Learn to make puppets with plastic bags alongside special effects innovator and master creature fabricator Bill Bryan (Ghostbusters, Men in Black, Army of Darkness). Using simple plastic bags and other affordable materials, Bill and son Tyler Bryan demonstrate a host of novel techniques for creating an organic, translucent creature puppet.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Designing, patterning and seaming custom balloons
Creating the tentacles and tongue
Painting the plastic, including stencil usage
Assembling and troubleshooting the mechanisms
How to perform the final creation

Beginner Level

2h 59m of duration

English (auto), Spanish (auto)

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Curriculum

1. Title & Introduction - 1min

2. Tools and Materials - 16min

3. Making the Pattern - 7min

4. Preparing the Plastic - 1min

5. Seaming the Outline - 5min

6. Tentacle Outlines - 4min

7. Removing the Plastic Cutouts - 4min

8. Fitting the Puppet Body - 4min

9. Texturing and Rigging the Tentacles & Tongue - 17min

10. Rigging the Main Body of the Puppet - 8min

11. Painting the Body - 13min

12. Stenciling - 6min

13. Painting Internal Organs - 4min

14. Overview - 3min

15. Internal Rigging & External Texturing - 19min

16. Eye Stalk Rigging (And More Texture) - 12min

17. Making An Eyeball - 2min

18. Skin Color, Texture & Detailing - 11min

19. Painting Tentacles & Adding Spikes - 7min

20. Tentacle Segmenting - 4min

21. Assembling/Installing the Controller - 13min

22. Sealing the Base/Attaching Tentacles - 7min

23. Testing the Seal - 2min

24. Masking Off the Bottom Seal - 8min

25. Wrap Up - 1min

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.

Naimie's Beauty Center

McMaster Carr

Reynolds Advanced Materials

Smooth-On Inc.

GreatArt UK

FOR YOUR WORK STATION

Air Compressor

Coleman Portable Air Pump

Masonite Board

AIRBRUSHES

Copic Marker Airbrush Kit

EPOXYS/GLUES

Master Multi Purpose Cement

FABRICS/FOAMS

¼” L-200 Foam

Black Tempo Fabric

PAINT/BRISTLE BRUSHES

Small Paintbrush

PAINTS

Copic Markers – Assorted Colors

THINNERS/SOLVENTS

Barge – All Purpose Thinner

TOOLS

Crimping, Pliers and Gripping Tools

Jeweler’s Pliers

Large Pliers

Needle-nosed Pliers

Cutting Tools

Personna Razorblades

Scissors

X-Acto Knife

Measuring Tools

Measuring Tape

Torches, Solder and Accessories

Propane Torch

Soldering Iron

SUPPLIES

Aluminum Wire

Black Plastic Bag

Dropcloth Plastic – 7ml thick

Duct Tape

Music Wire

Plastic Tubing

Polyethylene Tubing

Scotch Tape

Thin Party Balloons

Thin Piece of Aluminum

Thin Piece of Spring Steel

Velcro

White Butcher Paper

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 BiographyBilly Bryan

From Marshmallow Man to mind-blowing creatures made from trash bags, Billy Bryan’s light touch brings impossible creatures to life.

See Full Bio

Additional Purchasing Options

Notice: DVDs do not include closed captions.

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