Sideshow, Please Correct the Anakin PF

[MaulFan]

First off, let me just state that this is a very stunning and well crafted Premium Format figure, and while there are inconsistencies to the film costume, I, and many others, trust you guys using the materials you feel are right for the overall look of the product. That said, there are some inconsistencies between the 1/4 Anakin and 1/6 Anakin that many of us would very much appreciate having corrected, if production hasn't reach a point of no return. Since you've listened to our properly spoken comments in the past and made corrections such as Plo Koon's saber color, please give this list due consideration.

1. The cloth cumberbund around Anakin's waist on the PF is a lighter brown shade, but on the 1/6 figure is appropriately black; please make the PF cumberbund black as well.

2. The PF's pants are black, yet the 1/6 figure is clearly, and correctly, a brown shade.

3. The PF's tabbards show a stitching around the border, yet you can't see such a stitching in film images, and there is none on the 1/6 figure. If possible, please make the tabbards match the 1/6 figure.

Of the concerns I've read, those are the reasonable, fixable issues.

I thank any Sideshow employee who takes the time to read this message and consider the points raised in it.

To my fellow board memebers, I ask that you please refrain from posting immature, irrational, anger filled comments or anything like it from this thread. This message is to bring about constructive communication by which we the collectors can benefit, but as adults, young and old, it's only proper to offer due respect to others.

 

[D. Martin]

Actually, while I agree with you on the colour of the pants, the tunic is supposed to be brown, cummerbund and all. That said, it should be a very dark chocolate brown, and the cummerbund should match the outer tunic. Furthermore, and I'm sure we'll see it changed, the crepe fabric used on the cummerbund and cloak seem a bit off. If I were to have a say, I'd like it to be more like the fabric used on the 1/4 Maul's tabbards.

My biggest concern, which everyone else seems to have over looked, is the way the figure is holding the lightsaber. In AOTC and ROTS, Anakin held the hilt so the power box was under his thumb. This made the slanted edge cut out towards the bottom, not the top.

The figure is holding the saber the way Luke did in ANH and TESB, which is not accurate to the prequels.

This stands out in my mind, since I work with props in movie land, and it seems to me that it was a conscious decision for Anakin to hold it that way, be it from Lucas, the prop master, and/or Hayden. In my eyes, it created a little subtext that this is how Anakin designed the saber to be used, and Luke, not having the advantage of being a part of its design, was using it incorrectly. (when you work in props, you learn to understand that how a prop is used often says something about the character, and while usually to subtle for the average movie-goer, it speaks volumes to anyone who pays attention to such things. Occupational hazard)

 

[BadMoon]

Actually, while I agree with you on the colour of the pants, the tunic is supposed to be brown, cummerbund and all. That said, it should be a very dark chocolate brown, and the cummerbund should match the outer tunic. Furthermore, and I'm sure we'll see it changed, the crepe fabric used on the cummerbund and cloak seem a bit off. If I were to have a say, I'd like it to be more like the fabric used on the 1/4 Maul's tabbards.

My biggest concern, which everyone else seems to have over looked, is the way the figure is holding the lightsaber. In AOTC and ROTS, Anakin held the hilt so the power box was under his thumb. This made the slanted edge cut out towards the bottom, not the top.

The figure is holding the saber the way Luke did in ANH and TESB, which is not accurate to the prequels.

This stands out in my mind, since I work with props in movie land, and it seems to me that it was a conscious decision for Anakin to hold it that way, be it from Lucas, the prop master, and/or Hayden. In my eyes, it created a little subtext that this is how Anakin designed the saber to be used, and Luke, not having the advantage of being a part of its design, was using it incorrectly. (when you work in props, you learn to understand that how a prop is used often says something about the character, and while usually to subtle for the average movie-goer, it speaks volumes to anyone who pays attention to such things. Occupational hazard)

After reading all that I must say if you didn't work on props you would be subject to great ridicule. I started reading you second paragraph and was like this guy is nuts. After reading further it's still kinda scary but makes much more sense.

 

[Cocoboloboy]

Hey MF, would you be able to post some screen grabs or official photos to back this up?

 

[The Craw]

Actually, while I agree with you on the colour of the pants, the tunic is supposed to be brown, cummerbund and all. That said, it should be a very dark chocolate brown, and the cummerbund should match the outer tunic. Furthermore, and I'm sure we'll see it changed, the crepe fabric used on the cummerbund and cloak seem a bit off. If I were to have a say, I'd like it to be more like the fabric used on the 1/4 Maul's tabbards.

