Stars Of Hope Charity Fundraiser 2013

The last two Saturdays were spent trooping the "Stars of Hope" charity fundraiser at the Regal 16 movie theater in Pinellas Park, Florida. It was a really fun event. Here's a quick description of how the day went...

The video clips of the droids were shot by Magnum who, along with Savanah Keifer, also took many photos of the event (many included below.) Be sure to check out more coverage on his blog! magnumarts.blogspot.com



Also, I did a quick show-and-tell about my mannequin setup and how I pack Threepio into his transport container... Videos below.

Mannequin


Packing the Droid.




"STARS OF HOPE" PHOTOS!!!
The trash compactor!





Fun crew!


This is Brad and his Artoo.

















Chase and Savanna Kiefer.


Coming in from the right is the hand of the extremely talented model builder, Randy Cooper.
Randy had worked on LOTS of films you've probably seen including such flicks as Iron Man2 , Starship Troopers, Alien 3, A.I., Batman Returns and a slew of other awesome movies. Very stoked that he came over to say hello to Artoo and Threepio!














I'll post more photos as I come across them online. If I missed crediting you, let me know and I'll be more than happy to update.
Thank you!

Neck Template

My version of the neck and some templates if you want to make your own.
Enjoy!



T-Nuts-
The movie suits used a similar configuration except with the use of 1/4-turn Dzus fasteners. I've purchased a few of these but I bought the wrong size. Ordering more soon and will post updates as to how they compare.

These are pushed through from the inside of the neck and glued into place.


Looks like this when done.
This sticks out just far enough to grab onto the holes on tabs of the mask's face but don't interfere with the back of the helmet.




Printable Versions below.


Full-Page 11x17 Version



LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES for "Letter" Sized print outs. 
Left  Right


These need to be printed at 100%
I've added dimensions for anyone who wants to make one from scratch.

The various measurements may have to be customized to fit your specific needs...

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

Going to California!

I meant to post this before I left but forgot. SO, here it is! New post to come in about 2 hours.  ;)

In this vid I do a quick upgrade on my finger setup and a add gold squares to the palms of the hands using a really cheap method.

Threepio is trying to tell me something...

Not quite there yet, but getting better.


Microphone is slightly too close to my mouth. I think it got bumped something because it was better on my last test.

Accent is getting a little closer but I still speak WAY too fast. It FEELS like I'm speaking SO slowly but clearly I'm wrong.

Practice, practice, practice... 

Where Science Meets Imagination at the OSC

BACK!
This post: Orlando Science Center and a few updates...



Sorry for speaking so quietly. I made this video in the early hours of the morning and didn't want to wake the family.

A few photos from my first troop event at the OSC























Getting better at packing the droid with each event....


Everything fits into this box except the arms. (and my tool box of extra goodies)


I've been using one of my skateboards to roll the whole setup to and from the car. Works great. Eventually I'll get a proper folding cart...


New helmet progress update...
These are two resin cast faces from my mold.
Left is straight from the mold, untouched copy.
As a test, the one on the right (also worn to the Orlando Science Center in the photos above) has the lip added, similar to the prequel trilogy helmets. I used exact measurements off of my other face to sculpt the ring. I like this part of the design and this mod will most likely make it into the GT Props kit along with neck tabs that match the newer style helmets.


Mated to the back of my Starbuckcylon fiberglass head. The opening slightly squeezes the face making it appear slightly narrower. This will be my temporary setup until I finish the new back half.
 


The existing rear half I'm working from is really beat-up...



...but has some great detail that even the later screen-used helmets lack. This makes me believe it was cast from a fairly early version of the helmet, ESB or ANH...




Head was silvered (new version on the right)
The Zorg eyes (used in the photo above) are slightly too small in diameter (notice the slight gap) and about %30 deeper than the actual eye sockets in the mask. I trust that the mask is screen accurate, new, custom eyes have been 3d modeled and printed


They almost perfectly match the screen used eyes in the photos below..





Compare this to the shape of the Zorg sized eyes and there's a big difference in depth.



The size is PERFECT for the new helmet...


Molds of the new eyes are being made now to go along with the kit....
First half of the silicone is curing as I type this....