Fun fact about the white paste you see them brushing on the props: It's a material called Cabopatch. It's Cabosil mixed with Pros-aide. It dries clear, so they mix it with acrylic paint to see where they need to paint.
Loved this interview. One of the few times you can see the interviewer is just as excited and enthusiastic about the subject as Adam is. Would love to see more from this shop on Tested!
Thanks so much for coming by, Adam! It was a pleasure having you here and talking props and restoration! Folks can follow our channel to see more projects like these if they'd like :)
Wow, what a fantastic workshop. Great clip. I would love to know some tips for how to best preserve these items, though! Tom, it looked like you was about to give some advice while being interrupted? Is there any webpage with information about this? I've got a Jordu Schell item I would like to last for a long time!
Thank you so much! There are some basic tips for best care on the Tom Spina Designs website in the FAQ ( www.tomspinadesigns.com/frequently-asked-questions/ ). Look under MISC INQUIRIES near the bottom. The basics are to avoid high heat and UV, and to keep the piece well supported. Avoid touching (as skin/hand oils can affect the material as well). We offer custom cases (including UV filtering) in the shop section of our website, so folks can always request one there, made to their size needs. And if anyone has something that's deteriorated or damaged, they can always contact us via our site for a quote :)
I was always fascinated by movie make up, props, models, etc. The behind the scene stuff. It's always a joy to see these kind of videos. And I am glad someone cares so much to restore it all for the rest of us to see in the years to come.
No phones heaps of outdoor fun, pub parties after closing time. No cops in country areas drive as pissed as you like to the next town pub to meet the rest of your mates from neighbouring towns. Growing pot. The 80's were awesome. Ahhhh the good old days.
So glad you've shown Toms work. I've been admiring his companies restoration work for a couple of years now and it's been a mystery how to keep latex and foam from degrading further. Superb.
We need to build a museum the size of the pentagon, a keep all these beautiful works behind glass where they can be preserved for future generations to go and appreciate. Think of it as a mega museum for movie props, models, puppets, miniatures and costumes.
The story about the baby reminds me of the instructor who taught us cpr. He had a dummy with a simulated pulse. He didn't tell us that. Scared the hell out of a few people.
Lovely how they restore those iconic special effects like that. There's a true magic to old effects like modelling, animatronic and puppetry. Really good on the folks who do it, bloody wonderful 😄😊🥰
I see Fluffy, from "The Crate" segment of Creepshow. Tom Savini was one of my idols growing up and Creepshow is one of my comfort movies. It's sad to see Fluffy in such a state, but since he's in the shop, I hope he's getting restored. This is so cool! Thank you for sharing!
I've never really been interested in props too much (though I've always recognized a certain coolness about them), but this video has sparked a little interest! I want to see more videos of this guy and his team restoring these amazing pieces. Hell, that could be a tv show! "Puppet Hospital", or "Puppet Doctors" or something like that:D
whiteknight723 it's not been restored, it's been ruined and doesn't even resemble hoggle, it looks more like a doll.. Which is exactly who repaired it.. A doll maker.And it was several years ago it was 'restored'.
Wow. What a disaster. The paint job is awful. All character and nuance are lost, all the detail just air-brushed away. Really sad. Not sure which damage is worse, the decay or the attempted restoration.
God damn, just visited the page of the 'restoration' or destruction more to the point of Hoggle! What a poor excuse for a restoration and is so saddening, RIP 'Hoggle', hopefully someone will find you and rip all that crap off and rebuild you the way you should have been!
Tested is now most definitely my favorite channel on TH-cam. Major props to you guys, pun intended. Also, anyone else think the badass closing statement handshake at the end between Adam and Tom was pretty much the nerdy equivalent of the Dutch and Dillon ultra-shake in Predator? It was like, *boom*. Happy Thanksgiving, Tested and friends!
We'll be posting those images on our website when the projects are wrapped. In the meantime, you can check out dozens of other restoration before-and-afters here: www.tomspinadesigns.com/movie-prop-restoration-conservation/
Natural latex not only rots by UV light but also by air pollutants like ozone. So it would be best to store it in a sealed glass showcase with oxygen-free protective gas atmosphere (e.g. nitrogen). However some poorly mixed latex compositions just decompose by themselves. I meditate with latex inflatables, and while some are decades old and still intact (stored in the dark, usually in PE/PP bags or fridge boxes against ozone), others (often translucent colours) grow pimples of brown sticky spots (likely expelling sulfur into sulfuric acid/ liver of sulfur state) like the black on an old banana and nothing can be done against it. Also incompatible materials (like certains metals, fats/oils or plasticizers) can dissolve rubber. E.g. phthalate or copper from PVC cables and technical parts inside an animatronic may eat itself through its latex skin.
