TV Head!

Oh no!

Halloween is right around the corner, and you don't have a costume ready! You don't want to spend big bucks on something fancy you'll only wear once! And you don't want to get lost in a sea of junk at the thrift store!

Now there's a better solution! That's right: instead of watching TV, you can be TV! Amaze your family! Delight your friends! Impress your co-workers! Just follow these easy, simple instructions:

Step 1: Step 1!

Because of the weird, cartoony, retro shape and angles, I first made test sketches and a small 1/8 scale version to see how everything would fit together. This allowed me to avoid the application of trigonometry. The weird shape is optional, and a normal, rectangular TV design works also.

I also wanted to make the full-size box fold up flat, so the scale version also let me test that out.

For the full-size version, I put to use several large sheets of leftover bristol board. I later got blue cardstock to put on top of them for the exterior color. Either material would've worked on its own, since it would be sturdy enough when folded into a box. And it'd make the costumer lighter. Of course, you could also use corrugated cardboard, posterboard, or foam core.

For an average-sized head like mine (hat size is ~7 1/4), and this particular shape, the dimensions worked out to this:

8" thick
11.5" max height, 10.5" up the middle
14.5" max width
Front panel is 10" along bottom edge, 14" top, 10" left, 12" right.

Making your own will require a lot of trial and error. When trying to narrow down the fit, I used some old calendar sheets and low-tack tape. I also went for a slightly snug fit so it wouldn't wobble too much, but I later came up with some last-minute braces (step 4).

Comments

[tinker234]

wow kinda touches on my counties bashing saying you will turn into a TV i think i might make the glass see through and you can see me inside ever read the roar it has something in there about telly heads

[sniperboy]

My only suggestion is to make sure and measure your head before you build it. I built it according to the directions and it is too small. It is wearable but my face is mashed up against the front plastic screen that I had installed. It said 8" thick in the directions but I should have made it 11" or 12" thick.

[km9000]

Thanks for the comment. I'll add something to my instructions.

[sniperboy]

Thanks for sharing your instructions! I just finished making one just like it. I was afraid that I could not see through the paper test pattern so I made a change. I bought a plastic smoke colored clip board at Staples. I cut it down to the right size with a hacksaw and duct taped in place. It works pretty good.

[gmulligan]

Can you see through it ok?

[km9000]

It was just two poked holes so it was decent visibility, but not great. One-way tinted film would probably work better, but I didn't know where to get it. I spent most of the time without the screen sheet on, as it was also easier to get air and talk that way.

[SuperCoPilot]

I can finally make a Dead Leaves costume!

[jabronie25]

I used to have a shirt with a guy who has a tv head. I like it

[lemonie]

This is good - is that a real test-card image?

L

[km9000]

Yeah, it was easy to find on Google images. I'm thinking now that one could go the extra mile and backlight the screen with LEDs or something.

There were some goons in the "City of Heroes" video game that had TVs on their heads. They kinda creeped me out, although they didn't cross my mind when I came up with this.

[aramanthe]

This reminds me of the anime movie Dead Leaves. It's very funny but also highly inappropriate children (and some adults!)

One of the main characters has a television for a head.

[Your Average Guy]

Very Nice, I like it. :P

[Sora_1_2]

This reminds me of the game Synapsis.