How to Make an Indiana Jones Crystal Skull Prop

No other movie series quite captures the joy and adventure of the cinema as much as Indiana Jones does. Be it Raiders of the Lost Ark and that really cool facemelt effect after the Ark was opened or the rolling ball of stone. No matter the effect, it captures the hearts and minds of every moviegoer. With the release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, a cool new prop is wanted by many--the Crystal Skull. Here's how to create your own replica of the crystal skull that is found in the new Indian Jones action adventure movie.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 10 lbs. paraffin wax
• Alginate; 2 Pounds
• 2 rolls plaster bandages
• 2 lbs. clay
• Styrofoam head
• Double boiler
• Heat source
• X-Acto knife
• Crystal skull film stills
• 2 dowel rods, 1/4-inch in diameter, 5 inches long
• Sculpting tools
• Carving tools
• Petroleum jelly
• Brush
• PVC pipe

1. Remove the neck of the Styrofoam head completely and insert the dowel rods into it placing one in the back and one in the front at slight angled toward each other.

2. Using your knife cut off the features of the styrofoam head to make it resemble the basic shape of the crystal skull film stills you found.

3. Apply a layer of clay to the Styrofoam head and smooth it out as best you can and to the density you would you like it to be.

4. Sculpt the features according to the film stills you have acquired and affix to the clay on the skull.

5. Carve details into the face of the skull such as the teeth, cheek, jaw lines and nose.

6. Place the clay positive on top of the dowel rods in the neck, which will act as a stand, and allow the clay to dry for an hour. Then apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly with a brush.

7. Mix up the slow setting alginate and apply to front half of the clay skull positive and allow to dry then repeat with the back half inserting the PVC pipe and covering with alginate.

8. Allow the alginate to dry slightly then moisten the plaster bandages and wrap the skull in them, doing it in two parts as before.

9. Wait for the alginate and the plaster bandages to dry completely and set then remove the clay positive from the alginate making a negative form of the skull in a front and back half.

10. In the double boiler, melt the paraffin wax then pour into the front of the negative mold then place the back onto the front so it is flush and pour the remaining paraffin into the PVC pipe to fill the entire mold.

11. Allow the wax to cool completely and set up, then remove from the alginate mold.

12. Using your carving tools, touch up any imperfections that may have arisen from the negative mold.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay close attention to studio stills of the actual crystal skull if you wish to sculpt one close to the movie version.
• The thickness of the clay should not be more than 1/4 inch.
• Save your clay positive in case you need to make another alginate negative.
• When using any type of glue always use it in a ventilated area.