Best Of
Re: Any way to thin out faux fur?
@Clara McCourt Here's the kit I got: https://www.amazon.com/OMORC-Professional-Clippers-Operating-Stainless/dp/B076RDCJHQ/ref=sr_1_41?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1549516602&sr=1-41&keywords=dog+grooming+clippers For the price, I was skeptical, but I've been using it on all my furry projects and it's been absolutely wonderful so far. Seems to hold a charge incredibly well too, I let it charge when I first got it, and ever since, it's been sitting on my shelf with now-and-then use and I still haven't needed to plug it in again. And the guards it comes with her awesome too. Very useful little kit!
Sorry for the super late reply by the way, I never got a notification of a new reply 
Re: Any way to thin out faux fur?
@Chris Ellerby
Thanks for the input, right after I posted this I did some experiments.
I needed a new razor anyway, so I purchased a kit off Amazon that came with a "thinning" guard, which I've never actually seen for a razor (maybe I'm just oblivious, I'm not sure!), along with 3 different built-in length settings and a number of other guards. I posted some of my results (the cardboard head is just a prototype, I promise I don't really make costumes out of cardboard!).
This is what the fur looks like without any work done:
Now this is what it looks like razored down on the shortest setting, with no guard on the razor:
And this third picture shows a mix of cutting with the thinning guard and two different length settings on the razor itself. The left side of the piece is the thinning guard with the shortest cutting setting on the razor. The right side is the thinning guard with the LONGEST cutting setting, which cut away a lot of excess fur, but left a lot of the general length and guard hairs, just what I needed!
The pictures don't really do the work justice, I know. Looking back on them, you can't really see the difference between the first and last examples. But in person, I can assure that it worked like a charm! When the fur is moved, it is much less poofy/doesn't stand up as much when the thinning guard/cut setting combo is used. So all in all, problem solved, and I hope this helps anyone else with the same issue!
Thanks for the input, right after I posted this I did some experiments.
I needed a new razor anyway, so I purchased a kit off Amazon that came with a "thinning" guard, which I've never actually seen for a razor (maybe I'm just oblivious, I'm not sure!), along with 3 different built-in length settings and a number of other guards. I posted some of my results (the cardboard head is just a prototype, I promise I don't really make costumes out of cardboard!).
This is what the fur looks like without any work done:
Now this is what it looks like razored down on the shortest setting, with no guard on the razor:
And this third picture shows a mix of cutting with the thinning guard and two different length settings on the razor itself. The left side of the piece is the thinning guard with the shortest cutting setting on the razor. The right side is the thinning guard with the LONGEST cutting setting, which cut away a lot of excess fur, but left a lot of the general length and guard hairs, just what I needed!
The pictures don't really do the work justice, I know. Looking back on them, you can't really see the difference between the first and last examples. But in person, I can assure that it worked like a charm! When the fur is moved, it is much less poofy/doesn't stand up as much when the thinning guard/cut setting combo is used. So all in all, problem solved, and I hope this helps anyone else with the same issue!
Been lurking, but finally finished my Hollywood Gorilla Suit
Been a member for a few years and finally finished my Crash Corrigan Hollywood Gorilla Suit.
I started the process in 2018 with absolutely no experience. I joined the Ape Suit Cinema FB page and with the help of fellow Ape Suit members (Chris Walas being one) I pushed my way through.
I'm a huge fan of Hollywood Gorillas. They were not realistic in any sense of the word, but they were Hollywood's first monsters and they gave me my fair share of nightmares as a kid. Ray Crash Corrigan was my favorite Gorilla Man and Bonga being my favorite suit. I remember catching the movie THE APE on TV and the scene where Bonga the gorilla looks into the window of Boris Karloff's doctor office, then crashes through, traumatized me for years. Lol
Saying that, I present my Hollywood Gorilla Suit. I sculpted his face in WED and hand tied kanekalon to a mesh shirt and pants. It has a basic underskull with lip curl mechanism.
These pictures are my inspiration and nightmare maker. Ray Corrigan and Bonga:
My suit:
I started the process in 2018 with absolutely no experience. I joined the Ape Suit Cinema FB page and with the help of fellow Ape Suit members (Chris Walas being one) I pushed my way through.
I'm a huge fan of Hollywood Gorillas. They were not realistic in any sense of the word, but they were Hollywood's first monsters and they gave me my fair share of nightmares as a kid. Ray Crash Corrigan was my favorite Gorilla Man and Bonga being my favorite suit. I remember catching the movie THE APE on TV and the scene where Bonga the gorilla looks into the window of Boris Karloff's doctor office, then crashes through, traumatized me for years. Lol
Saying that, I present my Hollywood Gorilla Suit. I sculpted his face in WED and hand tied kanekalon to a mesh shirt and pants. It has a basic underskull with lip curl mechanism.
