The unthinkable has happened...

[roundhammer]

So I was talking with my wife today at lunch and we got on the subject of "the predator costume". I don't know how we got on it, but that's irrelevant.

While I'm talking about it, she asks me where all I'll wear it.


I could only think of two events, Halloween, and the more important premiere of AvPII.



And then she pointed out, just two places? My Lord, she's right. I could wear it to a convention, but I've only been to one....ever. And that was almost 7 years ago. And the general area I'm in is not known to have any conventions.

So, two events, that's it. Then what? I really don't have a way of displaying this. I've spent a silly amount of money on this...for what?
God help me, when I realized this, I just can't think of this costume the same way. I don't know what to do, there's like this big wall there now in my mind.

I'm wondering if I should sell it now.

If any of you have something helpfull to say, or perhaps some idea that I've misssed, that once realized, will set me back on course...I'd like to hear it.

And before anyone even thinks it, I hold nothing against my wife! She was not saying this out of spite or disapproval. It just sprang up during our conversation.


Back to my sinking feeling.

 

[Drigan]

During the year when you're not wearing it I would set it up on display. Thats what I plan to do. So think of it as making a sweet replica that you can wear when an occasion arises.

 

[Brandon1]

i've done this a few times with a few things. Just think about how much you enjoy building it, if you still love what your doing then don't stop. Did you enjoy halloween and that convention? If it becomes a hassle to create your costume and you just feel like its not going as planned then maybe you should?
but i'm jsut assuming you don't, my guess is you still enjoy making the costume better and like most hobbies people sink money into and never get to see a penny back, but they still do it because they enjoy it.

one thing might help is to get a dummy, display it, show it off in your living room or hallway (if your wife will let you). that way you'll have a nice piece of artwork

 

[roundhammer]

Those are good points.

And I can't say working on it has always been fun, in fact, it can be pretty frustrating at times. I was working on it in the hope that when it was finished and I could wear it, it would kick all kinds of ass.

Seeing something finished that you worked your butt off for and realizing it's cool as all getout...that's the payoff for me.

 

[Master Hobbs]

you could wear pieces of it when to go shopping and stuff like that

 

[PredatrHuntr]

Dude, dont get your panties in a knot because you dont know how to display it when its not being worn! Buy yourself a mannequin and wa-la! Instand museum display piece that anyone who see it will admire.

The work you put into a suit is not something you can put a price on. Wear your suit when you see fit and have in display for all to see the rest of the time.

 

[darth siles]

Mmm... look at me, hehehe

I haven't finished my costume yet but i will wear it:

1.- In January 11th when my rock band will play a very special and freak concert hehe!
2.- In January 30th. My birthday, cause i'll make a costume party in my house!
3.- In final febraury, in Spain it's carnival (don't know if it's the correct word), and its like hallowen again
4.- In the AVP premiere

4 times... that's not bad!

 

[tjm023]

I often cross paths with my wife's opinions on my hobbies and collection. While she is pretty open minded and accepting, she is not a fan of predators or anything sci-fi related.
To a certain degree I see her point. These things can get bit expensive and they don't do mush. She use to say "Your buying that for what?" "What does it do?" "Are you going to sell it for more?" "You're going spend that mush on that!", etc... you get my point.
But then she realizes that it is not that bad. She often will see that other people have other interest that are more financialy and time cosuming. My neighbor is into hunting and often leaves his family for weeks on trips. Another neighbor is into quad-racers and spends quite the $$ and time on his ATVs on weekends.
My final point is, yeah your going to spend some money and time, but at least you're going to be around. Not only that, but you have only one life. IMO as long as is moral, safe and does not offend or cause harm to anyone, you should not deny yourself the pleasure of wearing a costume to live as a predator, even if it's for a few hours only. Live the moment and don't wonder "if you should have" or "what it would have been like".
Tom

 

[Paintninja]

Well here's my experience:

Made my first suit for Halloween four years ago, during such time I have worn it:

Halloween 2004
Halloween 2006 (after some upgrades learned here) and won $500.00 w/ it
This past August and Sept. helping a buddy promote an AVPVM paintball scenario,
He paid for my meals, motel stay and all play expenses for doing it.
Upcoming AVP2 opening weekend, I'm being paid $50.00 + 5 free passes for wearing
it at my local theatre.

So all in all it has definatly paid for itself at this point!

And otherwise it sets on display, will probably sell it after the first of the year.
Currently I'm building my second suit because if it pays off like the first one did,
in the end it will not cost me a dime to make. Predator suit ownership has it's perks!

Promote thy self, my brother! You'll find more reasons to wear it!!

 

[ronin1]

I wouldn't sell it unless you had an emergency and were strapt for the money...something real important.
Otherwise just keep it and display it on a mannequin.I feel you on what your saying though man.I plan on
finally making my suit after guesstimating 3 years of collecting pieces for my suit and selling some to get
different one's,you bet I'm gonna keep mine.When I don't wear it...then its gonna be a life size pred display
for me.Kinda like my own planet hollywood ya dig?! You put a lot of time and effort and thought
into that and it looked great to me...keep it if you can.

