Sci-Fi Rifle

I originally created this Sci-Fi rifle for a short film called Expiration Date. However, I also used it in my trailer for a product called Invasion (part of my BTEC Nationals Level 3 in Creative Media Practice). I started by researching various toy guns that could be used as a base. Then I created 2 different designs using Adobe Photoshop. Once the client was happy with the mock-up design, I proceeded to begin modifying the toy gun once I had it in hand.

I began by disassembling the gun and grouping the components based on into which section of the rifle they are part of. Once it was disassembled, I began to sand off the texture, Nerf branding, and warnings. These are parts that would take away from the style and make the prop seem more like a painted toy than an actual weapon.

After many hours of sanding, I began to paint all of the parts that would be visible once the gun was reassembled. Once I had painted the gun I added a wash of black shoe polish and finally a coat of sealant.

As I began to reassemble the gun, I started to add the electronics. I diffused and coloured the light by cutting away some of the plastic that was blocking the built-in panel slots. Then I glued in some light blue transparent plastic from a notebook divider. Then for the actual lights, I soldered lengths of low voltage LED strip lights in series with a switch and battery pack. I originally used a 3xAA battery pack but that began having problems and caused the lights to flicker, so I used a battery from an old R/C drone.

This was much smaller and more lightweight. I also designed a custom battery compartment panel where the magazine used to slot into the gun.