How to Fabricate a Monster Suit Part 5 - Kaiju Costume Finishing & On-Set Rehearsal

Ted Haines

Free 7-Day Trial

In part 5 of this colossal Kaiju suit course, expert FX fabricators Bill Bryan & Ted Haines guide their student teams through the final steps in the monster-making process. Covering a broad range of finishing techniques, Bryan & Haines share their approaches to bringing it all together, including how to "skin" your creature costumes, creating custom air bladders, adjusting internal mechanisms, monster suit painting tips, and finally, on-set blocking.

Watch the final KAIJU FURY! movie in 360 degrees on your phone here: http://bit.ly/KaijuFury

This DVD is a 2-Disc Set

Intermediate Level
5h 41m of duration
English (auto), Spanish (auto)

Curriculum

Materials

CLICK on the links below to find the materials you need for this lesson. 

 

Some items might be harder to find, but a little internet scouring usually finds you everything you'll need.

 

Foam Mart

Mouldlife USA

Mouldlife Europe

Naimie's Beauty Center

Reynolds Advanced Materials

Smooth-On Inc.

Joann Fabric (Michaels)

 

FOR YOUR WORK STATION

8 oz Glass Jars with Lids

12” wide, 1” thick – wood base – square or circle

Aluminum strap: 1/8"x 1/2", 1/8"x 3/4"-  20' each

Air Compressor

Drywall Stilts (Optional)

Home Sewing Machine (Optional)

Mannequin (Optional)

Rock Climbing Helmet (Inexpensive one - Optional)

Shoe Soles

Aluminum backpack frame

AIRBRUSHES

Airbrush (No specific kind necessary)

CLAYS/PLASTERS

6 blocks Chavant clay

1 bag Paper clay (Optional)

Two blocks of white or wed clay

EPOXIES/GLUES

2 packs - 5 minute epoxy

3M-74 Spray Adhesive (Clear)

Dual 88 or Barge Adhesive

Rubber Cement – 1 gallon

FABRICS/FOAMS

12-TF or ANY Upholstery Foam (Note: 12-TF foam is the Atlas Foam specification it has a Density of 1.2 LB/Cubic ft and a IFD of 33)

-  1 ½” Foam – two sheets

- 1” Foam – two sheets

- ½” Foam – two sheets

- 1/8” Foam – two sheets

- 8” Foam (Optional and Design specific)

Fabric for Costuming (Design Appropriate)

1/8" nylon sheet: 24"x 24" (or equivalent)

L200: 1", 3/4", 1/2": 2 sheets each

Super Soft Foam: 1 sheet 1"

HAIR AND CREPE WOOL

Crepe Hair or Synthetic Braiding Hair

Fur (Design Appropriate)

LATEX/SILICONE

Foam Latex (Optional)

Slip Casting Rubber/407 Latex

2 Gallons Balloon Latex

PAINT/BRISTLE BRUSHES

2 Boxes – 1” Chip Brushes

PAINTS

Universal Tints – Multiple Colors

THINNERS/SOLVENTS

Naphtha – 1 gallon (To thin Rubber Cement) (Not Available)

Alternatives to Naphtha:

Lighter Fluid (Alternative for Naphtha) (Self Provide)

Bestine Solvent and Thinner (Self Provide)

Coleman Camp Fuel (Self Provide)

White Spirits(UK) or Mineral Spirits(US) (Self Provide)

TOOLS

Cutting Tools

Personna Razor Blades

Snap Off Razor blades with Handles (Self Provide)

Power Tools

Dremel w/assortment of bits

Sewing Needles/Pins

Sewing Needles – various sizes – straight and curved

Torches, Solder and Accessories

Electric Soldering Iron/Pen

Other Tools

Electric Carving Knife

3/4" dowel- 3'

10 small hose clamps (tightens down to 3/4")

SUPPLIES

4 Yards Spandex (Design Appropriate)

Armature Wire

Black Sharpies

Craft Paper

Music wire: 1/8", 5/32"-12'ea

Nuts & bolts: # 8 x 3/4"-200ea, 1/4x20 x 2"- 50ea (allen buttonheads and nylocks)

Props (Design Appropriate)

Plastic drop cloth: .70 mil, 1 mil, 2 mil, 4 mil : 2 pkgs each

Tape: duct, masking, 2 rolls each

Thread

Tongue Depressors

Washers

Wood Screws

HEALTH/SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

When working with toxic and/or dangerous materials or tools:

ALWAYS read labels for appropriate use guidelines

ALWAYS wear a high-grade respirator

ALWAYS work in a well-ventilated area

ALWAYS protect your skin

ALWAYS wear eye protection

Artist BiographyTed Haines

Ted Haines is a foam fabricator. He's a wizard with scissors. We asked him to make something. He made a T Rex.
See Full Bio

Additional Purchasing Options

Notice: DVDs do not include closed captions.

Get FREE Popular Course Content!

Free lessons from 16 of our most popular courses, taught by Hollywood's leading FX artists. Plus our newsletter with new courses, artist stories and special offers.