Bender: The contruction begins.
I decided that since this is my most ambitious (ish) Halloween costume to date, I should probably document the journey of creating this beast.
The first thing I did was go out an buy some bristol board and duct tape. I'd be doing some experimenting on how to ideally make the head. I have yet to decide what to make the final copy out of, but I'm thinking plastic of some sort is probably the best option...
The first thing I did was measure out a tube of bristol board that was big enough to go around my head comfortably... I needed to add extra board for this because I have a giant head. For me, this measured 32" in diameter. The next thing I did was cut triangles out of the top, four inches wide and six inches deep. after taping everything together I got this lovely dome top.
After establishing this wonderful dome, I decided to experiment with eyes. I cut out a full length 6 inch strip of board, looped it, then cut an oblong hole in the head, to attempt to insert Benders eye socket. Success! With a little duct tape it stayed in place too! Next, using the piece that I had cut out for the eye hole, I traced another hole for Benders mouth. Now the prototype head was pretty much done but it just looked so empty so I put a piece of paper in his mouth with some teeth drawn on, and a couple of styrofoam eyes, just so you'd be able to imagine how he'll look in the final copy.
The next thing I did was buy the biggest garbage can I could find. I decided that it would be easier to modify this then to build something from scratch... First I used some epoxy and glued the top onto the can. Next I cut out the bottom, so there'd be a nice place for my legs to escape.
This concludes the first step.
Status:
Looking good, lots of progress. Still figuring out arms and legs.
Next up: More cutting, building up the body and troubles begin already!
The first thing I did was go out an buy some bristol board and duct tape. I'd be doing some experimenting on how to ideally make the head. I have yet to decide what to make the final copy out of, but I'm thinking plastic of some sort is probably the best option...
The first thing I did was measure out a tube of bristol board that was big enough to go around my head comfortably... I needed to add extra board for this because I have a giant head. For me, this measured 32" in diameter. The next thing I did was cut triangles out of the top, four inches wide and six inches deep. after taping everything together I got this lovely dome top.
After establishing this wonderful dome, I decided to experiment with eyes. I cut out a full length 6 inch strip of board, looped it, then cut an oblong hole in the head, to attempt to insert Benders eye socket. Success! With a little duct tape it stayed in place too! Next, using the piece that I had cut out for the eye hole, I traced another hole for Benders mouth. Now the prototype head was pretty much done but it just looked so empty so I put a piece of paper in his mouth with some teeth drawn on, and a couple of styrofoam eyes, just so you'd be able to imagine how he'll look in the final copy.
The next thing I did was buy the biggest garbage can I could find. I decided that it would be easier to modify this then to build something from scratch... First I used some epoxy and glued the top onto the can. Next I cut out the bottom, so there'd be a nice place for my legs to escape.
This concludes the first step.
Status:
Looking good, lots of progress. Still figuring out arms and legs.
Next up: More cutting, building up the body and troubles begin already!