Smuggler/Pilot Concept Ideas/Sketches...

[Brianpettit]

I posted this on The Dented Helmet also but I think it has a home here also...

Been dreaming up a smuggler/ trade pilot costume. I figure Han isn't the only pilot in the galaxy. I think more "background extra" type costumes would be neat to see. Not all of us can be heros. I just want a costume that would be at home in the SW universe or events for that matter. The sort of costume and character that would blend in well in a Mos Esley cantina.
I want to make it original trilogy style. All hardware and construction will pre 1980s type technology if I can swing it. Borrow a lot of grebblies and design from exsisting onscreen characters.

I want some type of head gear. I like the half helmets from Endor. Something along those lines would be cool. Thought of a full pilot helmet but those bad boys can get expensive. Trying to keep the cost low on this project.

I have a pair of German jackboots that I would like to incorporate in there.

A small backpack would be cool for time away from the ship or whatever. Nothing elaborate. Keep it real simple. Some lights in there maybe. make a door and keep personal crap in there I suppose. Ok. It is not a man purse.

Custom blaster and holster. Small pistol style. Some leather pouches on the belt.

Oh and gauntlets. Not sure why. I just like them...

I think thats about it. Here are my concept sketches...

This one is more like what you see in the cantina sceen. A lot of vests and jackets. A lot of the thin stiched padding shows up in the movie. The padding on the shoulders and knees would look good (I think). A knit type undershirt. I like the chest box/respirator idea. Drop holster for this one. Browns, blacks and oranges mostly. All hardwear (helmet, respirator, backpack) would be heavily weathered.

This one is alittle more Tatooine style with the tunic instead of a vest or jacket. Copper colored helmet. Goggles instead of the respirator. Ammo pouches Fett style. Small blaster and holster. Sash could represent the planet he is from. Sashes are more a Jedi thing but it is still part of the universe so I thought this guy could use a little more "something". Again alot of weathering on both concepts. I'm not sure I dig the idea of wearing the tunic but it is just a thought and a different look. Also has a knit type undershirt. Trying to go for that layering look that was in SW a lot. Greys, blacks and white with a smidge of copper for the color scheme.

I'd like to hear what folks thoughts are on these concepts. If you think this is cool or think this is a dumb idea. I'm open to responses. If anyone has their own concepts I would like to see them. Any concepts really. Or pictures of completed costumes of obscure non-heros. I really enjoy the whole process of it.

Thanks for lookin.
Brian

 

[rigormortis]

I think the ideas and sketches are great. But don't do them if you intend to join one of the official groups like the Rebel Legion: http://rebellegion.com/index.asp?IE=0 , as they may or may not accept custom costumes. But these groups can help you with costume pieces.

What I do think you need to do is put together a portfolio or your ideas and submit them to LFL for the upcoming TV shows. From the look of your finished sketches, your work is polished and I'd love to see the final costume when you get done with it.

Some resources for you (parts-wise):
Smuggler Holster: http://members.fortunecity.com/bubbas_barn/belt-holster.html
Rebel Legion Smuggler's Forum: http://s15.invisionfree.com/Docking_Bay_94/index.php?
Blaster: http://www.blast-tech.com/products_compDisplayPieces.asp
Corellian Exports: http://members.aol.com/corellianexports/PropPage.html
Jedi Academy Costume Tips: http://www.jedi-academy.com/costume_tips.html

 

[steveo]

I think version 1 looks too much like a cross between Han and the Endor Soldier. I think something somewhat similar is good, but to much alike will make people compare and question.

 

[Brianpettit]

Thanks guys.

Rigor, Thanks for the info. I didn't plan on using these for a group function so I guess my imagination and the SW universe is my only restrictions. I have been all those sites but the Smuggler's Forum. Very cool. I might have to get on there.

Steveo, Yeah, Version 1.0 is alittle Han. I admit. And you are right the questions may come which is what I don't want. Alot of people on TDH like the V 2.0 helmet. So V 1.0 might get the other helm. We will see.

I will probably draw up a bunch of sketches tonight of costumes, helmets and backpacks.

Thanks again.
Brian

 

[reaper63]

I actually like Version 1. I think it's very consistant with the look of most of the Cantina aliens, After all, there were a few guys with full flightsuits in there.

I think if done like the concept photos, both would be accepted in the Rebel Legion as custom smugglers. so that's still not out of the question.

Definately like the way Version 1 looks.

Edit - Here's a suggestion, take the gunbelt from Version 2 and put it with Version 1. I like the idea of the Boba like pouches witheh the smuggler costumes. The vest looks alot like the Endor Commando's Vest, which seperates it from Han, I think. And the pants definately looks more like the Kyle Katarn Figure then Han.

 

[takevin]

agreed from above, although I would lose the helmet, its says to me more soldier then smuggler.

 

[Bradleyfett]

<div class='quotetop'>(takevin @ Aug 25 2006, 02:25 PM) [snapback]1306884[/snapback]</div>

agreed from above, although I would lose the helmet, its says to me more soldier then smuggler.
[/b]

I think this is outsanding. The sketches are great- right on the money. They fit the brilliantly simple ANH style well.

