Fruit Batman
Making this huge Fruit Batman character for The Fool Factory has been the thing keeping me so busy last month. The wingspan is 6-7 metres, and it is a stilt-walking character. The wings are articulated, and it has animatronic eyes and ears, but it was my brief to build the creature around those supplied elements. He is now in Adelaide, doing some performances in the streets during the Fringe Festival.
I’ve made a set of photos that show some of the making process. And there are some more stills and a couple of quicktimes on the Fool Factory’s new site. I was particularly happy with the head:
The feet (in your photoset) are pretty great, too.
Hi Hil
Amazing! Loved the claws. I guess when you make something like that, weight (or lack of it) must be a consideration for the wearer and heat perhaps in a country like yours. Are these things you have to thing about?
What’s next for you?
Thanks. I think you can probably tell from the photos that I like the claws too! We had some fun pretending they were back-scratchers and nosepickers, too…
Yes, both weight and heat are major considerations, and this bodysuit stretched the usual boundaries in weight. However, the performer/designer and I were working in close collaboration so we could discuss it easily, and I could be sure that it was his decision to make the stretch.
Oh — what’s next. Possibly some big ants … not definite yet :-)
You mentioned plasticine model when you were beginning. Did you make one for fruit bat in the end and can we see?
What a great thing! Just think, now a giant pterodactyl will be a snap…
LOL, thanks, Linda (– shhh! )