"Tremors' Graboid Mouth/Beak?" Topic

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Would two of these bits work for the mouth/beak of one of the Tremors' worms (if cut properly)?

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How big are these pieces anyway?

CC

For size reference, here is a description of the dimensions.

Based on this, should I be looking for something that could be used as a beak about 30mm wide?

CC
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Graboids are subterranean monsters, superficially resembling gigantic worms or grubs, with long, serpentine bodies. When fully grown, a mature Graboid will measure up to 30 feet long (40 feet with tentacles fully extended), 6 feet across at their widest point, and weigh 10-20 tons. Graboids completely lack eyes; they don't need them, due to living underground. Their heads consist of a massive, black, armored beak, which is used to push aside the dirt whilst digging. The beak opens up like a grotesque flower; it consists of a wide upper jaw, a thinner lower jaw, and a pair of hooked mandibles on either side. Whether they possess a skeleton or not is unknown, though a faux scientific document written by the SciFi channel hypotheses they have a semi-rigid internal structure, similar to the internal shells of certain cephalopods.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graboid

Or would a few of these be a better option?

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I really have no idea how big these bits are.

CC

If it was a two-part beak, I'd recommend a pistachio shell.

Here are a couple of shots of people next to one (though I don't know if that was to be a full size beak or not):

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Here is an entire body:

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CC

Grimm has a nice mini form the D&D trading figures, bottom picture
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or you could play around with the Starship trooper miniature ground chomping thingies picture courtesy of Matakishi, though they might be a bit small

matakishi.com/spugs.htm

and back to your model at the start
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If I'm reading you right, you're looking for bits that will make decent triple-jaw elements of about the size (in 28mm scale) shown in the movie stills? Going by that, I'd say your best bet are those "Warrior Extended Carapace Bits" you linked to. The longer one is very roughly the right shape, and nearly big enough…bulked out with a little bit of putty it would look very much like the cinematic graboid jaws. Might be a little shorter, but not much.

I might have a few kicking around in ye olde bits box. If you want me to take a look for them and don't mind paying postage from New york, USA, send me a private message.

Rich

CC I have studied the Graboids to great length. They are one of my favorite movie/TV series monsters. If you want I can send you pictures of the bits with a size reference shot if it would help. Just drop me a line at. Cyborgtrucker2006@yahoo.com

I just thought of something now that the wheels are turning. For the mandibles you might look at SST Arachnid jaws for suitable pieces.

I'm agreeing with the Starship Troopers mandibles. Nice and 'hooky', then bulk up with a wee spot o' putty.

Failing that, some of GW's Kroot line may have the right sort of beak/mouth if open.

Wow. Those are absolutely great ideas.

Thank you so much for the excellent feedback!

CC

Cyborg, email sent.

Hundvig, PM sent.

Thanks!!!

CC

If only this plastic Sea Cucumber was two or three times the size:

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CC

Oooh.. that is a nice sea cucumber.. Still, I'd be tempted to put tentacles on the end of that thing and use it as an alien monster.

Now THESE images are outstanding!

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CC

Maybe these could be cut and taken appart and used as the body!

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Though the Manatee skin looks better suited.

Actually, all I would really need is one Graboid that is halfway out of the ground (particularly when ramming in a near horizontal position) and one with just the head bursting from out of the ground.

Let's see how this goes.

CC

Both the manatees and walruses can be found in the kid's section of "big box" craft stores like Michaels and AC Moores. They're pretty cheap, too.

Rich

In case anyone else is going to attempt something similar, these are some of the reference links I'm definitely saving for this project:

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TMP link
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I would love to see what others come up with!

CC

Mysterioso,

Please keep in mind that this is just a preliminary (and very rough) sculpt, for the purpose of getting the correct proportions for the Graboids' body:

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The body section ended up being 5 3/4 inches in length (14.5 cm), and about 2 inches (5 cm) maximum width. I suspect that the head and jaw section will add another 1 1/2 inches (3.5 cm) to the overall length.

When I finally make the sculpt in GreenStuff, I will try to make it less conical and more grub-like. This Sculpy model was just to get the basic length, height and width.

This is what I'm actually shooting for:

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The head portion is next. Wish me luck.

Thanks.

CC

Here's how Burt and Heather took one of them down . . .

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CC

Yay for elephant guns!

I'm rather fond of the method used to 'hunt' them in the later movie with the simple expedient of remote-controlled cars wired with explosives…

Any suggestions on how to sculpt the weird horn-like protrusions on the sides of the beast (so as to come out when you make a mould)?

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CC

I guess that the mandible and the jaw sections don't necessarily close completely:

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Back to redoing the mouth . . .

CC
PS. Photos soon.

The body is almost done (photos to be added this weekend).

For the mouth section, I actually plan to TWO head sets . . .

One closed (single piece), with the body half out:
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And another mouth one wide open (4-piece: mandible and jaw sections), coming straight up from the ground, with very little of the body out:
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CC

Short animation slip:

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CC

Suggestions on making the multi-part green:

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CC

Interesting FAQ from the creature's designers/makers:

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CC

Let me know what you think of my progress so far:

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Thanks.

CC

Very alligator snapper turtle:

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CC