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.

Costume Inspiration: Jurassic Park

Although it's not really a tutorial, I found this cool video on someone who built a dinosaur puppet costume inspired bu Jurassic Park.  Enjoy!

A Look At the Props and Sets of DOCTOR WHO

Here is an amazing collection of prop and set photos for DOCTOR WHO from prop maker and set designer Mark Cordory.  From his website he picked up the prop making bug while playing and running various LARP (live action role playing) games.  Proof that your passions can lead you to greater and better things.

Besides his work on DOCTOR WHO, Cordory has also been busy making a Cthulhu creature suit and other TV and Film projects.  Well worth the visit!

(h/t to Propnomicon)

How to Build a Monster: A Look at Alex Pardee's Monster Hunter

Artist Alex Pardee has created a surreal and amazing series of photos called THE MONSTER HUNTER which includes the old fashion person in a monster suit.

Over at Propnomicon is some details as to how the creature suit was made including the tidbit how the teeth was made from Crayola Model Magic. It's a great read for those interesting in making their own monster suit.

Check it out here.

See Alex Pardee's The Monster Hunter photo series here.

Weekend Links: 8-13-11

Here are a few links you may have missed here or on the Facebook page:

Take a look at how forced perspective has been used in films from the past to the present

Discover how Silicone Paste can be used to create some nasty scars and wounds

Learn how to revamp a cheap plastic Halloween cauldron and turn it into something far more unique

Be amazed by this Wheatley puppet inspired by the hit video game PORTAL 2

Have your mind blown by this dragon puppet by the upcoming HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON live show.

The Cicada Princess

It's been a long time since I have mentioned any puppet related items here and this is too good not to share.  For years I have been kicking around the idea of meshing puppeteering with stop motion so I am glad to have discovered THE CICADA PRINCESS which does all of that and more.

Watch the vid:

Cicada Princess from Mauricio Baiocchi on Vimeo.

Go to the official site for more details in this amazing project and even help out by donating to it.

(h/t to Puppetvision)

Inspiration: A Treasure Trove of Behind the Scenes Videos of Ghostbusters 2

Much like the Steve Johnson Ghostbusters video are three more vids making the rounds  This time around for the sequel..  The first video showcases some optical effects alongside miniatire work and a bit of bluescreen puppeteering.  Not to mentiom a peek at Vigo.
The second video showcases the puppeteering involved with a far different made Slimer puppet.

The third video showcases how the Vigo painting effect was pulled off along with the real voice of the actor who played the film's main villain.

Check it out:

Puppet Design Explained

Emily DeCola

From Eric Hart's Prop Agenda is this cool vid that I want to share with you on puppet design with Emily DeCola (The Puppet Kitchen) who you may have seen in a few other related tutorials that I have posted in the past.  Enjoy!

Video here.

Find out more at The Puppet Kitchen.

Behind-the-Scenes: Movie Magic

Update:  The links below are now dead.  Here is the new link:  http://www.joda-entertainment.nl/mm

Over at Slash Film is a super-cool collection of twelve episodes of the 1994 Discovery Channel show Movie Magic;

Snipped from IMDB:

Documentary series dealing with every aspect of special effects in movies, from low-budget make-up to multi-million-dollar computer-generated graphics. The clear presentation includes descriptions of the creation and technical problems of the effects, and interviews with effects technicians, directors, stars and other crew. Each episode deals with one topic, effect or technician (eg theme park rides, CGI, Stan Winston), concentrating on one or more current or recent films. Written by Cynan Rees


Each episode is still a treasure trove of useful information for anyone interested in visual or special effects, prop building, creature fx, and miniatures.

Go here to see the vids.

Flocking Made Cheap

A example of flocking on a puppet

Snipped from Wikipedia:




For all of you puppet builders, miniature landscape artists, and prop makers out there who are in need to flock your project, I have found a handful of fantastic vids for you.  The best part is that they do not require the sometimes expensive equipment needed.


Warning: Since some flocking tutorials involve soldering and electricity build these at your own risk.

Creature Puppet How-To: Build a Replica "Alien" Chestburster

Here is a ultra-cool way of building a latex replica of the Alien Chestburster puppet. 

What makes this tutorial far more special is that the same techniques used to make one can be applied to any other puppet of your own design.

Full details here.

Steve Johnson VFX Archives on Youtube

I recently discovered that visual effects and monster maker extraordanaire Steve Johnson has a Youtube channel.  On the channel he has been posting never before seeen (even on DVD or Blu-Ray) vids and pics of some of his past accumulated 30 years of work in the movie VFX industry.  This includes goodies such as behind-the-scenes looks at the Slimer puppet from GHOSTBUSTERS and the Pencil Gag from FRIGHT NIGHT.

Go here to watch his amazing vids.

A couple of my fave Steve Johnson vids:

Restoring Oscar

Here is a neat vid of the restoration of the werewolf prop, "Oscar", from the film American Werewolf in London which currently resides at Bob Burns basement.


 

(via The Replica Forum)

Tom Spina Designs
Bob Burns Official Site

Inspiration: Build a Life Size Alien Queen Replica

So you have built a ALIENS Power Loader and now find yourself needing something extra to complete the coolness of the mech suit. 

How about build a life-size replica of the Alien Queen?  It's the perfect accessory to have while wearing the Power Loader. 

The complete instructions can be found here.

Learn how to build a ALIENS Power Loader here.

Let Jim Henson Teach You How to Make Puppets

Jim Henson with some of his creations

It's been awhile since I last discussed anything puppet related so here is a fantastic vid to change that.  It kinda makes me wish that the Jim Henson company would start a new series on puppets in terms of how they are made and animated.

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:

Paper Mache Dragon Marionette

Here is a neat vid, from Dan The Monster Man and his site Gourmet Paper Mache, on the creation of a cool paper mache dragon marionette.  Go here to see more of his wonderful works and a cool 360 degree panaoramic virtual tour of his art studio. (via Buzzfeed)

Behind-The-Scenes: Critters 1 and 2

Here are some brief behind-the-scenes vids on the puppets for Critters 1 and 2 featuring the Chiodo Brothers.

Inspirational Video: The Grimstones

Find the Grimstones website over here.