Greta Gremlin is the holy grail of movie props for me. I clicked on this video so fast! I am horribly jealous of who ever owns this piece. It looks awesome!
I'd love to see the animatronics duplicated (and functional) for that with-skin/without-skin comparison display, but that would probably be easiest with the most deteriorated props and on the worst ones it might even be feasible to construct a non-moving skeleton based on the animatronics for the outer shell to be transferred to, though that would have to be weighed against potentially doing more damage to it. Interesting stuff!
I've seen so many videos about collections both private and museum, but I'd never thought this kind of industry was behind the scenes on this scale. I figured some touch ups here and there sure by professional individuals, but a whole company dedicated to it I didn't think was a thing. There is probably enough demand to support a small industries worth. You hear so much about things lost to time. Some of the most iconic memorabilia in the world just disappears. Hopefully going forward companies like this can help preserve history that little bit further.
Watching Tom and Adam trying to come up with the word why foam deteriorates was painful. They could've just said "dry rotting", the same way speaker foam rots after many years.
This is why I desperately wish practical effects had continued to be used in media. You cant get the same kind of feeling of believability in watching a movie with cgi, the same way these practically done pieces brought to its viewers. The 1982 The Thing movie scared the daylights out of me when I first watched it because of how real the victims and monster looked. Bevause it was real, in the sense of it actually being with the characters in the room. Beautiful props like this is why I live to watch movies that came out long before I even existed. CGI is great but practical props are wonderful
One that we made for a commercial some time ago. It's not for sale, but if you enjoy that sort of thing, check out our site and search "cantina" - we've been lucky to recreate a lot of those fun old aliens!
Do they document the restoration? Museums try to document everything they do to the artifact so people in the future know what is original and what is new.
Fun fact about the white paste you see them brushing on the props:
It's a material called Cabopatch. It's Cabosil mixed with Pros-aide. It dries clear, so they mix it with acrylic paint to see where they need to paint.
Loved this interview. One of the few times you can see the interviewer is just as excited and enthusiastic about the subject as Adam is. Would love to see more from this shop on Tested!
I love the chemistry when two people who love what they do get together.
Thanks so much for coming by, Adam! It was a pleasure having you here and talking props and restoration! Folks can follow our channel to see more projects like these if they'd like :)
+TomSpinaDesigns thanks for having us, Tom!
Wow, what a fantastic workshop. Great clip. I would love to know some tips for how to best preserve these items, though! Tom, it looked like you was about to give some advice while being interrupted?
Is there any webpage with information about this? I've got a Jordu Schell item I would like to last for a long time!
Thank you so much! There are some basic tips for best care on the Tom Spina Designs website in the FAQ ( www.tomspinadesigns.com/frequently-asked-questions/ ). Look under MISC INQUIRIES near the bottom. The basics are to avoid high heat and UV, and to keep the piece well supported. Avoid touching (as skin/hand oils can affect the material as well). We offer custom cases (including UV filtering) in the shop section of our website, so folks can always request one there, made to their size needs. And if anyone has something that's deteriorated or damaged, they can always contact us via our site for a quote :)
TomSpinaDesigns It's truly inspiring to hear you talk about your craft! It's people like you and your team who keep the art form alive!
you have the greatest job in the world!
What a nice genuine guy Tom seems. His passion clearly shines through.
Tom seems so passionate about his work. Its nice to see people who want to keep restoration of movie props alive.
I was always fascinated by movie make up, props, models, etc. The behind the scene stuff. It's always a joy to see these kind of videos. And I am glad someone cares so much to restore it all for the rest of us to see in the years to come.
Awesome to see someone so passionate about their job (Adam & Tom)
I want more of this guy... please!
Awww, Gremlins! I used to have a toy record player with a Gremlins record and follow-along story book. I miss the 80s...
No phones heaps of outdoor fun, pub parties after closing time. No cops in country areas drive as pissed as you like to the next town pub to meet the rest of your mates from neighbouring towns. Growing pot. The 80's were awesome. Ahhhh the good old days.
Dude I have that same thing, though it was my dads there is still a tremendous amount of nostalgia attached for me
This guy's enthusiasm for practical effects is fantastic. We need more like him in the movie industry.
Now it's forget everything you know as an artist and learn cgi effects or you don't have a job.
It's like a prop hospital.
So glad you've shown Toms work. I've been admiring his companies restoration work for a couple of years now and it's been a mystery how to keep latex and foam from degrading further. Superb.
We need to build a museum the size of the pentagon, a keep all these beautiful works behind glass where they can be preserved for future generations to go and appreciate. Think of it as a mega museum for movie props, models, puppets, miniatures and costumes.
Great piece, Tom Spina's shop is amazing!
and always filled with quite a few Smooth-On products too :)
What an amazing space in which to work. Spend your days restoring art. Simply amazing.
