"Other Me", the Duct Tape Double
I needed a monster.
After typing "make a monster" in a search engine I was introduced
to Mark Butler's Monster Page of Halloween Links.
This fantastic web site also introduced me to the
Flying Crank Ghost. Come to think of it, the Monster
Page should be credited for saving my hide last Halloween.
I discovered there are as many methods for monster making as there are
monsters. Each method has a purpose. I wanted something light weight
and I wanted to build something of realistic human proportions.
My monster had to be tough and cheap as well as reusable.
Introducing "Other Me" The Duct Tape Double.
The process is simple enough: Wear some old clothes,
the tighter the fit, the better. " Mummify" your self with Duct Tape.
You will need help with this. After the first layer of tape covers
all of your clothing, add a second layer. This time apply the tape
"across the grain" of the first layer. Add a third layer, again in
another direction. Continue adding layers of duct tape until you're sure
the dummy will keep its shape. To remove the newly created Duct Tape
Double, simply have your assistant cut it with blunt tipped scissors.
(This is why you start with old clothes. That layer of clothing is now
your dummy's skeleton) Once the dummy is cut and the form is
removed, realign the seams and tape them back together.
It's amazing how well this process actually duplicates your shape .
I made my Duct Tape Double without any help. I didn't NEED
any help, at least not at first...I started with my right leg, pulling the roll
of tape around it. I had to bend my leg and hold the desired position
until the taping process was complete. It probably took about five
or ten minutes. The only real problems I had were fatigue
(maintaining a semi-crouched position) and lack of flexibility. It was hard
to wrap my ankle in this position.
after the first leg was wrapped, I cut it free along the outside seam,
but I left the waistband of my pants intact. I did the same thing for my left
leg and mid section. This time I cut the waistband, and removed my new
Duct Tape legs. They looked great.
As you can see in the photo at left, I wanted the arms to be in an "almost lunging" position. Here is where
this solo project of mine became more of a challenge.
Being right-handed, I decided it was best to wrap my
left arm and shoulder first. The only trouble I had here
was tearing off strips of tape. I solved this by finishing
the wrapping process to an area just above the elbow,
then cutting the lower portion free. I finished up to the
shoulder, then freed the entire arm.
At this point I think I realized I was in a bit of trouble. I cut many strips of tape,
about 18' long, set them aside, and slowly repeated the arm / shoulder process
for my right arm. This was certainly more difficult than the left arm, but it
did work. It was nice having the strips of tape precut and laid out.
with both arms cut loose, I started at the shoulders and began covering the torso.
The duct tape does limit your range of motion, and it is really hard to tape
your own back. I wish I took some photos of this process. I must have looked
ridiculous, like a dog chasing its tail... Now I know why the instructions said
"recruit the help of someone."
I finished the upper body and arms, cut everything free and taped it back
together. Finally I taped the upper body to the legs. Now I had to stuff it.
The instructions said pack it with crumpled news paper, so that is what I did.
This added a lot of weight, but it worked... for a while. The dummy spent
the night on the floor. In the morning, his arms and legs were sagging, I
solved this problem by shooting some expanding foam into all of the
joints. The foam filled the joints perfectly, but the sections between
the joints were still flexible enough to allow me to dress him.
After dressing my new Duct Tape Double I had to inject expanding foam
into the areas between the joints. The arms and legs held their shapes
perfectly, but the Upper body and mid - sections started to distort.
Too much foam! I just waited for the foam to cure slightly and
re - shaped these areas.
The photo at left shows "Other Me" reporting for duty. Can you imagine seeing this going down the road?
In the photo at right I'm giving him a little pep talk, while putting on the final touches.
Continue to "Other Me, page 2"