My biggest concern, which everyone else seems to have over looked, is the way the figure is holding the lightsaber. In AOTC and ROTS, Anakin held the hilt so the power box was under his thumb. This made the slanted edge cut out towards the bottom, not the top.

The figure is holding the saber the way Luke did in ANH and TESB, which is not accurate to the prequels.

This stands out in my mind, since I work with props in movie land, and it seems to me that it was a conscious decision for Anakin to hold it that way, be it from Lucas, the prop master, and/or Hayden. In my eyes, it created a little subtext that this is how Anakin designed the saber to be used, and Luke, not having the advantage of being a part of its design, was using it incorrectly. (when you work in props, you learn to understand that how a prop is used often says something about the character, and while usually to subtle for the average movie-goer, it speaks volumes to anyone who pays attention to such things. Occupational hazard)

just watched the movie. he's holding the light saber right. sorry.

 

[Trevolver]

Actually, judging by the studio promo shots, the saber should be rotated around, my apologies! It was definitely my doing.

Trev

 

[Khev]

I think its safe to say that with all the saber twirling Hayden did over the course of the movie that the position of the handle changed in his hand from time to time.

 

[shocktrooper_au]

They way he's holding it looks correct to me any way

 

[King Darkness]

Here you can see the color of the cloth cumberbund. Also in this pick it looks like he is holding the lightsaber correctly in the PF.

Here you can see the correct color of the pants and you can also see there is no stiching on the tabbards

 

[Darth Rage]

I think its safe to say that with all the saber twirling Hayden did over the course of the movie that the position of the handle changed in his hand from time to time.

I agree. Plus it just looks cooler the way it is.

 

[Danakin]

MaulFan, thank you for starting this thread. This PF is so excellently designed, sculpted and posed that if we can get these small color/fabric issues fixed it will be absolutely perfect.

As D. Martin has said, the tunic is dark brown, not black. I've heard a few people say that their 1:6 Anakin has a black tunic but both of mine have always had a dark brown one. I'm not sure if there's variances in the run, perhaps different lots of dyed fabric or something, or people were just seeing things but mine was the right shade. The fabric and color of the 1:6 figure should be used on the PF, it was perfect. This fabric should be used on the tunic, fabric tabards (the second set under the leather tabards) and obi (waist sash, cummerbund) as it is on the real costume.

Also, please don't forget to comment on the robe issue. Currently, the PF's robe is using a lightweight, crinkled material that should only be used on the tunic. MaulFan and others have brought up the point that perhaps it's being used because it drapes better than other material at this scale. I don't believe in sacrificing one quality of the overall look for another, especially on such a large, visible piece such as the outer robe. Not only that, but the fabric on the 1:6 Anakin is more correct, having a smoother texture, and drapes just fine even at the much smaller scale. If it works at 1:6, why won't it at 1:4? I don't think this is an issue that should be ignored if we're trying to get everything else fixed. To me, it's the most important thing to focus on as you see more of the robe than any other part of the costume.

All of this sounds like a lot of nit-picking and it may very well be, but I feel if these few issues are fixed this could easily be one of the best SW collectibles ever produced. Thank you Sideshow for tackling this character and doing it justice.

 

[MaulFan]

Well Danakin you're exactly right on why I didn't point out the robe material, I firmly believe whatever is used in the end will be meant to give us the best looking PF even if it's not movie accurrate, but I think simple things like colors can be corrected.

Dave, as for the hand and the lightsaber, valid point but not something that can really be fixed at this point, it's a sculpted piece that'd have to go through approvals and delay this for what. I think 80% of collectors don't know what way Anakin holds his saber.

As for calling for the tunic and sash to be black, I was referring to replicating the 1/6 figure because we know how it looks and that it can be done easily. If more closer to film colors are possible go for it, but at the minimum, this should mirror or better the 1/6 costume, as Darth Maul did, and at the moment there are a few innaccurracies from the 1/6 that are hurting it.

 

[The Josh]

Looks like those pics above he's holding the Saber right. Unless I'm missing something.

