Costumes! Costumes! Costumes!

Celastic!  

Celastic, you say!  What is Celastic?

For me, Celastic (a trademarked name) and it’s variations (Form Fast for one) have been godsends to my business.  When I was a mere lad in my first few months in the costuming business, I learned some of the old paper mache techniquess to build cartoon character heads for our shop.  You know…a much less sophisticated version of the type of cartoon characters you see might  see at a Disneyland or Kings Dominion.

In layman’s terms, Celastic is a sort of plasticized lightweight canvas or heavyweight fabric, which when softened in Acetone or MEK can be shaped into any  number of objects (using a mold).    It comes in various thicknesses and sizes. 

Cut into strips and/or sections, it is laid over a form or mold and assumes the exact shape and dimensions of the form.  After it dries and is cut off, it has become a clone of the form, except minimally larger.

In the masqueade, theatrical, performing arts arenas, it’s used for puppets, scenery, props, armor,  as well as mascot and cartoon costumes; but it may even have practical applications as in taxidermy and setting of broken bones.  

What I especially like about Celastic is that is impervious to the elements (waterproof), is lightweight enough to be able to be supported on the head/shoulders, and when dented, can easily be snapped back into place.  Paper mache, although lightweight, could easily become misshapen during a rainstorm; and dents required repairs.

TODAY, I start walking you through the video process of building a cartoon character head.  Just click on Costumes! Costumes! Costumes! (in pink) above if you don’t see the videos on this page.

NOTE:  For more information about Celastic, please contact us at russkampmann@gmail.com or costumes3@gmail.com

Christmas is only 1 day away! 

Learn how to be a bad Santa when in a Santa Claus costume for a Christmas party in this free holiday video clip on holiday costume ideas. Expert: Matt Cail Filmmaker: randy primm

Duration : 0:1:27

Learn some great tips on how to act like Santa when you are in a Santa Claus costume for a Christmas party. Expert: Matt Cail  Filmmaker: randy primm

Editors Comment:  Good advice!  Look for bad advice in our next video coming soon to a theater (Or computer)  near you.

Duration : 0:1:24

Learn how to use a bag of toys in a Santa Claus costume for a Christmas party in this free holiday video clip on holiday costume ideas. Expert: Matt Cail, Filmmaker: randy primm

Duration : 0:1:29

Learn how to add gloves to a Santa Claus costume for a Christmas party in this free holiday video clip on holiday costume ideas. Expert: Matt Cail   Filmmaker: randy primm

Editors Note:  Remove rings and watches, especially if Santa doesn’t use gloves.  If you have tattoos or any other distinguishing mark (scar, blemish) on your hands or wrists, definitely wear gloves as small children sometimes see and recognize things that adults might overlook.  

Duration : 0:1:28

Learn how to add glasses to a Santa Claus costume for a Christmas party in this free holiday video clip on holiday costume ideas. Expert: Matt Cail Contact: Filmmaker: randy primm

EDITORS NOTE:  Note the red makeup on Santa’s nose.  Make sure this isn’t overdone and ending up looking like a Rudolph nose.

Duration : 0:1:32

Learn some great tips on how to age yourself for a Santa Claus costume for a Christmas party in this free holiday video clip on holiday costume ideas. Expert: Matt Cail  Filmmaker: randy primm

EDITORS NOTE:  Bad Advice, Matt.  Liquid Latex has ammonia as one of it’s primary ingredients.  It should NEVER be used that close to the eyes, IMHO.  Even after the ammonia evaporates, oft times there is a stinging or burning sensation.

It is also a latex (rubber  like) based product which might cause an allergic reaction, or if it gets into the lashes or brows it might be difficult in removing.  It also has a sheen, so that it will require a tad of powder to reduce the sheen.

BTW, the Santa Wig and beard used in this video is about a step or two up from the bottom grade.  Poor sewing, too much shine, doesn’t look real…..a poor choice in a wig and beard set.

Duration : 0:1:20

Learn how to add a jacket to a Santa Claus costume for a Christmas party.  Expert: Matt Cail Contact: www.homepaintings.biz  Filmmaker: randy primm

Duration : 0:1:33

Learn how to add pants to a Santa Claus costume for a Christmas party in this free holiday video clip on holiday costume ideas. Expert: Matt Cail Contact: www.homepaintings.biz Bio: Filmmaker: randy primm

EDITORS NOTE:  This is not the best way to put on a Santa stomach.  This pillow is horizontal at the waistline; and it should be vertical from the tops of the shoulders down. When vertical, the pillow creates a nice smoothness from top to bottom, instead of this sample where Santa’s chest will be concave.  Works best with a down pillow where the feathers settle at the bottom (waist) of the pillow.

Duration : 0:1:23