From Start to finish this costume took Adam over 6 weeks to complete. Its the first major costume he has ever made...but in doing so he has been inspired to make more. Using some ideas online, he made the decision to make the Optimus Prime from the 80's Transformers show, it just had that really old school feel and he really liked that.
He began be endlessly hunting for cardboard boxes, he finally had to break down and just by some from Walmart. The total cost to build Optimus start to finish was no more the $50!
He began with the body and slowly moved to the helmet, body and then finished with the legs. Everything used to build the costume is made from cardboard, however things like the helmet are made from things he couldn't build. The helmet was made from a work mans helmet and modified with cardboard and lots of Blue Spray paint.
Starting with an old box and an idea.....
I helped make those bricks of cut up cardboard to secure the inside.
The body is made of cardboard, but he was able to make very small details that made a big difference in the end. The lining of the grill was formed using a silver reflective birthday bag cause he thought silver spray paint would have a dull look to it.... and it needed to appear chrome.
Inside the windows I used plastic lining, the kind you use in binders to protect important documents, to me it seemed the best fit for a "see through window effect".
The house was covered in shredded cardboard!!
Those are really working lights on top!!
Using a Transformers Birthday invite he was able to cut the symbol out and glue it to each shoulder piece. The shoulder piece also has the chrome work, the party bags were wrapped around paper towel and wrapping paper tubes. The smoke holes were made using price tag circles that were spray painted black!
looks like chrome!
Last was the legs and torso...
Last but not least the wheels....he broke apart an old stroller (not one James was using anymore!) and took the wheels off..simple as that!!
Keeping this costume on was tricky...he decided the best idea would be to wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt and then glue Velcro to the under clothes as well at the cardboard parts themselves
....this allowed each part to stay in place.
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Overall he loves this costume, James' Behavioral therapy was having a Halloween party and he appeared there as Optimus Prime! The kids loved it and that's all that matters in the end. :)
Here is him putting the costume on to attend the party....
James and Adam
...oops I mean Bumblebee and Optimus at the halloween party!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
