A Steampunk Guide to Hunting Monsters features a large zombie attack photo spread in the chapter The Dreaded Locomotive of the Living Dead. The shoot included seven models. The chapter also features my costuming assistant and close friend, Catey Lockhart, portraying a zombie with make-up effects by a local artist named Ryan Lawrence Flynn.
Creating the Prop Flamethrower
This chapter features many steampunk props and guns, including one of my favorites, The Mukow Flamethrower. Inspired by the ridiculous items you can find in the Ratchet and Clank games, and with a name inspired by that wonderful series, I created a flamethrower for the characters to use in this chapter.
I built the weapon out of a small garbage can, pieces of a clock, toy flutes and some belt pieces.
I glued the clock to the garbage can. I added some wine taps, some sewing machine pieces, and a toy flute, which you can see in their natural colors below.
After spraypainting the pieces, I turned them into a backpack and attached them to an antique blowtorch.
Below you can see Brin wearing the finished flamethrower.
Brin also got to choose her own outfit for this chapter. I didn’t have one prepared, and she chose these pieces from the extras I had on the rack.
Photographing the Zombie Attack
The main photos included seven models fighting off zombies.
The costumes of five of the models were created by myself, while the costumes to the female zombie and Missus Mister were created by Alisa Kester.
The photoshoot took the majority of the day, starting around noon and lasting until after sunset. The Missoula Community Theater donated some prop tombstones.
Lizzie Hatfield, who portrays Brunhilde Bamfield, took a few hours to do the make-up and hair of all seven models. This left plenty of time for goofing off while waiting to shoot.
I also had to spend about a half-hour setting up Lizzie’s yard to look like a graveyard and to light the scene for when the sun set.
The zombie models and hero models all had some fun while waiting.
Natasha portrays Zombie hunter Missus Mayfair Mister.
Caenaan portrays Sir Hammerhorn and appears with his robot friend.
The final image can be viewed below.
Behind the Scenes with the Steampunk Zombie
My friend and co-costumer, Catey Lockhart, decided she would portray the steampunk zombie. We asked local artist Ryan Lawrence Flynn to create a prosthetic for us, which he graciously took the time to create and apply.
Below you can see step by step images as he prepares and applies the zombie effects.
First, he applied a base coat of make-up.
Next, using spirit gum, he applied his prosthetic and stipple painted to blend the skin tones.
When that was finished, I took over and added the “beauty” make-up, including eyelashes, make-up, blood, the wig and the steampunk jaw piece.
Below you can see a close up of the jaw piece.
And here’s the final image of Catey as the Steampunk Zombie:
Finding the Train
For this chapter I also went around Montana looking for the perfect train. I looked at many train displays and museums.
The final train I chose was the Timberjack train housed on the land in Fort Missoula, Montana.
The train appears in the book in the image below.
I hope you enjoyed seeing many aspects of the what went into making this chapter.
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