Opinions: game prop vs. movie prop buildup

Okay, so I've got this rather large job to tackle by Feb for a video game company that's handling a movie license, and they want props and costumes for their con dates, most notably, E3 in June.

I can't say much about the project, due to signing a NDA for the gig, but I can tell you the props/costumes are well established in our little world. (You'll get to see them in Feb, so stay tuned)


My question is, would

a) you stay within the confines of the props as we know them
b) mix it up
c) stick to the video game canon/pics


Any suggestions would be apprciated!
Thanks!

ooooooooooooh......IT'S GHOSTBUSTERS is it not I seen the pictures of the ingame Protonpacks and they dont look like the movie versions.

/Conny

I would say, if the intent of the con is to promote the game, that sticking with the game-style of the props is probably the best idea.

However, I would think most people (outside of this hobby) probably wouldn't notice the differences between a movie and game-version of the same prop. So if the movie-version is something you know well, you could probably save yourself a boat-load of time by replicating that instead...with a February deadline, that may be the way to go.

Just my two cents...

Sean

masterjedi322 said:

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I would say, if the intent of the con is to promote the game, that sticking with the game-style of the props is probably the best idea.

And the client is what counts in the end. If you have someone who is into the movies as much as the folks around here, then everything should be cool.

If however it is someone who knows zip about the product he is responsible for, you might save yourself a lot of trouble and discussions if you stick to what is seen in the game.

I say play it safe and cool, and definitely discuss it with the client, better now than later on.

Michael

wow, some good points made.
I'd personally go with the video game style since that's what you're promoting, but like they said - put the company's opinions first.

I love the RPF, fast, solid, thoughful responses! Thanks guys! All stuff to keep in mind!

I should note that they wanted a real world look, but I'm still torn. I'll be sending them prototype photos next week, so we'll see.

Always good to have more opinions though!!

If they want a "real world" look I'd try to replicate the movie version of the prop as opposed to the game version.

ASK THE CLIENT.

That's who's opinion counts.

No one else's.

you sure?

Depending on the game.
There are certain games based on a live-action movie franchise that offer exclusive props and costumes like the "old" Chronicles of Riddick:Escape from Butcher Bay.The upcoming game "Assault on Dark Athena" presents an interesting collage: Riddick´s TCOR movie costume(with the exception of the goggles and the grip of the swingblades that aren´t screen accurate)and brand new characters like capt. Revas,the drone army,etc..
See trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_O7tn2eNWE
Escape from Butcher Bay (xbox) costume with minigun prop from the game:

Now THAT point's me in a direction!!
AWESOME!

I don't have a lot of experience with props BUT I do have a TON of experience working with clients on "artistic" endeavors. My advice would be to simply explain the situation to the client. The most compliments I ever got in my business came from being as open and honest with the client as possible. Just layout the different options and see what they say. And of course you can always 'nudge' them in the direction you'd like to go.

It´s gonna be Atari(the publisher) in both cases(Ghostbusters and Riddick),what a great coincidence isn´t it?.
Here you´ll find some screenshots from the videogame and my own version for my fanfilms and shows.I don´t have much experience in this world of prop making it´s just a hobby!I hope this references could help you in one way or another.
This is what the game looks like:


The minigun prop:


My version:

My BB inmate costume:

IMO the client needs to know that there's more than just one way to bring these costumes and props to life. The client may only be interested in their version as seen in the game or they may be open to real life interpretations....but you need to clarify it with them...they may not even know or understand that more than one possible solution to this gig exist.

I ran into this same problem with Ubisoft on the Haze promo costumes we did a while back. At first they wanted 'real' world looking uniforms...then after examining the style guides, and explaining my concerns with what they 'believed' they wanted...it shifted to costumes as seen in the game....as if they walked out of the game monitor.
In this case only after discussing the different possible costume solutions with them, and the results they'd show in the end did they ultimately decide on a different approach then what they were thinking at first...and were all the more happy for it.
I think a lot of these companies understand the potential of costumes and props to promote their product/s but dont fully grasp what it takes to make them and that there are dozens of ways to achieve all sorts of end results.

My advice is to talk to the client, put them in the position of understanding that you can offer more than one way to get the job done...they'll certainly appreciate the options, and be better prepared for the final product.

These are fun gigs to work on. Good luck to you!.....and post progress pics please

David

Well, if you're working on what I think you are, I want one. Were you talking about building exactly what you see on the new version, or doing some add-ons to the pre-existing versions of whats out there? Or maybe I have no clue what you're doing at all. I hope its what I think.

I say do what you want. I find myself wanting to make everything between star wars and the halo games. I'm not nearly as talented as most of the prop makers here, but I've only completed one real prop "replica" from a star wars video game. It's only a small secondary "tool" in the game, but I made this anyways...it's supposed to be a welding torch, a "fusion cutter." As for giving it a "real" world..I just stuck with how it actually looks...the only real world piece is the nozzle is a real Mig welder nozzle.





Actual game one



Either way, it's fun, I don't see why you necessarily have to choose either one or the other now