eFX Darth Vader A NEW HOPE Helmet!

[demorathis]

Would prolly be something like this:

"WTF are they on about? I just threw globs of paint on the bloody thing!"

"royt-- them killecter's got moind te be invent'in these idears...it's codswallop, asoide ferm spewin th silver with moy paint bresh, the elmet's s'posed te be in fairly good shaape, not te menshin e's the villin's wonky elmet to boot"

 

[QuiGonFishing]

There is no solid evidence that any of the original molds featured the "C-scar" as a dimensional artifact. There is, however, evidence that at least some of the subsequent UK castings were changed to add that feature... and solid proof that the original Baker mold does not have it.

It's a high certainty that the "c-scar" is nothing more than a topical blemish, as Gino noted and provided solid evidence to support his findings. The Vader Diehard Acolytes are falling over themselves to spin and divert the issue... because what they once believed was their Holy Grail that only a handful of them have has been revealed to most likely be modified. Their whole world just turned upside down, and they are grasping at straws and/or in denial. They can't stand it. This is so obvious when looking at it objectively.

This

You beat me to it, IJ!

Don't be too quick to assume that the Legend Helmet you're about to get is anything less than the GRAIL we know it to be...

 

[Chaosorb]

Oh man another one I can't afford right now. Good grief I'm going out of my mind. What to do, what to do? I guess I could sell a kidney.

 

[jkno]

The funny thing is that Brian Muir was banned on Gino's forum, you can check this out on the RPF thread... So the world of props is full of envy indeed.

 

[icruise]

To be honest, I'm not sure I'd like to have a beer with any one of these guys. But the eFX helmet is the best we're likely to ever get.

 

[jkno]

To be honest, I'm not sure I'd like to have a beer with any one of these guys. But the eFX helmet is the best we're likely to ever get.

I'd have a beer with Brian, no problem. He has much to say about sculpting the original Vader helmet and even about other things. As for the helmet, never say never...

 

[icruise]

I was referring to the regulars at the RPF.

 

[jkno]

I was referring to the regulars at the RPF.

Some of them are indeed not really worth of taking on a beer.

 

[ambasah]

I was chatting to a bud of mine who happened to work for Lucas back in the late 80s / early 90s. He even got to play around with the original props and was asked to dress up as one of the troopers for some charity events.

to make a long story short, he tried to give some insight to folks on that forum (this was years ago) and gave up due to the attitudes of some.

 

[Jaycepticon]

just like with any forum that involves a large number of people, there's always bound to be some elitists. Thank god, I've never had to personally deal with any hope that continues

 

[jkno]

Smiling Vader:

https://www.therpf.com/f13/smiling-vader-helmet-114985/

 

[Darth Mitchell]

^^^

Reminds me of this

 

[gibby]

^^^

Reminds me of this

Is that your shirt, DM?

I've been checking walmart.com once a week hoping I could grab one.

 

[Darth Mitchell]

Is that your shirt, DM?

I've been checking walmart.com once a week hoping I could grab one.

No unfortunately not

 

[QuiGonFishing]

This has always been my favorite pub shot from Star Wars (notice how I didn't say ANH). If Gino (or anyone else) still has access to the proto and can snap a shot at this angle making the dome look like this, I might be able to stare at the picture long enough to allow me to wait a little longer for delivery of the Legend.

Some shots have been close, but in order to make the dome flare and back length look like this pic, the helmet must be looking slightly upward, and, most importantly, the camera must be at least six feet or so away from the subject. The fact that most all of the proto shots have been taken at close range, I believe, is the main reason why there was some initial contraversy regarding the "trimming" of the rear section of the dome making folks think the eFX dome is short in the rear or not quite "flared" enough. From what I've seen, however, and from my experience shooting pics of my Don Post Deluxe ESB helmet at various angles and distances, the eFX looks perfect!

 

[Gino]

Honestly, I've read all the arguments and sides, on RPF and the den, and I'm convinced there are 2 moulds of varying accuracy. The US mould and the UK mould. Masks coming from the UK mould seem to have a dimensional c-scar. Those from the US mold (Rick Baker mould, EFX) seem to have had that filled in on the original mask prior to the mould being made back in the 70's.

That is absolutely not true.
The baker mold was taken right at the end of filming and the UK mold was taken at the beginning of the ESB production.
Neither of them have a dimensional scar because it was a painted artifact on the original helmet.
The cheek was drybrushed in gunmetal to give a weathered appearance. It is not physical damage that you are seeing.

What does it really mean? EFX was fortunate to get access to an original mould, period. Is it the most accurate? Certainly not, and even if it were this will still be a mass produced piece that was to some degree cleaned up by the necessity of making these creatable in a factory.

I would say yes, the original mold that eFX used (the baker mold taken directly off the original ANH) absolutely without a doubt IS the most accurate. There is nothing else out there that would have been a better base for eFX to use. No question.

I also want to take a moment to apologize for all the bickering that some have witnessed on the RPF.
The short version is simple.
There are a couple small groups of people (maybe 8-10 very vocal people) out there who have helmet castings that they considered to be the best available.
The eFX now comes along and is superior to their castings, and is also available to the masses making them feel less special. So basically they went on a crusade to rubbish the eFX casting and somehow try to skew facts that would make their castings appear to still be superior when in reality they are not.
Also, these two small groups have a long long negative history with me and are not at all happy that I'm working in an official capacity for eFX. It is jealously at it's worst.
Jealous that I'm the one who worked on the project and not them, and jealous that a helmet of this level will be available to the masses which is superior to their own.



.

 

[Qrest Fourstar]

Thanks for clearing that up Gino. I like the rpf but man the bickering there(and at any site really) clutters the area for discussion and the exchange of facts when it comes to stuff like this. NEVER bring up x-wing pictures over there.

I'm soo stoked for this helmet.

 

[QuiGonFishing]

Gino, i hope you'll continue to contribute here. We really appreciate your input and insider's take. And for what its worth, I thought your defense of the eFX offering on the rpf was brilliant - not that the helmet should have ever needed a defense...

Any comment on my post just above?

 

[Gino]

I appreciate that.

I can definitely say that no trimming was performed to the dome edges.
The bottom and side edges of the dome are very specific and include the 'false edges' seen on the original helmet.

When the dome looks shorter or longer in photos, whether it be the helmet seen in the film or someone's replica, 99% of the time it is because of the angle it is positioned on the faceplate (how close the back of the dome comes to the back on the neck).
Hard to describe without a diagram.

I don't think anyone will have any trouble replicating that still with their eFX replica (either version).

Hope that helps.


.

 

[shocktrooper_au]

luv your work Gino, Superb!!!!