I think this could be the solution to one of the biggest problems with live action games- creature creation. Making Lovecraftian beasties is hard. Some mind-blowingly great costumes are out there, but to a great extent they've relied on expensive molding and casting supplies. With EVA foam a simple heat gun and a variety pack of disposable razor knives can be used to create some epic creatures. After all, segmented armor is just another way of describing a Mi-Go's exoskeleton.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Making Foam Armor
Over the last two years there has been an explosion of projects using EVA foam pads to create armor. It's a cheap, readily available material that's easy to work with and a skilled artist can create a finished product with an unbelievably high level of finish. This tutorial from Allen Hopps is a good introduction to some of the basic techniques, while some truly incredible work is on display at the Bioweapons blog.
I think this could be the solution to one of the biggest problems with live action games- creature creation. Making Lovecraftian beasties is hard. Some mind-blowingly great costumes are out there, but to a great extent they've relied on expensive molding and casting supplies. With EVA foam a simple heat gun and a variety pack of disposable razor knives can be used to create some epic creatures. After all, segmented armor is just another way of describing a Mi-Go's exoskeleton.
I think this could be the solution to one of the biggest problems with live action games- creature creation. Making Lovecraftian beasties is hard. Some mind-blowingly great costumes are out there, but to a great extent they've relied on expensive molding and casting supplies. With EVA foam a simple heat gun and a variety pack of disposable razor knives can be used to create some epic creatures. After all, segmented armor is just another way of describing a Mi-Go's exoskeleton.
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4 comments:
That's the same stuff we used to make mascot heads! And that was $300 a sheet. This changes so much!
I used to work at the shop that creates most of the professional sports mascots you see on TV. And all the Bubba Gump shrimp.
I could make a lot more with that stuff than just armor!
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3657/3422076381_36a1b5d072.jpg
It's worth noting that the blue camp mat foam in the video is NOT EVA. It's much cheaper and easier to find than EVA, but you can't achieve the same level of detail as the blue foam has much larger cells and isn't as easy to work with. It also has a bumpy surface texture (due to the large cells), while EVA's surface is smooth.
I just had a chance to watch this video - and now my mind is filled with ideas.
Summer 2010 I ran an event where players were searching for a tintin/indiana jones themed lost idol and temple. I'm working on a lovecraftian halloween event that i'd like to run halloween 2012, and that stuff could be PERFECT for the Elder Things or Deep Ones (i keep waffling back and forth between the two) at the final stage.
Propnomicon; your blog is such an inspiration. its filled with good ideas. Please dont ever stop.
If you can do this with closed cell foam, you can do anything: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2648/4057287946_de56b1583b.jpg
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