These pictures are my inspiration and nightmare maker. Ray Corrigan and Bonga:
My suit:
Re: Learning with ADHD??
lists and schedules have been key for me, I have resisted them my whole life, but now know I cant reach goals with out them. bullet journals have been a really helpful way for me to organize my mind into a physical space I can see.
Re: Learning past 40, looking for new friends on new paths.
Hi! Nice to meet all of you. I've been dabbling in a lot of different things- human resource, marketing, events, content writing, costume jewelry, crafts and lastly SFX. I've decided this upcoming year that I'm going to dedicate myself to fully venture in special effects. Opportunities are a bit limited where I am located (as well as getting a hold of professional supplies takes some time), but I'm not going to let it hinder me. Feel free to connect with me on IG: sfxhorrorsolutions
Re: Learning past 40, looking for new friends on new paths.
another here in a very similar position and about to make my first moves with the course . Spent 2 years glassblowing trying to achieve the most realistic glass eyes for creatures in a denial that there was a better medium for the task . Well I’ve accepted and I’m here .
Re: What's a project disaster YOU overcame?
I'll start off with one of my project disasters.
I was tasked with creating a mutant rat for a film project. The rat was going to be eaten by a zombie during one of the shots.
The Plan:
What Actually Happened:
Seeing as my sculpted rat was covered in cat hair, molding it would have been a mess, and there was not enough time to re-sculpt. So I cut off the head and limbs and used fabric to re-attach them so they were nice and floppy. I then cut the body in half and ran a rubber band down the center so it could be ripped apart and snap back together when released. Next, I covered the entire sculpture in multiple layers of pigmented latex to build up a nice skin, embedded some beads for eyes, and added some fake claws to its little feet using toothpicks. Finally, I laid hair all over the outside and wrapped some latex nurnies around the internal rubber band to simulate tearing flesh.
The end product was surprisingly good for an unfinished rush-job sculpture lacking any real details. And the heavy clay body and floppy appendages made it disturbingly lifelike to hold. Thankfully "mutant rat" leaves some room for interpretation!
It also doesn't hurt that zombies typically eat mutant rats in dimly lit environments.
Your turn!
/Chris
I was tasked with creating a mutant rat for a film project. The rat was going to be eaten by a zombie during one of the shots.
The Plan:
- Sculpt a zombie rat
- Mold and cast in silicone
- Articulate it so the head and limbs could flop around
- Have the torso split so it could be ripped in half and reset for multiple takes
- Lay/punch hair
What Actually Happened:
- Sculpted a zombie rat to about 80% completion
- Left it on my workbench overnight while I slept
- Woke up to discover my cat appreciated the rodent likeness, and had been rolling all over the sculpture, embedding cat hair into every bit of the clay surface and deforming things a bit
Seeing as my sculpted rat was covered in cat hair, molding it would have been a mess, and there was not enough time to re-sculpt. So I cut off the head and limbs and used fabric to re-attach them so they were nice and floppy. I then cut the body in half and ran a rubber band down the center so it could be ripped apart and snap back together when released. Next, I covered the entire sculpture in multiple layers of pigmented latex to build up a nice skin, embedded some beads for eyes, and added some fake claws to its little feet using toothpicks. Finally, I laid hair all over the outside and wrapped some latex nurnies around the internal rubber band to simulate tearing flesh.
The end product was surprisingly good for an unfinished rush-job sculpture lacking any real details. And the heavy clay body and floppy appendages made it disturbingly lifelike to hold. Thankfully "mutant rat" leaves some room for interpretation!
Your turn!
/Chris
Re: Subspecies creature puppet sizes
Hi John,
I'm not sure what the puppet scale is, but you may be able to hunt down more information via prop collector websites. Someone out there may have one of the originals. Otherwise, you may have to find a shot that includes an item of known scale for reference. If you can find behind-the-scenes photography that can be a big help.
Best of luck!
/Chris
I'm not sure what the puppet scale is, but you may be able to hunt down more information via prop collector websites. Someone out there may have one of the originals. Otherwise, you may have to find a shot that includes an item of known scale for reference. If you can find behind-the-scenes photography that can be a big help.
Best of luck!
/Chris
Re: Learning with ADHD??
Organizational tools like Jordan mentioned are a huge help for me as well. I write lots of lists and notes in Evernote, which I can access from any of my devices, and it has been a huge help for over a decade. I track personal and work projects using Trello. I still need to get better about calendar management though. Having deadlines is also super important, especially when juggling a lot of things at once.
/Chris
/Chris
Learning with ADHD??
I was diagnosed with ADHD at 40, its been two years of me learning about my ADHD, and how its effected me. Explains why I failed Grade 9 twice, dropped out, and never thought about school again. prevented me from focusing on my goals and I never understood whey till now. I never knew how to keep focused on anything and am finally learning why, and how to build the tools and routines to help me succeed. I imagine I'm not alone here. what are your struggles with staying focused? what tools help you the best for keeping focused on your courses?