Long Tails?

[theMerFanc]

I wasn't sure where this thread would go so i figured this was a safe bet. I have seen sketches and drawing and whatnot of mers with tails clearly longer then proportionate legs would be. So in a physical sense in the real world, would tails like that work the same way? I think they are gorgeous and whispy but I can't imaging how you'd be able to control the fin if it was so far away from your feet...

These are a few designs I found that got me thinking (images found on google)
http://jjulie98.deviantart.com/art/Long-Tail-Mermaid-356273725
http://hauket.deviantart.com/art/Shark-Mermaid-434731204

[Ashe]

So, we have a few threads discussing this subject, feel free to use the Search Bar in the top right corner! It will help to keep multiple threads on the same subject at bay ;)
Here is something you may be interested in, an extended monofin (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?11492-Does-anyone-know-who-this-mermaid-is-and-what-tail-she-has). Now, it may not have the exact effect you are looking for, but it is just about as close as you can get :) There is also a video of a mer with an extended tail I'll pull up for you, hold on a sec!

[Theobromine]

There are a BUNCH of threads around here on extended tails already. It's something the mer community has discussed in depth, haha. Try using the search bar at the top right of the web page and you'll find them all!

[theMerFanc]

Seriously >.< I totally looked. Grr, I'm sorry >.>

[Ashe]

Here you are! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRXSoiw50Zk) Not sure exactly how it is done, but this will be another close option for what you are thinking of. Then there are the H20 tails that are extended by a couple feet, but that would be an insane amount of work. Check out some behind the scenes videos if you are interested!

[Ashe]

Seriously >.< I totally looked. Grr, I'm sorry >.>
Nah it's totally fine! I typed in 'long tails' and not much popped up, so my key word's were 'extended tail'. In any case, I've been around for a while so I've seen those threads come and go in person :rollover:

[Mermaid Alea]

Here is another option: https://youtu.be/dZRhjYdt0RM
The tails in the above video have the monofin in the big side fins and the longer part with the fluke is just an extension of fabric off of the actual fin. The main problem would be the amount of drag that this could be and the effort it would take to swim in such a thing.

Other than the special FX companies that have made extended tails for movies and shows such as H20, no one has really had success with extended tails. You have to have something that your feet will push on to make the monofin at the bottom move. I think a lot of mers have given up on making their own extended tail. In other topics people have talked about how for these mermaid movies and shows there is a big crew in the water with the mermaids to help them swim because the tails aren't as easy to swim with as a normal tail.

This topic here has a few photos of the H20 Mermaid tail interiors:
http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?8395-Standard-Monofin-tail-vs-an-extended-tail-(-H2o-amp-Splash-)&highlight=extended+tail

A lot of people have been throwing around ideas for how to achieve an extended tail. I noticed some new members on here have done some special FX work and one I think said they helped make tails for the Splash movie so hopefully with their knowledge we can eventually get to the point where longer tails are possible. They would definitely be more expensive.

[theMerFanc]

Hmm... Well for something like the tails in that video, I feel like doing a tapered monofin would work at the regular length and then attaching flowy fabric to the end to achieve a much longer look but not have a single fin at the bottum could work. Like if this one had a fin there int he middle that just tapered with the rest of the tail: http://la-nora.deviantart.com/art/Mermaid-with-Long-Tail-2002-343901024

I was originally asking because I thought maybe having an extended tail could help with the spine issue we face with a side to side shark tail so thta fin wouldn't really work for my specific thoughts.

[Echidna]

something like this could be done with a shark costume:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOxR0nbCghA

[theMerFanc]

something like this could be done with a shark costume:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOxR0nbCghA


Is that the 'side swimming' everyone keeps referring to? While it is probably much nicer on the body, I really don't want to go that rout because i want to be able to look down. Also you can still see the bend at the knees which isn't super realistic for a shark.

[Echidna]

In that case, you need to get a device which propels you forward.
You won't be able to swim otherwise without bending your own body.

[theMerFanc]

My Merchanic and I are working on a design for a way to make it work. Hoping to get a prototype built and throw up a thread for that project int he near future :)

[Echidna]

That'd be super interesting to see!

I recall discussing shark tails (with dorsals) and ways to swim realistically in it, but I couldn't find that thread anywhere.

[theMerFanc]

i posted a thread about it and got sent to this thread: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?2885-Is-this-possible for shark tails.

[Echidna]

hmmm...there were many threads, but none with a real solution iirc.

I pointed out in some of them that the sideways-swimming method is better suited for eel and snake costumes than for sharks.
But I'd love to see someone in a full-blown shark costume.

