Costumes! Costumes! Costumes!

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

Tips on picking the right Santa suit with expert ideas on being a professional Santa Claus this Christmas in this free holiday video clip. Expert: Pat Louis Bio: Patrick L. Sapia is a Singer, Actor, Comic, Impressionist, Writer, and Drummer based in Miami, Florida. He has been in Show Business for 52 years. Filmmaker: Paul Muller

Editors Notes:  White plush fur is available at many faric stores, and can be used to make fur trim on ‘real’  boots.  Pillows, if needed, should be pinned at the highest point on each shoulder, to allow normal and hopefully realistic sagging.  Not all belts have velcro, and may need to be safety pinned near the buckle.

Duration : 0:0:58

More Copyright Stuff..

So now you’ve built a snowman costume, and have gone against my advice as having a look alike character, or giving it a name (like ‘Frosty’).

Your ego suggests that you lend it (or even rent it) to your neighbors or your local school or church; or possibly wear it in a parade.  After all, you are a good friend and citizen, and want to help.  But you also want a little recognition for your generosity.

Will you be found out, as to using a copyrighted character or copyrighted name?  And what are the ramifications if you are?

If your costume is used once a year in the privacy of your home; you likely won’t be found out. Once, however, you expand into other areas (see above), your chances of being outed are increased exponentially.  And the ‘outing’ might be something as simple as a photo that gets onto Facebook.

If the copyright owners find out, then you might be looking at something as simple as a ‘cease and desist’; or possibly something as serious as a lawsuit of which you will likely lose.

Again the caveat is to not build a copyrighted character; and to not use a copyrighted name. 

Be creative.  Make up your own character, and make up your own name.  You might even want to copyright it yourself.

Copyrights and trademarks.   

A few days ago, we featured a video with a snowman and several other costumed characters.  In the future, we plan on a series of videos that will explain how to build this type of cartoon character for your own use. 

A caveat now, and a caveat for the future is to not duplicate an already existing costumes cartoon character.  If you’ve seen it on TV, in the comic strips, in the movies, it likely has been copyrighted and is illegal for anyone to duplicate without the express permission of the copyright holder.  And frankly, even if it’s for a worthy cause (as in raising money for a charity, for school, for anything) most copyright holders will not be cooperative in allowing you to use or duplicate their characters.

Altering your character a little (different nose, different hat, etc) does not necessarily mean you are not duplicating someone else’s character.  If it looks like ‘Frosty’, then it is ‘Frosty’.

And lastly, even if your character is substantially different, don’t name it the same as an existing famous character.  Don’t call your snowman, ‘Frosty’, for instance.

Be careful! Be creative!  

A little levity for today:

Christmas characters bring Christmas cheer to Wendy’s

(note the Snowman leaning forward throughout most of this video.  This indicates a design flaw.)

Duration : 0:2:59