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Author
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Topic: reusable face appliance with latex?
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Buddy
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posted 12-05-2000 04:30 PM
Hi,
I want to make a mask that can movie when your lips move or blink when you blink...i think you get what i'm saying. I only have liquid latex is it posible to make one that's reusable?
Thanks
Buddy------------------
"That's not a knife, THIS is a knife".
"No it's not. That's a spoon". "Ach. I see you've played knifey-spoony before".
http://www.members.tripod.com/b-mage |
FXMan
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posted 12-05-2000 06:19 PM
Well the only problem with plain liquid latex is that once the transport(?) medium has dried up - in this case either ammonia or water based latex - is that it becomes relatively stiff. Using it for a mask is fine but the flexibility required to make a mask look realistic, move loosely and realistically like skin, is to use foam latex which is another whole process - highly technical and one time use of the appliances only. You could try to get the eyelids and lips fairly thin for a llittle flexibility but other areas of the mask that are "connected" to it aren't going to move naturally even if and when the areas you mention (eyes and mouth) do move. NOT the best way to go and most likely you'd not be satisfied with it in the end and will have used your materials for little more than a Halloween type mask - though they're a little thicker than you'd make. But still not really flexible enough to look legitimate. Break down and invest in gelatin which DOES render really good looking appliances which aren't reusable but are so cheap that you can get away with remaking them over and over assuming you've made excellent molds - similar to foam latex molds but a little different. Gelatin moves, feels and can be made to look VERY much like real skin and works quite well.Good luck. FXMan |
GrapeApe
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posted 12-05-2000 09:28 PM
Can you name some places to get started using Gelatin? Can't you buy the stuff from the supermarket? (I know it is different from JELLO)GrapeApe
kiltset@earthlink.net
It has been discovered that research causes cancer in rats. [This message has been edited by GrapeApe (edited 12-05-2000).] |
FXMan
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posted 12-05-2000 10:24 PM
Yes you can get the Knox brand from the grocery BUT that is of a different BLOOM strength (the measure of strength for gelatin) and doesn't hold up as well. In addition there are some other additives but aren't too expensive either - namely glycerine and sorbitol plus zinc oxide powder. Those mixed in the proper amounts, heated and poured into good molds, and you get pretty darn good appliances that hold up pretty well to moisture(sweat) and heat. But they're not perfect. James Woods wore galatin old age appliances in GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI done by Matthew Mungle and others have used it quite successfully. It is a little translucent like real skin, can be intrinsically colored and looks and feels pretty real - like skin. So if you want full particulars there are a couple of "white papers" on the subject on my web site under the TIPS&TECHNIQUES link that explain the use of it there with formulas. Also, there is a review of Michael Davy's FOAMED latex processes. THAT too is great stuff. I love using it. 40% lighter than regular gelatin, looks a lot like and feels a lot like foam latex but not as translucent as the regular pour gelatin. If you're really interested in the processes let me know and I'll fill you in.FXMan Sorry I failed to put the web site address or answer your initial question of where to buy the components for using this process. Just about ANY makeup supply place might have SOME of the ingredients, but Burman's has ALL of them. Some people have stopped carrying the components. I think Monster Makers quit carrying everything (don't know why). But Michael Davy's Supply still has all the components too and perhaps a few others - like Special Effects Supply, Stage Door Studios or others. But you can PLAY with the KNOX brand from the grocery first to see if you like the results before spending a lot on the industrial strength 300 bloom gelatin. The other ingredients like Sorbitol, Glycerine and zinc oxide powder can be found in the drug stores.
Good luck.
FXMan http://www.sapsema.com
[This message has been edited by FXMan (edited 12-06-2000).] | |
