Our production floor is one of the more surreal places in Central Illinois.  If you can even recognize what you’re looking at, chances are it will be in a state or position that leaves you scratching your head. Case in point:

No, we’re not in the horror-movie prop business, but John Carpenter would feel right at home. This rather freaky looking photo is of a life cast figure that will one day be part of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, VA. Why is the face missing? The Marine that was the body model (and yes, we used all Marines for this project) knew that he wouldn’t be used for the face, which was to be of a historical figure. A sculpted face, based upon historical photos, is taking shape about 20 feet away.

And the strange hand position?  He’s typing on a field typewriter during World War One. What about the pants? As we get various reproductions of the necessary uniform parts and accessories, they are fitted to the figure and then sent to the client for approval. The pants were already fitted, which you can tell by the large split in the figure’s right leg. That leg would have to come off to get the pants on, which gives a whole new twist to the phrase, “He put his pants on one leg at a time.”

Isn’t it wonderful what a little context does?

Posted by: Ryan