Rewind: Build Your Own Shoulder Puppet

Here is a tutorial  mentioned three years ago that I think deserves a second look.  It's one of the neatest puppet how-to's out there.

Make Magazine has a neat mini-article on building your own shoulder puppet similar to the ones sold by Woodbaby.  Go here for more details.

Inspiration: I Am Legend

From Steve Johnson's Youtube channel is another amazing behind-the-scenes video.  This time around it's a look at a early make-up/animatronic test for what could have been the monsters from I AM LEGEND.  For those who do not know in the film they decided to go the CGI route with the monsters which audience members didn't exactly approve of.

As much as I like phsyical creature fx over CGI.  I have to admit that the creature design here looks a altered version of actor Michael Berryman.  Judge for yourself if the right decision made:

Build a Articulated Robotic Hand

This tutorial from Indy Mogul's BFX is the perfect thing for my Bioshock Big Daddy costume and for anyone needing a good giant robotic hand.  It can even be modified for a Hellboy cosplay hand.  Oh, the possibilities.

Links-O-Rama 7-30-10

Here are a few links that you may have missed out by not joining the Lost in Schlock Facebook page:

Bob Burns remembers creature fx/puppeteer/monster suit maker Paul Blaisdell

Inspiration: A Re-Animated Limb Prop

Learn how to build simple mache fake rocks 

Tons more of great tutorials and inspirational vids can be found over at the Lost in Schlock Facebook page. Join today!

Build a Man-Eating Plant

Indy Mogul BFX has one of the coolest tutorials I have ever seen anywhere.  It's a how-to video on building a man-eating plant that opens up it's petals for its fiendish attack.  It's one of the coolest creature puppet builds out there.  Check it out and stick around for the bonus severed finger green screen trick:

Inspiration: Someone Has Built The Animatronic Halo Elite Suit

A trio of hardcore Halo fans have made an animatronic Halo Elite Suit!  I gotta say that this costume is just pure awesome not just because of it's startling height or detail, but the time it took to craft such a thing is a true show of pure fan dedication.   Go here to see some more pics of the finished costume and a brief video of the suit's build process.

Terra's Lair

This morning I stumbled upon a great and resourceful Youtube channel for any prop maker, set designer, or home haunter showcasing a treasure trove of tutorials and behind-the-scenes of some of the sets/props that a woman named Terra has made for her own home haunts called Terra's Lair. 

Go here to see the full set of vids and be sure to see her fantastic blog which also features tons of helpful hints not just for home haunters but for set and prop makers as well.

A PAIR OF EYEBALL TUTORIALS

Apologies for the late post but here are two great tutorials on building cheap eyeballs. It's the perfect thing for any home haunt, monster figure, or even to put in a specimen jar.

Build a Realistic Eyeball with Muscle (via Haunt Forum)

Easy Eyes (via Haunt Project)

BUILD A SHIATSU MASSAGER PSYCHO PROP

BUILD YOUR VERY OWN ZOMBIE CONTROLLER

It's what every household or secret lab should have. Fun for the whole family! The full details here.

The article also mentions shiatsu zombies and in case you're wondering what that is, here is a link to clear things up.

BTW, all of this is over at the Haunt Forum - a fantastic place of all of your home haunting needs.

BIG DADDY

There have been a good handful or more of Big Daddy replica costumes from the game BIOSHOCK, but by far this has to go on record as being the most perfect. The animatronic hand and the rest of the work involved is what makes it in my mind pure awesome. Go here for a full detail breakdown of the build and drool, because if you're like me, you will want one too.

TENTACLE ANIMATRONICS

I've recently been on a TREMORS kick and one of the most perplexing things for me is how they created the snake/tentacle puppets for the film.

In my research for the answer I've stumbled upon this great forum which may have some of the answers to that question and more. If anyone is interested, check it out here.

SIMPLE MOTOR ANIMATIONS EXPLAINED

This is geared towards people who have haunted yards or houses for the Halloween season, but there is still something to be learned in this article which explains the principles and applications behind simple motors.

The knowledge can then be applied to your own animatronic puppet or monster for any future flick of yours. Check it out.

ANIMANTRONIC PUPPET KITS

I'm new the use of RC controlled puppets but like the idea of how certain puppets can be made and controlled through the use of those techniques. I've been researching it a bit and discovered Blue Point Engineering which sells some reasonably priced starter kits to help one get on the right path. Here are a few Youtube clips of their kits in action.




Has anyone used any of these kits or is there a better place for this kind of thing?