Making a Batman Fan Film...

[Wade]

Hey folks,

I am in the process of making a Batman fan film, in the style of Nolan's films, and need some helpful advice from you knowledgeable folks.

First, how well does collodian work? I see it can be quite a hassle to get off the more you apply it. But, it looks amazingly realistic and I would want to use it for The Joker's chelsea grin. The prosthetics I've seen so far are hit and miss. Any advice?

Also, I am looking for a great prosthetic for Two-Face. I'd appreciate it if someone pointed me in the right direction. I want to get everything right.


Helpful links

http://www.fxwarehouse.info/collodion.shtml
http://www.fxwarehouse.info/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=JJMK&Category_Code=Joker


Any help from you all would be most appreciated! Thank you!

~Wade

 

[sclabguy]

three things are important ABOVE EVERYTHING; the script, storyboarding, and actors
prosthetics are good and easy to apply BUT you need the right person to play the role, even if you do have the greatest makeup ever

 

[Wade]

I couldn't agree with you more!

 

[Wade]

Any helpful responses? I'd appreciate it!

 

[Hole Shot]

The problem I have with most batman fan films is Batman himself. First, for obvious reasons the cast usually tends to be made up of young people so they immediately come off as silly and out of place. Second the costume is too expensive to make custom so people have to resort to the stuff made available to the public which again looks goofy. Third, the failed attempts at doing a "batvoice" again this has to do with the age of the actors and the fact that they're not really actors but friends getting together to make a movie, but it just always sounds awful especially when they're attempting to mimick Bale's. I would suggest not even bothering trying to transform the actor's voice, but just talk in a very low range.

 

[Wade]

Considering Batman isn't in my story, I don't believe I will face that problem. No doubt, I thoroughly agree with all that you said, Hole Shot.

The film revolves around The Joker and Harley Quinn, inside of Nolan's realistic vision and explores their origins, while leaving some mystery to it as the comics have always done. I've gone to some great reference material to make the script what it is and would like to get it on the screen for you all to view.

So, regarding my first post, I am interested in using collodian to make The Joker's scars. But, how much do I apply? I know the more you apply, the deeper the indention. It does sound a bit harmful, having read the symptoms are irritation and redness. But, from what I've seen, it looks alot more authentic than some of the prosthetics I've seen out there. What would you all recommend?

Any help is most appreciated! Like some of you, I am an aspiring filmmaker trying to find methods that easily come to me. Thank you!

~Wade

 

[sclabguy]

i find flesh latex easy to mold but i've never really worked on collodian...i'm anxious to see this short film

 

[hazyillusion]

Ive used a platsil 10 gel in the past, Its easy to use, Its just a two part silicone mix, Well you have to add deadener to it and some pigment to make it look and feel like skin, but thats it, pour or inject it into a mould and wait for it to set. I'm waiting for some more now so I can have ago at the ledger scars. I will have to let you know how it turns out.
I actually worked on the visual effect for harvey dent in TDK, I tracked his facial movements so we could add the cg effect. I'll be able to give advice if your doing such things like that.

 

[P.F. Geraci]

I actually worked on the visual effect for harvey dent in TDK, I tracked his facial movements so we could add the cg effect. I'll be able to give advice if your doing such things like that.

Really? So Aaron Eckhart didn't wear any makeup or anything? It was just post-CGI? Or was it a mix of the two?

 

[hazyillusion]

He was just wearing half a skull cap, just to cover his hair, he didnt want to shave it off. Then he just had tracking markers stuck to his face. gone are the days of tommy lee jones.
It is possible to recreate this effect for a low budget film, I've got all the software. Check out
http://uk.youtube.com/user/hazyillusion
The terminator effect is very close to the dent effect.