"Other Me" page 2
So far, so good. I built a body. I had some more
clothes for him, an old pair of boots, added some wire
and foam type hands, now all I need is a head. This is
when I should have stopped.
I SHOULD have purchased a five dollar Styrofoam
wig head. I SHOULD have purchased a prop head,
or even a mask, but no, I had to do it the hard way.
The finished skin is produced using the same technique I
used for my F.C.G. The features of the face were built -up using
paper mache (actually toilet paper, a little water,
and some white glue mixed very well in a food processor. This process is
explained in the Monster List as well - Link Here)
For whatever reason, I thought it would be fun to make a Duct Tape Double
Head. I wrapped my head with cheesecloth, taped it up and CAREFULLY
cut it free. I doubt I'll ever do this again. It was a slow process, and the finished
product came out fine, but a wig head would only cost five dollars....
If nothing else, this project was good for a laugh. Being a Solo project, I spent
a lot of time in front of a mirror. I saw myself wrapped in Duct tape. I saw
my entire head bandaged with cheesecloth. As funny as this was, I'm very
happy I was alone...
One nice feature about this process is that I wound up with a fairly rigid hollow
head. I used this to my advantage. I attached a small light socket and bulb to
"Other Me's " neck. I covered the inside of the face with a red gel sheet
( a colored plastic-like sheet used in lighting cans) This light was wired to
activate with other effects in the same scene. His eyes and mouth now glow
red. That worked out nicely.
This is a closer look at the head. As you can see, the
transition piece between neck and head is not permanent.
This way I have access to the light inside. I painted the head
with black spray paint , then misted it from below
with white. I lit the prop from below, and the white
highlights really gave him a nice look.
In this picture you can almost see the red
gel sheet behind his mouth and eyes.
(Just in case you were wondering...
I have nothing against ears... I originally planned
to use a wig with this prop.)
Now all I need is a good place to put him. Since he doesn't do anything, he
won't be very scary just standing there. He's too rigid to reposition... I think
I'll hide him and make him "come from out of nowhere." How you ask?