Amazing Angel Sculpture Prop Build for TV & Movies
Written by Kim Beaton & Yvonne Anderson | Feb 2022
Archangel Michael subduing a Demon
The end clients’ requirements
Scale Studios was approached to create a Hollywood style film prop. The client needed a high-quality centerpiece for the climatic end battle scene for Cowboy Bebop, the Archangel Michael subduing a demon. It needed to look like an authentic medieval religious sculpture, be reasonably lightweight, strong enough to take the preset bullet hits, and come in at a reasonable budget. It did not need to be waterproof, weather proof, or climbable. It had to look fantastic, light and have no need to be tough/ long lasting and no need to be a garden angel.
Scale Studios was approached to create a Hollywood style film prop. The client needed a high-quality centerpiece for the climatic end battle scene for Cowboy Bebop, the Archangel Michael subduing a demon. It needed to look like an authentic medieval religious sculpture, be reasonably lightweight, strong enough to take the preset bullet hits, and come in at a reasonable budget. It did not need to be waterproof, weather proof, or climbable. It had to look fantastic, light and have no need to be tough/ long lasting and no need to be a garden angel.
4 images above provided via Scale Studios - Cowboy Bebop
This sculpture deviates from our standard use case (strong, permanent outdoor sculptures/creations). Therefore, we have put the following together, including images of the angel sculpture made using our sculpting medium Pal Tiya Premium, for prop shops.
The Prop Shops' requirement
Scale studios chose Pal Tiya Premium, foil and wood construction because it was considerably cheaper than doing it digitally, with less waste. Designing with computer-based modeling was going to take longer, then carving the foam on milling machines, and assembly. Our medium allowed for a stronger piece, which could be reused or sold afterwards as an asset of the production. You would not just throw this away afterwards.
Scale studios chose Pal Tiya Premium, foil and wood construction because it was considerably cheaper than doing it digitally, with less waste. Designing with computer-based modeling was going to take longer, then carving the foam on milling machines, and assembly. Our medium allowed for a stronger piece, which could be reused or sold afterwards as an asset of the production. You would not just throw this away afterwards.
The Artist’s Build - large angel statue
STEP 1
Since this was intended as a film prop, we didn't build it for life outdoors. We kept it lightweight, as a quickly applied thin skin over a foil armature.
We began as usual with a collection of images supplied by the client. The size was 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall. We built a robust wooden armature with a hollow socket, which allowed the wings to be removed for shipping. We also created the armature for the Demon.
STEP 1
Since this was intended as a film prop, we didn't build it for life outdoors. We kept it lightweight, as a quickly applied thin skin over a foil armature.
We began as usual with a collection of images supplied by the client. The size was 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall. We built a robust wooden armature with a hollow socket, which allowed the wings to be removed for shipping. We also created the armature for the Demon.
STEP 2
The wings had a long wooden pin on the bottom which slid into the hollow frame. To get the human shape, a lightweight wire skeleton was bent to establish correct human proportions. We built out the figure with foil and bolted it to the wooden frame. We used 3 roles of 150-meter heavy duty foil to sculpt out the remaining figure. Each important component was sculpted separately, the face, demon and demon's wing, for ease. Scroll through the slideshow below to see the armature progress... |
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Working from a table top is more comfortable. When all the foil came together the client approved the look and feel. From here we began the process of coating a 1/4 inch (6mm) layer of Pal Tiya Premium over the whole piece. An area such as the skirt, was selected, coated textured and finished. We then moved along to the next area. Starting from the bottom so as the weight built up and the sculpture wouldn't become top heavy.
Important note: No scratch coat was used to strengthen and unify the piece! We needed to keep the weight down. This is a lightweight indoor movie prop. It was not being built for a permanent outdoor application such as a public park. While it is waterproof, and could be stored outdoors, it is only decorative. Scroll through the slideshow below to see the Pal Tiya Premium being applied to the demon & body of the Angel Sculpture! |
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Approx 6 standard bags (approx 273 lbs/124 kg) of Pal Tiya Premium were used for the entire Angel sculpture. Wall thickness 3-5 mm for indoor use.