The story about the baby reminds me of the instructor who taught us cpr. He had a dummy with a simulated pulse. He didn't tell us that. Scared the hell out of a few people.
Oh, I'm calling click bait on the super hot gremlin bikini shot. Cheap trick Tested! (Just kidding, love this show!)
Major Pain lol I love major pain
This is a video to watch if you want to feel a little bit more happy then before.
Amazing work.
Lovely how they restore those iconic special effects like that. There's a true magic to old effects like modelling, animatronic and puppetry. Really good on the folks who do it, bloody wonderful 😄😊🥰
They're doing gods work. Great to know there's people out there restoring old props.
I am sure Adam knows all there is about most aspects of prop making ... an inspirational man ...
You can really tell when someone has a true passion for their work.
I see Fluffy, from "The Crate" segment of Creepshow. Tom Savini was one of my idols growing up and Creepshow is one of my comfort movies. It's sad to see Fluffy in such a state, but since he's in the shop, I hope he's getting restored. This is so cool! Thank you for sharing!
loved this video. would love to see more of this shop
I've never really been interested in props too much (though I've always recognized a certain coolness about them), but this video has sparked a little interest! I want to see more videos of this guy and his team restoring these amazing pieces. Hell, that could be a tv show! "Puppet Hospital", or "Puppet Doctors" or something like that:D
He has his own channel there is alot more vids
This is just great. What a fantastic guy Tom is, and an amazing team
It's so cool seeing the actual gremlins. Happy to see they're still being cared for
Hoggle puppet from Labyrinth just had a restoration recently after being found in a suitcase which was in lost property at an airport.
whiteknight723 it's not been restored, it's been ruined and doesn't even resemble hoggle, it looks more like a doll.. Which is exactly who repaired it.. A doll maker.And it was several years ago it was 'restored'.
Oh wow, you weren't kidding. They did a pretty naff job, didn't even try to match the skin texture or paintwork.
You're not kidding.
They absolutely destroyed him. I think I prefer him BEFORE they "restored" him.
www.sowatzka.com/content/gary-restores-hoggle
Wow. What a disaster. The paint job is awful. All character and nuance are lost, all the detail just air-brushed away. Really sad. Not sure which damage is worse, the decay or the attempted restoration.
God damn, just visited the page of the 'restoration' or destruction more to the point of Hoggle! What a poor excuse for a restoration and is so saddening, RIP 'Hoggle', hopefully someone will find you and rip all that crap off and rebuild you the way you should have been!
the memories! my childhood was built on these characters
He's doing good work, preserving history and art...
The whole time I’m watching this I’m just waiting for the Gremlins to jump up and start attacking people.
So awesome to see a person saving these items
These two are so fun together! I'd really enjoy thinking that they're actual friends in real life now haha. Their energy is great.
Great interview Adam! what a lovely passionate guy
I was just listening to The Full of Sith podcast with Tom. Great episode. It’s cool to see his/teams work.
Tested is now most definitely my favorite channel on TH-cam. Major props to you guys, pun intended. Also, anyone else think the badass closing statement handshake at the end between Adam and Tom was pretty much the nerdy equivalent of the Dutch and Dillon ultra-shake in Predator? It was like, *boom*. Happy Thanksgiving, Tested and friends!
The passion in these vids make me want to start some new projects
I would love to see more videos out of the shop!
Being in Bob's basement was amazing. That werewolf looked fantastic!!!
Yas! Tom is the man! This video is so fascinating.
I would have liked to see a piece before and after. That was the only thing missing.
We'll be posting those images on our website when the projects are wrapped. In the meantime, you can check out dozens of other restoration before-and-afters here: www.tomspinadesigns.com/movie-prop-restoration-conservation/
I always wondered how restorations were done. This was a great video!! Thank you Adam.
So passionate!
Natural latex not only rots by UV light but also by air pollutants like ozone. So it would be best to store it in a sealed glass showcase with oxygen-free protective gas atmosphere (e.g. nitrogen). However some poorly mixed latex compositions just decompose by themselves. I meditate with latex inflatables, and while some are decades old and still intact (stored in the dark, usually in PE/PP bags or fridge boxes against ozone), others (often translucent colours) grow pimples of brown sticky spots (likely expelling sulfur into sulfuric acid/ liver of sulfur state) like the black on an old banana and nothing can be done against it. Also incompatible materials (like certains metals, fats/oils or plasticizers) can dissolve rubber. E.g. phthalate or copper from PVC cables and technical parts inside an animatronic may eat itself through its latex skin.
these animatronic videos are the best!
Love the batman mask just looking ominously in the background
The start of this, looked like a Gremlin autopsy. Love these types of videos! Always fascinating
Loved this video, It would have been nice to see up close a finished piece .
i love watching geeks, geeking up about stuff!
