How to become a swamp monster

Hey everyone and welcome to the technical blog for Episode #25 (swamp monster). It's the end of Mogulween and we're giving you what you've been asking for...SWAMP MONSTER! I know there are different interpretations of the swamp monster. Some people think of "Creature form the Black lagoon" others think of "Swamp Thing". I went with the latter. Hope you enjoy! Send in your swamp monster movies, or log into the forums and challenge us to a different special effect.

Shopping List

1. Painters suit.
   (Found at any hardware store near the drop clothes and respirators.)
2. 1/8 inch foam.
   (Foam store baby! You could probably find it at a craft store too.)
3. Spray paint.
   (I used two shades of green.)
4. Spray adhesive.
   (There is special spray glue designed for foam. Get some, it's amazing stuff.)
5. Liquid latex.
   (This stuff is like the life blood of Halloween.)
6. Green make-up.
   (I used a base of green liquid make-up then 2 different tones of green grease paint for highlights.)
7. Bald cap.
   (Found at any costume shop. Worst case scenario you'll have to order one online.)
8. Toilet paper.
   (Not used.)
9. Paper towels.
   (Again not used.)
10. Hair spray.
    (Aquanet! It's cheap and good for our purposes.)
11. Soft nose putty.
    (Another costume "must have".)

The swamp suit

WARNING: WHEN DEALING WITH SPRAY PAINT AND SPRAY GLUE WEAR THE PROPERLY RATED RESPIRATOR AND WORK OUTSIDE IF YOU CAN. IF NOT, MAKE SURE TO WORK IN A VERY WELL VENTILATED ROOM. I AM SERIOUS, THESE ARE NASTY FUMES YOU'RE DEALING WITH.

Start by hanging up your painters suit. We'll be working with a spray adhesive which is a contact cement. Meaning you need to spray both surfaces to be adhered. Start by spraying a small patch of your suit. While that dries and becomes tacky tear off a piece of the foam and spray one side. Using your hands create little folds and veins in the foam. With some practice you'll be able to form this foam into really anything. The trick is the glue on the back is supporting the shapes you're making by sticking together. When you're done you should have a nice texture patch you can then attach to the suit.

Repeat this process until you have covered your swamp body in as much "vegetation" as you want. I fully covered the front of the chest and the arms, but left it less cluttered in the back and around the legs. I did this because I knew I would not need to shoot below the waist often. Finish up with a nice two tone make-up job.

The make-up

(As alway, when dealing with liquid latex, start by testing on your actors arm to make sure they are not allergic.)

The first step is to apply a bald cap. There should be instructions included when you buy one, but the basic idea is to stretch it over the actor's head then use liquid latex along the edges to stick it in place.

Next create a eyebrow ridge out of nose putty and cover in liquid latex. This is very similar to the eyebrow ridge we create for the"possessed" effect.

Next apply a base layer of liquid latex to the nose and cheeks. Create a flap out of a paper towel and attach it to your actor's face. Apply another heavy layer of liquid latex on top of the paper towel to secure it in place and smooth it out.

Now apply another base layer of latex, this time along the top of the head.

This is where we will attach our toilet paper (seaweed) hair. Attach the TP to the front and twist and wrinkle. Keep the TP long enough to drape down the back of the neck. Once you have the desired amount of seaweed hair in place, spray the crap out if it with hair spray. This will first wet everything down to give it that real seaweed look, then it will dry and bond in place.

The last stage is adding color. Start with a base color of green. Then add details around the eyes, nose and mouth with two different shades of green grease paint.

To finish up, tuck the TP hair into the neck of the suit and color that with some of the spray paint from before. Be VERY careful not to get spray paint on your actors real skin. This should not be that hard considering they are wearing a bald cap. Regardless, be careful, and always cover the actor's face.

Don't forget to color your actor's hands green, then you're done!

Check out this build in action, from Episode 25 of Backyard FX