Lil Uzi Vert:
Large Skull
| Title: | Skull Prop |
|---|---|
| Project Collaborators: | M99 Studios |
| Date: | July 7, 2018 |
| Location: | Endless Summer Tour 2018 USA |
| Materials: | EPS foam, hardcoating spray resin, automotive urethane paints, steel armature, various hardware |
| Project Goal: | To create a replica skull with tatoos of the performing artist: Lil Uzi Vert |
|---|---|
| Project Challenges: | Creating a large skull prop in a 12 day turnaround with no prior designs or construction drawings |
The initial client rendering was provided for placement of tattoos and teeth jewelry details..
We purchased a model skull to determine details, proportion, and proper angle and tilt for the final stage setup.
We created a CAD model from a skull online and modified it to match the initial rendering provided to us.
Using specific dimensions provided by the trucking company, we built custom crates that maximized the size we could build the foam skull inside to be.
We created a steel frame design so that the skull could be lifted up daily into position for the performance for a month long tour.
The final angle was determined with a scale model of the artist in front of the LED grid walls underneath the skull.
Using custom foam shaping tools, two skilled craftsmen Rob Sarkosian and Rob Yancy carve the shape from 4' by 8' by 4' EPS foam.
Using a multitude of tools, the details are carved and sanded into the shape while referencing the initial model for proportion.
After some of the shapes are glued into position, the seam lines get filled, sanded, filled again, and then finish sanded to prep it for hardcoating.
The final skull gets test mounted onto the steel cage structure to ensure it can be lifted to code by pick points by the riggers for each performance.
The hardcoating was sprayed on to ensure the structure would become strong and also to give us a paintable surface.
The first layer of coat was applied to give a base for the detailing and shading on top.
The lighter coat was applied afterwards to create shading in certain areas.
Using vinyl stencils, tattoos to replicate Lil Uzi Vert's real face artwork was added on by airbrush detailing,
Diamond rhinestones were added to all of the teeth to replicate the artist's teeth.
Using rhinestone sheets, we were able to achieve a cost effective solution to get the detail to match.
The final sculpture allowed for 2x fog machines to shoot through the middle of the mouth onto the stage.
The sculpture was lifted onto itself for a 3 month tour using a crane and bolt together system to create a quick teardown.
The artist was able to have it be on a single tier display as well due to the designing in the preliminary phase.
The skull was successfully able to be lifted above the LED panel screens nightly for the headliner's act.