Props and Fabrication: beginnings
They now specifically design to facilitate the unique needs of live immersive/roleplay environments. They've worked fulfilling prop requests from game masters as a visual designer, as well as improvising to fill on-site requests made for players. They continue this work to this day at events around the world.
2013-2016
Sculpting
Azrai enjoys sculpting for prosthetics, puppets, creature suits and other props.
Accessible Armor
The other method was created with players in mind who don't need to make more than one set, using (mostly) craft foam, foam clay, roof sealant and cloth strips. Both types of armor are relatively low cost to make, incredibly durable, and light weight- making armored characters more accessible for people who need to mitigate physical fatigue.
Various Props
Repurposing
Even a simple lantern is an opportunity to add to the visual language of a world, and Azrai will take these opportunities whenever possible.
Azrai likes to prove that even a cheap halloween-store costume can become a well loved piece of a game world in the right hands.
A "salt gun" that actually shoots salt, intended for bugs, repurposed to be used for "demons and ghosts."
Azrai physically cannot look at something without thinking about what they could use it for if they could only give it a "makeover."
A WIP of some props Azrai repurposed for their "students" to use at an event.
Wyllt's crossbow, said to have fired a variety of bolts- including silver and gold.
An "infernal battery" and an "empathy gun" - two glowing props Azrai created specifically for their students at an event to "steal" and use to create story how they wished.
Azrai pictured as their gunslinger character, with a NERF cannon they repainted.
A "Holy Water Gun" repurposed from a pump-action water gun, created with assistance from Hog And Dice
Xephyr Zian- An Alien Creature Suit
Each scale was individually laid, the fins were hand sculpted and molded, and it was given an iridescent finish. The suit zipped up and was (with some effort) able to slip on and off in a short amount of time. The detail and blending of the suit left room for the rest of the makeup application to be fairly simple, making the entire process of getting ready and into costume each day take less than an hour.
Other Props:
The Fae Heart
The heart could change colors depending on what GENESIS needed to communicate. Azrai also created and sourced several other small "magical/technological artifact" props for their students to use at the event.
The Unicorn Horn
A wizard's study created using printed backdrops, lighting and Azrai's personal posessions to create an atmosphere for their video work. This set can be seen both on YouTube and TikTok.
The Nome King's Hand
The universe is an apocalyptic fairytale version of Oz and Wonderland, and the Nome King is set up as the main antagonist of season 2. He lives deep underground, his kingdom is made up of caverns full of noxious fumes. He wanted to see the surface world when he was young, and as punishment, his hand was replaced with one that corrupted anything it touched. Azrai created this hand with foam, foam clay, paint, and whatever accents they could source in quarantine.
Setting the Scene
A film set in the corner of one of Azrai's temporary living spaces
They have done this at live events as well as in small corners of whatever living space they find themselves in.
At an event where Azrai found themselves without any set dressings whatsoever, they created a magical classroom using only what could be scavenged from the hotel (with the help of incredible friends) and their film equipment; lights, projections, video effects, and musical soundscapes. Students sat on blankets and pillows to look up at Azrai's class presentations, giving them the feeling of looking into space.
A concept artist workspace, staged in a friend's kitchen, completely made of art that Azrai themself has drawn for immersive play events in the past. Created for a video that was never published.