Styracosaurus Maquette

[dansdinosaurs]

Actually, I agree with you on that point. It would be interesting to see Sideshow release something like a maternal Maiasaura nesting scene (being stereotypical of course, but still). Unfortunately, Sideshow's target audience dictates that violence reigns supreme, at least for the time being.

The Brachiosaurus ornament did have strong sales, from what I understand. Perhaps there is hope yet.

 

[robomorph]

The Brachiosaurus ornament did have strong sales, from what I understand. Perhaps there is hope yet.

Yes, I think so. I just received confirmation from them that they're entirely sold out of it and unable to fulfil any more wait list orders. (Though you suspect its success may be due more to the price point than the fact that the baby dino looks so cute.)

The nesting scene is a great idea, btw.

 

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

The VS pieces depict just what they are supposed to and with great accuracy...that violent lifestyle, the fight for survival was what Dinosauria was supposed to be about if I remember correctly.

I know at least one other dino-fan who doesn't like the VS pieces either, I think they're freaking awesome myself...heh heh this kind of fight is what I always imagined when I was little playing with dino toys...I used to use red paint for blood..and red clay for guts... I don't know any kid ( we have 3 and up here ) that would really bothered by them...that's not to say I don't keep the kids away from them, I do..for the whole no-touchy reason instead..

Really awesome to see you finally got your Styrac Dyscrasia, congrats !


We may just see a nesting scene in an upcomong piece..but it will anything but peaceful I'm afraid... I would also like a nesting hadrosaur piece but it doesn't seem very likely..unless the mother is running some small raptors or something off... :/

 

[robomorph]

I guess I just don't think it's that cool to present any animals being torn to pieces as images for gratification. There's something in our mindset that says it's not okay to see furry creatures tearing each other up but that it's fine to enjoy reptiles ripping the _____ out of one another.

That said, we had a 'gator as family pet for some years, so I guess my attitude to dinosaurs/reptiles is somewhat different to most people's. The dios are beautifully done, I'd just like to see a little less gore.

 

[Agent0028]

I don't mind the bloody aspect on the vs. dios. It is something that puts me off from the dios a bit, but I wouldn't like them anymore if they had less gore because they wouldn't be as realistic then. Plus the maquettes aren't gory which is good for people who dislike the gore.

 

[Scar]

Can't argue with that, though I have to say that the one thing that puts me off the dioramas is just how bloodthirsty they are. Yes, I know that dinosaurs lived very hard and violent lives, but am I the only one who doesn't care to see them tearing each other to shreds, soaked in blood and in obvious distress? Of course that's how it went down, but to concentrate on that aspect seems gratuitously unpleasant to me. I wouldn't want to display these dios with small kids around that's for sure. Just my 2c. (The Maquettes, on the other hand, are fantastic.)

The VS pieces depict just what they are supposed to and with great accuracy...that violent lifestyle, the fight for survival was what Dinosauria was supposed to be about if I remember correctly.

I know at least one other dino-fan who doesn't like the VS pieces either, I think they're freaking awesome myself...heh heh this kind of fight is what I always imagined when I was little playing with dino toys...I used to use red paint for blood..and red clay for guts... I don't know any kid ( we have 3 and up here ) that would really bothered by them...that's not to say I don't keep the kids away from them, I do..for the whole no-touchy reason instead..

Really awesome to see you finally got your Styrac Dyscrasia, congrats !


We may just see a nesting scene in an upcomong piece..but it will anything but peaceful I'm afraid... I would also like a nesting hadrosaur piece but it doesn't seem very likely..unless the mother is running some small raptors or something off... :/

My opinion on the matter of the gore is congruous with Blade's. Sideshow stated from the very beginning that the theme of the line was going to be "Survival of the Fittest". There's a glut of potential to depict interspecific herds and interactions, as well as intraspecific groups. Lots of potential. However, would those pieces be as widely appealing to as wide of an audience outside of just dinosaur fans? Probably not. If it's a choice between an Iguanodon mother bending a low fern for its youngster, or a T.rex and Triceratops locked in mortal combat, it's a no-brainer as to which will sell better and reach the widest audience.

Take popular nature programming for example. People fall asleep or simply change the channel when watching the life of a young Thompson's gazelle, but the Battle at Kruger National Park is one of the most well known Youtube videos, with nearly 50,000,000 views. If you're going to depict a predator, more often than not the most dynamic way to do so is to render that predator doing what it was born to do - kill in order to live. And there are countless species of herbivores that have evolved morphological features for precisely the purpose of defending against certain predators in their biome. VS dios, however grisly, need to be shown in a line of dinosaur collectibles in order to accurately convey the most brutal battles of existence. Another way to think of it - you could have a statue of Superman walking with Lois Lane, holding hands and talking; or you could have a statue of Superman in a bare-fisted fight to the death with Doomsday. The statue which would sell better is obvious. Is there potential to depict peaceful scenes with dinosaurs? Of course. Would they sell as well as those statues depicting perhaps the most awe-inspiring battles ever to rage across the earth? Not likely. Bear in mind this is not a critique of maquettes. Such statues are equally desirable if not more so for most people just as an accurate depiction of a single animal; a snapshot of it going about its day. There are numerous activities we could see, numerous which are moving, touching, and peaceful; if they can manage to be as dramatic as a diorama, it's sensible for them to be as successful with collectors, and the each of the three maquettes that we have so far have managed to capture that quality just as well.

