wearing the 3PO suit experience !

[xeno]

guess the 3po builders board is running a bit empty so lets try here

I am contemplating to make the 3PO I have wearable, and have set a 1 year deadline to do it for a convention,(I built three R2's last year)
and wanted to ask about your experience in wearing the suit.

what do you like and dislike with the decisions you made on the buildup, and do you have trouble with the suit, like pinching body parts

, and damage due to wearing.

I know the eyes are not great to see around, but how much visibility do the eyes have and is improvement possible ?
I was thinking about using lenses or door spy in the eye to improve the view around.

and about the sticking out parts, pistons !, do they break a lot, and is metal a must ?

those are the questions for now

http://www.xenoweb.nl/c3po_intro.html

 

[division 6]

I don't own a suit but wear one my friend has (I'm the only one that fits)
I've worn it at 3 Charity Premiers (Ep 2,3 in SF and Modesto), 1 party (first time wearing it) and 2 Return of Pink 5 shoots in the forest.

The one I have worn is a vacformed copy off a SU suit not the Disney walk around that is larger.

First off you can't be claustrophobic.
I'm not, but almost totally freaked out the first time once the head was put on and the lights in the eyes blinded me.

Make sure there are no sharp edges.

Movement is limited.
pants go into legs.
Legs need to be hinged at the knee.
They should also be suspended from your upper body so the bottoms don't dig into the top of your feet.

Make sure the shoes and foot plates are loose enough not to kill your feet.
Suggest adding parts on with velcro as glue will not stretch.
First try at it felt like my foot was in a vise.cry

Your arms go numb after a short time because of the rings at the shoulders.
Arms also need to be attached to upper body or they will slip down and rest on your wrist. (Painful)

Head fit is tight especially on the ears.
Can pinch while installing.

Neck ring must be trimmed to be comfortable and so head can move easily. I used metallic card stock from Michaels.(nice mirror finish)
Double stick tape in the back seam.

Only source of air is the small mouth opening suggest installing a fan.

Vision it through the small holes.
If you can get the entire eye clear with a way to mask off the lights than vision will be better otherwise the lights will blind you especially in dark environments.
Mirrored lensed may work.

Always have a handler or 2 near by at all times especially if walking around or in a crowd, cause if you go over that's it.

Remember bathroom first and limit drinks since the pants are the first thing on and last thing off.

Takes 2-3 people to put it on you and take it off.

Well that will get you started.

Some pix.

E...

 

[jonny5]

I can not stress the importance of handlers too much.
People lose their minds when they see a good C-3PO.
Go unescorted at your own peril.

Working as crowd control for R2 and a 3PO at the WSMI
opening in Philly PA earlier this year was an eye opener.

People get up close to costumed performers and everyone wants Vader to 'force choke' them, or the stomies to arrest them, or a hug from Leia, or try out the Jedi's lightsaber. I've seen 3PO go ignored by scores of Jedis, X-wing pilots, Stormies, Padme's and Leia's all busy posing for pictures.

3PO handlers need to be 'very personable a-holes'.
Able to politely move people in and out of the photo op area so no one has the time to get too clingy, and able to authoritatively disperse the crowd, like event security, when the perfomer has an urgent issue and needs to get backstage quickly.

IMHO, 3PO needs at least one non costumed handler who is not 'on' for the cameras. I suggest a burly guy in a black tee shirt and mirrored sunglasses. Someone whose very demenor says 'you will show respect to my very expensive, golden friend'.

This should not be somone who you just met backstage at the event.
They should know how to get you out of (and into) the costume quickly in case of emergency. This person is your lifeline, your oxygen supply, your escape pod.

I will never fit into a 3PO costume. My utmost respect goes to anyone who wears the 'golden sunblock'. Someone puts on Jedi robes or an X-wing outfit and they can pretty much stand there and look decent.

3PO on the other hand cannot ever slouch or lose focus.
He can't pick his nose, or scratch his butt.

You said you've built R2's. I'm sure you've been to an event with R2. You know how people react. Time stops, while everyone wants to get a picture.

Kids dressed as Jawas can escort R2.
The difference is R2 can go 'offline'. It doesn't matter if the operator stops controling him for 5 or 10 minutes to chat with someone. The lights will still blink the sound can be on a loop.

IMAGINE BEING PACKED INSIDE YOUR R2 FOR A 6 HOUR APPEARENCE.

That is what it is like to be a C-3PO costumer.

 

[division 6]

The girl in the top 2 pix (Stacy) is usually my handler, Ex Marine.
Tracy the other Imp is a big guy and is also my handler.
Since they have worn Storm Troopers they know for the most part what to expect.

The handler has to be be able to know the needs of the costumer.
If moving location I usually have 2 people, one holding my arm giving instructions and on behind in case anything happens.

It's kinda like being a toddler with your parents keeping a hold on you so you don't fall and hurt yourself.

They need to have good communication and constantly get updates from you and make adjustments to the costume (see pic 1)
Let you know what's happening.

And don't let people hit you in the head.:angry
Any helmet wearers know what I mean.


When doing a venue put on the head last.
Arms just before that.

Worst thing I have had happen was getting kissed on my only source of air by drunk old women, especially with a dozen news cameras on at the time.:sick
Happened a couple times.:wacko

E...

 

[jonny5]

Whoa! That can't be good for the paint!

Worst thing I have had happen was getting kissed on my only source of air by drunk old women, especially with a dozen news cameras on at the time.:sick

 

[AlpineDarthMaul]

Whoa! That can't be good for the paint!

Good tips everyone.... I'm working on a Threepio myself and I can't wait for the first time I get to troop with it on. There are quite a few things about it that seem pretty scary, but I'm ready to go for it!

Also, I've been waiting forever for the flexible shorts to go with my suit...
Does anyone know where I may pick up some vaccufromed or fiberglass shorts? (or have some flexible ones lying about the place?) lol

 

[division 6]

As long as the pants are fitted properly you don't need rubber ones.
Make sure they are held up.

After a couple outings I used a modified weight belt (like you use working in stores or shops) with velcro added where needed to suspend parts from straps attached to the belt.
Make the leg attachments like garters strapped front and back but attached low enough in the leg to go up under the pants.
Pants attach as well but leave enough space for the belly wrap to slip into the top all the way.

I use the same belt and system for my desert trooper.

Keep in mind that the way 3PO walks is the only way you can walk, movement is limited at both the knee and upper leg.

 

[rackey01]

Great info!