Greta Gremlin is the holy grail of movie props for me. I clicked on this video so fast! I am horribly jealous of who ever owns this piece. It looks awesome!
Tom seems like a pretty cool dude
I loved that guy he's awesome
The museum term for items that are self-destructive over time is "Inherent Vice"... also a great name for a metal band! \^^/
0:46 the monster from creepshow
Leo Reviewer fluffy
beat me to it!
I can still hear that laugh.
Gremlins III, want to see!!!!
Does tom have a youtube channel with restoration work ? if not could you get him in to show a restoration project ?
10:43 oh Adam 😛
MrJan9k what?
Oh he looking at the boobs
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Such enthusiasm! I love it! So inspiring :3
Good to see Rich Vos is restoring props.
A most excellent video! Cheers.
You da man Tom!👍
This has nothing to do with the video , but somewhere on earth there is a gizmo puppet and I want it😁😂💕
I'd love to see the animatronics duplicated (and functional) for that with-skin/without-skin comparison display, but that would probably be easiest with the most deteriorated props and on the worst ones it might even be feasible to construct a non-moving skeleton based on the animatronics for the outer shell to be transferred to, though that would have to be weighed against potentially doing more damage to it. Interesting stuff!
These guys fixed up my run over Critter prop.
I bet he loves his job, amazing 🔥
This is such a cool video! Thanks for making this!!!!
I've seen so many videos about collections both private and museum, but I'd never thought this kind of industry was behind the scenes on this scale. I figured some touch ups here and there sure by professional individuals, but a whole company dedicated to it I didn't think was a thing. There is probably enough demand to support a small industries worth. You hear so much about things lost to time. Some of the most iconic memorabilia in the world just disappears. Hopefully going forward companies like this can help preserve history that little bit further.
fartzinwind Trogdor the burninator
as a random Chewbacca mask just chills behind Adam....
You still have to visit Laura Kampf´s workshop in Köln ... at least it would be nice to see ... sooooooooo?!? ;-)
Watching Tom and Adam trying to come up with the word why foam deteriorates was painful. They could've just said "dry rotting", the same way speaker foam rots after many years.
Tom is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is why I desperately wish practical effects had continued to be used in media. You cant get the same kind of feeling of believability in watching a movie with cgi, the same way these practically done pieces brought to its viewers. The 1982 The Thing movie scared the daylights out of me when I first watched it because of how real the victims and monster looked. Bevause it was real, in the sense of it actually being with the characters in the room. Beautiful props like this is why I live to watch movies that came out long before I even existed. CGI is great but practical props are wonderful
They ARE still used, dumbass!!!
E.g. Ghostbusters "Slimer" was no robot but moved by about a dozen hands simultaneously to make the facial expression.
Watching two nerds talk about puppets... Im ok with this
Damn such a nostalgia trip
Thats a real handshake.
I would love to work there
0:59 is that the snagal tooth mask from Star Wars? // is it for sale ?
One that we made for a commercial some time ago. It's not for sale, but if you enjoy that sort of thing, check out our site and search "cantina" - we've been lucky to recreate a lot of those fun old aliens!
Would love to hear about ONE case from soup-to-nuts, including costs involved. Which, I know, is unlikely but that's what I wish.
I’d love to work there
Do they document the restoration? Museums try to document everything they do to the artifact so people in the future know what is original and what is new.
They should always make a photogrametry like archeologists do to recreate the object in future from a VR model if it crumbles apart.
10:42 tata check
I've known about Tom Spina for over a decade.
I still believe most of these props belong in a museum and not in the hands of private collectors.
I'm so upset, I live on Long Island and he's on Long Island and I've always wanted to meet Adam :( so close yet so far
they turn into zombie gremlins. that makes them more awesome.
What MATERIAL can replace FOAM LATEX MATERIAL? GOR RESTORATIONS?
the poor fluffy monster 0:10 he's seen better days!!!
Adam Savage knew WTF a Plamp was.
Omg Adam... Let the person talk.. good god..
also... those moving eyes on otherwise static figure O_o creepy - like it's awake on an operating table.
Was this where RedLetterMedia got their shift eye gremlin from?
I want a mogwai.
You gotta be careful with it, you know? I've seen a movie about what could happen ... two actually.
Now I want a gremlin.
i have an old latex Halloween mask that is rotting and turning crispy, Do latex masks and props deteriorate?
Absolutely
wait? Ethafoam? wooo! where i work, we make that!
Maria! 11:05 & 14:43
I want to know if that female Gremlin has nipples, or not, and did they paint them, and what does she look like nekkid.
Very cool
am i the only one who thinks tom looks like linus tech tips? lol
7:23 😍😍😍😍😍
That rotted Fluffy the Crate Beast from Creepshow is a sad sight.