[xaccer2]

подз (http://audiobookkeeper.ru/book/1012)

[xaccer2]

291 (http://cottagenet.ru/plan/1012)

[xaccer2]

CHAP (http://eyesvision.ru/use-your-own-eyes-chapter-24)

[xaccer2]

CHAP (http://eyesvisions.com)

[xaccer2]

Бере (http://factoringfee.ru/t/1203225)

[xaccer2]

Musi (http://filmzones.ru/t/1039118)

[xaccer2]

Fran (http://gadwall.ru/t/1201872)

[xaccer2]

Inte (http://gaffertape.ru/t/1102718)

[xaccer2]

Каба (http://gageboard.ru/t/1095876)

[xaccer2]

Open (http://gagrule.ru/t/1024310)

[xaccer2]

1930 (http://gallduct.ru/t/1163440)

[xaccer2]

Мохо (http://galvanometric.ru/t/1239798)

[xaccer2]

Дине (http://gangforeman.ru/t/1252340)

[xaccer2]

Кири (http://gangwayplatform.ru/t/1642827)

[xaccer2]

Brun (http://garbagechute.ru/t/1212346)

[xaccer2]

Tesc (http://gardeningleave.ru/t/1042112)

[xaccer2]

1203 (http://gascautery.ru/t/1144481)

[xaccer2]

Мати (http://gashbucket.ru/t/1048504)

[xaccer2]

Gran (http://gasreturn.ru/t/1147085)

[xaccer2]

Черв (http://gatedsweep.ru/t/976742)

[xaccer2]

�по� (http://gaugemodel.ru/t/1229958)

[xaccer2]

С-Пе (http://gaussianfilter.ru/t/1252237)

[xaccer2]

Talk (http://gearpitchdiameter.ru/t/1090748)

[xaccer2]

Крич (http://geartreating.ru/t/1085175)

[xaccer2]

Брат (http://generalizedanalysis.ru/t/1076995)

[xaccer2]

Hank (http://generalprovisions.ru/t/1096544)

[xaccer2]

Mark (http://geophysicalprobe.ru/t/1057826)

[xaccer2]

Stan (http://geriatricnurse.ru/t/1076895)

[xaccer2]

Patr (http://getintoaflap.ru/t/1144871)

[xaccer2]

факу (http://getthebounce.ru/t/836096)

[xaccer2]

Марк (http://habeascorpus.ru/t/1088671)

[xaccer2]

Snoo (http://habituate.ru/t/1092451)

[xaccer2]

Adam (http://hackedbolt.ru/t/1206298)

[xaccer2]

Ð*бер (http://hackworker.ru/t/1250548)

[xaccer2]

Susa (http://hadronicannihilation.ru/t/1103218)

[xaccer2]

Баев (http://haemagglutinin.ru/t/1096276)

[xaccer2]

Marg (http://hailsquall.ru/t/1059510)

[xaccer2]

Дежк (http://hairysphere.ru/t/1082353)

[xaccer2]

Квол (http://halforderfringe.ru/t/941492)

[xaccer2]

Ð*ихт (http://halfsiblings.ru/t/1003582)

[xaccer2]

Magi (http://hallofresidence.ru/t/927435)

[xaccer2]

Roal (http://haltstate.ru/t/929630)

[xaccer2]

Orie (http://handcoding.ru/t/1027673)

[xaccer2]

LI95 (http://handportedhead.ru/t/1143571)

[xaccer2]

толь (http://handradar.ru/t/854808)

[xaccer2]

Гущи (http://handsfreetelephone.ru/t/955428)

[xaccer2]

Schi (http://hangonpart.ru/t/1028436)

[xaccer2]

по�в (http://haphazardwinding.ru/t/834776)

[xaccer2]

Ashu (http://hardalloyteeth.ru/t/638309)

[xaccer2]

Малы (http://hardasiron.ru/t/750279)

[xaccer2]

Fred (http://hardenedconcrete.ru/t/946865)

[xaccer2]

Ð*ома (http://harmonicinteraction.ru/t/972356)

[xaccer2]

Дани (http://hartlaubgoose.ru/t/820512)

[xaccer2]

Один (http://hatchholddown.ru/t/941887)

[xaccer2]

Суга (http://haveafinetime.ru/t/1377880)

[xaccer2]

BOOM (http://hazardousatmosphere.ru/t/1089981)

[xaccer2]

Хара (http://headregulator.ru/t/1466589)

[xaccer2]

ELEG (http://heartofgold.ru/t/1547719)

[xaccer2]

Gust (http://heatageingresistance.ru/t/1010093)

[xaccer2]

Bruc (http://heatinggas.ru/t/1249200)

[xaccer2]

Vopl (http://heavydutymetalcutting.ru/t/1182771)

[xaccer2]

Simo (http://jacketedwall.ru/t/768633)

