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DIY Movie Props

Whether you're shooting your own movie or making costume pieces for Halloween, movie and television show conventions or parties, there are numerous easy movie props you can make yourself with little or no cost to you. Science fiction film and television franchises like "Star Wars" and "Star Trek" have fans who make their own versions of classic props and costumes. Many fans enjoy creating their own props for gatherings or to use in amateur movie projects.

Things You'll Need

  • Upholstery foam
  • Band saw
  • Scissors
  • Yellow spray paint
  • Rubber glove
  • Newspaper
  • Electrical tape
  • Paper towels
  • Liquid latex
  • Black acrylic paint
  • Hair dryer
  • Cotton balls
  • Baby powder
  • Light and dark green acrylic paint
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Instructions

  1. French Fries

    • 1

      Cut a piece of upholstery foam into thin strips with a band saw. The older the upholstery foam, the better as it will already have yellowed somewhat. Cut strips in a variety of lengths to mimic real french fries.

    • 2
      Create angled french fry edges with scissors.

      Make angled cuts on the ends of the fries with scissors to make them look less artificial.

    • 3
      Spray with yellow spray paint.

      Spray paint the fries yellow, more on some areas of the fries and less on other areas to ensure that the fries are a few different tones of yellow. Allow to dry fully and use as desired.

    Alien Hand

    • 4
      Fill a rubber glove with newspaper.

      Fill a rubber glove with newspaper, making sure the fingers are filled to the tip with the paper. To make a three-pronged alien hand, secure the middle and pointer fingers to each other with electrical tape and do the same with the ring and pinky fingers.

    • 5

      Mix 1/2 cup liquid latex with as much black acrylic paint as you would like, depending on how dark you want the hand to be.

    • 6
      Wrap the alien hand in paper towels.

      Wrap the hand and fingers multiple times with paper towels until you have the beginnings of your alien claw. Use the now-black liquid latex as you go to secure the paper towels. Use a hairdryer to help the latex dry quicker.

    • 7
      Break apart cotton balls.

      Add additional paper towel reinforcements to where the hand will move most, like the area between the thumb and pointer finger. Break apart cotton balls and rub them to form thin cotton strips. Place them on the top of the alien claw fingers using the latex.

    • 8

      Add an entire cotton ball on the knuckles of the alien claw and paint over with more latex. Use smaller strips of cotton around it as accents. Allow to dry fully and add baby powder to the top of the claw.

    • 9
      Dry the claw with a blow dryer.

      Flip the claw over, place whole cotton balls in a row over each finger and cover them with more latex. Use smaller lumps on the palm and dry them with a hair dryer. Powder the underside of the hand with baby powder.

    • 10
      Use shades of green paint.

      Paint the inside of the claw with light green paint and blend into darker green paint on the sides of the claw. Use a small amount of green paint on the top of the claw and allow it to dry before wearing it.

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