Adam Savage Examines the Props and Spacesuits of The Expanse!

Adam visits the props department of Syfy's The Expanse, where armorists and propmakers engineer the weapons, helmets, and the gear that give weight and story to the universe of the show. Prop master James Murray shows Adam some of the unique props his team has made, revealing aesthetic and functional details!
Season 2 of The Expanse premieres Wednesday, Feb. 1 on Syfy. Season 1 is available now, via on demand, Syfy.com and Amazon Prime.
Expanse footage courtesy of SyFy
Production coordinated by Kristen Lomasney
Edited by Jay Cisneros

[@stewpacalypse7104]

I love how gritty realistic the Expanse is. I work in specialty construction and travel around the country. The style and culture of the Belters is so familiar to me. All the different races, accents, helmets with stickers, coveralls, and harnesses is exactly the same in 3-400 years as in 2023. I was once passing through an airport that was under major construction one night. With duct work hangining, temporary electrical everywhere, low light, mixed with all the people and shops I felt like I was on Eros station.

[@bigsh00g17]

I'm disappointed they had to redesign the Martian helmet for season two...that first season helmet is absolutely gorgeous!

[@Vitalis94]

Yeah, also the fact that you couldn't see their faces was more realistic. What kind of helmet has internal lights in it? It would blind you. But I get that it's a TV show and we've got to see the actors' faces.

[@jaredsilvers2782]

Evan Logue They are cooler helmets but when it comes to developing characters like Bobby you want to give the actors the ability to work and be seen. Harder for viewer to relate to and understand a character in a mask.

[@moonrazk]

It's the kind of stuff that you just gotta get used to, they want you to see the actors, so medieval battles with actors with no helmets on, space suits with huge visors with lights on the inside, etc, you just have to accept and try to stop it from breaking your immersion.

[@karlmags4022]

@@moonrazk And the absolute genius of the series makes up for that anyway

[@ExplizitDuester]

yeah, plus the ski helmet cost 300bucks but at least you could recreate the design at home. the new custom build helmets with 3d curvature not so much

[@richisgrate]

"And then you beat the shi...crap out of it"

[@franklinromero1863]

Richard Scrivens-Parry yeah I noticed too hahaha 😁🤣

[@papajackal1152]

In that moment The Savage remembered they were on camera.

[@edzbienen]

Wich moment of the video please ?

[@yollim2636]

@@edzbienen 2:00

[@scottmantooth8785]

good save there Adam

[@6double6.]

Adam is always touchy and rushing and it makes the people get nervous and touchy to then it's just funny to watch 😂😂😂

[@6double6.]

But damn I love the props. Gotta start watching this show, is it on Netflix?

[@MrOuazo]

Yes it is.

[@GoatFromHell]

Not on Netflix, but you can find the episodes on websites like solarmovie if you are okay with that sort of thing.

[@6double6.]

GoatFromHell ok cool

[@dmv_1970]

high life Yes, you can find it on Netflix

[@rosecityrower]

Original Martian helmet is much better. You never knew who any of them were, but you knew they looked bad ass.

[@klioseth4336]

Yeah they were great but since Bobby is a very important character you kinda have to recognize her. I hope they will keep using them in future seasons for regular martian marines tho!

[@blueskybelyr]

I think they're still in use for regular soldiers, since Amos and Holden used those exact costumes as their disguise during an ep in season 2.

[@Wustenfuchs109]

Yeah, Bobby is important but then give her a distinct color or something instead of creating a different armor. Martians here are all about war and quality - making a huge visor goes against that logic. Like in StarCraft 2, Jim has the same armor as any marine, but it is black, not blue. Here? Add some stripe as a war badge, different coloring based on some of her history in the MCRN.

[@Gala-yp8nx]

Yeah, for maybe background extras who we don't need to know.

[@IceSpoon]

The harder the headshot, the better the helmet. It made more sense to have the S01 helmet, but I totally understand why they go with S02 onwards.

[@johnnybrit]

I actually liked the season 1 martian helmet. Looked realistic ad militaristic.

[@k0rf3on6]

Absolutely. Not obstructing vision, while protecting as much of the head as possible.

