Who's actually building a Monster?

K

Kholi

Section Moderator
This is the one major thing that keeps getting stuck in my head: How the hell are you going to build a monster on a tight budget? One that's believable?

This is if you've gone the route of an actual monster. Tentacles or big nasty leathery-skinned ones.

Anyone already trying to figure it out?
 
Quite seriously, though, who's constructing a factual monster? Human in a suit, puppet mechanics, etc.
 
Zim said:
You don't build a monster,,,,you create it. Or make it in a lab....
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Well, technically, a robot could be a monster, and that would be something you would build.

Kholi said:
Quite seriously, though, who's constructing a factual monster? Human in a suit, puppet mechanics, etc.
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I'm still narrowing down what story I want to do for the scriptfest portion of the fest, not yet sure if I'll be able to pull off an actual short version of any of my ideas except for one of three.

I'd love to design a monster and collaborate with a practical effects and makeup/prosthetics expert. I don't know with the time limit and everything, plus I can't afford to break the bank for this one film. We'll see what happens.
 
why build when you have a mother in law!
cloverfield-monster-head-2.jpg
 
MOVIE MASTER said:
why build when you have a mother in law!
cloverfield-monster-head-2.jpg
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Scary mother-in-law, I mean nice monster you have there.

Is that a mask that can be purchased, or did you make it?

This raises another question, can we buy an already made mask for our monster? Or, what if I bought a mask and used it as a template to build upon for the final monster?

For example: in the BTS on the DVD for John Carpenter's Halloween, the Michael Myers mask was an altered Ronald Reagan or William Shatner mask or something like that. In the final film, you would never guess that is what his mask started out as.
 
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Oi... this was actually a serious question that pertains to production value/quality...
 
Kholi, I am guessing that is still up in the air for alot of people, it is for me, seems to be lots o zombies/human monsters in the movies announced so far, I would guess lots of people are still answering that question for themselves at this point.
 
Since i wont really have time to build/ rent anything in VT, im going for a cloverfield feel (kinda, not really). Like chris said, its really up in the air right now.

But if i did have the time, i'd go for a 1950's approach and give it a very interesting feel :)
 
chriscurl said:
Kholi, I am guessing that is still up in the air for alot of people, it is for me, seems to be lots o zombies/human monsters in the movies announced so far, I would guess lots of people are still answering that question for themselves at this point.
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That's what I thought it would turn out as. Admittedly, I've wasted a good portion of my brain power the past two days trying to concoct a cheap way to construct a monster that counts.

Cheap is the only reason I can't figure it out. LoL
 
I'm building my monster.

Fortunately I've done some sculpting in the past and I've worked with latex.. plus I know a Special Effects guy here in Atlanta who's giving some tips on how to make it realistic. I can;t afford to hire him (he's done lots of work for the WWE, Turner Broadcasting and a whole bunch of movies) so I'm utilizing what small relationship I have with him to get a decent looking monster.

So that being said I have to fit my actors with prosthetics for some of the actual monster make up... and for some practical damage.
 
Sometimes the scariest monster scenes are the ones where you don't ever see the creature, or if you do, you only see bits and pieces. Leaves a bit more to the imagination, I think.

I guess I'd rather see a really well-made SFX hand/claw than an Ed Wood-esque full-body creature suit.

--SM
 
I am sculpting the "Mangina!"

I'm using single-twisted 18 gauge, steel wire for the skeleton, and flat gray plasticine clay for the body.

Still debating on if it will have eyes or not.

ESPgina!
 
stephenmick said:
Sometimes the scariest monster scenes are the ones where you don't ever see the creature, or if you do, you only see bits and pieces. Leaves a bit more to the imagination, I think.

I guess I'd rather see a really well-made SFX hand/claw than an Ed Wood-esque full-body creature suit.

--SM
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You're completely right, but if you dont have the right shape in the shadows.. you've got something that isn't quite working. its HOW you use the shadows etc that makes it give that punch in the gut "wtf" feeling...
 
The couple of ideas I have about a monster will be more for a make up guy to work on. If I build one my budget would allow for some cardboard boxes tied together.
 
We'll be creating real monsters using latex prosthetics, realistic claws & dental distortion teeth that are fairly inexpensive. Also i have a big ole bottle of liquid latex left over from all my other crazy antics. Should be interesting.
 
RodThompson said:
A cheat... :banned:
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Then call me a cheater-burger, 'cause that's probably the road I'm taking. If I show anything, it will be a hand and arm. There is a make-up artist in town who offered to help last year for Twilight Fest, but her schedule didn't match up with mine. I'm thinking of asking for her assistance if I go that route.
 
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