Mask making question...

[BrotherMysterio]

I can save you the time and trouble of replicating my work by simply selling you a mask. They are $100 each and very soon I am listing about 20 for sale (Late august).

I've seen them up close. Trust me, they're worth it! If I ever do a character that looks remotely like one of his masks, I'm going straight to him.

You could buy one and cast that, then have your own Allen Hopps! Make the mouth move with a sound sensitive solenoid and have it's mouth move to Allens tutorials on Utoob Wednesday! Total entertainment for $100.

. . . makes you wonder how Greg spends his weekends . . . or what he keeps in his basement . . .

"Hey, 3-day weekend coming up! I get to wear my 'Allen suit'!"

"'It' will put the lotion in the basket!"

Actually, I'm considering robbing a bank in case I decide to start an INDOOR haunt!

Well, that is one of the more innovative approaches to haunt financing that I've recently heard.

Attachment 13467

Its crazy he even has the lenses. Pretty cool.

Allen could probably do something like that for you custom. I'm almost wondering if that's one of his.

I'm trying to figure out what personal use is? Family portraits, avoiding exposure to the sun, recreational head warming?

Well, considering this recent post . . .

LOL, anyone can make anything...but I don't have to help them

Why does that line sound so familiar?



C.

[scottylmt]

LMAO its great to see you back Brother! Ive been missing your posts.

[Pennywise]

Not sure if this is very helpful, but I have always wanted to try to make one these, but I don't have a form...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqFwzUY2OXc

[scottylmt]

Thanks for the link pennywise. I like the finished look of that mask! A liner would definitely be a good addition tho lol.

[Greg Chrise]

Watching that video, you could layer a few coats of latex first and then do the burlap and then you have a liner. Or simply go over top of another mask. I saw one that went over what appears to be an exagerated clown mask with burlap and it looks pretty cool. Or pick something with ears or other features added like punk hair and jewelry?

[scottylmt]

That's definitely an idea. Im assuming you would layer the inside of the burlap by turning it inside out once you're finished? Or could you just hot glue felt or some other soft fabric on key areas?

[Greg Chrise]

It depends on what you are building it on. If you are building on a head form like the video, you just layer a few coats of latex and then build the burlap. Or you take a head form and put a mask over it or a sock mask and go over that with the burlap and latex. You can line it with felt or any material and hot glue but I get concerned with it getting to small with out the lining being actually built first.

So this is where buying one from someone that is making it over a proper bust or life cast is why it is worth spending money. If you already have a life cast you can lay out what the interior cloth is going to be and layer ontop of that. All of this also changes complexity depending on whether it is a half mask or full head mask. Allens masks are full heads.

Trying to use a wig head or something not exactly sized right ends up yeilding something that can easily be a prop head but something being worn should be done on a professional bust or a life cast of yourself to fit right.

There are crazy ways to layer yourself with packaging tape of duct tape. Most of these techinques adding layers really reguires a few hours between steps to come out right. Not something your would want to sit around wearing while it cures, breathing things. So there again you are into buying or making your own full head bust to make something. What ever weird figure this guy used in the video to make this mask may have worked but probably ended in a poor fit.

[Greg Chrise]

Having some kind of shape that properly matches your eye line is what makes it cool. Then enough room to breath and the nose area shape being well thought out. Other wise you are making a paper shopping bag with eye holes. Without a bust or proper head form, you could take a cheaper mask and add to it and then the mask is the latex liner, provides some kind of shape to work from.

As far as pricing is concerned, I have done some paint jobs for masks and been in a lot of studios figuring out air brushing problems people were having. So over the last year I have been looking at a lot of themes and details other people are doing. I'm finding everyone is trading even layered latex made things for $200 to $600 as one of a kind deals. Allens $100 products are going like hot cakes because of so much being offered such as being lined, properly proportioned and layered creepy with experience already at a very reasonable price. Allen and his crew are putting in quite the hours into these and the prep work is sort of overlooked when looking at a product in just pictures.

[Greg Chrise]

Burlap in layers would be near impossible to turn inside out and keep the proper shape.

[scottylmt]

Ok that makes perfect sense Greg thanks. Actually I had the same thought about the mask in the video... it even LOOKS like a funky shape lol. Thanks for the detailed explanation I completely understand now. I imagine the kid in the picture I found used just burlap and stitching, and that would seriously be uncomfortable.

When we made my strangers mask, we used cotton. My friend used my head as the stitching cast, and let me tell you it was a bitch lol.