Work in Progress: Skeksis costume

[Alberic]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum. A person on a different forum referred me to this place, so here I am...

Hi I'm Bart, 21 years old (for about another week) and I'm from the Netherlands.
A week ago I went to the Elf Fantasy Fair here in Holland and without any expectations entered the costume contest.
To my surprise I won. That motivated me to outdo myself for next year, so I took up the unholy plan to go as a Skeksis from The Dark Crystal next year.
Today I started sculpting the head of SkekSil the chamberlain. I only had enough plasticine to block out some general shapes...
http://i14.tinypic.com/6byh4ra.jpg
http://i13.tinypic.com/4pkohud.jpg
When the head's finished I'm planning on making a plaster mold, so I can cast a latex mask. Then I'll place that over a fiberglass skull I also have to make.
The head (or indeed the entire suit) will contain no animatronics, both because I have no idea how to do that, and also because of the added cost.
I'll also be making a frame that can be placed on my body (from either pvc piping or if that's not sturdy enough, copper), so I'll have a more Skeksis shape. Overtop this I'll make the fabric part of the costume and the fiberglass carapace.
(see ugly MS Paint drawing)
http://i18.tinypic.com/6bks4z4.jpg
Some problems I foresee:
-holding the head over my head will start to hurt my arms after a minute or two, but attching the head to the frame will make it look too static.
-The weight and size of the completed costume
-visibility from inside the costume
-general ineptness on my part
I'll keep updating here as the project progresses.
Any feedback and suggestions you have would be very welcome.

 

[Bear Man]

Have you considered attaching the head to the frame with a slightly flexible plastic? That way, when you take a step it should "bob" slightly and look les static. It shouldn't be too difficult to leave a path to the back of the head open as well so that you can put your hand into it and perform it when necessary.

Hmm, just re-read that and realised it could sound confusing - hope it makes sense!

 

[Alberic]

It does Bear Man, thanks.
I'll have to find the right kind of spring or rod, so he doesn't look like he's having a continuous seizure.

I wasn't happy with the proportions of the face, so I started over. This time it turned out somewhat better. It's still nowhere near finished though, and I still haven't gotten the chance to buy some more plasticine.
http://i13.tinypic.com/67x5jpj.jpg http://i19.tinypic.com/67ydwf6.jpg

 

[Alberic]

At the risk of being the only person to post in this thread...

The head sculpt is nearing completion. Overall it's not too bad, however, it just doesn't look like SkekSil. (well, he's recognisable, but as soon as you compare it to the real thing you see all kinds of flaws)
The 'snout' is too long and thin and the brow is a lit low.
Now I'm faced with the age old dilemma of laziness... start over or keep it as it is
The picture isn't of very good quality, I took it with my mobile phone, most of the detail isn't visible too well...
http://i2.tinypic.com/530fok0.jpg

EDIT: Yes, I know it's only an amateur level contest, but I'm not makign the costume to win the contest, but because I love the Skeksis, so I want it to look right...

 

[Davina]

i have to say, it looks like you're certainly off to a great start....

and if it's not 100% spot perfect.. well, i doubt too many people would complain.. it's definately identifiable as a skesis, and it is an "amature level" costume competition after all..

 

[wes]

Wow that's awesome! Is it actually going to be a puppet or just a costume?

 

[Teenager's]

Thats Great! You've done a Really Good job with that head....Can we see the costume you won with?

 

[crazed gonzo fa]

That's pretty darn awesome! Thanks for sharing this. I'm hopping to make a Man-Thing costume.

 

[edible eye]

Can't wait to see it finished! Do you have a larger image of your icon to share?

 

[Fuzzhead]

I think the head sculpt looks real good so far.