eFX A New Hope Darth Vader Helmet

[Art Andrews]

You can see this clearly if you compare the eFX with the other helmets from that Rick Baker mold.

The assumption here is that sithlord's helmet from the Rick Baker mold is the standard by which any future casting should be judged. This is being maintained because some have wrapped their entire reputation and the value of their being around this casting.

....the dome is clearly not from the Baker mold but from another source (not from an authentic cast i think)

This is simply untrue.

Only the facemask is casted from the Baker mold but certainly not the dome.

Again, simply untrue, but it is interesting to see that you are willing to state this as fact when you have nothing but comparison pictures from someone who is notorious for horrible comparison pictures. Also interesting to see that you are willing to publicly call eFX a liar.

 

[Art Andrews]

There are many people who have a problem with Gino and his behavior since years and i'm one of them. But its not about Gino in this thread but about the eFX helmet and some things which are misleading for potential buyers. So it must be allowed to make constructive critic without being teached by a mod who just want to defend his personal friend and see an attack out of every post which was made regarding this helmet. And your post against the Den members and the Den as a forum itself was unfair and totaly out of place. And just because you are a mod here you dont have the right to do and say whatever you want. Its not your forum and as long as i make my critic on that lid without mention well known persons here but only to say what i think about this helmet and make constructiv critic you havent any right to make such an attack against me or other forum members here.
I cant do more as not commenting any of "his threads" and i dont want to hear an opinion of him in my threads. If i critize him on another forum its not your concern. I hope i made my point clear. It sucks to have always the same discussions since years.:thumbsdown

I would strongly encourage you not to allow you friends to embolden you to the point of becoming a martyr and would also encourage you to take it to PM if you feel the need to continue to tell me what I can and cannot do.

 

[SithLord]

The dome is clearly not from the Baker mold. But will we see it if the final product arrives to the customer.

Well, if you don't mind me saying, let's step back a minute here because it could just be a matter of cleanup/trimming/reshape the front flaring edges, and how it comes out of the mold. The crown is good. The center ridge is as it should be. And I have noticed detail on the crown that is in keeping with it being from a similar source, whether identical I can't say. Although I should mention that the front flaring is a bit more symmetrical than it should be (Vader's right side slightly shorter than it should be with respect to the left). We have to consider also angles of the dome can make a big difference in its appearance with respect to the mask. The mask itself is fine although the neck has been trimmed a bit. These are all slight differences, and even for someone like myself that notices them, I plan to get the Legend helmet because it would be nice to have a finished one.

 

[Art Andrews]

Hmmm, that's pretty interesting.. And here I thought all these years the
licencee was held to a certain guidline concerning details that differentiate
an original from a copy.. Nice to know, thanks. :thumbsup

No worries. I know there are a lot of people who believe this (I used to be one of them) but in all my experience with licensees, I have never seen a single instance of this happening.

 

[Apollo]

Geez Art don't you have enough headaches without being drawn into this?

I feel for ya Bro!

 

[Darth Niob]

I would strongly encourage you not to allow you friends to embolden you to the point of becoming a martyr and would also encourage you to take it to PM if you feel the need to continue to tell me what I can and cannot do.

Are you joking? I speak for myself and not for other people or friends. But it seems thats something which can not be said about everyone here.

But again...very objective Art.

 

[Art Andrews]

Well, the MR ROTS Vader helmet has differences in part on account of trimming (which could as you mentioned be based on the production process) but also in what appears to be an intentional modification (to the nose, for example which is shaped differently). And their helmet master came from the production mold. The reverse paint schemes on DP and Rubies Vader helmets are another example. It doesn't really matter who decided to make any changes, or whether it is a byproduct of design or just a byproduct of the manufacturing process, the point is are they changes or are they part of the mold?

I can only speak from my own experiences, but from what I have seen there are four major reasons we see discrepancies between an original item and a final product:

1) Ease of Mass Production. I think the stormtrooper helmet is a great example of this. Mass producing an accurate stormtrooper helmet would not be as easy as turning them out in fiberglass. Often, small (sometimes big) changes are made so a product can be easily mass produced and brought to the market.

2) Ignorance on the part of the studio or licensee. No one likes to admit this, but we study things in the most minute detail while licensees and studios generally don't. How many times have we seen an ESB Boba Fett with an RotJ rifle (I am looking at you Hasbro). I have also seen cases where the studio will argue vehemently for the wrong thing, again, because they have a preconceived notion and don't fully understand the product.

3) Expectations of the customer. Lets be honest. Most props are crap, built to be just good enough to work for a short amount of time. While we appreciate that, most consumers would not, and many products are cleaned up or beefed up to match expectations.

4) Issues with the manufacturer. Take the pinch in the MR Fett helmet. It didn't start that way. It didn't go to China that way, but it came back all jacked up. I have heard from numerous people that while having things produced in China is a great cost saver, it is also very difficult to do because of communication issues and because liberties are often taken without the licensee being made aware of it until product begins coming back.

I can't speak for why every decision has been made on every licensed replica, but in my experience I have NEVER seen it be an issue of someone like Lucasfilm saying a licensee MUST make a product different in order to differentiate it from the original.

 

[Darth Niob]

Well, if you don't mind me saying, let's step back a minute here because it could just be a matter of cleanup/trimming/reshape the front flaring edges, and how it comes out of the mold. The crown is good. The center ridge is as it should be. And I have noticed detail on the crown that is in keeping with it being from a similar source, whether identical I can't say. Although I should mention that the front flaring is a bit more symmetrical than it should be (Vader's right side slightly shorter than it should be with respect to the left). We have to consider also angles of the dome can make a big difference in its appearance with respect to the mask. The mask itself is fine although the neck has been trimmed a bit. These are all slight differences, and even for someone like myself that notices them, I plan to get the Legend helmet because it would be nice to have a finished one.

I thought about buying one myself because its definetly a nice lid but finances......:rolleyes

 

[Art Andrews]

If, for example, the original painter while doing his job on the screen used, went to the bathroom, there wasnt any tolilet paper, used a hand, then rubbed one finger on the helmets cheek with a little poopy, left it there, would you replicate that on yours?.

You haven't been here very long have you because this is one area where many of us probably do agree that sadly, yes, yes we would... lol:lol ... and by God we would want to know what brand of toilet paper was used and if it was one-ply or two.

 

[Art Andrews]

Are you joking?

Nope.

But again...very objective Art.

Those who believe I lack objectivity believed it long before this thread and regardless of anything I say or do here will believe it long after because it makes them feel more comfortable and confident in their own beliefs.

 

[Juansith]

Great to know...
Mine with poopy please.

 

[SithLord]

I can't speak for why every decision has been made on every licensed replica, but in my experience I have NEVER seen it be an issue of someone like Lucasfilm saying a licensee MUST make a product different in order to differentiate it from the original.

I am actually not disagreeing with you, I'm just saying that for whatever reason, perhaps for some of the reasons you mentioned, there can be differences. It is my understanding LFL doesn't even play a direct role and let's the licensee do what they want in terms of product development (of course guided by the terms of their licensing contract), and may simply just provide a final "ok" for a particular product, if that. What LFL provides is reference material or in this case an actual mold.

 

[Ghost Host]

When were we talking about the helmet? lol:lol

From what I have seen, this has never REALLY been about the helmet, but just another effort to undermine Gino's credibility and to attack him because Bryan decided to use Gino as the lead for this project against the adamant outcries from many of you. You can deny it over here, but the fact is, from the minute you guys learned of Gino's involvement this helmet never stood a chance and was destined for your collective ire and disdain. While that was expected, the lengths some of you are going to in order to contrive a conspiracy is some of the most laughable yet pathetic copy I have read in a long time. As I state in the post above, I do have to give you kudos for stopping the direct attack and making an effort to come from another angle, as transparent as it is.

Seems the only one trying to make these comments appear as personal attacks is YOU. I don't know why you feel so strongly about 'defending' this, but your comments are far from unbiased and peaceful, or on point. The issue IS this eFX helmet, it's accuracies, and the phrasing being used to sell it, at least for me it is... :wacko

 

[Juansith]

Question to ALL EXPERTS.
Given that aside from the widows peak,longer DJ neck, i cannot see any other major difference between the EFX and the DJ on the comparison shown above.Can the rest of the details missing added or modified later?.

 

[ArtisanProps]

Question to ALL EXPERTS.
Given that aside from the widows peak,longer DJ neck, i cannot see any other major difference between the EFX and the DJ on the comparison shown above.Can the rest of the details missing added or modified later?.