[@NikholasHolland]

I just love how enthusiastic and happy the prop Master, James, is when showing and talking about how they came up with solutions and new things. Just makes you appreciate the series all that much with so much love in every single detail, from the writing, to the actors, the CGI and FX and the practical stuff like the props and what they came up to portray that kind of futuristic world to us.

[@minihjalte]

I prefer the season 1 martian helmet.

[@whale2870]

Damn "must see actor's face, always!"-stuff...

[@DenisRyan]

Whale They did such a clever and innovative work around for Iron Man on that problem with the inside the helmet close up cam.

[@bwickham195]

I think you're right. Season 1 they were trying to make the Martians seem mysterious and dangerous. Guessing in Season 2 there is at least one feature character who wears a Martian combat spacesuit.

[@jonathangrey2183]

Yeah it reminded me a lot of stormtroopers, which they kinda are.

[@Guaulden]

"Damn "must see actor's face, always!"-stuff..." Exaxtly, it's like saying that actors can't play with their eyes only. Like surgeons are surely always emotionless during operations in movies...

[@donniemontoya9300]

This is why I love smaller production original series. They don't have the budget of larger block busters so they do stuff practically. Which will always be better than CGI

[@Hiramas]

While true, have you seen the Lord of the Rings additional material? Weta Workshop did incredible work back then.

[@tomfoolery4490]

I think that the best way to go about things is to find the proper balance between CGI and practical work. They've done that here, and it's paying off.

[@Bear-form]

Yeah, like character building.

[@RFC3514]

Smaller production compared to what? Has there been any sci-fi series in recent times with a bigger budget than The Expanse?

[@bwer123gt]

well if any big budget production would care to spend the time to plan out when it's best to use props like this and when CGI is preferable. Problem is most of them would just throw everything at CGI departement and expect them to do everything.

[@angeloboose]

the production value on this show is unbelievable

[@davesung]

that pink backpack in the background is the highlight of this video. and stealing the show each time it comes into the shot... lol

[@Apostate_ofmind]

at first i tought someone of the production brought their kids at work that day XD nice touch

[@antdude]

I can't wait to see it in the series. ;)

[@Vajkone18]

Mei :(

[@jasonjut3668]

i wish someone would've animated it properly :P

[@scottmantooth8785]

bet the contents of that pretty pink backpack is a sub-compact mini-gun with fusion tipped agonizer projectiles

[@SyntheticFuture]

I honestly never noticed that the Draper suit was that flexible O_o Looks solid on camera. Fantastic series as well!

[@surfergurl268]

my favorite is the pink backpack in the background. work. of. art.

[@-C.S.R]

I just found out about the show a month ago and I already just started season 4 This show is badass!

[@z3rocool420]

The Expanse is such a good show, I can't believe the quality they pull off on a limited budget.

[@pchris]

1:59 "... you got this as a brand new piece then beat the sh- crap out of it."

[@Cyba_IT]

He was pretty quick to correct himself! I'm guessing that wasn't the first time

[@Gh0stIn7heSh3ll]

I'm glad there are people who appreciate the effort that went into the practical vfx and props. Fantastic show.

[@rockpadstudios]

Why is everything about "the expanse" so dam interesting? I love watching these videos.

[@darkstarnh]

"Sound is never happy". NO we're NOT, the gadgets that the picture people like are usually noisy and intrusive. I did a stint on Doctor Who and the Time Rotor sounded like an old washing machine!

[@MidnightSt]

yeah, funny how so many things don't sound like themselves when recorded and added back in... sometimes it seems like nothing sounds as it should/does in "reality", and it takes silly amounts of manipulation and wizardry to make things sound natural, as if they were not synthesized/manipulated. (I haven't worked in this area officially, I'm just a hobbyist, and I've ran into this issue many times anyway, so I can imagine how much harder and prevalent the problem is in proper professional production. pressing F to pay all my respects to you and others working in this area! FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF)

[@scottmantooth8785]

which is why everything on Doctor Who looked so clean and neatly pressed

[@kevinhanson6965]

Worked on Dr. Who. Whines like a pup.

[@darkstarnh]

@@kevinhanson6965 :) somebody has to do it!

[@NormGagnon]

I understood every methodology that was spoken in this video, having both a background in construction (hard hats with multiple stickers) and practical SPFX scene.

