Scifi Props at DVinfo.net

Jan van den Hemel · June 22nd, 2004, 03:35 PM

Where can I find information about how to make scifi props, like guns and miniatures? Any help would be appreciated!

Michael Gibbons · June 22nd, 2004, 03:45 PM

Try this:www.morgankeithstudios.com/escape

Lots of good stuff.
Happy hunting
Michael

Jan van den Hemel · June 22nd, 2004, 04:27 PM

That is very cool.

A while ago i happened across a website about "found objects"-based props, mostly guns and stuff. It was pretty interesting but I cannot find it anymore.

Jim Quinlan · June 23rd, 2004, 06:08 AM

I found these the other day when looking for a flying saucer model. Some cool sci fi props and models.

http://www.lunarmodelsonline.com/

http://www.starshipmodeler.com/

K. Forman · June 23rd, 2004, 07:00 AM

There is a book that describes the everyday items that were turned into "futuristic" props for the original Star Trek series. I just can't remember the name of it. Great book though... I browsed through it at a Barnes & Noble, while sipping on a cappucino ;)

Richard Alvarez · June 23rd, 2004, 07:24 AM

I was working on a short film once, that was being produced by an Art Director who worked on Batman, 12 Monkeys, and some other great films. In his apartment, there was a "Space Suit". I mean, when you walked in, you saw this great looking futuristic, Star Ship Troopers sort of combat space suit on a mannequin. When I walked up to it and looked closely, I could see it was made of all sorts of stuff you could get at a flea market and hardware store. Connections, hoses, valves, "armor" and the weapon was a modified water blaster, all painted up with extra parts glued on.

He said he built it one day when he got bored.

The key here, is that all the parts are readily available.

But the important stuff was in his head. Years of talent, experience, training and "vision".

Jan van den Hemel · June 24th, 2004, 03:24 PM

Good point, Richard.

Its funny how even big budget stuff uses everyday items for props. An old cassette recorder glued onto Darth Vaders costume is one example...

Keith Loh · June 24th, 2004, 08:36 PM

I think the trick is that even stuff in the future has grounding in the past.

Richard Alvarez · June 25th, 2004, 05:21 AM

I saw a special on the making of "Close Encounters" it's really hilarious all the stuff they glued on to the "mother ship". A volkswagon buss, a mail box, an r2d2... a graveyard... funny stuff.

Nick Jushchyshyn · June 25th, 2004, 08:24 AM

Never underestimate the power of can of black spraypaint. :)

You can find some GREAT sci-fi guns at Dollar stores.
They usually have a whole bunch of really cheap, bright orange and yellow toy guns. They typically shoot water or foam projectiles.

Ignor function, color and weight entirely. Look for ones that are about the right size and have LOTS of surface detail elements (grooves, "screws" etc.) When you get them home, spray 'em completely black. Then, get a can of silver spraypaint, spray onto a piece of paper or a paper towel and rub on the gun while the silver is still wet. This will make the gun look a bit used and highlight all the raised details with sliver and "scratches". :)

Also, one other source for cool, scifi-ish guns is video game stores that sell second-hand game systems. Many times, light guns for old NES and Sega systems can be found for $5 or less.

To add "rocket launchers" and scopes, just get some PVC pipe from a plumbing store (usually only $1-2 for an 8 foot length) and strap pieces on with pipe clamps.

You can find several links to sites that deatail miniature on this page

Have fun.

June 22nd, 2004, 03:35 PM	#1
Jan van den Hemel Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: PAL land Posts: 87	Scifi Props Where can I find information about how to make scifi props, like guns and miniatures? Any help would be appreciated! __________________ J.

June 22nd, 2004, 03:45 PM	#2
Michael Gibbons Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Loveland, Colorado, USA Posts: 292	Try this:www.morgankeithstudios.com/escape Lots of good stuff. Happy hunting Michael __________________ " When some wild-eyed, eight foot tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head against a bar room wall, and looks you crooked in the eye, and he asks you if you've payed your dues, well, you just stare that big suker right back in the eye, and you remember what old Jack Burton always says at a time like that, 'Have you paid your dues, Jack? Yes sir, the check is in the mail."

June 22nd, 2004, 04:27 PM	#3
Jan van den Hemel Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: PAL land Posts: 87	That is very cool. A while ago i happened across a website about "found objects"-based props, mostly guns and stuff. It was pretty interesting but I cannot find it anymore. __________________ J.

June 23rd, 2004, 06:08 AM	#4
Jim Quinlan Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 177	I found these the other day when looking for a flying saucer model. Some cool sci fi props and models. http://www.lunarmodelsonline.com/ http://www.starshipmodeler.com/ __________________ Jim

June 23rd, 2004, 07:00 AM	#5
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	There is a book that describes the everyday items that were turned into "futuristic" props for the original Star Trek series. I just can't remember the name of it. Great book though... I browsed through it at a Barnes & Noble, while sipping on a cappucino ;) __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

June 23rd, 2004, 07:24 AM	#6
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	I was working on a short film once, that was being produced by an Art Director who worked on Batman, 12 Monkeys, and some other great films. In his apartment, there was a "Space Suit". I mean, when you walked in, you saw this great looking futuristic, Star Ship Troopers sort of combat space suit on a mannequin. When I walked up to it and looked closely, I could see it was made of all sorts of stuff you could get at a flea market and hardware store. Connections, hoses, valves, "armor" and the weapon was a modified water blaster, all painted up with extra parts glued on. He said he built it one day when he got bored. The key here, is that all the parts are readily available. But the important stuff was in his head. Years of talent, experience, training and "vision".

June 24th, 2004, 03:24 PM	#7
Jan van den Hemel Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: PAL land Posts: 87	Good point, Richard. Its funny how even big budget stuff uses everyday items for props. An old cassette recorder glued onto Darth Vaders costume is one example... __________________ J.

June 24th, 2004, 08:36 PM	#8
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	I think the trick is that even stuff in the future has grounding in the past. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

June 25th, 2004, 05:21 AM	#9
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	I saw a special on the making of "Close Encounters" it's really hilarious all the stuff they glued on to the "mother ship". A volkswagon buss, a mail box, an r2d2... a graveyard... funny stuff.

June 25th, 2004, 08:24 AM	#10
Nick Jushchyshyn Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA Posts: 548	Never underestimate the power of can of black spraypaint. :) You can find some GREAT sci-fi guns at Dollar stores. They usually have a whole bunch of really cheap, bright orange and yellow toy guns. They typically shoot water or foam projectiles. Ignor function, color and weight entirely. Look for ones that are about the right size and have LOTS of surface detail elements (grooves, "screws" etc.) When you get them home, spray 'em completely black. Then, get a can of silver spraypaint, spray onto a piece of paper or a paper towel and rub on the gun while the silver is still wet. This will make the gun look a bit used and highlight all the raised details with sliver and "scratches". :) Also, one other source for cool, scifi-ish guns is video game stores that sell second-hand game systems. Many times, light guns for old NES and Sega systems can be found for $5 or less. To add "rocket launchers" and scopes, just get some PVC pipe from a plumbing store (usually only $1-2 for an 8 foot length) and strap pieces on with pipe clamps. You can find several links to sites that deatail miniature on this page Have fun.