My Summer Slaycation

I am in the middle of working on a horror short film so posts here will pretty much light till August.  For those interested I have been keeping a journal of sorts of the film's progress here.

One of the challenges is that because this is a shoe-string budget, I cannot afford Airsoft's prices on machine guns or even rental fees.  I've tried toy shops but the guns are either too science fiction or too pricey.  The internet and places like Ebay are not much help either.  So what do I do when I need assault rifles?  I build them out of cardboard and paper mache.

When in doubt make it out of paper mache

I made a template using a image of a assault rifle found on the net and ran it through Rasterbator.  I then cut out sections of the gun out of cardboard and glued styrofoam in between the parts.  At the moment I am now in the mache phase.

The guns may look cheap but the trick is to keep the shots involving the guns wide and fast.  The less time the guns are on-screen the better.

How to Build a Paper Mache and Led Skull

Here's a neat tutorial on building a paper mache skull lit with a LED light inside.  It's the perfect weekend project.  More here.

Hilary Scott

From Dave Lowe's blog is this cool and inpirational vid of sculptor of Hilary Scott that I just had to share with everyone here.  Video after the jump.

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!

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)

BUILD A SPELL BOOK STATIC PROP

Here is a awesome tutorial on creating a paper mache spellbook albeit a static prop version of one, but quite a great looking one.  (via Haunt Forums)

The site also has another Spell Book prop which can be used instead of being static.  Also be sure to see the many other brilliant tutorials the site offers.

PROP INSPIRATION: BUSTER GRAVESLEY

From the fantastic propmaking site Stolloween comes this utterly amazing prop build which was made from recyclable parts including a box that once contained a Rock Band video game system.  Full details here.

MANY THANKS TO DAN FROM MONSTER-MAKER

I just wanted to give many thanks to Dan from Monster Man who was generous enough to donate to my monster making fund (which can be seen on the sidebar to the right). So be sure to visit his amazing site which contains a vast array of fantastic and brilliantly crafted monsters all from using paper mache and vids. You can even check out his studio in VR!

Now I'm off to gather ghoulish supplies (going to Hobby Lobby) so I can make some new monsters to share on this site. Thanks, Dan!

BUILD A PAPER MACHE SKELETON

Here is a cool tutorial on making a skeleton out of paper mache. Very useful when one is quickly needed on a low budget. Check it out.

DIY PAPER MACHE SKULLS

If you are in need for a small collection of replica skulls but are tight on budget here are two nifty tutorials on making a replica skull using paper mache that should help you out:

Tutorial #1
Tutorial #2

BUILD YOUR OWN VENTRILOQUIST PUPPET

It's a bit difficult finding any good reference material or video tutorials on building a ventriloquist dummy out there on the intertubes. Fortunately, I found this website which has kindly written a complete how-to on building one on your own. The whole thing can be read online and it's free. Check it out.

I also wholeheartedly recommend Mr D's Daily Ventriloquist's Journal. It's a blog which is written by artist, ventriloquist performer, and often restorer all things related to the topic.

The cool thing about his blog is not only do you pick up a few tricks of the trade on puppetry and their occasional need for restoration, but you can honestly see how much the writer loves what he does. Well worth a visit.

PAPIER MACHE LINKS

One of the many forms of art that I dig is papier mache. You can create almost anything from some of the simplest supplies including bits of newspaper and glue. If you don't believe me check out these links:

The Papier Mache Workshop - a group that has formed on Hauntspace, a site similar to Myspace but geared home and business haunters, which discusses paper mache techniques, tips, and a gallery to show off some of their work. A highly recommended site to check out. If anyone signs up for Hauntspace let me know if it's worth the effort.

The Papier Mache Resource - a UK based site that has become the premier site for anyone who really wants to get serious with their papier mache skills. There are tons of mache based artwork to be found here for inspiration and of course tutorials on getting you on the right path.

Dr. Squid - my good friend Joe Sherlock has been making groovy papier mache monsters and giant insects for quite some time now and uses them in various of his own horror flicks. His blog is well worth a look for those wondering if you too can do the same thing for your next movie.

And if you are skeptical about what can be made with papier mache then let me show this to you:This is from artist Kim Graham and this just shows you that, yes, anything is possible when it comes to this art form.

THE BUGMAN ATTACKS!

Over at Dr Squid's lab indie filmmaker Joe Sherlock has made this wicked cool Bugman mask for a upcoming movie. It was made mostly of paper mache and found parts including plastic Easter eggs. Very groovy! More pics of the mask's building process can be found here. Check it out!