"Traitor's Race: A Han Solo Adventure"- Full fan film build log (Pic Heavy)

[Gearhead]

you've got some talent there mate.your props look really great,do you make props for a living?good luck with the film.

Thanks so much for saying so, Stussy! That's a high compliment. No, I don't make props for my primary living, but like virtually everyone here, I've been making props and costumes since I was a boy, and have been supplementing my income by hiring out my services to stage and screen for several years now. While this build log is focusing primarily on the artistic side of things,we'll be documenting the full production journey over at our Indiegogo page. I encourage everyone scanning this thread to check it out if they haven't already!

 

[Gearhead]

Happy Sunday, Chaps and Chapettes!I had the opportunity to start in on the first set of Imperial armor for our project here. In keeping with the spirit of frugality (read: We're still operating on the cheap until crowdfunding takes off, XD) and because I have wanted to try my hand at foamsmithing for some time, all the armor for "Traitor's Race" is being fabricated out of that most ubiquitous (and forgiving) of mediums, EVA foam.

Rebellions may be built on hope, but even an audacious little SW nerd like me should tackle something as recognizable as Imperial Armor without decent templates. For that, I turned to the amazing work of Christian Alvarez Martinez, or StormTroopTemplates as he's known on Etsy.
Christian, if you happen to be here on the RPF, my heartiest thanks!

 

[Gearhead]

The seams are a bit rubbish, but it's my first time taking a bash at something like this. Besides, that's what DAP and plasti-dip is for. It's called "finishin" for a reason.

The first Light Infantry helmet, while obviously being a bit "rough and ready" at first glance, actually doesn't look too bad! Detailing, paint and distressing will cover a myriad of missteps. And hey... it's just a prototype. The next one will look a good deal more refined!

 

[Gearhead]

Happy Christmas Eve-Eve, gang!
Having a few days off of work means that I was able to spend a little more time at my workbench.
Here are the most recent progress shots of the prototype a-295.

Cutting some the section of steel tubing for the barrel and upper receiver. Since the A-295 is based off the STG-44 as opposed to the m16, having the appropriate contours really sells the "surplus" look of the blaster.

Rough layout of the main body. I left the barrel a bit on the long side so I could trim it down later if need be. Better to cut too long than too short.

While a router would have been more "proper", the joins between the tubing and the wood are going to be so thoroughly obscured by greeblies that I opted to simply dremel out a channel to help the tubing seat properly. Besides, who doesn't love the smell of cedar sawdust?

 

[Gearhead]

Tubing seated and screwed into place. The screws are placed at strategic intervals so as to provide structural integrity, but also so that they are covered by other elements of the prop.

Drilling out the trigger well begins. A 1/2 inch spade bit begins the process.

After a few minutes of careful routing with the "wood eraser", the recessed trigger starts to take shape.

 

[Gearhead]

Some progress on our first Light Infantry Trooper.

 

[13doctorwho]

Your work is really impressive. Filming will hide a lot of imperfections, so you're work is going to look great!!!

 

[Gearhead]

Your work is really impressive. Filming will hide a lot of imperfections, so you're work is going to look great!!!

Thanks, 13Doctorwho! We are very much leaning into the concept of small imperfections, because the 1977 original was riddled with them. As you say, the camera will gloss over any egregious faults (which we will likely avoid, anyway) but we want the hand-built look of everything to still translate well.

 

[Gearhead]

A Merry Christmas Eve to everyone!
While we cannot avoid using a 3D model for certain shots, we are going to utilize models and miniatures wherever possible. Just unpacked this EU-exclusive display Falcon. Chosen because the proportions are very close to the original, and it's much larger in scale than most available models. It's in obvious need of some TLC (radar dish missing, quad laser missing) but that will all be handled by our miniatures expert, Max Grabow. He will be giving this ship a proper repaint as well as replacing the missing bits.

Check out Max's page to see more of what he does- Models by Max

 

[Gearhead]

Happy Life Day/whatever ya'll may be celebrating today!
Between the figgy pudding and bowls of smoking bishop, I had a few hours to do a bit more work on the prototype A-295.

Dremeling out the counters between barrel and upper receiver.

Trimmed the barrel down to a more acceptable, less sniper-y length.

As I was snapping the next photo, there was a sudden flurry (furry?) of activity...

Construction of arms for the Rebel Alliance was momentarily halted by the unexpected arrival of a small, furry Imperial spy who demanded many pets in order to buy her silence.

 

[NakedMoleRat]

Sith Cat!

 

[13doctorwho]

That's not Chewbacca?

 

[Gearhead]

Sith Cat!

She does have the look, doesn't she?

"Once more the Sith shall rule the galaxy... and we shall have tuna."

 

[Gearhead]

That's not Chewbacca?

Not unless Chewie has lost a good deal of height in his old age and has developed a suspicious affinity for Meow Mix.

 

[Scote]

Well that's a neat breakdown on your operation. Thanks for that.

I will sign up.

 

[Gearhead]

Well that's a neat breakdown on your operation. Thanks for that.

I will sign up.

Thank you, Scote! We tried to provide as detailed and as transparent a breakdown as we could. Every little bit goes towards making something really cool!

 

[Gearhead]

With the application of some judciously-applied foam, it's starting to look like something!

Starting my poor man's variant of the infamous "Revell Piston."

 

[JonnieLP]

Thanks much, Jonnie! It's a bold step forward for our little production crew, and we'll be documenting everything from start to finish. Not just for our own post-release enjoyment, but for the potential edification of folks like yourself who might be embarking on similar projects!

Nice to hear that [emoji1303] Can’t wait to see the final results [emoji1]

 

[Gearhead]

With a spot of dressing up, it doesn't look half bad. Final detailing to come later.

I've elected to brush down all the foam ebellishments with liquid super glue after letting everything cure. This not only makes the foam easier to fill and sand wherever necessary but also helps with paint adhesion.

 

[Gearhead]

Slowly but surely, the familiar textures we first saw in the trenches of Hoth is taking form...

Wrapping on the barrel shroud and detailing on the"gas cap."
The main body of this blaster is nearly complete!