Evolutions: How I Got Sucked In

Replicant Shadow

Active Hunter
I made my first scratch built costume on October 29-30-31, 2004. I had no intention at the time to build a trooper, as I wanted to do a cheapy Emperor to troll around the Santa Barbara party scene on Halloween. You know, something to walk around completely naked in underneath, with a flask of scotch. Just kidding. Anyways, I couldn't find a decent robe or capes at the local Halloween store (a shop that appears once a year just for Halloween season) and the prospect of applying make-up wasn’t' appealing. So, I saw a cheap AOTC Clone Rubies on the shelf and grabbed it. I figured I would just pop that on, and wear a white sheet and call it a day. I was an overweight yuppie who happens to dig women, so that was the extent of my imagination at that particular moment. But, I started to think a little more creatively, as I realized how lame that Rubies looked (yes, I knew even then that the proportions where off compared to the clones on screen, and I tossed the helmet across the living room in disgust) That’s when I decided to correct a wrong, and I began researching clones and Snowtroopers on Google. I always dug those snowtroopers.

That's when I happened upon Jeff Allen's tutorials at Studio Creations (I didn't hear about the TDH nor Clonetroopers.net until I attended CIII) I couldn't believe my eyes, in the sense that I found people who actually did this stuff seriously. I had no clue. I was mildly bit (I fully succumbed at CIII, when I saw all you brothas and sistas, I was blown away) I felt like Richard Dryefus in Close Encounters where he makes the connection between his sculpted Devils Tower in his living room, and the news report on the television *BAM* . So, I was inspired, and I even grabbed my Star Wars Insider with the first image of the Phase Two EPIII clone on the cover, and I began hacking away at that vinyl Rubies with a heated steak knife and exacto. My goal was to justify the helmet, by changing over the look of the T-Visor, and then adding a snowtrooper valance. It took me one entire day to work over that bucket.

Next I went to the local ARMY/NAVY Surplus store (with print outs of snowtroopers in hand) looking for compatible soft parts and belt boxes. I bought $20.00 worth of stuff, including some white web belts, and a pair of used US Army snow boots for $25.00. Next, I went to a thrift shop, looking for something that would work as a chest plate. I found the perfect used bread maker, for $5.00! Finally, I purchased a few cans of flat white at Ace Hardware. So, enough of my yakking, here it is. I won $250.00 at a costume contest in this get up at Club 634:

VERSION ONE 2004
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VERSION TWO 2005 (after CIII and finding about this place and CTN)
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VERSION THREE 2006 (after being encouraged in the right direction)
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Without this site and the good folks at CTN, I would have never been able to realize my dormant, childhood dream of owning my very own Star Wars stormtrooper costume. Thank you all for all your guidance, critique and encouragement over the years. This hobby has had a positive impact on my life, allowing me to realize my creative potential, not limited to getting into full shape, 60lbs less today!

You are the best gang!

CV

VERSION FOUR FINAL: Coming soon 2008
 
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That’s awesome bro! What’s funny is I remember seeing pics of your “version 1” costume. It’s hard to believe it’s been that many years! :)
 
That's damn nice! :eek: I've always loved your custom commander, especially since a custom clone is a pretty rare thing.

Version 4? Not sure how it can get any better than V3. 8) Unless of course you have real blasters and bullet-proof armor. :lol:
 
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Dude, you are made of awsome! A true inspiration. In the words of Christopher Walken, "Wowie wow wow!"

But hark, what's up with the visor on version 1? Is the photo filled in with a ballpoint pen? Innovative I must say. *high five*
 
ta haaa! Yeah it's ink pen, my lens fell out somewhere between the car and office the Elmers didn't work tell well. I had it replaced by dinner time, ready for my downtown stroll, with some stray kittties :)

Thank you again for the commentos mi compadres!

Halloween2004.jpg


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