Replica "Independence Day" ID4 Alien (full size static prop) W.I.P.

[Anubis]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

Ok I've tried everything to rotate this video, but my laptop won't ley me do it for some unkown reason?? Anyhow, here's the very first test fit of the upper torso to this build, I've removed a couple of sections to the head as I wasn't that happy with how they looked, but I be re-doing them in the week. The rear to the hood is drying off as I have add some more fibreglass to give it more strength, the arms I am currently modding as they were was a couple of issues I was trying to get my head around. You'll see at the back foam tubing whcih will add to the rigidty of the hood plus it will also double up as a spine and front abdominal support for the Alien. All in all I'm quite happy with the fitment only issue I had was at the rear of the shoulders, nipped me slightly, so I'm adding foam pads to stop this happening in the future. I had to stoop slightly while my partner was videoing it as the tip of the hood was touching the ceiling and thats a eight foot height, so it gives you an overall idea just how tall this thing is going to be whe it has it's stilts added. Again I apologise for the video being filmed sideways??

 

[Rysjin7717]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

Lookin good Anubis however I'm unable ta veiw th' video. How about postin it on YouTube?

 

[Anubis]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

Couple of update pics on the ID4 alien build. Rear hood is now 90% completed, I've still got the rear ridges to do and also add the ridge edges to the hood, also got to cut part of it away to add a hatch way that will be hinge to gain entry to the suit. Shoulders and biceps are now almost done, added the foam layer for the latex to adhere to for the overskin. Primary shoulder weapon has been started, aswell as adding the new parts that I removed on the sides of the hood near to the face, looks alot better now, plus it's has a veuiny look in places, which is a bonus and a complete fluke?? I added the vent to the top spike of the hood and will have a fan added inside of this to draw in cool air. The front torso spike isn't attached as yet and is next on the hit list as I wanted to concentrate on the major parts ofthe hood first. He's slowly starting to come together at last and he's pretty big, so giving the impression of a thin waist line I wanted, but also adding a twist as my version is intended to be a spin of......

The story goes that 10 years after the original alien ecounter, subsequent attack and devastation, the scientific communities have detected a signal being emitted from deep space simliar to the signal first detected in the original movie, fearing a reprisal attack for the aliens defeat, the govermant conducted research into reverse engineering the technology that was salvaged from the alien ships, alien atteckers, weaponary, shielding and of course the little seen bio mechanical encounter suits worn by the aliens. On detecting the signal they realise it is getting stronger, meaning the origin of the signal is getting closer, in estimated times one earth year before the main alien attack fleet reaches earths orbit. The goverments realise the first attack was to test our capabilites regarding weaponary, resources etc, in other words send in a minor attack force before the main armada. These aliens are scavengers with no emotional level as we do, so minor loses don't matter, the end goal is, what ever the cost, our complete and utter destruction and our planet left for them to harvest for what they need etc. On realising this terrifying outcome the world leaders plan on a stategy attack them on their own terms using their tech against them. The reverse tech comes into play and The subsequent encounter suits are massed produced for the worlds military personal, these exo skeletal encounter suits are similar in design to the the aliens due to the complex systems they incorperate but have been built to accomadate human pilots, these are intended to be used as a front line, first strike battle suit to be used in close quarters combat if the oncoming alien fleet does manage to break through our new defensive lines,these exo suits will come into play against there ground forces. I hope this little scenario into my suit build makes sense to you guys and I hope you also like his progress thus far......

 

[Rysjin7717]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

Interestin story ya got there Paul th' suit 's Lookin' great top notch craftsmanship well me an my girl have been movin' for th' past 2 days we'll have ta hookup on Fb sometime.

 

[supadave1977]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

dude if you're going to wear this costume when its done , i hope you're not as skinny as the action figure because that head will knock you down lol

 

[Anubis]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

I've finally finished the work on the face to the alien and also added the torso spike, still some work to complet on the ab areas before I add the arms, when these are completed I'll get on with the latex work. Made a start on the digitgrade (Dogleg) stilts, I've still to add the shin supports to stop me going A over T, also still to add the lower foot extensions to the rear of each stilts to stop me going backwards and also the support wirework, then I'll add the foam muscle structure before adding the skin etc. Looking forward to completing the stilts as I really want to play!!! I had a quick trial stand on them and boy it feels weird to say the least, but I feel two feet taller, so with the height of the hood combined with the stilts, it's now beginning to look like it'll be hitting around the ten feet mark give or take an inch, so should be quite imposing when it's out at events.

 

[Rysjin7717]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

I've finally finished the work on the face to the alien and also added the torso spike, still some work to complet on the ab areas before I add the arms, when these are completed I'll get on with the latex work. Made a start on the digitgrade (Dogleg) stilts, I've still to add the shin supports to stop me going A over T, also still to add the lower foot extensions to the rear of each stilts to stop me going backwards and also the support wirework, then I'll add the foam muscle structure before adding the skin etc. Looking forward to completing the stilts as I really want to play!!! I had a quick trial stand on them and boy it feels weird to say the least, but I feel two feet taller, so with the height of the hood combined with the stilts, it's now beginning to look like it'll be hitting around the ten feet mark give or take an inch, so should be quite imposing when it's out at events.

