Don post studios background helmet stormtrooper
- Thread starter sam123432
- Start date
So I put to John who gave me the helmet that there is nothing I can find thet matches on screen and were they perhaps crew gifts or promotion as suggested by jez and this was the reply
Oh, no, they were on set. The Toy Store originals were three piece vacuum-formed helmets with the black brow ridge piece covering the gap / join of the top piece. They were costly and harder to handle, so for crowd scenes and runnung scenes they used ours. Keep in mind that an original Toy Store (prop company in London area) helmet goes for several thousand dollars, I might be able to get you a corroborating note from someone I worked with who was one of the few that knew about this Special Project. I'll give him a call.
I will push to try and get anymore info possible
Oh, no, they were on set. The Toy Store originals were three piece vacuum-formed helmets with the black brow ridge piece covering the gap / join of the top piece. They were costly and harder to handle, so for crowd scenes and runnung scenes they used ours. Keep in mind that an original Toy Store (prop company in London area) helmet goes for several thousand dollars, I might be able to get you a corroborating note from someone I worked with who was one of the few that knew about this Special Project. I'll give him a call.
I will push to try and get anymore info possible
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
Yet, except, we see the helmets in the running scenes... and they do not look like Don Post helmets. The DP helmets are distinctly different than the screen used helmets. Some can't tell the difference, but they do once they look closer at the originals in more detail, then the Don Post suddenly stands out and would be easily recognizable, yet, no one has seen them in the movies.
I would actually be interested in hearing whether he can spot the Don Post helmets in any of the movies.
I would actually be interested in hearing whether he can spot the Don Post helmets in any of the movies.
Yes me also, having watched the movies I can’t make any out. I’ve asked him for any further info so will post what I find
He’s still got the Lucas films purchase order somewhere in storage he said
We will see
Star Wars Helmets
Sr Member
I agree, it doesn’t make any sense at all. We have 4K versions of the film now and yet no where can I see a Dop Post helmet which is massively different from an original helmet. Plus we’ve all seen hundreds of behind-the-scenes photographs none of which show anything like this.
also I’m struggling to understand what the benefit would be of having a trooper in full armour wearing a toy storm trooper helmet. The majority of the cost of production is in the armour not the helmet, so it doesn’t make sense to mix-and-match like that-especially is the helmet is the part that would really stand out. just like I said before the Don Post helmets provide less than zero protection if someone tripped while running as they’re so small/tight.
I can believe they were purchased by Lucasfilm, but just not used for the production
cheers
Jez
Star Wars Helmets
Sr Member
A quick comparison
original
Don Post
original
Don Post
I’m thinking more along the lines of what you were saying Jez about them being given to the odd crew member here and there and for promotion
I’ve come across someone else who was offered one by passed crew too now
I’ve tried to wear it and it’s too small to even fit my head to be honest
I’ve come across someone else who was offered one by passed crew too now
I’ve tried to wear it and it’s too small to even fit my head to be honest
Hi chaps
Got this message from someone also at don post at the same time working with John
My name is Rob Tharp. I was the Quality Control department head for Don Post Studios in the 1980's. I also worked on many special projects.
We made background Star Wars Stormtrooper helmets with vacuformed insert eye lenses for the Star Wars movies. I vouch for John Naulin on this.
Best.................. Rob Tharp
Doesn’t really tell us anything we hadn’t heard from John but none the less thought I’d share
Got this message from someone also at don post at the same time working with John
My name is Rob Tharp. I was the Quality Control department head for Don Post Studios in the 1980's. I also worked on many special projects.
We made background Star Wars Stormtrooper helmets with vacuformed insert eye lenses for the Star Wars movies. I vouch for John Naulin on this.
Best.................. Rob Tharp
Doesn’t really tell us anything we hadn’t heard from John but none the less thought I’d share
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
It tells us that Don Post probably wasn't told what the order was actually for. Either they were given a made up story to circumvent license agreements, or it was the original plan, but it changed when the order got to Lucasfilm.
Seems clear to me they are telling the truth on what happened from their end.
Seems clear to me they are telling the truth on what happened from their end.
Don has come back^^
TFS with us this message...I hope Don Bies will respond to your PM. Maybe contacting Duncanator here could be one way to relay the msg to Don Bies
Hi Sam--Sorry, I know nothing about these. His claim that he sold over 150 of these is a bit odd, as they never had that many costumes in the film. Additionally, the Don Post helmets don't look anything like the actual stormtrooper helmets. It's possible that if he sold them to LFL they used them for some other reason, but I sincerely doubt they were ever screen used.
So looks like Jez is correct
Thanks for everyone conversing on this
Appreciate it all
joberg
Legendary Member
Well, there you have it...maybe they were used for marketing purposes
Btw sam123432; what is the right aka to send Don Bies a PM?I found him on Facebook mate he came back to me and seemed friendly enoughWell, there you have it...maybe they were used for marketing purposes
joberg
Legendary Member
I don't have Facebook...would it be possible to send him a msg with the expo picture I posted? Thanks in advance
joberg
Legendary Member
Thanks; I'll try to reach him there
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