Big Chief Studios 1/6 Amy Pond

[bloodgear]

Fantastic review Darren - thanks.

First, and just to get it out of the way - that thing is downright creepy!

Second - is this really the same sculpt as the one with the moulded hair? Because if that's the case, then we shouldn't be blaming Karen and her agent for the failure of this figure, the fault is more in the paint job.

Finally, Karen did have one iconic outfit (the policewoman/ kissogram outfit!) but even in her other clothes there were better choices - like the one from The Pandorica Opens/ The Big Bang.

Exact same sculpt.

 

[Crimsonbob]

I'm sorry but that looks terrible and more like something you'd buy your daughter for a £20 at a toy shop.

 

[MiskatonicNick]

Fantastic review Darren - thanks.

Ditto. Excellent review and summing up of the situation. While Amy is a miss, she certainly hasn't diluted any of my expectations or excitement for 10, 4 & 1.

A couple of footnotes - yes, the skirt/tight combo has gone badly wrong but they are separate pieces... not that it helps the futzing much. And beware of those plastic studs and buttons - some are not glued on as well as they should be and can easily be dislodged mid-futz.

Her hair is a major fault (can I quickly say I have both feet firmly in the pro-rooted camp and have lots of Fashion Royalty, Barbies, Cys, Obitsus, etc. here); it's far too coarse - decent fashion dolls have a much softer grade of dolly hair which is far easier to control. Sadly it seems a common mistake when 'boy toy' companies have their first stabs at female figures. A softer hair would probably work far better with that jacket too.

On the plus side, her head is constructed like a Hot Toys gal so (in theory) her rooted scalp should be able to be removed and perhaps re-rooted or replaced by either a Kumik hairpiece or a scalp from an Obitsu head.

'Fraid to say my Amy was quickly stripped down, the thread removed from her hair, clear plastic strip replaced around her head and then she had boiling water tipped over her head which helps to 'reset' the hair style.

Also had a go at repainting her eyes... unfortunately it was one of those afternoons when any ability I may have had in that department was having the day off

Anyhow, some pics of my tweaked Amy...


Amy & the Doctor by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


Amy Pond in profile by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"What's the matter, Pond?" by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"Are you sure that's wise, Doctor?" by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"erm... Doctor..." by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr

 

[Darthgothikus]

I'm sorry but that looks terrible and more like something you'd buy your daughter for a £20 at a toy shop.

LOL, I rarly regret buying a figure - even older less refined figures, they often have a "nieve" charm to them...... I'm feeling a bit sick when I think about getting to work tomorrow and opening this up. So much money, and from what I've seen so far, a bit of a dog.

Trying to reserve judgement until in hand.

 

[pixletwin]

Well Nick you certainly improved her. Good work!

 

[Darthgothikus]

Posted that before seeing that last set of pictures, much better without the jacket! And the straightened hair is an improvement. I'm shutting up until I have her

 

[thamesvalidude]

Amazing work Nick, bloody hell, she looks good!

 

[roguebaron]

Anyhow, some pics of my tweaked Amy...


Amy & the Doctor by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


Amy Pond in profile by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"What's the matter, Pond?" by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"Are you sure that's wise, Doctor?" by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"erm... Doctor..." by

MiskatonicNick, on Flickr

Considerably better already, I plan to try a repaint when the alternate head comes in, the eyes look much better on yours already.

 

[Underworld54]

Awesome job Nick.

 

[Privyet]

How did you do the hair reset thing?

'Fraid to say my Amy was quickly stripped down, the thread removed from her hair, clear plastic strip replaced around her head and then she had boiling water tipped over her head which helps to 'reset' the hair style.
...


Amy & the Doctor by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr

 

[kl241]

Amy's turning tricks.

 

[MiskatonicNick]

Thanks for all the kind words, folks.

How did you do the hair reset thing?

Apologies in advance if some of this makes lousy sense... writing it just before bedtime (and I think my brain is already tucking itself in)

First, search through your packaging; you'll want that clear plastic strip that was around her head when she shipped.

Next, you'll need to strip her down (sorry Amy!) - being careful not to dislodge any of her clothes' buttons/studs that haven't been properly fixed... have a toothpick/cocktail stick and spot of superglue standing by just in case!

Remove the bit of thread from her hair

Futz the hair around to try to lessen her big forehead. I chose to have some her hair falling forward over both shoulders. This can be where it's handy to have Barbie hairbrushes and an anti-static spray (though really just a very light spray of water will help). Anyhow, once you're happy with the hair slip that clear plastic strip back over head. There may be some extra tweaking of hair necessary now but once you're happy, it's time to boil up some water.

NOTE: if you've lost the plastic strip try to make one from a plastic bag or similar... do not use an elastic band because if that is too tight when you pour on the hot water it stands a very good chance of denting the vinyl head!

Sit/kneel your Amy in the sink - I had mind in a plastic jug (obviously nothing glass given the next stage... and even more obviously you don't want to be holding her either in a moment) - and once the water is boiled simply pour it over her head. Obviously, be careful at this stage - it is freshly boiled water after all!

It might not be necessary but I then poured some cold water over her to (i) help set the hair and (ii) to cool the water she was standing in... and to cool any hot water than might have gotten inside of her too - very hot water suddenly seeping out of a joint is never a nice surprise!

