Scopey's Oogie Boogie Build (Nightmare Before Christmas)

[Scopey]

Hello all!

Preparations for Halloween have already begun. This year I will be going as Oogie Boogie from one of my all time favourite movies, The Nightmare Before Christmas.

I started with some sketches to explore Oogies Shape relative to my own and to try and get a feel for what I might compromise to make the costume practical:



Having gotten a feel for the shape of the head piece, I made a scale model of the basic head structure (using a kitchen sponge):





From here, using duct tape and guess-work, I approximated a foam sheet model (yoga mat):



This model allowed me to work out a scale iteration of the pattern for the head structure.
Having cut up and flattened this model, I scanned the pattern, scaled it up and printed out the scaled up version for the next iteration:



The idea is that I'll see out through his mouth (this is not the final mouth shape). The next step is to tear this model down and use the pattern to build it in upholstery foam. From here I can start making tweaks as I see fit and building up some detailing such as the brow/eyes.

I will try to update this thread as I go. I also have an Instagram @crong_makes which is likely to be kept up to date in more regular increments.
Please leave any comments or suggestions/tips you might have.

 

[Scopey]

The pattern worked quite well for the upholstery foam. Also added a tail which swishes nicely back and forth as I turn my head. Took some tweaking and playing with, but I'm quite pleased with the result.

 

[animator]

Great idea for a costume! I'm looking forward to watching this build.

 

[equib]

Great start so far. Very methodical.

 

[Scopey]

Great idea for a costume! I'm looking forward to watching this build.

Great start so far. Very methodical.

Thanks for the comments folks. Update on the head coming very soon!

 

[Scopey]

Added foam and carved it back to add face details. Also created the mouth structure using wire/coat hanger wrapped in yoga mat/duct tape.

 

[Cormac]

Nice work.
have you given much thought to the fabric yet?

 

[Scopey]

Nice work.
have you given much thought to the fabric yet?

Hessian/Jute/ Burlap. It's a bit more rigid to work with than I thought so where you make your folds takes a bit of consideration.

Here's a sneak peak:


Poor quality image but it gives an idea of progress. I'll have something better to share very soon. The rear pattern actually proved to be more awkward than I had anticipated.



I also re-made the tail. The original one was longer than I was happy with and became totally immobilised with the Hessian. This one is made from segments of timber so it has a bit more weight to help it swing back and forth.

 

[Scopey]

Hessian (burlap) added to the head! Took a lot of time and care with this stage, since the head/face is the focal point of the whole costume.

The head consists of 3 different patterns which are glued/stitched.


I haven't stitched up the bottom section where the patterns come together under the mouth yet, since I want to see how it sits on the shoulders of the costume first. Next up is to add some detailing to the head itself.

 

[Doh2]

Lookin' good!

 

[Scopey]

While making the head, in the background I've been experimenting with trying to create a glow effect with the Hessian fabric.


I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for making the fabric glow. I've been pretty unhappy with the results I've gotten with glow paint and glow powder.

Any help appreciated

 

[Scopey]

So I made a friend....



Suspended the trousers from some piping/coat hanger and hung the top half over this.
Tidied up with safety pins and cable ties and stuffed with clothes/sheets with added duct tape for shape.

I'll need this for working on the body, specifically the fabric.

 

[Scopey]

Made a collar and leg pieces to bulk out my frame to make it more Oogie-Boogie-ish.
These were made with upholstery foam. The leg pieces can collapse to an extent under pressure and spring back so I'm hoping this will make the whole thing a bit less cumbersome for getting through crowds.



The leg pieces are mounted to a pair of shorts. Remains to be seen if this will be enough bulk for the look I'm after.

 

[Mike J.]

I’m loving watching this - it’s a great likeness, done to a high standard, with clever techniques. And also a great flick.

 

[Scopey]

I’m loving watching this - it’s a great likeness, done to a high standard, with clever techniques. And also a great flick.

Thank you very much I'm hoping I do it justice!

Some progress on the body:


I wanted to make the skin using just two pieces of material. It's pretty heavy, which makes it a bit awkward to work with. Pins have a tendency to pop out for instance.

I did notice that the material was slightly transparent, so I purchased some muslin cloth to back the hessian.
I dyed it green using some diuted cheap green paint:

 

[Scopey]

Made some boogeyman feet using old shoes:


They're pretty basic but should do the job. The material isn't glued taut so the shoe can flex more easily.

 

[Scopey]

Oogie's skin coming to completion. First images show it inside out with all the internal seams.

Others show the rear opening down the back with snap fasteners, as well as the legs with elastic sewn in to provide the 'elephant pants' look.

 

[Scopey]

Detailing added to head. Also added is the black mouth section which is held with magnetic snaps and can be removed:

At this point the whole costume is painfully close to completion. Lots of tedious bits to do, including stitching in the muslin backing and adding black detailing: