ANH Luke

[galactiboy]

Re: Official SS 1:6 ANH Luke Skywalker Photo Thread

One thing I find about capturing likeness with photos of these figures is that sometimes, it's not enough to just get some fair lighting or shading on the sculpt, but you have to almost frame and capture the portrait in the ways we've all had burnt into our memories over all the years of seeing publicity stills and the movies. No matter how good a likeness in the sculpt, it never quite sits right until you see it in the same way you've seen it all these years. It is a Han or a Luke sculpt, not just Harrison or Mark Hammil so capturing what defines Han or Luke is just as important as the anatomy of the actor.

I think your right... straight on shots don't usually work. But if someone can get one that captures a particular pose, or tilt of the head you're in business.

With that said, can't wait to have him in hand on Monday... and as always looking forward to your new shots of him.

 

[MaulFan]

Re: Official SS 1:6 ANH Luke Skywalker Photo Thread

That's why I never shoot heavily light flooded images, ya I know people are trying to see the detail of the figure in a nice sharp photo, but I try to be artistic with angles and lighting and that's the fun of it for me, not just taking pictures buy trying to do with a figure what Lucas or Cameron and those guys did with the movie characters. I think so far, my absolute favorite moods to try and capture with photos are the kind Ridley and Cameron did with the first Alien films and what Nolan's done with Batman, I just really enjoy the visuals created there, it's a lot of fun to try and make yourself.

 

[Entropy]

Well, Entropy's comments are that it feels better when the figure you get feels worth the money you spent on it and the comparison is the feeling from Luke versus other figures that make you feel you got what you paid for, which for many is just about every Hot Toys figure, and Old Ben stands as an example of getting every penny worth in a figure for what you paid.

I'm in that camp. For me, the mark of a bad figure is when you feel you're not getting what you paid for. Hot Toys figures are very expensive, but fortunately every one of them has left me feeling ok with the expense. Some Sideshow and Medicom figures have left me a little sour, but no one has left me thinking I wasted my money yet.

Exactly. Thanks Maul.

The Two main things I look at with any figure are
1) Is this figure worth the price? Am I getting the quality sculpt, paint, accessories, & costuming that I paid for?
2) Is this the very best, highest quality representation of this character possible?

Most of the time with Sideshow, and all of the time with Hot Toys in my experience (Cannibal Jack is one of the best figures ever made), I feel like I'm getting at least a fair deal if not a good one. So #1 is usually satisfied.

Sideshow drops the ball for me with #2 sometimes. Sometimes it's been the sculpt, often the paint, and occasionally the costuming that have been let downs for me with a given figure. Granted they're not quite Hot Toys prices (yet), but I still compare Sideshow to that level of quality. I want that extreme detail and high level of quality Star Wars and LOTR figures and Sideshow should be able to produce stuff just as nice as Hot Toys. So I will compare what SW figs Sideshow produces to the imaginary 'what could be possible' ideal Hot Toys Star Wars figures in my head. Luckily, with some time and talent, once can customize very nice, what I consider 'high end' figures out of the Sideshow parts. the biggest let down is when sewing or sculpting new bits is required rather than weathering, a repaint and a body swap. Even amazing Hot Toys products like the Alien marines and Predator stuff often need custom repaints and such to take them to that next, museum quality level.

 

[IrishJedi]

Re: Official SS 1:6 ANH Luke Skywalker Photo Thread

Looks like someone needs to make a pattern of it and use the correct material I'm sure any local fabric shop has, except ones in china.

Yeah, really. Gawd, I'm so sick of that excuse. "They probably couldn't find a similar material to the prototype in China." B. and S.

 

[The Josh]

I understand that but if you compare what SS does to what HT might do you'll always be in for a let down. Especially if you think HT can do no wrong or hardly ever does wrong. I only worry about what SS does compared to say Medicom but pretty much I judge the figure on what it is not something that isn't. Thats just me though and I usually end up pretty happy.

 

[Entropy]

Knowing what is possible and then seeing sub-standard paint apps, non accurate materials and less articulated bodies is a let down.

It's like the 4 minute mile. It was once thought by some to be impossible, but then was broken in 1954. Today the four minute barrier has been broken by many male athletes, and is now the standard of all professional middle distance runners.

Sideshow has made progress over the years but still has a ways to go to be top dog in this hobby. Hopefully they wow us with what they can do at SDCC this year. The armored figures, Vader in particular, will be a real test and a watershed event in the history of SSC.

 

[IrishJedi]

The more I think about it the more I believe that what truly has prevented many Sideshow products from reaching their full potential to this point is that there are no full-time Sideshow employees who live and work in Asia where these things are actually made.

 

[The Josh]

Knowing what is possible and then seeing sub-standard paint apps, non accurate materials and less articulated bodies is a let down.

It's like the 4 minute mile. It was once thought by some to be impossible, but then was broken in 1954. Today the four minute barrier has been broken by many male athletes, and is now the standard of all professional middle distance runners.

Sideshow has made progress over the years but still has a ways to go to be top dog in this hobby. Hopefully they wow us with what they can do at SDCC this year. The armored figures, Vader in particular, will be a real test and a watershed event in the history of SSC.

I guess if you consider what SS is doing to be substandard in any of those areas. Do they have figures that come out this way? Yeah, they do but so does HT or Medicom. I don't feel that way and I'd say most here don't either. If someone does they really need to find a new company to buy stuff from.

I realize that sounds childish. Its just more that if I was buying items from someone that I felt had all these issues I'd stop. No matter how big a fan of the series I was.

 

[MaulFan]

The more I think about it the more I believe that what truly has prevented many Sideshow products from reaching their full potential to this point is that there are no full-time Sideshow employees who live and work in Asia where these things are actually made.

And I think that's what sets Hot Toys apart, they have that luxury. I don't care what you do, nothing is every as successful over the net or phone or with occassional visits compared to full time hands on work. At the same time, I can also understand what Sideshow employees want to move overseas.

 

[IrishJedi]

And I think that's what sets Hot Toys apart, they have that luxury. I don't care what you do, nothing is every as successful over the net or phone or with occassional visits compared to full time hands on work. At the same time, I can also understand what Sideshow employees want to move overseas.

It doesn't have to be a current SSC employee who is an American national. Just go spend some time over there recruiting a handful of people who can get the job done.

I think Sideshow (and their properties) have now grown well past the point of being able to accomplish all of this with the utmost quality by simply visiting over there 3-4 times a year. They need a new business model for production, imho.

 

[Entropy]

I guess if you consider what SS is doing to be substandard in any of those areas. Do they have figures that come out this way? Yeah, they do but so does HT or Medicom. I don't feel that way and I'd say most here don't either. If someone does they really need to find a new company to buy stuff from.

I realize that sounds childish. Its just more that if I was buying items from someone that I felt had all these issues I'd stop. No matter how big a fan of the series I was.

I do think everyone is chasing HT right now in terms of quality, detail and innovation. Of course SS charges less per figure, but I don't know if they could produce the same quality of certain characters even if they were charging the same prices.

I go where the license is. If HT was making LOTR or SW, I'd go there, unless of course SS was making superior stuff. Right now, I prefer the SS SW to the Medicom SW stuff, mainly because of the sculpts and height issue. If SS was crap, like the Toybiz LOTR 1:6 figs, I wouldn't buy from them at all. They do some very nice bits and as I said, with some custom work they can usually polish up to the level I'm looking for, especially the 1:6 LOTR.

This new Luke will need a body swap, repaint, weathering and possibly a new tunic before I'm satisfied with him.

 

[MaulFan]

It doesn't have to be a current SSC employee who is an American national. Just go spend some time over there recruiting a handful of people who can get the job done.

