Models display Nelson Byanyima, aka Nelly Salvatore’s consumes and props . PHOTO/ BAMUTURAKI MUSINGUZI
If the costumes and props in the Rock Boom TV commercial or Teacher—that banger that sees Ykee Benda collaborate with Fik Fameica—made an impression on you, Nelson Byanyima is the person you should direct your plaudits to.
The leading costume and props designer in the country, Nelly Salvatore—as Byanyima is fondly known in the industry—told Saturday Monitor that the internet is a great repository for the shape and form of his end product.
“There are some things that I see in movies and on the internet and … I … recreate or create them using costume design skills,” the self-taught photographer said, adding, “With this form of art, our movie industry has a chance to finally make high-end movie concepts that can compete on the international market.”
Nelly Salvatore particularly takes great delight in “props like swords, spears, helmets, guns, axes, and masks [that] have attracted most clients.” He handcrafts most of this handiwork from material and metallic paints for the fantasy/adventure/sci-fi movie industry.
“To get the measurements, I use aluminium foil, which helps me to get the exact shapes of someone’s body since the material I use is not flexible,” he revealed, adding, “By doing this, I create a pattern which I then transfer to the craft foam. I cut out the patterns on the craft foam and then join them together using super glue.”
Nelly Salvatore said “once everything has now taken shape”, he uses a heat gun to seal off the foam.
READ FULL STORY >>> A sense of belonging: Arts dressed in right costumes