I've been delving into the SW extras look myself in coming up with a generic Tatooine/moisture farmer costume. Like you, I've been paying attention to the OT tech stuff- especially ANH. I think the best stuff is still in that movie. The look is very rough and non-tech with a little tech thrown in sometimes. The pilot types in the cantina have hints of WWII gear and very early space program stuff (probably a more russian look than US); early pressure suits, etc. I think the key is don't overthink it- throw stuff together (for real, in your mind, on paper, or otherwise), go with first impressions, refine a little, etc. Pretend you are having to throw together costumes for a dozen extras in a cantina or street type scene. Once you have some cool elements, then add some tech stuff and weather the frak out of it.

I can't wait to see the finished product.

And surely the Rebel Legion would accept you under 'smugglers'- I can't imagine all they want is a bunch of Han costumes in that category...

Mark

 

[Brianpettit]

Did a few more sketches...

Few changes to 1.0. Swapped helmets goggles from 2.0. Dropped the padding from the vest shoulder and moved it to the shirt sleeve. Not sure if I dig it but it was worth a shot. Raised the holster and added a girth belt in a natural color. Black gloves with white patches.



I remembered that I have a few 1970s motorcycle 3/4 helmets laying around. These may be a great base for a flight helmet. You can see the type of helmet I'm talking about here...
http://gasoline.jp/helmet.html
So the rest of the helmets are based off of that style...

Version 3.0
Jumpsuit in light green for this version. A lot of white padding on the sleeve and legs. Khaki color flak vest. Leather belt with drop holster and tool pockets. Dark grey gloves and boots. Khaki spats. Orange-copper type paint job on the helmet. This one looks a lot more like a pilot I think.

Version 3.1
Dropped the leg holsters and went with a cross draw style. Added a chest plate with a respirator on it. Shorty dark grey gauntlets. Dropped the spats. No padding on the suit but added padding to the flak vest. Darker color flak vest. Added a few pockets to jump suit. Dark red helmet paint with blast shield on the front. Also went with a range finder/targeting computer to the helmet. Also added a pilot's nylon strap harness.

Version 4.0
Dark red jacket with khaki. Was trying to go WWII "crusher cap" style with the head gear. Not really sure about it but, it was a attempt. Off white "battle" shirt. Light grey pilot harness. High holster. "Tank Assault" type range finder. Black trousers with thigh pockets. High dark brown spats over black boots. Dark brown gloves with off white patches.

Version 4.1
Went back to the orange color with khaki shoulders. Cream colored helmet with blast shield. Open lapel style shirt. Added a yellow-gold girth belt. Dropped the holster back down. Changed the thigh pocket flaps.


Thats about it for now...
I think I'm going to drop the backpack all together. Unless it is some kind of a breathing apperatus I don't see the need for it. Besides thats one less thing to build.


Again I like to hear everyone's opinions.

Brian

 

[reaper63]

I'm still liking Version 1. I think putting the ribbing on both the vest and the shirt might work best. I also like the shorter gloves. a Wrist comm unit like the Endor Commandos wear could be a good addition to that.

If you go with the gauntlets, then a comm unit on one of the wrists. like you have in Version 2. Similar to what Dash Rendar was drawn with.

I know I am adding a comm padd to the vest for my in progress smuggler costume to replace the crappy one I have listed on the RL

Personally, I think most of the designs you posted with the 3/4 helmet look more Fighter Pilot then smuggler. Version 3.1 would make a good concept pilot for a Z-95 I think (going by each fighter having a different looking costume in ROTJ)

Version 3.0 has alot more of a commando/soldier feel to me. even with the "Pilot" type helmet.

Both Version 4s have potential. I agree, the crush hat isn't working for me. It's just too "real world" but the jackets look good.

I am a fan of cross draw holsters. Although I don't always use it, I have a Cross draw holster for a DL-44 and for my Bryar blaster. I think it's something you don't see often and makes your costume stand out.

Of course so far I haven't used the Cross draw for the Bryar yet lol. Maybe the next event. Used the DL-44 cross draw all the time.

I also noticed that all the leg straps you've drawn all look like repelling harnesses, not the ones seen in the Pilot costumes. Interesting addition.

 

[Bradleyfett]

Another item I noticed being worn by some of Jabba's henchmen in the SE dockingbay 94 scene is a WWII leather flying helmet (pics stolen from ebay):

Mark

 

[takevin]

4.0 i think hits it the best for beinga smuggler captain..

 

[Obi_Don]

Love them All. I really like the ideas of doing Star Wars-esque costumes. I like Han's Blaster, and Luke's Saber, but I like the idea of having my version of those, Blast-tec DL 38 ;-).

Did you do the sketches your self or is that a program that does composits?

Very cool none the less.

Obi_don

 

[Weazel1]

Cool concepts, but do you really need to have a helmet or hat? I would imagine it would depend on the type of craft the smuggler/pilot would have, but a lot of your designs don't really need one. Just my $2 worth (adjusted for inflation )

Brian

 

[reaper63]

anything new with your project?