The neck does look longer on the DJ, but I'm positive that it's because of
the way the helmet is sitting in that picture. the EFX is tilted more foward
giving the illusion that the neck is shorter.

 

[Juansith]

Could be, because also the neck angle on the vent area is different, it could be because of the camera angle.
Also, i noticed that the Dome on the EFX does have a slightly bigger left side than the righ side.

The mesh doesnt look accurate, ive checked screen pics and it looks like there are two meshes, one behind another.But that can be easily changed.

 

[Davy Jones]

The neck does look longer on the DJ, but I'm positive that it's because of
the way the helmet is sitting in that picture. the EFX is tilted more foward
giving the illusion that the neck is shorter.

+1 Of course that's the reason. :thumbsup

People are so easily mislead by picture comparisons. They are simply the most unreliable tool at the disposal of your size/shape reasoning skills!

SithLord; You think the neck is trimmed down? Is this picture why you said that?

 

[Art Andrews]

Seems the only one trying to make these comments appear as personal attacks is YOU. I don't know why you feel so strongly about 'defending' this, but your comments are far from unbiased and peaceful, or on point.

Considering your history with Gino as well as your comments off-board (along with every other one of the outspoken naysayers) I am not at all surprised that you feel that way.

 

[GINO]

Although Bryan has put his faith in me to lead this project, he has the final word on ALL decisions being made and they are always discussed at length.
I think this helmet is the coolest thing to hit the SW licensed prop scene and completely awesome that eFX is willing to put out a replica at this level of accuracy.
It is disappointing to see that there is a small but vocal minority who are only expressing dissent because of my involvement, and also because they feel threatened by the offering of this accurate helmet to the masses.

I can personally attest that the most minimal clean up was performed in an effort to provide fans something as close to the original helmet as they are likely to ever get a chance to own.

It is important to note that the initial prototypes shown at comic-con and C5 were test castings from China that were done in a hurry for the shows.
These two newest eFX helmets being shown are not the same castings and do not suffer from the same issues as the ones initially shown.
These latest photos show the truest representations of castings to ever come from the Baker mold with the exception of MINOR surface clean up where absolutely necessary for the creation of a licensed product.
Nothing was adjusted to the shape or geometry. Again, only extremely minor surface clean up in order to accommodate mass production.
In other words, it does not suffer from any flaring or warpage that is seen on the other castings in fan hands from this mold.
The overall shape/size/geometry of the eFX castings are spot on, and in my opinion far more accurate than any other ANH Vader helmet replica that has ever been shown.

I've seen the comparisons made to the SL casting and the two do look different. But it is the SL that suffers from warpage and flaring, not the eFX.

I realize what I'm about to say is going to create controversy and some people will not be willing to accept it because they have a vested interest in it not being true.
I won't debate rebuttals to these comments so take it for what it is.
eFX took the greatest care, used the best materials, and the most delicate/meticulous process in order to achieve the truest casting from the Rick Baker molds.
While up to this point previous castings form the Baker molds have been regarded and promoted as true representations from those molds, the painstakingly careful processes used by eFX to ensure true castings would indicate otherwise.
Again, I know people with a vested interest are not going to want to accept this, but due to the fact that we know every detail that went into the casting process of the eFX castings, we are confident the eFX castings are the most accurate representation to be had and should be the standard by which others should be judged in terms of overall shape and geometry.
It would be a mistake to compare them the other way around since the exact details of how other castings were made either are not known, or as carefully made to minimize warpage/distortion/flaring/fiberglass creep to the degree that the eFX castings were.

I know that these comments will do nothing to dissuade those who have no desire to be dissuaded. However my hope is that this will ease the concerns of anyone who has been negatively influenced by those with a personal agenda or who have personal issues with me.

I am confident that those who are fortunate enough to score either version of this replica will find that it will exceed their expectations on multiple levels.



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[Ghost Host]

"Considering your history with Gino as well as your comments off-board (along with every other one of the outspoken naysayers) I am not at all surprised that you feel that way."


Of course you're not, but that still doesn't mean you aren't in the wrong or change what i just said (or what I've said throughout the thread). I am trying to stay on point when I do comment about this helmet (re read every post of mine if you need to) but you are trying very hard to make this look personal. I'm not surprised at your conduct though, either, as you have taken unprovoked pot shots at me in the past. Just stick to the topic and stop the smokescreen.