A place for those who "Trust the Fungus"

MODERATOR'S NOTICE: I moved the three different topics into one, no need to make three separate threads about the same general thing. ~ MerrittTheFerret

One of the easiest (and most important) props from the SMB movie, the Bob-Omb:



I've seen one or two replicas of this made (including Marioblaster's great one), but I've never seen one that actually works. I decided that needed to change....

The main problem, I looked and looked, but couldn't find ANY spherical walking windup toys. Yes, I found windup spherical ones, or ever bomb-shaped ones, BUT they all jumped along, they didn't walk. So on to something a little different......


You're right to look worried Mr Owl.......

A bit of hack and slash with the dremel later:



Toes added with Milliput.
6cm diameter clear acrylic craft-store bauble with windows cut for the legs and winder.
Cut down pen body filled with Milliput and a string fuse.
Plastic eyes cut from an old christmas tree bauble (so that their curve matches the sphere).
Winder extended using a slice of a dead paintbrush.
Winding handle cut from 3mm thick plastic sheet.

Assembly prior to painting:



The owl's body will be hotglued inside the sphere for stability after I've sprayed the sphere.

The best thing? It actually winds up and WALKS.

Ok, I actually decided to paint it up using a brush rather than spray paint - the rougher texture seems to match the screen-caps better.

Painted up and owl hotglued into back half of the sphere:



I've made it so that the two halves are not permanently attached - you can open it up any time in case you need to fix the mechanism - or just gaze upon the dismembered owl.

Finished:





I'll try to get a vid up later.

The Goombas are my favourite thing about the whole SMB movie, so when I saw this raw bust on eBay I just HAD to get it:





In the photos here you can see that I've cleaned up the cast and cut out the eyes and mouth.

I'm waiting for good weather so I can spray it with primer so I can get on an paint it. Accurate glass eyes have been ordered and are on the way.

I plan to sculpt the teeth and inside of the mouth. As you can see, I've found the correct collar detail. I've also identified the correct kind of fabric for the shirt and am hoping I can get some of it cheap enough to make the shirt. The idea is to make a lifesize replica, including clothing, from the chest up.

Will update once painting begins.

Inspired by Marioblaster's great build-up of the Devo Gun I decided to have a go myself.

Here's where I am at the moment:



If anyone is interested, I've posted a step by step tutorial on the RPF (though Marioblaster covers pretty much everything in his thread here):

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=85779

More to come.....

Great props man! The Bob Omb is awesome! It actually walks. That's cool. The Goomba is off to a great start as well.

Here's the little guy in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIweiDfzOxE

Here's my finished Goomba head based on the paint scheme seen above (the eyes are glass and I sculpted the palettes and teeth for the inside of the mouth):













I have chicken wire to build a form for the shoulders and upper torso (since the shoulders are a big part of the character), but getting hold of the correct fabric to make the shirt is a real pain. Will update when/if I get the upper torso done.

And next on the block (when he arrives), will be Toad.

Wow, the goomba bust really turned out fantastic! You did an excellent job on it!

wow this is amazing work!! You did this yourself? Great job!! It looks exactly like the goombas in the movie. I be it would also make for an awesome costume for Halloween or a convention. Looking forward to seeing the work on the body.

The work is simply astounding. It looks to be near the same quality as in the film, with the only flaw preventing it from perfection being the lack of motor movement... This could seriously be used as a costume in a fan film, or at the very least a skit.

Bodies are on hold - can't find the right fabric for the shirts ANYWHERE.

But I have been busy.....

When I finished up the bad guy goomba bust I had a casting of, I just HAD to get Toad when I was offered him....

Both are cast from molds of the animatronic heads that were molded by the team at MEL (who fabricated and puppeteered the goombas for the movie and who still have the goombas on display in their effects shop).

Still of Toad - paint scheme I was aiming for:



Finished bust, with fabricated inner mouth palettes and teeth, and glass eyes from Van Dykes:











Both goombas together:







Now if I could just track down casts of the other two goombas.....

Top-notch work, as usual. Makes me wish I had a head small enough to wear them as a mask.

Absolutely stunning work! Did the guy who provided the sculpts actually work on the film?

No, the seller I bought them from didn't say where they came from, but I was contacted by someone who works for MEL (Makeup & Effects Laboratories, Inc) who told me that MEL had molded two of their screen-used heads and sold castings of them some time back. He actually puppeteered the goombas for the movie and sent me a bunch of photos of the goomba heads and full bodies that are still on display in MEL.

Some should try making the Hammer Brothers (Koopahattan Police officer) uniforms one day.

(They were clearly based on the Hammer Brothers.)

Wow those both really turned out incredible! You did a fantastic job on them!

Maybe you can make the air stompers

AMAZING job on the two goombas!! They look just like the originals. That's really cool that the MEL company sent you photos of the ones they have on display. If costumes could be made these would be so awesome on Halloween or at a con. Just their sheer size I think would have people totally freak.

Finally got round to finishing off the Devo Gun. Here it is:


This was before the shoulder strap was added.

awesome. just simply AWESOME!

I must say, Howlrunner, your work on the two goomba busts and the devo gun has inspired me to build a replica goomba costume myself. I contacted the seller and he still has goomba busts available for sale. Just a matter of me having the money/time to and go and invest in such a project.

RE: The Goomba busts

I'm sorry, but I just have to say it:

"WHY...SO...SERIOUS? WHY...SO...SERIOUS?"

I made a lightsaber hilt using PVC, so maybe I can make my own devo gun

very good props!

Amazing, simply amazing. Have you thought about offering your creative talent to people like Industrial Light and Magic, or the Muppeteers people? You've already got an extensive resume, from the looks of it!