Christopher Sutton Props
Generalist Prop Makers
PROJECTS
Project | Nautilus Diving Helmet
I made this deep sea diving helmet to be based off of Jules Verne's novel 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea'. The build consisted of numerous processes including wood turning, foam patterning and laser cutting. The helmet is largely made out of fibreglass to ensure it is strong and durable. I now proudly display an illustration of this build as my logo.
Project | Ghostbusters Proton Packs
Whilst at Northbrook, I was involved in a group build project commission for 'Gobsmack Comics' in Horsham. The task was to build five screen acurate Proton Packs with working lights. I was heavily involved throughout the project, completing tasks such as research, initial component manufacture, silicone moulding and finishing details. The main shells of the packs were cast in fibreglass.
Project | Star Wars Yoda Replica
I made this scale replica of Yoda display piece as a private commission. It entailed larger amount of reaserch into the iconic character in order to ensure a high level of accuracy and detail. The organic elements were sculpted in WED clay, cast in two part plaster moulds, cast in latex and finished with airbrushing techniques etc. I also worked with fabrics, leather and resin casting to make this a full body dressed piece.
Project | Cretaceous Dinosaur landscape Diorama
This project was commissioned by Cuckfield museum to be placed in one of their large display cases. The exhibit was intended to capture the imagination of children and show how the UK would have looked in this period in history. For this I researched and currated the exhibit in order to make the landscape and creatures totally accurate for the time. I used elements of foam carving for the rockery and clear resin to simulate water along with airbrushing and even 3D printing.
Project | Gareth Southgate Statue
I was commissioned buy CPL productions to make a full size statue of the England football coach 'Gareth Southgate', to appear in a comedy TV show pilot staring some big names in the industry, he was also to be holing a trophy. The build involved a detailed head sculpt along with a full body life cast. The final piece was made entirelly in fibreglass.
Project | Tom Baker Sonic Screwdriver Replicas
In order to learn about the process of machining on machine lathes and mills I decided to build two replicas of my personal favourite TV prop. Building two meant I could show my ability to repeat a process whilst attempting to maintain a level of accuracy.
Project | Robin The Muppet Replica
I was commissioned to make this replica of the classic Muppet character. I used entirely authentic techniques and processes in order to reach the final outcome. I used a combination of fleece and foam so that he can be puppeteered and used as a display piece, whilst slits holding his shape.
Project | Volcano- Russian Ice Stars, Cirque De Glace
I was approached by the world travelling ice skating show to design and construct a 4m tall Volcano that measured an enormous 6m across the base. The 'drill' sides were stitched together and secured to a substantial aluminium frame. During the show the entire apparatus was designed to come apart in seconds, essentially like a quick change act in front of the audience. The aluminium frame was designed to be dismantled for safe travels around the world.
Project | Original Design Sonic Screwdriver
Having learned more in the way of machining I designed and made my own Sonic screwdriver in order to demonstrate my design and build work. This time I included electronics in a more contempory style of prop. I used a variety of new materials such as plastic 'Pen Blanks.
Project | Island At The Top Of The World Airship
I was asked to construct this scale model airship as an exact replica from the 1974 Disney film. I used a combination of foam and resin in order to create the main structure. The hardest work was in analysing extensive reference material and making a detailed custom 3D model of the carriage section, that even extended to the inside areas that are very hard to see in the model. I went on to 3D resin print these parts.
Project | Natural History Museum- Blue Whale Skeleton
For this project I made a scale model of the stunning blue whale centrepiece from London's Natural History Museum. I sculpted every single bone by hand in order to ensure every detail and shape was just right. I included every one of the 365 bones.
Project |Star Wars- Wicket the Ewok
I was privately commissioned to make a bespoke full size replica of "Wicket the Ewok' from Star Wars, this was to be used as a display piece. I used all kinds of processes in this build, some of which being poly carving, sculpting, moulding and casting along with pattern making for faux fur 'upholstery'.
Project | Eton Natural History Museum Cane Toads
I was approached by Eton Natural History Museum to make two full size Cane toad models. These were meant to show the public the true enormous size of these creatures. I sculpted and moulded it in plaster, I then cast it in latex and finished with a multitude of paint techniques. One toad was also fixed to a rock which I made from foam and then scrimmed for durability.
Project | Science Fiction Vehicle Model
I designed and build this model at a 1:24 scale. This was as real passion project for me and I'm very proud of the final aesthetic. I used a mixture of styrene and 3D printing to create the majority of the structure.
Project | Star Wars-Salacious Crumb
I was asked to make this full size model by the well know YouTube channel 'Ordinary Adventures'. They are based in Anaheim California and love all things Star Wars, so it was crucial to get it just right. I sculpted this with a sturdy armature and moulded it in plaster. I then cast it in latex and finished it with numerous paint techniques. I then hair punched felting fibres then made and fixed a custom fusion to the underside. The full video is linked in my 'media' page.
Project | JAWS Orca Model
I made this model at a 1:65 scale. After spending ours looking through and reference I could find of the boat, I replicated almost every detail seen in the film. This being one of my all time favourite films it was very important to me to get every detail just right.