If you are wary of doll hair and boiling water you can probably let it cool down a little bit before pouring. Mine suffered no damage though I did once melt the hair on Famous Covers Thor... more down to the steam than the actual water. But lots of dolly hairdressing since and it's never happened again. Anyhoo, back to Pond.

Leaving the plastic strip in place you then wait for her hair to dry (a bit of paper towelling can be used to blot some water off) - it'll take an hour or three, though this coarser stuff dries a little quicker than the usual dolly saran hair. Once dry (or when your patience is at an end) slip the plastic strip off her head and, touchwood, her hair should now be improved.

Yes, I know... but it's a heck of a lot simpler than keeping Hot Toys rubber bodies from rotting

Anyhow, hope some of that might help. Good luck!

 

[Underworld54]

Someone posted this pic on Facebook.

 

[kl241]

There is something just freakishly porcelain about the face.

 

[Niceman]

It looks more like a Tonner than Big Chief.

Yes, it does.

 

[Niceman]

Ditto. Excellent review and summing up of the situation. While Amy is a miss, she certainly hasn't diluted any of my expectations or excitement for 10, 4 & 1.

A couple of footnotes - yes, the skirt/tight combo has gone badly wrong but they are separate pieces... not that it helps the futzing much. And beware of those plastic studs and buttons - some are not glued on as well as they should be and can easily be dislodged mid-futz.

Her hair is a major fault (can I quickly say I have both feet firmly in the pro-rooted camp and have lots of Fashion Royalty, Barbies, Cys, Obitsus, etc. here); it's far too coarse - decent fashion dolls have a much softer grade of dolly hair which is far easier to control. Sadly it seems a common mistake when 'boy toy' companies have their first stabs at female figures. A softer hair would probably work far better with that jacket too.

On the plus side, her head is constructed like a Hot Toys gal so (in theory) her rooted scalp should be able to be removed and perhaps re-rooted or replaced by either a Kumik hairpiece or a scalp from an Obitsu head.

'Fraid to say my Amy was quickly stripped down, the thread removed from her hair, clear plastic strip replaced around her head and then she had boiling water tipped over her head which helps to 'reset' the hair style.

Also had a go at repainting her eyes... unfortunately it was one of those afternoons when any ability I may have had in that department was having the day off

Anyhow, some pics of my tweaked Amy...


Amy & the Doctor by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


Amy Pond in profile by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"What's the matter, Pond?" by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"Are you sure that's wise, Doctor?" by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"erm... Doctor..." by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr

You definitely improved the figure, but I don't see Karen AT ALL.

 

[Darthgothikus]

Thanks so much for the walk through MiskatonicNick, will be doing the same to my Amy's hair later on.

Browsing the 'Bay for decent tights and jackets.

 

[DGTWoodward]

Ditto. Excellent review and summing up of the situation. While Amy is a miss, she certainly hasn't diluted any of my expectations or excitement for 10, 4 & 1.

A couple of footnotes - yes, the skirt/tight combo has gone badly wrong but they are separate pieces... not that it helps the futzing much. And beware of those plastic studs and buttons - some are not glued on as well as they should be and can easily be dislodged mid-futz.

Her hair is a major fault (can I quickly say I have both feet firmly in the pro-rooted camp and have lots of Fashion Royalty, Barbies, Cys, Obitsus, etc. here); it's far too coarse - decent fashion dolls have a much softer grade of dolly hair which is far easier to control. Sadly it seems a common mistake when 'boy toy' companies have their first stabs at female figures. A softer hair would probably work far better with that jacket too.

On the plus side, her head is constructed like a Hot Toys gal so (in theory) her rooted scalp should be able to be removed and perhaps re-rooted or replaced by either a Kumik hairpiece or a scalp from an Obitsu head.

'Fraid to say my Amy was quickly stripped down, the thread removed from her hair, clear plastic strip replaced around her head and then she had boiling water tipped over her head which helps to 'reset' the hair style.

Also had a go at repainting her eyes... unfortunately it was one of those afternoons when any ability I may have had in that department was having the day off

Anyhow, some pics of my tweaked Amy...

Spoiler

Amy & the Doctor by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


Amy Pond in profile by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"What's the matter, Pond?" by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"Are you sure that's wise, Doctor?" by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr


"erm... Doctor..." by MiskatonicNick, on Flickr

<Photos spoilered for size>

What a great set of pictures my friend. Really good job altering the basic figure. And that amazing 1:6 diorama is excellent. I can see at a quick glance at least three Indy Jones references, at least one Alien reference and at least one Hellraiser reference.

And I am sure I know that two headed baby from somewhere!

 

[Captain Britain]

Nick, thanks for the pictures. Even a repaint which you yourself downplayed - though it looks pretty good to me - has vastly improved the figure. Also, she looks better in profile. But I think the sculpt is just not quite these - there's something off about the cheeks, the shape of the face.

 

[DVD1]

I paid for it, so I'm getting it.
The photos are great, but Amy, is not. It doesn't look like Amy. It is sort of like a boring Barbie.
I need that sculpted hair head as soon as possible. Till then, I think I will keep it boxed.