Looking for help with Foam Latex

[Creative Angel]

Hello everyone!

My name is Angel and its very wonderful to be here. I can't believe I haven't found this site before now!

The main point of my post is to look for help finding, forming and using Foam Latex. I have roughly three months to find the materials and make a muppet riding-creature much like the one you see in "The Labyrinth".

Unfortunately, I don't know how to post a still picture in order to show everyone, so this was the best I could do:
http://www.yourprops.com/view_item.php?movie_prop=22814

Essentially, it is a full body actor with a latex-made muppet around his waist. The actor's legs are the muppet's legs and that is what makes it move. The actor is then dressed up as a knight, wearing a pair of fake legs attached to the hips to make it look as if the rider and the creature are two separate things. I have the design and know how I want the end result to look, I've just never used latex before.

So, a few questions:

1) Has anyone worked with latex before?
2) Has anyone worked with latex in this context before?
3) If so, can you please help me with what to use, where I can get it, how much it will most likely cost, and HOW ON EARTH I AM GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS PROJECT?

I have found this neat website: http://www.sagecraft.com/puppetry/building/FoamPuppets.html
...But it doesn't answer all my questions.
I'm a total newb, sadly

Thank you in advance for any and all help with this.
I humbly await your teaching, oh muppet masters

 

[ravagefrackle]

Hate to be a Pessimised, but if you have never worked with the materials before, or done any kind of Moldmaking or Casting then you may have bitten off more than you can chew.

have you Done the Sculpture yet? thats a time consuming process in and of its self. do you have a Large Industrial Oven to Bake the foamed Latex? do you ahve a Work area so you soak the foam rubber for a day or two, (maybe more) and remove the sulfur smell?

why does it need to be Foam Latex?

I think your better off trying to pattern one out of Foam rubber and maybe using a combination of L-200 latex and brushing it on to the foam Rubber,

 

[Klarkkent]

I'd have to agree with RavageFrackle. If you've never used foam latex before it can be overwhelming. It takes a lot of preparation and experimentation to get the mix down in order for it bake/cure properly.

If you are set on using foam latex there are instructional videos you can pick up like this one:
http://www.angelfire.com/anime4/zungstudio/

And the materials can be bought here:
http://www.burmanfoam.com
http://www.gmfoam.com/
http://www.monstermakers.com/

This is all assuming that you do have access to, like ravagefrackle said, an industrial oven and the space to soak the foam to eliminate the smell.

There are more expensive, less time/space consuming alternatives like silicone and a newer lighter foamed silicone that are all available from Smooth-on here:
http://www.smooth-on.com/

All of these materials require the sculpting and mold making process, but be aware that latex and silicone CANNOT be used in the same molds. So it's not like you can try one then try the other in the same mold. Latex will inhibit the silicone curing process. So be sure which material you'll be going with before the casting process takes place.

I hope that helps.

 

[Creative Angel]

Thanks everyone for the helpful feedback and links.

I'm afraid you all are right...I'm a bit over my head (roughly 6 feet if I don't get my bills paid). I sort of got swept away with the idea and didn't stop to do the seriously proper research. Because of time, money, and inexperience, I don't think I'll be doing this project at this time.

Perhaps one day, but not until I have plenty of time (and money) to really practice.

Thanks again!
^________________^

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Before you give up completely, keep in mind that there are other ways to tackle a project like this. You can use other materials. Tztz (a member of the forum) made a similar sort of puppet a few years ago and I don't think he used any foam latex...just polyfoam. There is a picture of it online here.

Instructables is a good source for ideas about how to tackle a project like this on the cheap.

If you are interested in learning the basics of molding and casting puppets a very good video to pick up is Noreen Young's "Making Lifelike Puppets" DVD. It teaches you how to work with latex rubber (which is easier than using Foam Latex). The sculpting takes some practice to learn, but the video is very easy to follow. You can order it online at http://www.noreenyoungproductions.com/umbrella.html for just $25 Canadian.