Project | The Africa- Model Ship
I made this model ship several years ago to test my own skills at that point and to practice new techniques. The majority of the ship was made from wood with some cast parts including the cannons and staircases etc on deck. I wanted to include as much detail as possible which lead to accurate rigging to secure the sails and a number of minute details such as miniature lifeboats secured on hoists in a realistically functioning position.
Project | Ghostbusters Trap
Also as a part of the Ghostbuster project, I took on the task to create the ghost trap and pedal as seen in the first film. To make it as screen accurate as possible, I used some 3D printed parts combined with styrene and MDF components.
Project | Phantom Of The Opera Mask Replicas
Through life casting and a series of processes I was able to sculpt several masks onto a hard face cast. I then cast these in resin and finished them with relevant paint finishes inspired by screen used versions.
Project | Don Quixote Stage Props
As a group project in the first year at Northbrook, I was involved in making stage props for the Brighton Fringe Festival performance of Don Quixote. The design style was all cardboard themed, this presented many problems in terms of structure which we managed to overcome. Myself and another student for example, created a transforming creature/lamp post, operated from the base with an articulateing neck, moving ears and opening mouth.
Project | Enormous Cork Trophy
I was asked by a company to create this massive 30cm high trophy for a prestigious champagne awards. To replicate the look of cork I had the idea of laminating numerous layers of OSB and turning them on the lathe. To give the text an embossed look I burned it on my hand using a pyrography tool. This trophy was built to be very durable and should have a very long life traveling the world over many years.
Project | Dark Crystal Puppet
At the start of my second year studying at Northbrook, I was tasked with designing and making a puppet in the style of Jim Henson's 'The Dark Crystal'. To make this I found it useful to mentally construct a back story to the character to keep a consistent tone in style and understand the logic behind each artistic decision. I also included a small creature which sits on the puppet's shoulder. The main structure was constructed with Plastizote foam with layers of fabric and latex etc. The puppet had moving eyes, mouth and hands and could be operated fairly discretely by two people.
Project | Treehouse Model
I made this model treehouse whilst at College and was inspired by novels such as 'Tarzan' and 'The Swiss Family Robinson'. The main trunk was poly-carved and scrimmed. I used lichen for the leaf effect, there are also several small wooden structures within the tree with intricate staircases and logical walkways between them.
Project | Owl Book Ends
I took on this project as a commission for Cranleigh Magazine. By doing this I was able to develop my woodworking skills and learnt a lot of new techniques In wood bending etc.
Project | Egyptian Poly Sculpt
This poly-carved Egyptian Horus head was carved with a mixture of knives and hot wire, scrimmed and coated in filler to add strength and provide a good base for finishing.
Project | Abyss and Panacea- Model Ships
These ships are some very early examples of my work, throughout the making process I taught myself to work with many different materials whilst problem solving to meet my designs.
Project | Hover Board
I designed and made this 'Back to the Future' style Hover Board whilst at College. I wanted to keep the retro 80's style so tried to take elements from the original whilst adding my own style.
Project | Realistic clanger
This was a small personal project, completed over a few days. The main form was sculpted and was cast in latex and expanded soft foam. The armour was resin cast and was painted with a combination of gold metal powders. I used elements of hair punching on top of the head and around the body, including some grey hairs for realism.
Project | Nautilus Submarine Model
I made this model submarine whilst studying Art and Design at College. It is based on the 'Nautilus' Submarine from Jules Verne's '20, 000 Leagues Under the Sea' and 'The Mysterious Island'. I made the main body out of styrene and used rust weathering effects for detail. I wired the model to have working lights and a spinning propeller operated from buttons on the base.
Project | Model Bench
As a project in my first year at Northbook I made theses two model street benches in a 1/6th scale. Before I started the build, to get a greater understanding of the form, I 3D modelling the bench. The process included sculpting in Milliput, two part silicone casting and small scale weathering to replicate the effects seen on the full-scale benches.
Project | Star Trek Phasers
I was asked by a private client to make two make two replicas 'Star Trek' phasers, one from 'The Motion Picture" and the other from 'The Wrath of Khan'. These has working electronics and detachable sections for screen accuracy. They were presented on sturdy and hardwearing based that had 3D printed text and star-fleet badges for the relevant films. The phasers were detachable and they were fixed with threaded rods.
Project | Head and Ear Sculpt
Here I have shown two examples of my sculpture work. The head was made out of Chevant clay, this meant I could work on it over several days without the risk of drying out. The ear is made in clay to replicate my own, because of the precise measurements and angles, I worked from a physical plaster cast as reference, along with the use of callipers.
Project | Earth's First Settlers
Along with a team of four other students, we put on an exhibition at Colonnade House in Worthing. The exhibition played with the idea of how history is told, by creating a fictional history of Alien interaction on Earth, presented as fact. I personally made several resin and fibreglass fossils, some of which could be felt by the audience. I also made a 1:100 scale model of an Alien settlement and various other objects. I was also tasked with ensuring coherence through the group's work as head designer and world builder. I also was in charge of marketing the event.