. Coat the whole thing in duct tape.
Now add the veins! Braid pipe cleaners together and and wrap in tape. Create as many as you'd like but you're going to need to make tons. Lastly using sand paper, lightly sand the surface of the sleeve in order to have the paint stick better. I used spray paint and a metallic red anodized spray paint over the top to give it a eerie bio-organic look.
The Blade Arm
Next acquire pink insulation foam. I recommend creating the front part of the blade and the back more pointy piece out of separate pieces.
When shaped and created to you liking, cut notches into the two blade pieces and Gesso the hell out of the thing. Tons and tons of coats. Then add the PVC pipe in the middle. Glue it in to give it structure and make it holdable. Also wrap the PVC handle in foam, it will make it so much more comfortable to hold!
Next add the fiber glass cloth, the Gesso will help protect the foam from being melted. After the blade arm is fiber glassed you will have a durable and pretty light prop. Follow the same method for creating the viens and skin as you did with the sleeve. At the end create a slot so that your sleeve will fit into to the blade arm. Vola you have a blade arm.
It turned out ok, certainly not professional but it got results and lots of pics. Since people will crane back to get your whole arm in frame, most of your not so good duct tape seams will be hidden. I've learned a lot since then.
So here's my tips. Most likely a real propmaker will get a good laugh.
First off supplies and my general overview of why I did what I did. When you create this giant prop people are going to look at the whole thing and most likely take a picture of the whole thing. Now first off you're going to need more duct tape than available in redneck heaven. I'll get to why in a sec.
1. Duct tape, preferably black duct tape. I used gray.
2. Craft foam Sheets.
3. A length of PVC pipe, good thickness.
4. Pink insulation foam that is sand-able, cutable, etc.
5. Gesso.
6. Wire pipe cleaners.
7. Fiberglass cloth, resin, and bondo.
8. Sand paper.
The idea for creating this comes in who parts, the sleeve and the actual blade arm.
The sleeve
The idea for this is a lot like creating a duct tape dress form but just for your arm. First create a sleeve like this using the craft foam sheet in two pieces, the upper and lower. Now you need to create the elbow actuator with duct tape. This is something you'll have feel out for yourself. Make sure you've got your jacket, sweater and white dress shirt on so you're creating for the right size. Coat the whole thing in duct tape.
Now add the veins! Braid pipe cleaners together and and wrap in tape. Create as many as you'd like but you're going to need to make tons. Lastly using sand paper, lightly sand the surface of the sleeve in order to have the paint stick better. I used spray paint and a metallic red anodized spray paint over the top to give it a eerie bio-organic look.
The Blade Arm
Next acquire pink insulation foam. I recommend creating the front part of the blade and the back more pointy piece out of separate pieces.
When shaped and created to you liking, cut notches into the two blade pieces and Gesso the hell out of the thing. Tons and tons of coats. Then add the PVC pipe in the middle. Glue it in to give it structure and make it holdable. Also wrap the PVC handle in foam, it will make it so much more comfortable to hold!
Next add the fiber glass cloth, the Gesso will help protect the foam from being melted. After the blade arm is fiber glassed you will have a durable and pretty light prop. Follow the same method for creating the viens and skin as you did with the sleeve. At the end create a slot so that your sleeve will fit into to the blade arm. Vola you have a blade arm.
It turned out ok, certainly not professional but it got results and lots of pics. Since people will crane back to get your whole arm in frame, most of your not so good duct tape seams will be hidden. I've learned a lot since then.
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