[@WShawn]

Talk about a dream job. The Expanse is superb, dense, smart science fiction.

[@racineg33]

Love The Expanse! Loved Adam's appearance in the show. I actually had to rewind a few times to make sure it was him. Love it all.

[@overwatch3749]

I love the videos like these. The Expanse deep looks, and the series you did at Weta are really unique, insightful, and cool. Please keep them coming. Also: Expanse season 2 starts tonight! HYPE!

[@RJazz909]

Just saying what's been said a few times already. Season 1 Martian helmet is best helmet. It adds a major level of badassery to them while also adding some mystery, which in turn adds a bit of fear.

[@BulletMagnetMan]

So much work and well worth it for the results. The Expanse is such a great show!

[@marcusvalerius8763]

Love the show "The Expanse" and hope for many more season's!..

[@calebjc]

Adam, my old acquaintance from the Bay Area, late 1990s. I'm so glad you like this show and also got into an episode with a speaking part! Expanse reminds me of Star Trek's rebirth by fans in 1968 after only two years of production. This "kind" of SciFi is so rare...sadly. I'm not exactly sure what "kind" of SciFi I mean, but I know it when I see it. It has lots of external space shots so we can FEEL space, geopolitics, and humanity examined with technology and aliens. There are positive outcomes envisioned through the lens of our species animal nature and brutality. But also there is a display of our general *attempts* to improve. I'm thinking of books such as "Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World - and Why Things Are Better Than You Think" and "The Better Angels of our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined." I wonder, is Expanse a vision of improved humanity? Or, like Star Trek, is Expanse more of a comfortable hallucination of positivity? In terms of Star Trek, aren't we more likely to be the Borg than the Federation on our current path? I do believe in our species and that we are improving, excruciatingly slowly, and will continue to. But that kind of show would make a pretty boring plot line!!!

[@eduardadhi110]

martian helmet in season 1 much cooler... looks like a pro soldier

[@fredlougee2807]

Internally lighting the face would be counterproductive in reality anyway, especially if you were working in space.

[@mrtmanoo7]

I love this show. This is like my dream job right there.

[@joergholtermann2815]

Very interesting, thank you for showing this.

[@LibbyB]

Season 1 martians helmet way better than 2. Way way better.

[@kirstencorby8465]

ell darn, this just makes me want to re-binge The Expanse AGAIN.

[@Tzalaf5731]

Pink Backpack... The Zenith Of Prop Maker Art. :-)

[@TamagoTamago77]

I love the juxtaposition between all of the guns and action gear and the little pink backpack just sitting there.

[@justinderooy]

As a gun person it subconsciously scares me everytime he muzzle sweeps someone. Even though I know it isn't real.

[@scottmantooth8785]

true

[@JC-ln6on]

And, as someone like Adam who’s had a fair amount of firearms safety experience and training, I pretty sure he flinches a couple times throughout the vid for that very reason.

[@interestedinstuff]

Felt the same. I reckon every person whose had any time with weapons feels this way. I thought I noticed some flinches from Adam too. I think that one should make not sweeping the muzzle so ingrained that you just never do it. I have Nerf guns and I don't. Ha.

[@scottmantooth8785]

same here...really bothers me while at pawn shops when someone is looking at something and thinks nothing of swinging the rifle or pistol around the store..i usually leave after that if no one behind the counter does not say something about it

[@memespressions9235]

Scott Mantooth but the gun is not loaded he can’t do much if there’s no bullets in it so I don’t see the harm in handling the weapon while and doesn’t have any bullets in it I mean if you purposely unload the bullets so you can examine the gun better wouldn’t that be considered responsible for handling of a gun

[@slingshot1961]

The magic men. The unsung heroes. Great Job guys !

[@jasonvangeuns9062]

had not heard of this series before. thanks adam and tested for introducing it love the props and just so happens it is on Netflix really enjoying the series.

[@luckyhippy4898]

I like how they make the "Hollywood unlimited bullets" thing canon

[@HarryGeorgeS]

Btw the snowboard helmets are called: Ruroc Snowboard helmets

[@impguardwarhamer]

thanks for this

[@jeanwesleynew]

I love that Martian helmet from season 1, no need for the actors complete face.

