Techsean's blog

Podcamp robot (page in progress)

This project was meant as a schedule board for PodCamp NH. I used the same type of construction as I have before with the buckets (gives people a chuckle) but this is a static prop. The lights on him were from car stores. You have a great selection of pre-wired lights to pick from

The Long day of The Wheel of Austen

Here is the finished Wheel of Austen currently on stage at Improvboston.  I was asked by John Herman to build this wacky thing (thanks for having faith in me ) . I ended up building this in a day (9am to 1am Long day ). Solid wood construction, nicely sanded and painted. Complete with clacking  sound for the pegs.

Now while I'm pretty proud of this nutty build it actually started off as one big fat fail on my part. I'll get to that later in another post but for now here is the construction of the Wheel of Austen.

I give credit to this link with a big thanks to Ehow for pulling my butt out of the fire

Making my circle

Cutting out the Wheel. Very happy with my saw, that blade really cuts like a lightsaber.

Pie slices ( I did fine but I should have probably gone with the instructions)

Sanding the wheel, top back and edges...

 
Drilling the hole for the dowels. I actually am wearing goggles and a mask for the construction. I removed them for the photo. Safety first!!

 

 
Primed and painted

 

Putting in the dowels. Glued then hammered into the wood. They are not going anywhere.

Working on the base. I used a nice heavy base with mounted with a metal bracket screwed (about 12 screws) into the wood and the post. I later added some nice wood scroll brackets, more for decoration than for support. Painted it all white to give it a nice wholesome clean look.

 

Putting everything together finally!! Still more work to do.

 

We need letters now. That is where my lovely and awesome wife (and muse) came in she found the font and tweeked it for our needs and printed it all out. We spend the rest of the nice cutting tiny letters and decoupaging them to the wheel.

 

 

 

Letters are done at long last and my vision is getting really blurry by this time (1am )and I can feel the burn on my head from being outside all day. Hey I was on a roll so you don't stop for anything except for 10 minute breaks to keep your brain from shorting out.

THE WHEEL OF AUSTEN!!!

VIDEO OF THE FIRST TEST SPIN

 

 

Still more steampunk projects!!

Twitter me @techsean I enjoy talking to othe creative people.

Well the need for steampunk props just keeps coming. Right now I'm on the tail end of some projects for a stage show at the Steampunk Industrial Revolution in Nashua NH March 25-27. I'll post up detailed instruction on my instructables site as I get more time.

Clockwork brain

 

More robot costume parts (construction shots)

Edison Brass-0-graphic recorder

How to make Steampunk Audiophone!

Building the box or recycling is good

This started off as an old silver set box so this is twice recycled. I used the base in another production as a robot control box, but gave it a total makeover for this project. I still liked the hunter green color I used the first time but it needed some help and some bumps and holes filled.      I sanded it all down and primed it again. A few coats of spraypaint and some use of a plastic bag give it some texture was all it took to give me a kind of marbled look. The gray is just the primer showing but I liked the look and went with it. The inside is covered with scrapbooking paper to give it that expensive look it needs for a doctor's office.

Detailing on the box is made from other scrapbooking items and some wooden medallions and various brass hardware.

Inside the box the parts are various bit from lamps, dollar store items and hardware store bits. The tubes are painted plastic marchmellow dart guns. The recording cones are flower holders which I might add flickering electronic candles to just make the piece more active.

I epoxyed some candle sticks and brass bed post together to form some different shape and give the impression of more steam boilers and other unknown bits.

Electronic work

I do plan on wiring up a spinning motor that will go to the knife switch on the right so you have something visually going on inside of the box. I think the spinning will lead the viewer to think that it's recording.

Doctor Doom mask final project update

 
I'll dig out the other pics shortly but I wanted to get something up here. Doctor Doom Costume by Barbara O'Connell

I created the cape clasps by using large button blanks and spray painting them gold. The chain is actually a pimp costume chain but it works well with the outfit. Gloves are actually work gloves that have plastic stage armor parts hot glued on them. Hammer style spraypaint was used on all parts.

Doctor Doom Mask project 10/22/2010 update

Thanks to this tutorial I have an excellent start to create my doctor doom mask.

 

 

I am currently re-adjusting the pattern so it fits my big head and I am thinking of using some plaster bandages or sculpt and coat to make it more rigid. The jaw is fixed so movement is not a concern. I plan to add lots of details to make it look more like forged metal. I'll post more as I go along.

Moved over to a new material for the underskin, it's a rigid but flexable plastic.

I put on the first  layer of plaster bandages and waiting for it to dry.It was them placed on a head form to dry.

 

Robot fan page link

My robot now has his own fan page and seems well on his way to overthrowing mankind. Here is the LINK . I included some "baby photos" of his creation with some details on his build.

