Banana Paul
`Banana Paul` was a larger than life comic bear from Berlin.
The symbol for Berlin is a bear.
Made for C & H Film
Otto-Suhr-Alle 59, 1000 Berlin 10
This bear was not so stupid - not many bears can ride a motorbike.
A clay head is made, larger than life size,to portray the large size and comic appeal of the finished character.
A plaster cast is taken from the clay head with a split line down the middle.
Two halves of the plaster mould are temporarily joined together to laminate the glass fibre head.
A thin skin of Shellac or latex will seal the plaster mould surface.
Polyester resin and glass fibres are used to laminate the skull of the bear`s head.
Glassfibre head made from the plaster mould.
The articulating jaw and roving eyes were radio controlled and even tear`s were all realistic facilities of the bear.
Various types of fur skins were used to simulate a real bear. ie: fine otter fur was used for the face.
A polystyrene sculpt was used to symulate the over size of ` Banana Paul`
It was pretty hot in the bear suit.
German zoll stamp
Invoice to C & H Film and custom clearance through to Berlin, before the wall came down.
The crew in the bear`s den.
Andrew (yellow strides) and Bernadette ( green boiler suit ) were soon to make their GmbH company in Berlin.
`Otto` was the man in the bear
Dress rehearsals took forever…
Does Otto looked bored….