Knowledge Hub
Craft Intel
Articles, video guides, and reference material from the shop floor, because the knowledge that builds great costumes should be shared, not gatekept.
Fabrication
Molding, casting, 3D printing, armor construction
Materials
Silicone, urethane, EVA foam, thermoplastics, fabric integration
On Set
How costume departments run on a union set, continuity, quick fixes, set etiquette
Career
Breaking into Local 705, building a book, transitioning from indie to union work
Articles
Written breakdowns, how-tos, and insider knowledge, practical reads with photos from real builds.
3D Printing Materials & Photopolymer Resins
3D printing materials and photopolymer resins present serious health risks. Skin contact, fumes, and improper handling can cause lasting damage. This guide covers what you need to know before you open the bottle.
Coming SoonSoft vs. Rigid Castings: When to Use Each
A practical breakdown of when to reach for silicone versus fiberglass or urethane resin, and how the choice affects fit, durability, and on-camera read.
Reading a Costume Breakdown Sheet
How to decode the paperwork that drives a build, scene numbers, multiples, distress levels, and what it all means for your shop schedule.
How to Pitch a Build to a Director
Turning a rough sketch or idea into a clear, visual pitch that gets a director excited, mockups, test pieces, and the language that sells the concept.
Material Safety in the Costume Shop
Respirators, ventilation, skin contact, the real safety practices for working with resins, adhesives, and solvents day in, day out.
From ZBrush to Physical Piece
The digital-to-physical pipeline: sculpting in ZBrush, prepping for print, post-processing, and molding the final hero piece.
Breaking Into Local 705
What it actually takes to join the union, the permit process, building your days, finding your department, and the unwritten rules nobody posts online.
Video Guides
Narrated walkthroughs and tutorials, watch the process from the shop and the set.
Demolding a Silicone Mask
A step-by-step walkthrough of pulling a silicone mask from a two-part mold, release agents, timing, cleanup, and what to watch for.
Coming Soon
Building Armor from EVA Foam
Heat forming, contact cement, seam sealing, and painting EVA foam into screen-ready armor panels that hold up under set lighting.
Coming Soon
Quick Fixes on Set
The emergency repair kit every costume person needs, hot glue, safety pins, and the five-minute fixes that save a take.
Coming Soon
Painting for Camera
How paint reads on screen versus in person, choosing finishes, color temperature under different lights, and aging techniques that sell the story.
Coming Soon
Quick Reference Guides
Cheat sheets, comparison charts, and career guides, the reference material you'll actually use.
Costume Department Glossary
Foreperson, Supervisor, Designer, Ager/Dyer, what each role does on a union set and how the department actually runs.
Material Comparison Chart
Silicone, urethane, fiberglass, EVA foam, Worbla, thermoplastics, properties, costs, best uses, and what to avoid side by side.
Chemical & Vapor Safety Quick Reference
Cure times, PPE requirements, ventilation minimums, and first-aid steps for the most common casting resins used in the shop.
Field Notes
Short dispatches from the shop floor, quick insights, lessons learned, and the kind of stories that only come from doing the work. Things like:
Coming Soon