Shortly after I started making my life-size Alien Queen statue (http://www.instructables.com/id/Life-Size-Alien-Queen-Statue-from-Aliens/), I began to wonder if it would be possible to make a Power Loader to go along with it. Two weeks later, I came out with this:
Before we get into this, I'll say that I borrowed some ideas from flaming_pele!'s Power Loader costume: http://www.instructables.com/id/Aliens-Powerloader-Halloween-Costume-1/. I will give him credit where it is due along the way.
There have been many Power Loader costumes before, but this Instructable will show how I made mine on a modest budget in a pretty short time.
Before we get into this, I'll say that I borrowed some ideas from flaming_pele!'s Power Loader costume: http://www.instructables.com/id/Aliens-Powerloader-Halloween-Costume-1/. I will give him credit where it is due along the way.
There have been many Power Loader costumes before, but this Instructable will show how I made mine on a modest budget in a pretty short time.
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Signing UpStep 1: Inspiration and Goals
At one point or another, I remember having seen all of the Alien movies in my youth. I'd always remembered the xenomorphs, but specifically the Alien Queen, and the awesome fight between her and Ripley in the Power Loader. As the the beginning of the school semester neared, I wanted to make something really cool to finish off the summer break. I made the Alien Queen in the first 2 weeks of August. Then I figured with the last few weeks I could make a Power Loader as well, using a lot of the same cheap and lightweight materials that I used for the Queen (mainly foam boards, hot glue, and spray paint). I was titillated at the idea that I could be the only person who had ever made a life-size Power Loader and Alien Queen. Yes, I am truly a geek.
Shortly before beginning construction, I looked around to see what other Power Loader costumes had been made before. There were many awesome ones on YouTube. And, of course, I saw flaming_pele!'s cool one on here. After looking at these previous attempts, I made observations and decided on some goals that I wanted to achieve in making my own:
Firstly, I wanted mine to be truly life-sized. A lot of other Power Loaders were slightly scaled down, and the foot stilts especially weren't as tall. That's completely understandable, especially in terms of balance and movement. But I wanted mine to be the same size and proportions as the original. I also wanted it to be screen-accurate on all other details. I wanted the exact same shapes, colors, and structures that the original had. I wanted it to match it as closely as possible in all physical details. If I was going to bother making a Power Loader at all, I wanted it to be the Power Loader. All or nothing. And, of course, I wanted mine to be practical. I wanted to be able to walk in it and move the arms, all with a reasonably stable balance and control. I'm not mechanically inclined enough to have figured out a way to make the pincers move, but other than that, I wanted joints to be articulated, complete with pumping hydraulic cylinders.
And finally, for the ultimate challenge, I wanted my Power Loader to have two qualities, when compared to other attempts: made cheaper and easier. Most other attempts didn't have any budget estimate, so I had to figure the always-assumed standard of spending as little as possible. But I also wanted this to be made quickly. Other attempts had been made over the course of several weeks, even months. I wanted mine done by the first week of school (beginning construction in mid-August). In the end, I wanted the best of all categories: cheap, quick, functional, and accurate. I then began to make the machine.
Good research and reference was critical. I used the Sideshow Diorama of the Power Loader as a constant template, taking precise measurements and scaling them up 8 times to be full sized. I also went through the movie and took screen-caps from its featured scenes, and also gathered behind-the-scenes images. It's always fun to understand how the original was made.
Shortly before beginning construction, I looked around to see what other Power Loader costumes had been made before. There were many awesome ones on YouTube. And, of course, I saw flaming_pele!'s cool one on here. After looking at these previous attempts, I made observations and decided on some goals that I wanted to achieve in making my own:
Firstly, I wanted mine to be truly life-sized. A lot of other Power Loaders were slightly scaled down, and the foot stilts especially weren't as tall. That's completely understandable, especially in terms of balance and movement. But I wanted mine to be the same size and proportions as the original. I also wanted it to be screen-accurate on all other details. I wanted the exact same shapes, colors, and structures that the original had. I wanted it to match it as closely as possible in all physical details. If I was going to bother making a Power Loader at all, I wanted it to be the Power Loader. All or nothing. And, of course, I wanted mine to be practical. I wanted to be able to walk in it and move the arms, all with a reasonably stable balance and control. I'm not mechanically inclined enough to have figured out a way to make the pincers move, but other than that, I wanted joints to be articulated, complete with pumping hydraulic cylinders.
And finally, for the ultimate challenge, I wanted my Power Loader to have two qualities, when compared to other attempts: made cheaper and easier. Most other attempts didn't have any budget estimate, so I had to figure the always-assumed standard of spending as little as possible. But I also wanted this to be made quickly. Other attempts had been made over the course of several weeks, even months. I wanted mine done by the first week of school (beginning construction in mid-August). In the end, I wanted the best of all categories: cheap, quick, functional, and accurate. I then began to make the machine.
Good research and reference was critical. I used the Sideshow Diorama of the Power Loader as a constant template, taking precise measurements and scaling them up 8 times to be full sized. I also went through the movie and took screen-caps from its featured scenes, and also gathered behind-the-scenes images. It's always fun to understand how the original was made.
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woooooooooooooOOOOOOww!!
awesome build.
This costume is very cool!
I am really jelous.
:D
Awesome!
Does anyone know how to build an "Avatar" style armor exoskeleton?
Defiant Theatre did this much cheaper, dumber, and awesomer!!
The battle begins around 2min45sec.
Alien Wars YouTube Link
You would need the PVC end caps, a drill & some thing like duct tape.
Drill a hole in the cap the diameter of the rod & then feed dowel through. Tape the ends with a mass of duct tape to prevent it from coming out of the cap & then trim the rod and apply caps to cylinders...
hope it helps :)
Not taking away from anything you've done but i would love to have the means to be creative. Area to work in - money to buy the nessasary items, time etc etc.
Who says money can't buy happiness... maybe not - but it can get you damn close.
alexthemoviegeek - Your very fortunate to have all the means to be able to build this. And time to put into it.
I commend you. Keep going and who knows - perhaps one day we'll see your name in the movie credits.
-chase-
Just a thought..for low budget audio effects, record the walking movement tracks on the sound units from recordable greeting cards, then set them into the costume where your walking motion tugs the trigger tabs. Use a little elastic to relieve stress on the tabs, or stretch silicone jewelry cord Joanne's crafts has it, maybe Michael's & probably Hobby Lobby. Cost you ten bucks.
Now what about insulating the garage?
See S02E01 MST3k (Rocket Ship X-M)
Just the thing for Cub night, or take to school to keep the little so & sos in line. Great for shows as well.
Cheers all Kiwi
Thanks for the shout-outs in the i'ble, too!
That is sick!!
Wow, great job!!
You have a lot of Perseverance!
You must have a lot of time on your hands.
You should be able to win some $$$ on that, with Halloween coming up!
Halloween Contest!
Again, GREAT JOB, and keep up the great work