[xaccer2]

Геор (http://japanesecedar.ru/t/813126)

[xaccer2]

Соло (http://jibtypecrane.ru/t/1246009)

[xaccer2]

Loui (http://jobabandonment.ru/t/774232)

[xaccer2]

Хоро (http://jobstress.ru/t/795696)

[xaccer2]

�ерт (http://jogformation.ru/t/1028316)

[xaccer2]

�ерт (http://jointcapsule.ru/t/1147918)

[xaccer2]

Arkt (http://jointsealingmaterial.ru/t/1148303)

[xaccer2]

Доби (http://journallubricator.ru/t/1224510)

[xaccer2]

Push (http://juicecatcher.ru/t/1147899)

[xaccer2]

Sela (http://junctionofchannels.ru/t/1180665)

[xaccer2]

Sela (http://justiciablehomicide.ru/t/1182176)

[xaccer2]

Just (http://juxtapositiontwin.ru/t/1183515)

[xaccer2]

PALI (http://kaposidisease.ru/t/1180303)

[xaccer2]

Open (http://keepagoodoffing.ru/t/1181384)

[xaccer2]

надп (http://keepsmthinhand.ru/t/795327)

[xaccer2]

Girl (http://kentishglory.ru/t/1183383)

[xaccer2]

�ату (http://kerbweight.ru/t/1180145)

[xaccer2]

Бы�т (http://kerrrotation.ru/t/795846)

[xaccer2]

Прок (http://keymanassurance.ru/t/759499)

[xaccer2]

thes (http://keyserum.ru/t/1181182)

[xaccer2]

�фан (http://kickplate.ru/t/1326211)

[xaccer2]

Соде (http://killthefattedcalf.ru/t/1246680)

[xaccer2]

Hein (http://kilowattsecond.ru/t/1049464)

[xaccer2]

FOTO (http://kingweakfish.ru/t/1242773)

[xaccer2]

безо (http://kinozones.ru/film/1012)

[xaccer2]

Цент (http://kleinbottle.ru/t/1169796)

[xaccer2]

Abba (http://kneejoint.ru/t/1126956)

[xaccer2]

м�гк (http://knifesethouse.ru/t/1711199)

[xaccer2]

Горе (http://knockonatom.ru/t/989771)

[xaccer2]

Berm (http://knowledgestate.ru/t/1203725)

[xaccer2]

Соде (http://kondoferromagnet.ru/t/1378644)

[xaccer2]

�ни� (http://labeledgraph.ru/t/1246110)

[xaccer2]

Стан (http://laborracket.ru/t/1245705)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://labourearnings.ru/t/1548789)

[xaccer2]

зака (http://labourleasing.ru/t/1548465)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://laburnumtree.ru/t/1190877)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://lacingcourse.ru/t/1189532)

[xaccer2]

�ере (http://lacrimalpoint.ru/t/1188814)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://lactogenicfactor.ru/t/1187154)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://lacunarycoefficient.ru/t/1193803)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://ladletreatediron.ru/t/1192234)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://laggingload.ru/t/1190529)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://laissezaller.ru/t/1192177)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://lambdatransition.ru/t/1192217)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://laminatedmaterial.ru/t/1193810)

[xaccer2]

Chet (http://lammasshoot.ru/t/1184488)

[xaccer2]

R2A2 (http://lamphouse.ru/t/1185369)

[xaccer2]

ELLE (http://lancecorporal.ru/t/1185315)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://lancingdie.ru/t/1186762)

[xaccer2]

мен� (http://landingdoor.ru/t/1188938)

[xaccer2]

Magg (http://landmarksensor.ru/t/1256615)

[xaccer2]

Naso (http://landreform.ru/t/1187202)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://landuseratio.ru/t/1185525)

[xaccer2]

Zone (http://languagelaboratory.ru/t/1191330)

[xaccer2]

Mare (http://largeheart.ru/shop/1161614)

[xaccer2]

Gerh (http://lasercalibration.ru/shop/1163692)

[xaccer2]

CARD (http://laserlens.ru/lase_zakaz/1020)

[xaccer2]

Japa (http://laserpulse.ru/shop/590892)

[xaccer2]

Shag (http://laterevent.ru/shop/1178504)

[xaccer2]

Teka (http://latrinesergeant.ru/shop/453000)

[xaccer2]

Meta (http://layabout.ru/shop/453319)

[xaccer2]

Chri (http://leadcoating.ru/shop/600063)

[xaccer2]

�лек (http://leadingfirm.ru/shop/106106)

[xaccer2]

Wind (http://learningcurve.ru/shop/465905)

[xaccer2]

Троф (http://leaveword.ru/shop/466267)

[xaccer2]

