With the upcoming release of The Dark Knight Rises, and the coincidental timing of my friend, Kevin, being bald from chemotherapy, we decided we should make a video. He wanted to be Bane, and I could pull off a half-decent Batman. Of course I had to make some costumes.
I started out by making the cowl. After that, I figured the suit would follow easily enough. However, the suit from The Dark Knight is quite a unique Batsuit design, and so it's difficult to make a costume of it, especially from scratch. But as always, I took on the challenge. I followed my usual goals, with a dedication to detail, a stickler for accuracy, and working quickly with a low budget.
This Instructable will show how I made the Batsuit, and also Bane's mask and costume pieces. It's more of a behind-the-scenes than a tutorial to follow step-by-step, but should provide interesting insight, and maybe help others who are looking to make a similar costume. Some of the construction processes and costume details are difficult to describe, and are more easy to understand in the pictures.
Here's a video you can follow, or watch as an introduction to the overall process. The Instructable is more detailed and has more advanced tips and recommendations.
This is the video we made with the costumes:
I started out by making the cowl. After that, I figured the suit would follow easily enough. However, the suit from The Dark Knight is quite a unique Batsuit design, and so it's difficult to make a costume of it, especially from scratch. But as always, I took on the challenge. I followed my usual goals, with a dedication to detail, a stickler for accuracy, and working quickly with a low budget.
This Instructable will show how I made the Batsuit, and also Bane's mask and costume pieces. It's more of a behind-the-scenes than a tutorial to follow step-by-step, but should provide interesting insight, and maybe help others who are looking to make a similar costume. Some of the construction processes and costume details are difficult to describe, and are more easy to understand in the pictures.
Here's a video you can follow, or watch as an introduction to the overall process. The Instructable is more detailed and has more advanced tips and recommendations.
This is the video we made with the costumes:
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials and Cost
Material and cost breakdown for the different costume elements:
Batman
$20 Gloves
$16 Utility Belt
$12 Mesh
$10 Foamie Sheets
$8 Boots
$4 Bag
$3 Cape
$1 Egg Trays
$1 Tupperware Containers
Total: $75
Bane
$6 Shirts
$5 Lego Tubes
$4 Tubes
$4 Bag
$3 Belts
$2 Teddy Bear
$1 Foamie Sheet
$1 Metal Rings
Total: $26
Miscellaneous/Various
$7 Clear Spray
$5 Plaster
$4 Paint
$3 Glue Sticks
$2 Spray Paint
Total: $21
Total cost of materials bought for the costumes was around $122. Overall, $75 for the Batsuit seems like too much to me, but isn't bad, especially considering that about $50 of that came from pre-made gloves, belt, and mesh. I'll talk more about those pieces later, but they were definitely worth the cost.
Foamie sheets (or Fun Foam sheets) were my choice for most of the armor for the Batsuit. It provided several advantages; it's flexible, yet retains it's shape, meaning it wouldn't break or crease during movement. It would be lightweight and safe. And the pliable surface would be an advantage to adding texture or shaping armor pieces. I did have concerns about cost, as foamie sheets usually range from 50 cents to a dollar each, but I was lucky enough to discover a 5-pack of black sheets at the local dollar store. Other items were found at the usual thrift stores and craft stores.
Batman
$20 Gloves
$16 Utility Belt
$12 Mesh
$10 Foamie Sheets
$8 Boots
$4 Bag
$3 Cape
$1 Egg Trays
$1 Tupperware Containers
Total: $75
Bane
$6 Shirts
$5 Lego Tubes
$4 Tubes
$4 Bag
$3 Belts
$2 Teddy Bear
$1 Foamie Sheet
$1 Metal Rings
Total: $26
Miscellaneous/Various
$7 Clear Spray
$5 Plaster
$4 Paint
$3 Glue Sticks
$2 Spray Paint
Total: $21
Total cost of materials bought for the costumes was around $122. Overall, $75 for the Batsuit seems like too much to me, but isn't bad, especially considering that about $50 of that came from pre-made gloves, belt, and mesh. I'll talk more about those pieces later, but they were definitely worth the cost.
Foamie sheets (or Fun Foam sheets) were my choice for most of the armor for the Batsuit. It provided several advantages; it's flexible, yet retains it's shape, meaning it wouldn't break or crease during movement. It would be lightweight and safe. And the pliable surface would be an advantage to adding texture or shaping armor pieces. I did have concerns about cost, as foamie sheets usually range from 50 cents to a dollar each, but I was lucky enough to discover a 5-pack of black sheets at the local dollar store. Other items were found at the usual thrift stores and craft stores.