 

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I guess I just don't think it's that cool to present any animals being torn to pieces as images for gratification. There's something in our mindset that says it's not okay to see furry creatures tearing each other up but that it's fine to enjoy reptiles ripping the _____ out of one another.

That said, we had a 'gator as family pet for some years, so I guess my attitude to dinosaurs/reptiles is somewhat different to most people's. The dios are beautifully done, I'd just like to see a little less gore.

This is a lot different than say someone sculpting a group of dolphins or whales being slaughtered becasue they like seeing it. I do remember a piece a long while ago showing a JP Raptor tearing into Barney..pretty funny concept but not something I wanted sitting around really.

These are accurate-as-we-can-get sculptures of conflict between animals that actually occured. Sideshow mihgt go a less bloodless route showing a predator running down a prey before actual contact is made..Deinonychus chasing a Gallimimus or Struthiomimus...but the point of contact..the possible deadly embrace..is what gets the blood flowing..so to speak.

There isn't much difference between species for me..I would just as soon view a wolf pack attacking a caribou , hawks vs crows, or monitors fighting crocs. I keep and used to breed turtles for release around here...ran into many who liked em' for food or just to kill for fun.. so I sympathize and you are certainly entitled to like what you like..just pointing out why I think it's perfectly alright is all...as you pointed out already..life is brutal and bloody..but so are/were we.

EDIT : After re-reading my own post I felt like maybe I was starting to argue human-nature too much..def not looking to argue that subject really, especially in a topic not designed for it. Sorry !

 

[Atheris]

Can't imagine why that would be. The original VS diorama is my personal favorite - the choice of dinosaurs, the accuracy of the dinosaurs, the pose, the detail, the backstory, and the interaction of the animals involved all coalesce for a magnificent piece. Though my #1 favorite spot is close between that and the T.rex maquette.

Theirs something about the whole floating in the air thing that doesnt quit do it for me. The triceratops looks very "animated" to me with that high red color...almost looks purple. The T-rex looks like they took it right out jurassic park. The other pieces in this line just look so much more ORIGINAL and unique VS this dio. I may just end up getting it though because SS gave me a $60 credit to use on any dinosauria item because their system didnt give me a 10% coupon when I ordered the T-rex maquette.
Does anyone have some really good in-hand pics of that dio?

Chris

 

[robomorph]

Another way to think of it - you could have a statue of Superman walking with Lois Lane, holding hands and talking; or you could have a statue of Superman in a bare-fisted fight to the death with Doomsday.

Well let me give you a counter analogy: if one were to have a WW2 diorama - showing the Omaha beach landing perhaps - would it be better to show the troops in an action pose, advancing up the beach, or would it be better to show soldiers laid out on the sand trying to stuff their innards back into their guts? The second representation would be more accurate but not very edifying as a display piece. I would say it's possible to present an action/violent scene without glorying in the visceral.

And taking up your point about the Battle at Kruger Park, one can understand the fascination with such a miserable and prolonged death experience - as humans, we're a very morbid lot. But again, would it be cool to immortalise the scene in a sculpt? I would say not.

That said, I'm not trying to sound morally superior here - I'm as fascinated by life and death struggles as anybody else, and the dios are certainly a valid representation. But just from an aesthetic point of view, will it not come to the point when a collected display of dios drenched in blood won't start to look a bit grim/tedious? As a kid I used to build Aurora monsters and I used to splatter them all with red paint, thinking they looked really cool that way. I figured out much later that it was a pretty cheap way to try and dramatize them, and that they actually looked far better without the excess. Just a thought.

 

[Dyscrasia]

Theirs something about the whole floating in the air thing that doesnt quit do it for me. The triceratops looks very "animated" to me with that high red color...almost looks purple. The T-rex looks like they took it right out jurassic park. The other pieces in this line just look so much more ORIGINAL and unique VS this dio. I may just end up getting it though because SS gave me a $60 credit to use on any dinosauria item because their system didnt give me a 10% coupon when I ordered the T-rex maquette.
Does anyone have some really good in-hand pics of that dio?

Chris

Check out these threads...

https://sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56537&highlight=tyrannosaurus+triceratops

https://sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62005

 

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

That said, I'm not trying to sound morally superior here - I'm as fascinated by life and death struggles as anybody else, and the dios are certainly a valid representation. But just from an aesthetic point of view, will it not come to the point when a collected display of dios drenched in blood won't start to look a bit grim/tedious? As a kid I used to build Aurora monsters and I used to splatter them all with red paint, thinking they looked really cool that way. I figured out much later that it was a pretty cheap way to try and dramatize them, and that they actually looked far better without the excess. Just a thought.