Scroll through the slideshow below to see the the head & wings being made! |
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This piece was 'finally' close to what I had initially hoped to introduce into movie art departments' outdoor-statue/set prop-making pipelines.
Over 95% of major location-based movie set-pieces are discarded after the shoot. Simply because of their fragility, and non-long-term outdoor survivability.
On Lord of the Rings, we couldn't leave our major set pieces on location, as they would have been torn/souvenired to bits in short order. If we had Pal Tiya Premium 23 years ago, folks would still have those iconic statues to visit to this day." Warren Beaton
images above provided via Scale Studios
Final Dimensions
2400mm (94.4 inches) width, 2300mm (90.5 inches) height, 920mm (36.2) depth
2400mm (94.4 inches) width, 2300mm (90.5 inches) height, 920mm (36.2) depth
Considerations
The artist’s build if this was to be permanent: (from sketch to sculpture covering design considerations, armature, Pal Tiya Premium application and amounts, lifting (crane?) final location plan.
If the client had requested a permanent garden angel, the scratch coat could have been added, which would have doubled the weight and strength. We still would have incorporated an internal wooden frame to accept the weight, and outward stresses of the cantilevered wings. The wings would have been built solid and reinforced with chicken wire, rebar, and a steel pin. Depending on where its final location was, would determine if we affixed the wings on permanently in the studio or on the final site.
Transportation could be made a lot more expensive and difficult with the wings on. Dozens of details such as doorways, width and height interior of the moving truck, top heaviness, and access to the site. If the final location is on a grassy field, can a forklift or a crane get there? We always run through the entire path to location during the design phase. Otherwise, a simple detail such as a set of steps or a turn in a narrow corridor will set you back.
If the client had requested a permanent garden angel, the scratch coat could have been added, which would have doubled the weight and strength. We still would have incorporated an internal wooden frame to accept the weight, and outward stresses of the cantilevered wings. The wings would have been built solid and reinforced with chicken wire, rebar, and a steel pin. Depending on where its final location was, would determine if we affixed the wings on permanently in the studio or on the final site.
Transportation could be made a lot more expensive and difficult with the wings on. Dozens of details such as doorways, width and height interior of the moving truck, top heaviness, and access to the site. If the final location is on a grassy field, can a forklift or a crane get there? We always run through the entire path to location during the design phase. Otherwise, a simple detail such as a set of steps or a turn in a narrow corridor will set you back.
For existing and new artists/hobby crafters/makers:
Although we always recommend building Pal Tiya Premium pieces as per our instructions, the Archangel Michael is a perfect example of what can be built if you are not necessarily intending your work for outdoors or robust conditions. If it is indoors, solely decorative, or very protected in a wet environment, thin shelled construction is acceptable. Large indoor pieces (which won't be played on) such as restaurant and lobby decorations can be achieved.
For future prop shop customers:
Pal Tiya Premium is a wonderful material for making props. Deciding what your final objective is will help you determine how robust your piece needs to be built. If you wish to sell a prop after a film production, it may be worth it to make it stronger to increase its sale-ability later to collectors. There is an established market for film props by dedicated fans all over the world.
Although we always recommend building Pal Tiya Premium pieces as per our instructions, the Archangel Michael is a perfect example of what can be built if you are not necessarily intending your work for outdoors or robust conditions. If it is indoors, solely decorative, or very protected in a wet environment, thin shelled construction is acceptable. Large indoor pieces (which won't be played on) such as restaurant and lobby decorations can be achieved.
For future prop shop customers:
Pal Tiya Premium is a wonderful material for making props. Deciding what your final objective is will help you determine how robust your piece needs to be built. If you wish to sell a prop after a film production, it may be worth it to make it stronger to increase its sale-ability later to collectors. There is an established market for film props by dedicated fans all over the world.
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