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https://www.dropbox.com/s/iw0lunxxq26eyyb/Photo%20Oct%2029%2C%206%2029%2035%20PM.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rlc5bevvf825nr9/Photo%20Oct%2027%2C%208%2053%2053%20PM.jpg
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/431635_10100703383081617_1765396598_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/400255_10100703709986497_1648604639_n.jpg
Extra special thanks to alexthemoviegeek for an excellent and detailed guide!
Advice to people making their masks for Halloween: I recommend lining the inside with black duck tape. If you sweat a lot it can make the paint run and can make the foamie pads wet so a line of duck tape can help with comfort.
For the tubes on the mouth I found some at a Lowes hardware store in the plumbing and electrical section, (the black wool-looking tubes) and for the others I used jumbo ribbed straws with regular straws inside them with bent metal wire inside that.
I also sewed the whole the thing together through the foam and the metal rings on top because it was very fragile and I guarantee you will be lifting it up on your head to drink and talk so it should be able to take a lot of movement.
Good luck!
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/431635_10100703383081617_1765396598_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/400255_10100703709986497_1648604639_n.jpg
Extra special thanks to alexthemoviegeek for an excellent and detailed guide!
Advice to people making their masks for Halloween: I recommend lining the inside with black duck tape. If you sweat a lot it can make the paint run and can make the foamie pads wet so a line of duck tape can help with comfort.
For the tubes on the mouth I found some at a Lowes hardware store in the plumbing and electrical section, (the black wool-looking tubes) and for the others I used jumbo ribbed straws with regular straws inside them with bent metal wire inside that.
I also sewed the whole the thing together through the foam and the metal rings on top because it was very fragile and I guarantee you will be lifting it up on your head to drink and talk so it should be able to take a lot of movement.
Good luck!
Would you be at all interested in a payment for hire of your mask for ASAP should you be situated in the UK? I need the item before Friday and I am happy to transter a substantial amount VIA PAYPAL if you wish. I will return the item after this weekend to you via registered post so I know and you know you have received the item safely. If your interested please get in touch ASAP. The mask looks incredible, well done!!!
My details are hamersleywill@hotmail.com and if you want to ring me its +447905 270009. Name is Will :)
Hope to hear from you soon .
Thanks
http://imgur.com/WrmeE
Questions:
I saw the mask build video on Youtube and how do you make the mask less glossy?
where did you got the belt from and can you send me a link to it?
how much did the making of the mask cost?
hope you can write back soon thanks.
I got the belt on eBay, Amazon is also a good option:
http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Dark-Knight-Adult-One-Size/dp/B001DNEE6E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344659969&sr=8-1&keywords=batman+belt
The mask is a little difficult to estimate cost; the main expense would be the liquid latex, which I happened to already have. But buying the latex, plaster, and clay to start mask making can put you back around $60, most of that cost being the latex. Mask-making latex is best to buy by the gallon, for about $50. A gallon of latex is enough to make several masks with, and is a good investment. Just making one latex mask and only one, though, would be at least $30.
As for the gloss, something that happened after I painted the mask, and I imagine that some sort of Mod Podge or other clear, matte coat material could reduce the gloss.
this is just a suggestion. Could make a tutorial on the 1989 batman grapple gun?
that is all thanks
http://www.instructables.com/id/Latex-Mask-Part-2-Molding-the-Sculpt-and-Casting-/
Heres a few changes i have employed, lets see how they turn out but so far been very helpful and easy especially for the novice (me):
- Skipped the latex mask because of my lack of experience with the process and lack of time (started this on the sunday before the premier of the movie). Instead used a Paint respirator found here: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100537039&R=100537039
- Instead of lego pieces for the ribbed tubes (which were expenses because of the full lego sets) I used cheap accordion straws usually found on kid's water bottles
- Added the velcro to the back. The two ear flaps attach first then the head flap goes over it
Going to paint the mask tomorrow, give the flaps foamie detail, and add the leather straps and gromits to the top.
Thanks again, and all hail Hot Glue, saves me from breaking my back too hard ;P
http://www.instructables.com/id/Bane-Mask-The-Dark-Knight-Rises/
Thanks to the big velcro flaps that hold it together in the back its adjustable to most heads.
http://i.imgur.com/UK8Q3.jpg
I will be posting a mini instructable on the mask soon
I'm planning on making the vest and all, but that mask is just so complicated.
Haven't been able to find any reasonably priced masks online.
Thanks for the awesome guide by the way.
you ARE my hero, lol ok.... first Batman, then you :P