eFX Darth Vader A NEW HOPE Helmet!

[Avenger]

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.


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Gino, in my forum surfing, I heard a rumor that EFX had a dome prior to this ANH helmet, and that it may have been used rather than coming from the Baker mould at the same time as the mask. Can you confirm or deny this rumor please? I'm hoping both the dome and mask were cast from the Baker mould, and that this is all nonsense.

It has been my interpretation that both the dome and mask were taken from the same set of Baker moulds at the same time, and that this isn't a dome taken from one source a few years ago and the mask only from the Baker moulds recently.

 

[Gino]

luv your work Gino, Superb!!!!

Thanks man!


@avenger:
Definitely just a rumor.
The beginning of this project started with the baker molds.
Both dome and faceplate were pulled at the same time.

 

[Avenger]

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.



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.



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I appreciate the response. It just seems to me from what I'm seeing, there's a mould with the c-scar having dimension. I've seen some movie stills that help reinforce that in my mind. And I found casting pics of the TM with it and it just seems too perfect of a matchup to the screen captures to have been mimiced into the mould. I could be wrong, or not, and I certainly do not want to start the diatribe here. If it was added, the guy who put it there is very good. Either way, I bought the legend edition and I've come to peace with it regardless. Where was I going to get a replica with the lineage this one has? Nowhere until EFX came along.

I think you did good work on this thing. Even your detractors have admitted to either buying one or wanting one regardless of their issues with you or it. Well, with the exception of Sith Lord who seems hell bent on finding anything and everything wrong with it. I presume that's the same Sith Lord as the one credited with the SL version. I'm pretty ____ about these things, but some of these guys make me look normal. And some of them are actually very knowledgeable and civil like Centurion. I'd talk Vader with that guy any day.

 

[Avenger]

Thanks man!


@avenger:
Definitely just a rumor.
The beginning of this project started with the baker molds.
Both dome and faceplate were pulled at the same time.

Fantastic. Thanks so much for putting my mind at ease.

 

[Gino]

I certainly don't want to get into the discussion here as I stated my position on the rpf very clearly that there was no dimensional scar on the film used helmet and that any replicas out there that have one have had it added into their casting.

 

[Avenger]

I certainly don't want to get into the discussion here as I stated my position on the rpf very clearly that there was no dimensional scar on the film used helmet and that any replicas out there that have one have had it added into their casting.

Yeah, neither do I.

What gets me about the whole thing is, has nobody ever been able to ask Rick Baker what he might have touched up on the helmet, or anyone else that dealt with the original while filming the movie? It seems there's a lot of speculation about different aspects of the helmet, and I can't believe nobody that worked on the movies or the tours afterward would know the answer. Surely someone could say "yeah I painted that on there" or "Jimmy the gaffer knocked that scar into it between scenes". Trek fanatics ask these questions all the time at conventions etc. Seems like this should have stopped being a mystery long ago. You'd think even in a props making setting it would have come up casually.

 

[willocrew]

Yeah, neither do I.

What gets me about the whole thing is, has nobody ever been able to ask Rick Baker what he might have touched up on the helmet, or anyone else that dealt with the original while filming the movie? It seems there's a lot of speculation about different aspects of the helmet, and I can't believe nobody that worked on the movies or the tours afterward would know the answer. Surely someone could say "yeah I painted that on there" or "Jimmy the gaffer knocked that scar into it between scenes". Trek fanatics ask these questions all the time at conventions etc. Seems like this should have stopped being a mystery long ago. You'd think even in a props making setting it would have come up casually.

QFT. The true vader experts are those who were directly involved with the movies.

 

[Gino]

I learned a long time ago that anything you hear from someone that worked on a production 30+ years ago must be taken with a glacier sized grain of salt.

They simply just do not clearly remember these kinds of details like we would hope they would.


.

 

[QuiGonFishing]

Yes, and the other thing to note is that when these siminal productions were taking place so many decades ago, the work was seen as purely a job to get done. It's only now that these works are considered so iconic and important to legions of foaming fans and cine- files that many of the production folks try to promote their knowlege and expertise.

Think about it, what if I asked you to describe for me in vivid detail exactly how you went about creating the recipe holder/flower pot you made for you mom on mother's day 30 years ago? How did you apply the sparkles? What exact shade of pink did you go with, was there any sort of C shaped scar..?

Now what if I told you I'd pay you a five figure consulting fee to tell me how you put together this masterpiece? I bet your memory just got a whole lot better..!

 

[icruise]

That's particularly true with ANH, but I think by the time ESB and ROTJ came along, people were aware that they were taking part in something special, as opposed to it being just another job. That said, you're absolutely right that it's not realistic to expect people to remember minute details, especially ones like these. Who would have thought that people would be arguing about a scratch on a helmet 20 or 30 years later?

 

[QuiGonFishing]

100% agree...

But my sig pic is prettier than yours...

 

[icruise]

A matter of opinion, of course.

 

[FQRizzo]

100% agree...

But my sig pic is prettier than yours...

Thank goodness for sigs like yours. Where else would we find hot, naked women on the internet?

 

[QuiGonFishing]

Naked women on the internet? My God, that's a great idea! I think we're rich..!

 

[Avenger]

Yes, and the other thing to note is that when these siminal productions were taking place so many decades ago, the work was seen as purely a job to get done. It's only now that these works are considered so iconic and important to legions of foaming fans and cine- files that many of the production folks try to promote their knowlege and expertise.

Think about it, what if I asked you to describe for me in vivid detail exactly how you went about creating the recipe holder/flower pot you made for you mom on mother's day 30 years ago? How did you apply the sparkles? What exact shade of pink did you go with, was there any sort of C shaped scar..?

Now what if I told you I'd pay you a five figure consulting fee to tell me how you put together this masterpiece? I bet your memory just got a whole lot better..!

How I applied the glitter yes, when I dropped it on the floor and it scuffed up an hours work, I would probably remember that if you pointed to the scuff and asked "how did that happen". It all depends on the nature of the defect. The c-scar seems like one that would possibly have some significance, depending on how it got there.

 

[IrishJedi]

This whole "c-scar" business really shines a bright light on those Vader "expert" weenies.

 

[QuiGonFishing]

Well, look, I'm happy to concede that as a possibility. But I think the point is made. Given the relative minuteness of the detail and the great expanse of time, I'd rather place my faith the strict examination of the original mold than memory and supposition.

I'll also concede that we don't have (to my knowlege) such a recent hands on examination of the UK mold, but this is just what we have from Gino's work on the Baker mold, and that's good enough for me. Given the clear motivation for those who wish to keep their products on top, I wouldn't be too quick to assume that the UK mold is anything other than a ringer for the Baker.

Happy 500th post to me btw...

 

[Avenger]

Well, look, I'm happy to concede that as a possibility. But I think the point is made. Given the relative minuteness of the detail and the great expanse of time, I'd rather place my faith the strict examination of the original mold than memory and supposition.

I'll also concede that we don't have (to my knowlege) such a recent hands on examination of the UK mold, but this is just what we have from Gino's work on the Baker mold, and that's good enough for me. Given the clear motivation for those who wish to keep their products on top, I wouldn't be too quick to assume that the UK mold is anything other than a ringer for the Baker.

Happy 500th post to me btw...

I think you'll see just how dead wrong you are when you see these helmets that came from those UK moulds. You can clearly see a dimensional c-scar in several of the pics.

https://www.totalfilm.com/features/10-awesome-darth-vader-helmets/creepy-clown-vader#content

 

[QuiGonFishing]

You can't argue with a man when he's right..!

 

[Darth Waller]

^^ I need something to Google. Who's that in your signature?