Hippie Predator Suit Build
For 2025, I wanted to step into unknown territory and do something I had never attempted before. That was to build a creature suit for cosplay, and when it came to choosing what path to take, for me there was only one choice. I had to make one of the most iconic creatures that had ever come out of Stan Winston's shop... the Predator!
Instead of purchasing a suit or the parts, I decided I was going to build it myself. Fortunately, I had not only the vast knowledge to be gained from the Stan Winston School of Character Arts fantastic courses but the support and encouragement of many members of the Hunter's Lair predator costume/prop community.
It all began with sculpting my first predator head out of WED clay last year. Fortunately I was able to get some great tips and learn how to work with it and mold and cast from the courses...
How to Make a Latex Rubber Mask - Tim Martin
And
How to Sculpt with WED Clay - Tim Martin
I also had to learn airbrushing, so I would not have been able to do any of this without the courses...
How to Airbrush - Craig Fraser
How to Paint a Monster Mask - Steve Wang
Taking all these various skills I have learned over the last year, I combined everything. So for the last month and a half I cast a latex head, made molds and cast polyurethane dreads, made a foam muscle suit and coated it in a latex skin, built foam armor, weapons, and a staff. It's been a hectic few weekends doing this all in the limited spare time I've had, but I'm proud of the results I've achieved bringing my take on Hippie from the Lost Tribe as seen at the end of Predator 2 to life.
Hope you enjoy!
https://youtube.com/shorts/8Sjbrh2Q8Xo?si=FiI25qhtLerd_t8Q
https://youtube.com/shorts/HmIv1SaS20I?si=ocsvkT70mWAaDUN1
https://youtube.com/shorts/t5mjRiV6X4Y?si=li8wtybpmqEyxvck
Instead of purchasing a suit or the parts, I decided I was going to build it myself. Fortunately, I had not only the vast knowledge to be gained from the Stan Winston School of Character Arts fantastic courses but the support and encouragement of many members of the Hunter's Lair predator costume/prop community.
It all began with sculpting my first predator head out of WED clay last year. Fortunately I was able to get some great tips and learn how to work with it and mold and cast from the courses...
How to Make a Latex Rubber Mask - Tim Martin
And
How to Sculpt with WED Clay - Tim Martin
I also had to learn airbrushing, so I would not have been able to do any of this without the courses...
How to Airbrush - Craig Fraser
How to Paint a Monster Mask - Steve Wang
And
Latex Mask Painting Techniques - Casey Love and Tim Gore
Then for the creature suit, I made my first muscle suit this March utilizing techniques picked up from the courses...
Muscle Suit Fabrication - Ted Haines
And
Make a Monster Suit - Alec Gillis
Then for the creature suit, I made my first muscle suit this March utilizing techniques picked up from the courses...
Muscle Suit Fabrication - Ted Haines
And
Make a Monster Suit - Alec Gillis
Taking all these various skills I have learned over the last year, I combined everything. So for the last month and a half I cast a latex head, made molds and cast polyurethane dreads, made a foam muscle suit and coated it in a latex skin, built foam armor, weapons, and a staff. It's been a hectic few weekends doing this all in the limited spare time I've had, but I'm proud of the results I've achieved bringing my take on Hippie from the Lost Tribe as seen at the end of Predator 2 to life.
Hope you enjoy!
https://youtube.com/shorts/8Sjbrh2Q8Xo?si=FiI25qhtLerd_t8Q
https://youtube.com/shorts/HmIv1SaS20I?si=ocsvkT70mWAaDUN1
https://youtube.com/shorts/t5mjRiV6X4Y?si=li8wtybpmqEyxvck
Post edited by Jacob Parr on
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