Monkey Blog

Creating props for Edgar Allan Poe’s Ligeia – “The Tomb”

Patrick — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:03:08 +0000

The film, “Edgar Allan Poe’s Ligeia”, was recently released through Fangoria Frightfest as “The Tomb”. This production featured stars Michael Madsen and Eric Roberts and was shot in St. Louis, MO.

The Tomb, now available on DVD

The production designer, Cat Cacciatorre contacted me about creating some props for the film, specifically the main prop – Ligeia’s “soul-sucking mask” and vials.

Ligeia's "soul-sucking" mask

Ligeia using the "soul-sucking" mask created by Robot Monkey Lab.

Robot Monkey artist, Lloyd Longsworth created a ball of LED lights to fit inside the vial with a small battery pack. This was requested by cinematographer, Chris Benson to have practical light coming from the vials that would then enhance the visual effects added in post.

RML technician Lloyd Longsworth inspects the glow of the ball of LEDs he created for the vials.

The "soul-sucking" mask at work.

We also created numerous vials for the mask, as well as an ouroboros (snake eating it’s tail) for the cabinet where Ligeia kept the soul vials. A small ouroboros was created for the cover of Ligeia’s book.

The ouroboros created for Ligeia's cabinet of soul vials.

BIG PROPS: Another main prop we created was the tomb of Ligeia itself, which was round like a well with a round lid. On the lid was a large ouroboros and the plaques with the names and dates of Ligeia and her mother.

Cemetary set for the Tomb.

Lid of the tomb with name plaques

Robot Monkey Lab at work

Artist Suzanne Stockhausen works on the details of one of the tombstones.

Ligeia's tomb in progress at Robot Monkey Lab

The tomb prop itself was a big project that was made in many sections and then all attached. The final tomb prop was actually cut into two pieces to enable certain shots that were needed from “inside” the tomb.

Patrick Voss making grave plaques

The grave plaques were tedious, but the finished pieces looked great.

Cemetary set pieces ready for the shoot!

Artists Brandy Moore and Jim Wayer working on tombstones. Tomb lid in background.

Array of shots of the "soul-sucking" mask and vials in progress.

Making Jake Steele’s Superbrain Computer Prop

Patrick — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 20:17:04 +0000

Awhile back producer/director James “Bud” Gregson hired the Lab to create a fake “Superbrain computer” for his television show, “Jake Steele: Future Spy”. He had just won a couple international Fast Awards for the short concept video and was wanting to take the project to the next level and present it at NATPE (National Association of Television Program Executives) where television deals are made. I just loved the concept of the teen with all the gadgets and smarts to foil the goofy bad guys.

First we discussed the prop and how it was to be used. Bud wanted it to house a video monitor so he could play the concept video at the convention. And of course, have it look all futuristic and techie with lights and such. We sketched out some ideas and I went to work.

Creating Super Hero Boots!

Patrick — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 04:36:28 +0000

My friend, Keith Howard is a super hero geek, which is cool in my book. He has created his own costumes and awesome boots and appeared as Superman at the Metropolis, Illinois costume contest. He didn’t win, but his costume got a lot of attention…especially his boots. They got so much attention that he formed his own company – Super Hero Boots. He now has quite an array of boots that he makes and sells. His first customer was actually Superman! Ok, it was actually Superman Danny Kelley, who was so impressed with Keith’s boots he wanted a pair. Dan now sports Keith’s Superman boots at all his events he attends as the man of steel.

I’ve been working with Keith on several aspects of his boot creation and will be blogging here and there about it. This week Keith sculpted a Superman Returns inspired boot sole. I have to tell you, when I saw photos of the actual Superman Returns boots from the film I was like, “What the…?” They are the most complicated, overdone pieces of wardrobe I’ve seen. I mean who really looks at Superman’s boots? Even the soles are highly detailed with Superman logos and designs…sheesh!

Below is Danny Kelley as the man of steel wearing his Super Hero Boots created by Keith Howard.

: Superman – Danny Kelley

This is the silicone mold (pink) and the positive rubber shoe sole (red).