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 The Terminator
The blockbuster "Terminator" movies brought cyborg's into mainstream
society, both as the good guys and bad guys, and pushed special effects technology to there limits.
Terminator's are powerful cyborg's who have been sent back in time to
exterminate mankind, or in a few cases have been reprogrammed by human
resistance fighters of the future, to protect mankind.
With "Terminator:
The Sarah Connor Chronicles", a new television series based on the movie
characters, and a fourth Terminator film in the works, Terminator type Halloween costumes are sure to be in demand once again.
 The
term "Cyborg" is a combined and shortened version for cybernetic
organism, which is essentially an advanced robot with real human tissue
covering its metal endoskeleton. This allows them to look just like a human
being, so they can blend in with humans and infiltrate our society. But what would set them apart from everyone else
on
Halloween night?
The answer to this question is the mechanical endoskeleton
that lays underneath there organic skin, which can be exposed through physical
damage. Using makeup effects, you will want to create the illusion that
the Terminator has been injured and its true mechanical nature has been
revealed.
 Terminator Costume
New for 2009 Halloween Costumes is the "Deluxe Terminator 4 T600"
costume and officially licensed
Terminator 4 mask. This set
includes the Jumpsuit, Molded Chest Piece and Mask.
In the movies, Model 101 Terminator's dressed in cool and tough looking
clothing. When assembling your Terminator Halloween costume based on the
films, you should wear black pants or better yet black leather pants, a
black t-shirt, a black leather jacket and motorcycle boots. This type of
clothing can be expensive.
If you can't afford to buy new, look around
at thrift shops and garage sales.
The
signature sunglasses that the Terminator wore in the original movie were Gargoyle brand,
but any pair of cool looking sunglasses will do the job. Just remember
to use extra caution when wearing dark glasses at night.
 Another
option is to use
the makeup techniques that are commonly used for
face and body painting. While not quite as realistic as an appliance,
you can create a two-dimensional illusion that metallic cyborg parts are
showing through damaged skin on the face using this type of makeup. The
cyborg effect to the right is a fairly simple design and only uses three
different colors, but since you are actually painting on a design using
brushes, face painting does take some artistic abilities. Watch for our
upcoming article on face painting that will include basic instructions
and suggested supplies. Click here
to see how!
 At
one time there was a Terminator makeup kit called the "Terminator 2
Metallic Cyborg Makeup Kit with Light-up Eye Costume Mask". The kit
featured a metallic looking plastic appliance that you trimmed and then
wore over one side of your face and contained a simulated red light-up
eye. All the makeup you needed to apply it was included. A brush, sponge,
makeup tray, cyborg skin, light unit, skull piece and thirty pieces of
adhesive tape strips for securing it to your face. We wonder if this
type of makeup set will return to store shelves this year?
 If
you want to go all out with your Terminator costume, you can purchase special effect contact lenses
like the "Chinese Spinner" shown to the right
from FX Eyes
for an extra special effect. Custom contact lenses can be a
great addition to your costume, but they are still a medical appliance and need to be
treated as such. Since you need to see an eye care professional to have
a lens fitting exam, ask them to instruct you on the proper care and
handling of contact lenses.
Terminator
Accessories
 Replica
Firearms -
Whether you want to carry replica or toy firearms is a
personal choice. Guns, whether real or toy are not evil,
self-animated devices with a mind of there own. They are
mechanical devices no different from any other. It is humans
that use such devices for good purposes or bad. The
"Terminator" style Sport Airsoft Shotgun looks realistic, is
available at many airsoft retail stores and sells for only
around twenty-five dollars. We suggest that you attach a sling to
it, so you don't have to carry it in your hands all night
long.
Note - Under federal law, all Airsoft guns are required to
have a blaze orange colored tip permanently attached to the
barrel to distinguish them from a real firearms.
 Replica
Bandoleer - Shotgun shell bandoleer's are available
at most gun stores for around fifteen dollars. These are
meant to hold shotgun shells and do not include them. Since
you will not want real shotgun shells in the bandoleer, you
have a couple of options. Go to a shooting range and pick up
the empty (already used) shells and trim the expanded ends
off, or you can go to a local gun store and buy empty shell
cases that are meant for reloading.
 Safety
& Legal Concerns - If you intend to carry simulated
firearms on Halloween night, contact your local law
enforcement agency well in advance and let them know exactly
how you will be dressed and what type of replica firearm you
want to carry. Make sure to ask them if there are any
federal, state, and local laws restricting them from being
carried on public property. In other words, make sure that it is legal and
safe for you to use them as part of your Halloween costume.
It would be better to exclude these from your costume, than
to risk being arrested!
Never point one at
another person, even as a joke. If going to a Halloween
party, advise the party-givers in advance that you will be
bringing a replica or toy firearm as part of your Halloween
costume. Never carry a real firearm as part of a
Halloween costume set. Do not represent a replica or toy gun
as being real.
The intent of this article is
not to give legal advice, you should consult with law
enforcement and your family attorney regarding any potential
legalities.
Click here more information about the new television
series, "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles"!
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