 

[IrishJedi]

Not that any of these "nit-picks" lack any validity, but I do hope you guys understand that Sideshow's #1 priority is not necessarily to create a 100% screen accurate replica in 1:4 scale, but a display quality collectible. In other words, they will almost always have to make a minor concession or two in order to produce the most dynamic and effective collectible piece. (For example, while this robe material is not accurate, it might make for a better-looking display piece)

Also, keep in mind that Lucasfilm Licensing dictates MANY details -- including things like color tones, fabrics, expressions, etc -- that the licensee has no control over. And unfortunately LFL tends to be extremely idealized in their goals these days, often to the detriment of screen-accuracy. There are many examples of this, including the PF Vader... which had LFL forcing SSC to produce a much less accurate Vader helmet to his ANH visage.

Now, I'm not saying that the points some of you have brought up with the Anakin PF fall under this category and cannot be taken care of. Perhaps these are indeed minor tweaks that SSC can make (with LFL's blessing, of course) that will result in the "perfect" product. Just remember that this is not always possible (as frustrating as that is) and it's not necessarily SSC's responsibility.

That said, I have absolutely no issues with the lightsaber... either the angle or the way in which he's holding it.

 

[MaulFan]

A valid point Irish, but most of the issues, especially what I noted to begin all of this, were things that were present in the 1/6 that are now wrong in PF. I agree they do things for the sake of the piece, which is why I'm happy with the robe material, but they had the colors correct in the 1/6, how LFL or anyone could say it was ok on a figure and not this piece would be mind boggling, not out of the question, but it would be the most backwards thought process I could ever think of.

 

[IrishJedi]

A valid point Irish, but most of the issues, especially what I noted to begin all of this, were things that were present in the 1/6 that are now wrong in PF. I agree they do things for the sake of the piece, which is why I'm happy with the robe material, but they had the colors correct in the 1/6, how LFL or anyone could say it was ok on a figure and not this piece would be mind boggling, not out of the question, but it would be the most backwards thought process I could ever think of.

I don't necessarily disagree with any of your points. Just be aware that in the world of Lucasfilm (and perhaps even Sideshow) a $55 1/6 action figure and a $300 1/4 scaled "statue" are completely different types of products and subject to different review/approval criteria.

Again, I'm not saying this means that these things can't be tweaked for the PF. But they are not mutually exclusive items.

 

[Sir Tristram]

I just want the saber pointing on the downward diagonal. Other than that, I am fine with it!

 

[scubasteve]

I just want the saber pointing on the downward diagonal.

I want this, as well, if that is possible.

 

[D. Martin]

MaulFan, thank you for starting this thread. This PF is so excellently designed, sculpted and posed that if we can get these small color/fabric issues fixed it will be absolutely perfect.

As D. Martin has said, the tunic is dark brown, not black. I've heard a few people say that their 1:6 Anakin has a black tunic but both of mine have always had a dark brown one. I'm not sure if there's variances in the run, perhaps different lots of dyed fabric or something, or people were just seeing things but mine was the right shade. The fabric and color of the 1:6 figure should be used on the PF, it was perfect. This fabric should be used on the tunic, fabric tabards (the second set under the leather tabards) and obi (waist sash, cummerbund) as it is on the real costume.

Also, please don't forget to comment on the robe issue. Currently, the PF's robe is using a lightweight, crinkled material that should only be used on the tunic. MaulFan and others have brought up the point that perhaps it's being used because it drapes better than other material at this scale. I don't believe in sacrificing one quality of the overall look for another, especially on such a large, visible piece such as the outer robe. Not only that, but the fabric on the 1:6 Anakin is more correct, having a smoother texture, and drapes just fine even at the much smaller scale. If it works at 1:6, why won't it at 1:4? I don't think this is an issue that should be ignored if we're trying to get everything else fixed. To me, it's the most important thing to focus on as you see more of the robe than any other part of the costume.

All of this sounds like a lot of nit-picking and it may very well be, but I feel if these few issues are fixed this could easily be one of the best SW collectibles ever produced. Thank you Sideshow for tackling this character and doing it justice.

If there is an authority on Anakin. Dan is the guy to listen to. Generally speaking adults that dress up in costumes kind of freak me out, but his costume work is out of this world and having seen his costume in person at SDCC a couple of years back (at the MR party) I must say, it is a work of art. (and trust me, this isn't meant as a passive aggressive comment in any way.)

Dan knows his stuff!

 

[Coorectghosting]

Of all things I think the biggest issue is the hair color.