May the 4th and New Hands Update

New hands!

This video was done after 4 in the morning, grogginess is starting to show...


Hand casting tutorial using Algi-Safe Breeze liquid alginate by Smooth-On


I'll add some photos of the hands and castings this week sometime....

RA-7 UPDATE
Also, a quick progress photo of my RA-7 (Death Start Droid) helmet sculpt.


I want to start molding this by mid June if possible.

btw, there's a quick video update at the end of the previous post. It's changes LOTS since then but if you didn't see it, here's the link.



MAY THE 4th BE WITH YOU!!!!
at Tampa Bay Times Forum, Storm Arena Football Game















Magnum, from the Tampa 501st got some good video from the event which is here...




After this I've been inspired to start yet another build...
Updates on that soon..

All kinds of fun

Keeping Threepio busy lately!

Threepio's visit to California in March finally paid off.
Star Wars Episode VII "Return of the Empire" was finally posted on youtube! To see the video and learn more about my trip and the new droid Disney is adding...  click HERE




Celebration Exotic Car Festival 














Science Center of Pineallas County
Threepio stopped by the Science Center of Pineallas County April 20, 2013 for Sci-fi and the sky.





NEW RA-7 BUILD! 
Keeping myself busy too. Starting an RA-7 protocol droid, AKA "Death Star Droid" 

Busy Weekend for the Droid

WHERE SCIENCE MEETS IMAGINATION
Well, this was the last weekend at the Where Science Meets Imagination so, of course, Threepio couldn't miss it. I'm a bit bummed about it leaving the Orlando Science Center. It was a great place for Threepio to do appearances. It was consistent, full of actual Star Wars fans, (which is particularly fun for Threepio) and one block from my brother's house so I would get to see him while I was there. Bonus!
The museum was kind enough to give us some of the staff shirts that were worn for Where Science Meets Imagination. They have one of the classic "A New Hope" poster designs on the front and the back is the "Where Science Meets Imagination" info. Pretty neat.

Looking for photos of this event now.
I'll post photos here as I come across them. One of the Artoo builders got a bit of video.


On the way there I ran into  traffic and was late for a Star Wars themed marriage proposal. I was there early enough to see the setup for it but no way to get Threepio setup in time. :(

Here's a clip of it happening. Threepio made it into this video but wasn't there for the proposal.
 



TAMPA BAY COMIC CON 2013
Today was the second day of the Tampa Bay Comic Con, which was extremely crowded this time. The amount of people was easily 10 times the amount of the last one I went to. They started turning people away. Stopped selling tickets, refunding money for for pre-sold tickets that didn't arrive before 1pm etc. The 501st guys made a spot for Threepio and two R2-D2s and kept the crowd from breaking the droids. There were many photos taken, I'll post here as I find them....

Prepping for WSMI's last weekend.

This weekend is the LAST weekend of Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit at the Orlando Science Center. Getting prepped up for it, here's an update...

MEGACON 2013

LOTS of photos...
MEGACON!

Where Science Meets Imagination 
(at the Orlando Science Center)

Tool Kit

Going to MegaCon this weekend, packing parts up and figured I may as well talk about my tool kit.

BACK from California!

*UPDATE!* The video has been posted!


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I had a blast working on this. On top of being Threepio, I ended up doing some last minute background and matte painting work for Jabba's palace and the interior of the Millenium Falcon.
The R2-D2 and Wall-E both belong to Micheal McMaster. He was great fun. Threepio's voice was done in post by the most excellent Chris Bartlett.









Just back from California, here's a little bit about my trip and some comments regarding the storage totes I purchased for the trip.

Here's some rambly video about the trip and some new neck/neck bolt mods I did just before leaving.



Quick video of the shooting location at Red Rock Canyon state park in California.



Some photos from the trip, (I'll add more as I get them)




At the Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California


Standing in C-3PO's footprints in front of the famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.






Showing the storage containers I purchased





First storage tote I purchased, the Stanley 37 in. Mobile Job Box

This box is really nice. The construction and materials are good and strong. The wheels and handle work great and the latches and lock are a nice touch. Plus, the whole suit can fit inside. Biggest problem is that it's WAY too big to get on the plane without paying a huge fee for over-size luggage.

This can be purchased at the link below.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202300294?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=stanley+tool&storeId=10051&N=5yc1v&R=202300294#specifications




What I ended up using, the Centrex Plastics, LLC 2-Piece Plastic Rolling Cargo Trunk

The size of this box was just right, maybe even slight too snug BUT fit what I needed and I wasn't charged for an over-sized container when taking this on the plane.
The construction wasn't horrible but it's not nearly as nice as the Stanley tool chest I initially purchased. The wheels and handle feel really cheap and the plastic shell doesn't have much structural reinforcement along the sides. Overall, it did the trick and I'll continue to use it but will remain on the lookout for something nicer.

This can be purchased at the link below.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_306966-61896-306966_0__?productId=4487914&Ntt=tote&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dtote&facetInfo=




This is the storage bin I think I would like to own, the Stanley 24 Gal. Mobile Chest


This one has the perfect blend between the two. It has many of the same features and construction I liked on the 37" box has but a size closer to the 25 gallon box. I looked for one of these but couldn't find one before the trip.
There is a store called Skycraft here in Florida that sells VERY good quality, used flight cases for around $50. If I can find one with similar dimensions, I'll pick one up, if not, I'll keep looking for this one.

This can be purchased at the link below.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203710098?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=stanley+tool&storeId=10051&N=5yc1v&R=203710098#specifications