It will balance out in a collection I think..so far the Rex VS Trike is the bloodiest piece..the Deino is just a bit red around the teeth and the new Allo VS Camara is close to the same..a few claw marks and one bite...we've yet to have guts spilling out of anything and I have seen that in nature videos and in paleo models before. I would like a scavenger scene with a dino-corpse as the whole base...that would be different.

Originally Posted by Atheris666
Theirs something about the whole floating in the air thing that doesnt quit do it for me. The triceratops looks very "animated" to me with that high red color...almost looks purple. The T-rex looks like they took it right out jurassic park. The other pieces in this line just look so much more ORIGINAL and unique VS this dio. I may just end up getting it though because SS gave me a $60 credit to use on any dinosauria item because their system didnt give me a 10% coupon when I ordered the T-rex maquette.
Does anyone have some really good in-hand pics of that dio?

Chris

The red is more subdued in person as it was something I thoguht was off orig as well..I think it's the flash from some cameras. The JP feel to the Rex is possible..Adrian was prob sculpting this guy about the same time as the JP piece for Sideshow..but compare the two and you can see how diff it really is. I would love to see progress pics of this piece to just see how he did it...the whole thing is supported quite well on one foot in mid plunge. This Trike is going to save his herd...but the cost will be his own life ..really inspiring.

 

[Agent0028]

I think a nesting scene would sell well enough. I think it would just be more like a maquette than a vs. piece. That's how I would execute it too, the mother would be the maquette and the nest would be the base.

Scavenger dinos with a corpse for a base would be cool. That's one that would depend on how gory it is on whether I would buy it or not. But even if I didn't buy it, I'd love to see it.

 

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Another idea I had for a nesting scene before was Pterosaurs..have a pair of Quetzalcoatlus defending their nest from a carnivore. Like in the piece by G. Paul... I think ?

Gory depends on your definition..if it's bright red blood flowing, then an older carcass would be better..maybe something half buried in mud or in the water.

I also liked this one as my hope for a similar dromeosaur/ Raptor piece :

 

[dansdinosaurs]

Aw, I've never seen Trcic's Lambeo from that angle before. Nice finds, Blade.

Also, the Brachiosaurus ornament does appear to be available, just not from Sideshow.

 

[Agent0028]

An older corpse, but not so old that its decayed and disgusting. But I don't ever want any of my preferences to stand in the way of a truly awesome piece. Make it realistic and if its too gory for my tastes I'll pass and someone else will get it in my place.

 

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

I've loved it for awhile...having seen it again in the Prehistoric Imagery book, made me really want a similar piece. Maybe scale up the whole thing or at least use a larger species of Dromeosaur so they aren't quite so small...of course at this size you really get the sense of how big the Lambeosaur is.

For a rotted base..I really like this one :

 

[dansdinosaurs]

Yeah, there's your $1000 diorama piece, right there.

If anyone's interested, I created this from Delgado's Tribal Warfare. Feel free to use it to insult people at inappropriate times.

 

[Jeremy K9]

I've loved it for awhile...having seen it again in the Prehistoric Imagery book, made me really want a similar piece. Maybe scale up the whole thing or at least use a larger species of Dromeosaur so they aren't quite so small...of course at this size you really get the sense of how big the Lambeosaur is.

For a rotted base..I really like this one :

That would make an awesome diorama. I'm not too sure how many people would buy it, seeing as how some think the current dios are too gruesome.

 

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Doesn't need to be the whole corpse...not that I would complain if it was 5 ft long and around 4-500.00 that sounds about right..

Something like this Carno by McVey would be good..

Maybe I'll get something similar after all...there is still the Spino Maquette to be seen...perhpas it's base could show a large dead fish or even better..the Spino is stripping meat from an old Sarcosuchus carcass eh ?

Speaking of Spino I've been talking with Keith Strasser and he also has a really nice Spino :

Not much for the running or leaping pose..but it has the spines I like...anyone else hope it's a similar scale to those ? heh heh

 

[Jeremy K9]

Doesn't need to be the whole corpse...not that I would complain if it was 5 ft long and around 4-500.00 that sounds about right..

Something like this Carno by McVey would be good..

Maybe I'll get something similar after all...there is still the Spino Maquette to be seen...perhpas it's base could show a large dead fish or even better..the Spino is stripping meat from an old Sarcosuchus carcass eh ?

Speaking of Spino I've been talking with Keith Strasser and he also has a really nice Spino :

Not much for the running or leaping pose..but it has the spines I like...anyone else hope it's a similar scale to those ? heh heh

I'd like it to be close to that scale. I don't think we'll see it though.

One can dream.

Is that Spinosaurus a kit or finished model. The one thing that keeps me away from kits, is the price it costs to have one built and painted.