CM25 (http://machinesensible.ru/shop/269736)

[xaccer2]

Drii (http://magneticequator.ru/shop/575762)

[xaccer2]

Powe (http://magnetotelluricfield.ru/shop/268378)

[xaccer2]

Ð*оÑ�Ñ� (http://mailinghouse.ru/shop/268837)

[xaccer2]

Ð*оÑ�Ñ� (http://majorconcern.ru/shop/576282)

[xaccer2]

отли (http://mammasdarling.ru/shop/575942)

[xaccer2]

Kenw (http://managerialstaff.ru/shop/612279)

[xaccer2]

BELL (http://manipulatinghand.ru/shop/614288)

[xaccer2]

ржав (http://manualchoke.ru/shop/598818)

[xaccer2]

боле (http://medinfobooks.ru/book/1012)

[xaccer2]

Blue (http://mp3lists.ru/item/1012)

[xaccer2]

Pers (http://nameresolution.ru/shop/1043121)

[xaccer2]

канв (http://naphtheneseries.ru/shop/304724)

[xaccer2]

Tref (http://narrowmouthed.ru/shop/461756)

[xaccer2]

изде (http://nationalcensus.ru/shop/1055836)

[xaccer2]

Rajk (http://naturalfunctor.ru/shop/501673)

[xaccer2]

Craz (http://navelseed.ru/shop/102946)

[xaccer2]

Baby (http://neatplaster.ru/shop/455357)

[xaccer2]

Wind (http://necroticcaries.ru/shop/178319)

[xaccer2]

Wind (http://negativefibration.ru/shop/575344)

[xaccer2]

Hoch (http://neighbouringrights.ru/shop/639971)

[xaccer2]

Marv (http://objectmodule.ru/shop/343547)

[xaccer2]

Smil (http://observationballoon.ru/shop/97733)

[xaccer2]

Chou (http://obstructivepatent.ru/shop/102152)

[xaccer2]

Brun (http://oceanmining.ru/shop/473364)

[xaccer2]

Plan (http://octupolephonon.ru/shop/1149743)

[xaccer2]

Хоми (http://offlinesystem.ru/shop/148985)

[xaccer2]

ЛитÐ* (http://offsetholder.ru/shop/203024)

[xaccer2]

Вере (http://olibanumresinoid.ru/shop/150051)

[xaccer2]

Щепе (http://onesticket.ru/shop/580110)

[xaccer2]

�уди (http://packedspheres.ru/shop/582399)

[xaccer2]

ЛитÐ* (http://pagingterminal.ru/shop/684505)

[xaccer2]

ЛитÐ* (http://palatinebones.ru/shop/683826)

[xaccer2]

ЛитÐ* (http://palmberry.ru/shop/688644)

[xaccer2]

перв (http://papercoating.ru/shop/583856)

[xaccer2]

Серо (http://paraconvexgroup.ru/shop/689386)

[xaccer2]

Knut (http://parasolmonoplane.ru/shop/1168788)

[xaccer2]

Metr (http://parkingbrake.ru/shop/1168794)

[xaccer2]

Кохе (http://partfamily.ru/shop/1173785)

[xaccer2]

Alph (http://partialmajorant.ru/shop/1172722)

[xaccer2]

�ово (http://quadrupleworm.ru/shop/1542809)

[xaccer2]

Итен (http://qualitybooster.ru/shop/1538356)

[xaccer2]

�тен (http://quasimoney.ru/shop/596043)

[xaccer2]

Vers (http://quenchedspark.ru/shop/599534)

[xaccer2]

Ryan (http://quodrecuperet.ru/shop/1072629)

[xaccer2]

Стра (http://rabbetledge.ru/shop/1074766)

[xaccer2]

Смир (http://radialchaser.ru/shop/337819)

[xaccer2]

Бара (http://radiationestimator.ru/shop/510309)

[xaccer2]

Bria (http://railwaybridge.ru/shop/620508)

[xaccer2]

Acce (http://randomcoloration.ru/shop/517987)

[xaccer2]

«Сов (http://rapidgrowth.ru/shop/914570)

[xaccer2]

Vikt (http://rattlesnakemaster.ru/shop/1082749)

[xaccer2]

wwwa (http://reachthroughregion.ru/shop/348832)

[xaccer2]

John (http://readingmagnifier.ru/shop/514470)

[xaccer2]

Покл (http://rearchain.ru/shop/733220)

[xaccer2]

Тейл (http://recessioncone.ru/shop/640741)

[xaccer2]

Ð*ухл (http://recordedassignment.ru/shop/1022761)

[xaccer2]

Иван (http://rectifiersubstation.ru/shop/1054637)

[xaccer2]

заве (http://redemptionvalue.ru/shop/1063316)