 

[Usurper]

So what with wearing it?

Display it , look at it , smile


JOB DONE

 

[dacacheman]

Journey is half the fun. Not the mention all the experience you've no doubt gathered whilest making the costume.

 

[Swingfire]

Ah, I have been here also, many times! Firstly I will agree that the journey is half the fun- well all the fun for me as I havent bloody finished!
Also, I just enjoy having all the bio's and heads and random bits of suit knocking around the place waiting to be modded/fitted/looked at in wonder as to what I can do with it!
I'd say one of the best examples is Bovine's Right Of Passage suit- look at that for modding! I think the beauty of this character is that it can be changed so many times once you have made one. Plus, I think once you have had your pred stuff lying around for a while you get used to it, but all your mates see it for the first time and are like '' Whoah! Is that a Predator head?! Does the bio have lasers??!! Check out the blades on that!'' Because they dont have it, you DO! Big boys toys at the end of the day. I dont plan to get any money back on what Im doing with it, I just think Predator kicks ass!
If all else fails- go and put yourself in front of the TV, turn off the lights, phone off the hook, get the beers in, turn up the volume, and whack predator on- Instant cure.

 

[shiakin]

Keep your chin up, dude, atleast you're doing something that you enjoy. If you wanted to make something you'd wear everyday you could buy some denim and make some jeans, but how fun would that be?

 

[Bovine13]

Everyone here has valid points. It is your suit to do with as you wish and see fit. Dont look at the suit as having to fill a purpose. It is something you wanted pretty bad or you would have never took on the challenge in the first place. Reflect on the reason you first started the suit and it will remind you of why you have put so much effort, time, and money into your creation. If for no other reason than the fact you are a true fan of the franchise and you wanted a piece of it for yourself. Keep the faith brother.

 

[Elderpred13]

I agree with everyone else. I have two preds., a Spawn, two batsuits, and a werewolf. I get to maybe three cons a year. I just bought new skins for a new pred I'll be making. My point is, this is our hobby, we enjoy it, hell, we love it. Keep the suit, check the net for cons you may be able to attend. Shoot man, put the thing on and go to the mall. See who gets mobbed more, Santa or you. Enjoy the suit, it's money well spent.

 

[roundhammer]

You all have made great points, for which I thank you.

After giving it some thought yesterday during the drive home from work, I decided...

I'm keeping my suit.

I'm not going to stop working on it

I'm not stopping...period!

I've come to far to just drop it all, and I've made a few sacrifices to get where I'm at now. This is part of my hobby, and hobbies usually call for lot's of time and money. I'll find a way to display it when "off duty", even if that means just displaying the collar, head and helmet.

There's always going to be something else I could have spent the time and money on. If I just dropped what I liked doing in order to do something practical, I'd have no hobby to speak of.

And I do NOT want to be one of those people who spends their entire time futzing with cutting their lawn, trimming the hedges and raking leaves.



I will be one of the choosen ones.

 

[PredatrHuntr]

You have chosen well my son...

 

[headdragon1]

I've come to far to just drop it all, and I've made a few sacrifices to get where I'm at now. This is part of my hobby, and hobbies usually call for lot's of time and money. I'll find a way to display it when "off duty", even if that means just displaying the collar, head and helmet.

Here is my thing with this subject. You say that this is your hobby then great, there should not have to be a reason to keep /finish your suit. You should be proud that you accomplished something with your hobby. My hobby started as taking tae kwon do years ago I put years of hard work into it and lots of money paying for tuition, gear, testings, uniforms, etc., and all I got to show physically for all this time and money was a belt that I got in class, testings, and other TKD events but I loved the feeling of acomplishment and excelllence when I was promoted to the next rank. It is those things that make a hobby worth it. The little things that are not what you cavn show everyone. With mine it was the confidence and ability to know that I am prepared to defend myself in many situations, The knowledge that I ahve used when it was needed to defend myself. Most people dont get to see that from my hobby but it was a "side dish" something that I gained but could not "wear". Eventually it paid off now I am teaching MA full time but that beside the point. So dont always expect something "physical" from your hobby just let it happen and take a mionute to look back at what it has done for you. There bound to be some knowledge that you gained from this experience.

 

[greyback]

Kinda a weird subject, I assumed if you started out making a suit like this you do it to have fun in the first place. I mean, why would you otherwise start commencing on building a suit? You have to spend your free time doing something anyway and I'm happy it's not trimming the hedge to perfection and waiting for an unwanted weath to pop up. Although the majority of the people are like this a few focus their attention on something else and actually do something productive with their time. Building a suit like that is being creative! It's different than drawing or painting but you are being creative, you make something from nothing and use your own imagination to let it happen. (and lots of latex and stuff too )
Good to see you've made the decision already