Reviews of the Steampunk Play

Review from the Portland Phoenix

Seacoast online review

Some reviews of the play. I'll be adding more as I find them. Some nice mentions on my props for which I am grateful. Props usually never get mentioned even more rare is the prop maker getting a review so I'm just going to enjoy this happy occurrence. Thanks to all John Herman and the cast for making this such a great experience.  

I have a few more reviews and a article by the wonderful Jasmin Hunter coming up shortly.

Steampunk play Opening night from a prop point of view

Great opening night. I really enjoyed giving the actors some good props to work with for the show. They are a great bunch of people and I'm happy to give them anything that helps the performance. The actors really gave the props life. From the Ray gun battles to the delicate handling of the star disk and the romantic back and forth of the robot love story (and so many other moments) they made the props seem real and I thank everyone for that. Audience reaction Really good feedback from the audience on the props. I enjoyed the look on peoples faces as my huge robot came out of the wings. We even had to being him back for photos so I could not be happier since it amounts to a prop encore. Which Is a pretty rare event. So many great moments talking to the actors , writers and directors I can't even list them. The comments from them really made all of the hard work worth it and I deeply appreciate it. The fallen props.... Some repaire of course need to be done. We had the robot head take a tumble and fell off a control panel and the robot head and some goggles needs repair. Nothing that can't be fixed with a hot glue gun. It was an insanely short time to generate so many props for so many plays and I must admit I had a creative brain meltdown a few times. It's hard to be creative on a schedule but sometimes you just have to make it happen since you have people counting on you.

Steampunk Stage project Final ?

Ok here is my final to do list for today.

Unplugged

Interface device- Not really described in the script. I have some devices but the fitting of them is difficult for the gowns.

Feeding tubes- I wanted some kind of collar device for the tube. Just need to screw it on the end of the tube.

Victory

Control Box- Must attach typewriter and crank today.

Switch- it's a flashy blinky switch, not sure if it's too modern looking. I might slap another one on it quickly.

Arm and Leg units- I have some devices that will attach to the arm and legs via bungie cord (velcro makes too much noise and is not period. Each of them will have an activation light. I am concerned that they might be big but small cables are not going to make much of an impact on stage even a small one.

Helmet- Looks like you could electro shock someone in it.

Packing list for props

Steampunk rifle 

Box and cart for Victory

Cables and arm / leg units for Victory.

Flashlights and instruction book for Dead Ringers

Interface devices for Unplugged

Misc tools for repairs.

Directors feel free to email me at tekmagenh at gmail.com or DM me at @techsean on twitter

*SSP = steampunk set piece Status DONE - I added a few things to it like feeding tubes but it's done for the most part.

Time has run out since tomorrow we start the stage rehearsal. What I have I have... we will see what needs to be adjusted, scrapped or rebuilt. This was an insane project (and fun don't get me wrong) and I'm looking forward to meeting more of the writers, directors and actors.

Dead Ringer

Steampunk Cell phone (Spirit box) DONE

Flashlights- DONE

Seven Sisters

Goggles DONE I was actually pretty happy to see the actors just pick the goggles I designed for each character with no prompting from me.

Sky Disk- DONE Sorry I could not put the inscription of all that text on to the device. I would need a Frisbee and a 1/2 to pull that off.

Whip- Off my list

Ro-Bro

Robot needed- Pincer Arms DONE

What to do about his face?

G.E Rock and the Telectroscopic Transmission

Pdone machine-Attached to the *SSP DONE

Zynthtarigoth - Off my list

Sy Berpunk- Robot head- DONE

Fulgutron- Made it... It's freaking HUGE!!!! DONE

Remote control/ calculator- DONE

Pdone- grab some vials.. DONE

Steampunk pistol – DONE packed extra pistol

Steampunk shotgun- DONE but forgot to pack, I'll have it up for the dress rehearsal.

Pancakes

*SSP can be used for some general fiddling for the technician as he reads the instructions

Clipboard-DONE

Goggles- They are using an extra set for the Tech. Not in the script but the actor likes them. I was also told the prop helped to get a emotional point across from the script.

War is Coming

Robot (female)- DONE

Updates

Robot- DONE

Additions- Control box on back needed.Will finish 9/21

Heart- DONE

Toolbox- Off my list

Victory

Cart and large box are being spray painted. Added some detail to the underside to give it a generator look. Must attach typewriter and crank today.

Arm and Leg units- I have some devices that will attach to the arm and legs via bungie cord (velcro makes too much noise and is not period. Each of them will have an activation light.

Unplugged

Hand held Devices- DONE

Feeding tubes- I found some lighted book lights that could work. The actors can just clip them to the collar of a short or dress and hit the button. A light will shine on the back of the head that could be interpreted by the audience as some kind of mind altering beam. It should look strange. Need info on length of tubes but I just cut them that day on rehearsal.