An Out Of This World Event

Over 40 costumes, props, and models from the films and TV series, and most of them had been actually used before the camera. For anyone interested in costuming or prop-making, this is heaven. “Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television” is currently on exhibit at the Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando FL until May 16, 2010. Unfortunately, they do not allow photography while viewing the exhibit, but you can take away a lot of detail, if you are willing to take notes.

The costume Burt Ward wore on the 1960’s Batman television series was made from t-shirts - really simple, but it looked right out of the comics on television. And while there were small tubes in his utility belt, I couldn’t find any pockets for any of the gear George Clooney needed to carry in BATMAN AND ROBIN, but at least his gloves were the right color; the display for the 1960’s Robin had yellow gloves, while the attached photo had the actor in black gloves. The embroidery work on Mark Leonard’s Savek costume was simple but very impressive. But that was overshadowed by the sequin work in the Riddler costume that James Carrey wore in BATMAN FOREVER.

The first costume displayed as you enter the exhibit is a Klingon uniform. I studied this one closely, since I am currently working on one, and noticed several differences between it and what I thought was needed. I don’t think I am going to build a set of split toed boots for mine. The costumes worn by Jeri Ryan and Jolene Blalock, as 7 of 9 in VOYAGER and T’Pol in ENTERPRISE, were both simple jump suits, like the flight suit used by Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in STAR WARS. Some of the attached commentary included Ms. Ryan’s on how uncomfortable that costume was to wear. She had to wear a corset under it and no underwear (as the material was so thin that panty lines would have shown through). Also I noticed that all the STAR TREK costumes included feet straps.

Anyone who is a 501st Stormtrooper should be glad for today’s helmets. The one on display was not made of light plastic but a very thick material which was already starting to crack around its base. And I have to ask you guys; is the scope actually mounted backwards? It looked to us like you would be looking in the wrong end, assuming a stormtrooper actually used the scope.

The Proton Packs from GHOSTBUSTERS appeared to be made of Styrofoam, as the Dr. Stantz costume that Dan Aykroyd wore in the movie was on display.

This exhibit was organized by the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, so if you can’t make it to Orlando by May 16th, drop the Seattle museum a line to see if they are going to put it on the road. Or if anyone can make it up to Seattle, let me know what you think of the museum.
If you have collected, built, or created something that you would like to display at the Omaha Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival, OSFest, email me at programming@osfes.org to let me know what you have and how you would like it displayed. If you would like to talk about your collection or construction techniques, I also want to hear from you.