Cuttle
"Ríastrad" is an Old Irish term for the battle frenzy experienced by Cú Chulainn. This prop centres around that wrath, as Cú Chulainn tears his way through the battlefield. The prop takes design inspiration from Sétanta's history, defeating the Hound of Culann with a hurl and sliotar, incorporating a wolf skull into the poll of the weapon. The wide axe head and shape of the handle allows Cú Chulainn to strike stones at opposing enemies.
The Main Objective of this project was to make a prop weapon personalised for the character of Cú Chulainn.
The Wolf Skull sitting at the crown of the axe draws from his past as Sétanta, the boy who killed the Cú of the Culann house. The sweeping blade and bludgeoning poll serve Cú Chulainn during his ballistic warfare. While the broadness of the blade and structure of the handle, acts as a reference to the shape of a Hurley.
A fistful of stones in his pouch allow him to incorporate projectiles into his attack, walloping them with the side of the blade.
The Next Objective was to make a stunt safe version of the prop. Replacing the Blade, Poll, Wolf Skull and Stones with foam versions.
I have a lot of experience working with wood, leather and other forms of hard edge modelmaking, so I very much enjoyed those aspects of the project.
I had the least experience working with sculpting organic structures, such as the Wolf Skull and I was honestly a little apprehensive to begin, but it easily became my favourite part of the entire project and has spurred a deeper interest in that side of modelmaking.
I'm a Modelmaker based between Roscommon and Dublin. I've always had a passion for film and traditional craftmanship (Wood Working, Leatherworking, ect). This course has allowed me to delve into both those passions in the best way possible, making stunt safe weapons, miniature stop motion sets and more. Working on placement gave me the best introduction to the industry and I cant wait to create more movie magic on future projects to come.