 

[DarkLordSalvo]

I like your illustrative style. Very "B-17" from HEAVY METAL. :thumbsup

I like 4.1, 4.0, and 1.0 in order.

 

[NOITAIDAR]

I really like your designs here mate, Especially 3.0. You mentioned that you like gauntlets, perhaps rather than something bulky along the fett lines, try something strapped onto the top of your forearm, with the short han-style smuggler gloves.

 

[Bradleyfett]

Hey Brianpettit,

Any update on this project?

So are you going to build the costume when you settle on an idea? If so, I can't wait to see some pics.

Mark

 

[WarEagle]

I like them all. I'm becoming an anti "canon nazi". Change stuff up, customize, shake up the hobby. Canon has it's place, but the standard characters weren't the only ones in the SW universe. We need more support character costumes, and fringe character costumes. Everyone loves the fan films that come out but lord have mercy on you if you wear a costume that's not accurate down to the last millimeter and correct thread count. Canon, canon, blah blah blah. Why cant we use the same creativity and talent associated with fan films and bring it to the costume world? As long as it's quality and looks good, wear it. Long live the SW EU.....

 

[Bradleyfett]

<div class='quotetop'>(WarEagle @ Sep 27 2006, 09:25 PM) [snapback]1327528[/snapback]</div>

I like them all. I'm becoming an anti "canon nazi". Change stuff up, customize, shake up the hobby. Canon has it's place, but the standard characters weren't the only ones in the SW universe. We need more support character costumes, and fringe character costumes. Everyone loves the fan films that come out but lord have mercy on you if you wear a costume that's not accurate down to the last millimeter and correct thread count. Canon, canon, blah blah blah. We cant we use the same creativity and talent associated with fan films and bring it to the costume world? As long as it's quality and looks good, wear it. Long live the SW EU.....
[/b]

Hear hear.

I have one caveat though: I'm actually a little sick of seeing EU costumes based on comics and other off-shoots. Not that the quality is bad, but these designs usually don't look very Star Wars- they are OK in the context of the comic, etc, but the just dont translate into real life. To me they always look like anime costumes.

Instead, I'd like to see more costumes based on what might be seen in one of the movies (OT, not so much the prequels)- what Brianpettit is attempting here is a great example of that.

However, it can be very easy to go 'off the ranch' when coming up with one's own 'original' Star Wars costume. How do you do an original design and still have it look Star Wars-y? The most common one people attempt are custom bounty hunters. I have seen good an bad results with these. The biggest mistake seems to be that folks make it all about the blasters and lightsabers and the rest of the costume is a little shoddy. There is a difference between 'weathered' and 'sloppy'.

Another direction that more people should look into is obscure characters that were actually in the movies. I have just put together a Tatooine civilian costume for those times when I want a more comfortable costume to wear at a SW event. I also recently did a Garindan costume- another great character that any SW fan will recognize. There are so many characters in the SW movies; I am suprised that so many folks have chosen to go down the EU road instead of doing one of these.

Just a few ideas that I haven't seen many people do:
Garindan
Dr. Evizan
Walrusman
other cantina aliens
cantina humans
Owen or Beru Lars (prequel or ANH)
ANH Rebel techs
Bespin civilians
Bespin guard
Cloud Car pilot
Jabba's Henchmen (ANH)
Lobot
Cloud City Ice Cream maker guy

And if you really want to, you can add a blaster or other prop where there wasn't one in the movie- Hasbro does this all the time to figures like cantina aliens, etc.

Mark

 

[Rodann]

Don't forget Bo Shek. He's actually my favorite, though obviously he looks more "pilot" than "smuggler".

<div class='quotetop'>(Bradleyfett @ Sep 27 2006, 06:41 PM) [snapback]1327577[/snapback]</div>

I have one caveat though: I'm actually a little sick of seeing EU costumes based on comics and other off-shoots. Not that the quality is bad, but these designs usually don't look very Star Wars- they are OK in the context of the comic, etc, but the just dont translate into real life. To me they always look like anime costumes.

Instead, I'd like to see more costumes based on what might be seen in one of the movies (OT, not so much the prequels)- what Brianpettit is attempting here is a great example of that.

[/b]

Amen.

Like with custom Mandos- Believe it or not, I'm not a huge fan of them, even though I built one. They always seem a bit too anime or "Mad Max". But I used a "Tusken/Jawa" bandolier, a "skiff guard" type vibro-axe, a custom Denix Mauser blaster similar to Han's, lightsaber/blaster rubber grip material on my shoulders and helmet, a Fett ROTJ EE3 barrel mounted to my arm, Clonetrooper shins and knees, and a few other EXISTING SW details to ground it in the movies.

Oh, and I like version 1.1 best. Back when I did MY custom "smuggler", I used a BSG jacket without the patches and pins. A little recognizable, though, but I've always liked that look. Tans and browns keep it away from looking too much like Han, too.