Brown & Decker Like Black & Decker, only not.

Hey everybody.

So the *Con has passed, but it's left me wanting more. A LOT MORE.

Throughout the weekend, I saw many costumes that I IMMEDIATELY wanted to start making. But the goal is not to get over my head on this stuff. We sat in on a couple costuming classes, and I feel like I learned a lot. One of the big things is making costumes on budgets, and what we've been doing so far, is not budget. I want to be able to make quality costumes that look good, and reflect well in cost at the end. So the challenge for the next couple of weeks are to get some stuff turned out before Halloween and save cash. Again, I've had a TON planned, but can only do a few at first. Here's what's planned.

So first, I'm going to try to help a friend out, and do a Zatanna costume before Halloween. If you're not familiar, she's a magician/super hero from the DC comics universe, namely Batman.



I'm going to take a couple liberties with it, to make it a little more conservative, because the costume will be worn at work. I want to do the whole thing for a maximum of $100.

Also, these budgets are set not for the wearer, but for me. Also, it should be noted that these are right now, not being done on commission, but just as a challenge.

Next up, at the Con, I didn't see any Gordon Freemans. He's the silent protagonist from the Half-Life games. I think it's because the suit is more complicated.



The challenge is clearly the body armor. This costume will test my constructive abilities, where as the previous will test my tailoristic abilities (not a real word).

Recently, me and Jimmy have gotten into a show called Adventure Time on Cartoon Network. Great show. Makes no sense but really cool. Also, we saw quite a few guys at the *Con dressed up. I think it'll be a quick little costume, but a lot of fun.



I'll be doing Finn, the kid. The whole thing I aim to do in $30 to $40. This includes backpack and his sword.

Lastly, a costume I only saw ONE of, a deadmau5 mau5head. Very cool dude, deadmau5, and he's known for his crazy mau5head outfit.



The picture is a little small, but it's one of the only ones I could find with the xs on his eyes and the sequins. That will be the one I do, but in blue. The whole thing will run about $20.

Again, the price goals are for me alone. The next couple weeks are tests that I've set for myself to challenge myself as a costumer and tailor.

That's it for now. Time to get started.
Andy

EDIT:

So guys, it seems I've come to a conclusion about what costume I want to do for Halloween this year. I really want to do Starkiller from the Star Wars game The Force Unleashed.



My goal is somewhere between $100 and $150. The issue is I'm not sure how much raw material and special orders I will have to do. That could influence the final cost. I'm willing to go up to $200 for it, because I want it to look really good. I'm also doing a custom lightsaber.

We'll see.

Hey guys.

So Dragon*Con has come and gone this year, and what a year it was. We did Ghostbusters for a couple days, and they were a huge hit. We also got to meet the official Georgia Ghostbusters, as well as some other local groups.

Learned a lot too. Sat in on a couple panels, and it was plenty reassuring. Everytime we sat in on a costuming panel or prop building panel, people would ask questions and the pros there would respond with the same answers we had. Try Smooth-On, use insulation foam, etc. Man, that felt good.

Also while we were there, we met a couple celebrities. Notable, Lou Ferrigno, who was the Incredible Hulk in the classic T.V. show; Chad Vader, star of his own webseries; and Volpin's wife, wife of esteemed prop builder Harrison Krix (CHECK HIM OUT!!!)

Here's some pictures.



There she is! There's Volpin's Portal gun!!!









Andy