Paul, this is an incredible build project ya seemed ta have figured out all th' design elements for this costume. But it does appear extremely top heavy how do ya plan ta balance everything out bud?

 

[Anubis]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

A few more photo's of how the hood ridge lines are coming along. I found foam bath mats at our local furnishing store and just cut them into strips and glued them into position, I did the same for the surrounds to ear vents and main air vent at the top of the hood. Both the ear and air vents will be used to cool the inside of the hood using by placing Aluminium mesh behind them and then installing fans behind these. Once I'm happy with the look I will then move onto latexing up the entire upper torso section, adding veins etc as I go (Using good ole Spaghetti,It works spot on for this effect) I've made a start on the ab area and pelvis stil some work to do on these areas but I'm soooo lovin the lookm of it now and even the neighbours think it's comin on well. The stilts should be finished hopefuly by tomorrow evening and if they are I'll post up pic's of them.

 

[GBDUDE1011]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

This is turning out pretty wicked man. Good job.

 

[GBDUDE1011]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

Dude this is wicked. Great job.

 

[Rysjin7717]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

Paul I like th' way ya utilizing bath mats for details on th' hood an face area. Very creative an enventive. Keep up th' good work. Roy

 

[Hyena]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

So cool i am loving this build you really are incredibly creative

 

[Anubis]

Re: Replica "Independence Day" alien exo skeleton.(Resurection) Pic's added 06/06/11.

It's been a few months since this project stopped due to different issues, having to have tests, x-rays and the like and not knowing what was happening with my health etc. Now with the arrival of the new year I've decided to get the old girl out of the garage, blow off the cobwebs and get cracking with finishing this idea! With what I've been told the Doc I won't be able to do alot of costume wearing due to the nature of the beast (Health prob's) so I am re-thinking this idea and it will now be transformed into a full scale static prop (Mod's please move to the correct area if needed) I intend to start a metal skeletal structure, jointed were applicable ie shoulder, elbow, wrists and spinal joints, then covered with foam which will be trimmed and shaved to shape and then fibreglass body parts added over the top. This should give the ID4 alien a strong and lightweight structure, also I intended to make the main body a two piece prop which splits at the lower part of the spine where it meets the hip and waist section. As for the tentacles I found flexible jointed/pivoted plastic tubes (Some sort of kids toy) at a local shopping centre that I'll use for the under parts of each tentacle which will then have a thin foam padding added then they will be latexed up and painted. I think and I may be incorrect on this, but the length of each tentacle is around 8 to 9 feet in length, it's hard to judge from the film scenes (I may need help with these measurements) and the thickness is around two to three inch in diameter (again I may need assistance) Each seperate tentacle will have a bullet type conector at the end where it meets then back of the Alien for easy attatchment/detachment if it needs to be moved for any reason. I have allowed a five month time scale for the remaining build as I have already got the upper body section, shoulders, upper arms and hands already done. I will have make a base for the lower section to be mounted to and for added stability, preferably out of a nice looking wood that will be polished and engaved with the ID4 logo and metal plaque with the phrase "No peace". I may add an mp3 sound effect of the high pitched shrill it emits as in the Area51 scene to give it that extra wow factor when it's displayed. I wish I could have done a fully wearable costume based on this idea, with my joints getting painful it's just not practical anymore. Overall this thing will probably stand around the 8 to 9 foot mark so it's going to be a pretty imposing beastie to say the least, especially in the corner of a room with it's tentacles splaying around the walls. As always I'll post up photo's as I go along with the build aswell as a brief on each part made. Please let me know your thoughts, ideas and critisms on this idea as its always appreciated from you guys here on the RPF as is all the help you provide to fellow members, any questions please feel free to ask away, I'll do my best to answer them the best I can. Best wishes to you all, Paul.

 

[Rysjin7717]

Paul, how ya been bra? srry about ya health though , i think turning this into a static prop is an awesome idea ya definately got my attention subcsribed

 

[Anubis]

Paul, how ya been bra? srry about ya health though , i think turning this into a static prop is an awesome idea ya definately got my attention subcsribed

I'm getting medical help with my health now buddy, so I'm getting the support I need. I've a few ideas on the build to make it extra special as a static prop once it's finished and should add that overall "WOW" factor when displayed.I'm in the process of drawing up the design for the skeletal structure and joint system that I'll then fabricate, I'm throwing different ideas into the mix to see what will work and what won't. Thanks bro for your support, it means a lot buddy! Anyway back to the drawing board and I'll keep you posted as it develops. Best to you bro, Paul.

 

[Anubis]

Having a few minutes to think out things regarding the build, I've done a quick/rough sketch of how I want it to look once it's completed. Apologises for the roughness of the sketch, but it'll give you an idea of what I am hoping to achieve with this project. I've had a couple of thoughts regarding add ons to make it more forboding and menacing when it's on display, but I'll not let the cat out of the bag just yet guys!!!

Anyway take a look at the drawing and let me know your thoughts,opinions etc. many thanks again,Paul.

 

[joshimus]

Hey Paul, Sorry to hear about your health and I will definitely be watching your build.

This critter is goona look insane!!!!

 

[halowarmor]

WOW! that is cool!!!