[@jaredsilvers2782]

The season 1 Martian masks worked in the context of the story at that time. But later on I understand wanting to be able to see the face of characters like Bobby. In season 1, when you first meet the Martians you aren’t sure that they aren’t the antagonist of the story, so it kind of played into that unknown.

[@scottmantooth8785]

the reasoning being if they are paying them that much they want to be known

[@dantess2693]

Can I buy the old season 1 MCRN helmet please???

[@marcuscheese8237]

Dantess26 I only see mcr (my chemical romance) the band.

[@impguardwarhamer]

It's based on the Ruroc snowboarding helmets if you want to make your own, though it'll probably set you back a couple of hundred

[@JaredStCyr]

Aaaahhhhhh! I love space armour more than any other kind of costume or prop. This was amazing!

[@CesarIsaacPerez]

Everything looks so real, so good!!!

[@readhistory2023]

He's like a kid in a candy shop. Too cool.

[@scottn322]

The books are pretty damn incredible. I had skipped out on the show for a long time, but recently watched through the two seasons, and it's amazing. Can't wait for season 3.

[@macberry4048]

So much love went into this show

[@shadwellsong]

Finally a dude with a personality that can match Savage. i love this channel!

[@Trifler500]

I hope Amazon's talks to continue the series come to fruition.

[@tarkajedi3331]

The best Hard Scfi show in the world combined with my favorite Maveric!!!!!!!!!! Great job Adam!!!!!!!!!!!!11 If you have not binged The Expanse yet shame on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SteveSpikes]

Adam, I just recently got into the series, THE EXPANSE. As for the Martian military helmets, the season one helmet could be used for the elite Martian Marine. Whereas the full-faced helmets could be used for the regular rank 'n file soldier, and the other Martian helmet could be for officers.

[@rainydaylady6596]

They stand there talking about battle armor while a child's pink backpack hangs behind them. Love it. 🤗🖖💕

[@elektra81516]

I love how they have Mei's backpack in the background

[@riderbrs]

this series is Very good.

[@dstarling61]

Thanks Adam, that was awesome!

[@mogrin66]

Awwwww...I liked the first season Martian helmets...

[@sf-dread8743]

Morgaine Shannon ikr.. That's alittle disappointing, like seriously, who would be disappointed by how they look? Alittle anonymity is good in whatever you're doing. The 1st season Martian helmet had more realisticness and just smart design to it, less area to hit, less of a target, in combat. In terms of trying to 'headshot' the enemy ect.

[@AdrianoCasemiro]

They didn't talk about the backpack on the the table. I ride motorcycles and happen to have an identical one (without the hoses and handles which were added for the show). Every time there's an scene outside, I get to see my gear doing incredible work in space. Great. Love the show. Eagerly looking forward to the season 4. Keep it up, guys.

[@TerrorTerros]

love the show, and the props really set it appart

[@jedijeremy]

That was really informative and useful. Yup, I thought the Belter helmets were based on the 3M dust-masks. Alas, those things are really expensive. I appreciate the difference between the single and double-curved visors too. Interesting that Bobbi's helmet is the only double-curve. (almost Quarian.) Funny to learn the Mars helmets were snowboarding stuff. I really thought those were surplus tactical gear.

[@Knackebrodz]

Cool props. This is making me hyped for season 2 :)

[@theegg7520]

I love this channel so much!

[@shoegum7362]

1:05 The way our ammunition works; one round could equal thousands of shots so you don't see our actors reload at all or that often. They just load it at cut scenes for that signature sound with an over the shoulder profile face shot.

[@roadfart5537]

Love this episode!!

[@seansamurai1981]

If anyone is wondering, the original martian helmet is a Ruroc snowboarding helmet. Any cosplay fans wanting to know

[@josephdavis2695]

Season 2 is moving along nicely. I wish I could say the same thing about the sixth book in the series! I'm just being a Dick though. I love the series in its entirety!

[@slitor]

The Expanse is awsome, Savage is awesom....dis i like.

[@fredlougee2807]

Savage in The Expanse is very awesome, even though he only had like one line before the Arbogast disintegrated around him

[@fs2838]

donkeyballs

[@e46matt7]

Nice reference

[@busteraycan]

Did you just said donkey balls?

[@badbatch974]

I saw them too at 9:45.