I think Sideshow (and their properties) have now grown well past the point of being able to accomplish all of this with the utmost quality by simply visiting over there 3-4 times a year. They need a new business model for production, imho.

That's true, they have lots of properties, lots of different product items in each. That's one concern of mine with SDCC, I fear seeing more new lines, but not so much a quality each, just concern of the way new lines will affect some current lines that aren't running at a good pace already.

 

[The Josh]

I do think everyone is chasing HT right now in terms of quality, detail and innovation. Of course SS charges less per figure, but I don't know if they could produce the same quality of certain characters even if they were charging the same prices.

I agree that HT is willing to go out and try some fairly crazy stuff. I'm not sure there is anyone willing to go out and try the Iron Man suit from the movie but HT is, and I'm sure as muck looking forward to buying it. I have no doubts that they could and honestly on their normal figures I don't see where HT is that far ahead (if any really). Maybe I've just not bought the right HT figures but I don't think my POTC are heads and shoulders above my SS stuff (most of them).

I go where the license is. If HT was making LOTR or SW, I'd go there, unless of course SS was making superior stuff. Right now, I prefer the SS SW to the Medicom SW stuff, mainly because of the sculpts and height issue. If SS was crap, like the Toybiz LOTR 1:6 figs, I wouldn't buy from them at all. They do some very nice bits and as I said, with some custom work they can usually polish up to the level I'm looking for, especially the 1:6 LOTR.

You go where the license is and thats fine but then you have to judge it by who has it. I just can't worry/compare about the what if but I do about the what is. I'll still stand by anyone who is really unhappy or thinks SS figures are just substandard then you really should spend your money on something else.

This new Luke will need a body swap, repaint, weathering and possibly a new tunic before I'm satisfied with him.

That's fine but that doesn't make it a bad figure. The only thing I right now without having him would possibly change is the tunic.


I hope you and anyone reading this understands where I'm coming from.

Edit: Post 34k

 

[Deak Starkiller]

I understand that but if you compare what SS does to what HT might do you'll always be in for a let down. Especially if you think HT can do no wrong or hardly ever does wrong. I only worry about what SS does compared to say Medicom but pretty much I judge the figure on what it is not something that isn't. Thats just me though and I usually end up pretty happy.

Along the same lines with the whole SSC/HT thing, the margin is getting narrower and narrower with each new figure announcement when it comes to price. Look at Snake Eyes and say any HT Military figure...only 10 bucks difference!

 

[Entropy]

That's fine but that doesn't make it a bad figure. The only thing I right now without having him would possibly change is the tunic.

Not a bad figure. Just sub-standard.

It's just not as good as it could be, or top of the line for a 1:6 figure. It appears very nice though, esp the accessories and leggings.

I hope you and anyone reading this understands where I'm coming from.

I understand where you're coming from Superfan.

Congrats on the mighty 34k

 

[The Chaver]

Not a bad figure. Just sub-standard.




I understand where you're coming from Superfan.

Congrats on the mighty 34k

 

[IrishJedi]

Stalker!!

 

[The Josh]

Along the same lines with the whole SSC/HT thing, the margin is getting narrower and narrower with each new figure announcement when it comes to price. Look at Snake Eyes and say any HT Military figure...only 10 bucks difference!

I agree. SS is getting to the point now where its really time to step it up to an all new level. I look at it as a young athlete who's been getting better and wants the superstar money and got it. Now, that they've got it bring the thunder.

Snake Eyes kicks ass! Looks like it anyways.

Not a bad figure. Just sub-standard.

Yeah well you suck.

It's just not as good as it could be, or top of the line for a 1:6 figure. It appears very nice though, esp the accessories and leggings.

I agree its not as good as it could be because of the tunic.

I understand where you're coming from Superfan.

Congrats on the mighty 34k

I gotta continue to earn my keep.

Thank ya sir!

 

[The Chaver]

Stalker!!

Stalk this!

 

[The Josh]

Stalker!!

He can't help it. I'm just too sexy.