[@makynarrow1484]

Vessel Furkan, this is the MCRN Kinarrow, you are cleared to proceed...

[@LisakaCos]

I just heard a lot of donkey balls

[@ZeroMod]

"I'm gonna need that back" (Amos - a force of nature!)

[@bwickham195]

5:00 That helmet looks filthy - amazing craftsmanship!

[@maxe3110]

Watching this before watching the show: oh cool there’s power armor and cool helmets and stuff Watching this after watching all 4 seasons: HOLY SHIT ITS THE MMC GOLIATH POWER ARMOR AND LOOK AT AMOS’ SHOTGUN AAAAAA

[@AndreasA.S.]

IRL the stickers are typically certification stickers, stating the wearer can be in a specific place.

[@DanielFoland]

Good show.

[@TheTexasCanuck]

The backpack on the left of the table they didn't talk about is built from a motorcycle backpack (Ogio Mach 5) you can buy off-the-shelf.

[@IGameChangerI]

This show is positively amazing. Last episode might just be one of the best sci-fi episodes that ever aired.

[@STR33TSofJUST1C3]

Yeah, Episode 5 was amazing. You know, scratch that. This entire season has so far been damn good. Very hyped for next week's episode. Shit's going down on Ganymede. A good way to comfort us about Miller.

[@SoftmanCZ]

Ok, first things first, the shos is so good. After first series I did not expected it to be so good. The second, I envy Adam the rore (even small one) in the show...

[@isaacfrazier3226]

Looks like a SCAR base with stuff taped on! Star wars style props are the best!

[@MarkWladika]

"Sound is never happy" - absolutely true

[@SlightlyRetroCommercials]

id love to see a one day build instructing others how to make some of these helmets

[@greglauderdale7595]

Nice self edit at 2:00 Adam.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

Seems like they’ve made a lot of progress since the RoboCop suit, which was apparently one the biggest holdups in the first movie.

[@julianbeek]

I like amount of Norm in this video.

[@javidaderson]

Badass Super suit and a Super pink Bag-pack in the background.

[@andreirotenev]

Whomever made the executive decision on changing the season 1 helmet needs a talking to. That made those soldiers so much more striking.

[@dmv_1970]

I can't wait for the season premiere tonight!!🤓

[@alex400cv]

simplesmente incrível, um seriado maravilhoso!

[@lucablight4069]

great video

[@unvjustintime1]

Can you show more of the mic and speakers within the helmets?

[@contessa.adella]

Ha! I just today watched the S2 episode where Amos wields this weapon. Nice!

[@monke6774]

The Third Prop gun he was talking about looks very similar to the UNSC Assault Rifle from Halo

[@Starfighter-nk4mo]

The fact that they used a unchanged Chiappa rhino for the gun that the detective carried in S1 buggs me. Also the unchanged Kriss vectors

[@C-M-E]

Just got around to the Season 2 premiere last night and thought the costume department got a nice buff! Loved season 1, best happy finding of 2016. Anyway, fantastic show with good acting, story and the art direction is next level. Looking forward to the rest for another repeat binge session! First time the power suits came out, I instantly thought of Captain Power, which I hear is also getting a reboot. Hmm!!

[@JerryKanMan]

Google TK-1 Helmet for that belter helmet on the left. There are tons on ebay.

[@Psycandy]

good stressing is rare

[@MichaelDBruce]

Thank you for posting this. After much research I finally found the opa helmet on Ebay. Hopefully it's s good fit

[@sr7129]

I am from the future. The Expanse was marvelous.

[@Outland9000]

5:06 Pretty sure that's actually a *_high altitude_* fighter jet helmet from a soviet-era Mig-19.

[@0Asterite0]

I live the mix of real world modified weapons like the scar at the beginning.

[@harbl2479]

This is so awesome! :D

[@TesserLink]

i just looked up the cost of those paint helmets... there $600.

[@Bakamoichigei]

I'm seeing $200-250 for the standard non-hardhat VersaFlo helmet with standard faceseal and visor, without the air supply hose. It's funny because just before this video went up, I'd been talking about making my own one of those helmets basically from scratch in EVA foam and 3D printed parts. Probably still the best alternative, considering the price.

[@DailyFrankPeter]

I like the sideburns.

[@jasonjut3668]

#savetheexpanse!