eFX McQuarrie Stormtrooper Helmet

[zsherman]

I'm not convinced... Yet.

I'll pay the money for a great replica, like I did with the RM Concept DV helmet, but this isn't even close to the concept sketch, even the top one. It looks like an amalgam between the sketch and the final product. It's too Clone Trooper looking for me, the done is too tall and thinned out and not squat enough. The jowls also look too thin. It's like someone sat on the side of the helmet and squished it.

And as for RM being happy with what they're doing, of course he is! What creator wouldn't be ecstatic to see, after all these years, people taking a renewed interest in his work from so long ago. As well he should be. I remember buying the art of RM book at Comic Con and he was there signing. He was honestly shocked and surprised anyone came to speak with him! His publisher said that he almost didn't let them do the book because he was convinced no one would buy it!

As for me, if they make it look like the sketches, settling on the top one, not the others, and not "combining" details from all three, you'll have an immediate sale out of me.

 

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[Clutch]

I think what is cool about the McQuarrie design is that it didn't start off as a big, squared-off bucket. It is almost skull-like.

 

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[Amish Trooper]

I would much rather eFX tackle an AT-AT driver or Tie since there has been great fan sculpts of this helmet.

 

[CSMacLaren]

Seeing as you're working so closely with McQuarrie on this I'm a bit surprised you didn't work with Brian Muir on the ANH Vader. Maybe that's just me, but since the cast was cleaned up anyway, why not have the actual sculptor provide some input?

Agreed.

 

[wannab]

Seeing as you're working so closely with McQuarrie on this I'm a bit surprised you didn't work with Brian Muir on the ANH Vader. Maybe that's just me, but since the cast was cleaned up anyway, why not have the actual sculptor provide some input?

As much as I love Brian, I can't see what he could have added to the ANH project other than a history lesson for an insert in the packaging. If it had been an original EFX sculpt of ANH Vader, then yes absolutely.

Doug

 

[Too Much Garlic]

As much as I love Brian, I can't see what he could have added to the ANH project other than a history lesson for an insert in the packaging. If it had been an original EFX sculpt of ANH Vader, then yes absolutely.

Doug

Since the helmet that was cast was being cleaned up to rid it from the screen used details inherent in the cast, why not bring in the sculptor as a supervisor like they did with the McQuarrie stuff, rather than have a fan do the work. Since they are removing details, why not have the actual guy responsible for the sculpt in the first place do the restoration?

 

[stevezodiak]

A Trooper: Agreed agreed agreed!

 

[stevezodiak]

I would much rather eFX tackle an AT-AT driver or Tie since there has been great fan sculpts of this helmet.

Bravo and agreed atrooper! Both are outstanding and sadly missing.

 

[wannab]

Since the helmet that was cast was being cleaned up to rid it from the screen used details inherent in the cast, why not bring in the sculptor as a supervisor like they did with the McQuarrie stuff, rather than have a fan do the work. Since they are removing details, why not have the actual guy responsible for the sculpt in the first place do the restoration?

Huh? Why would Brian want to supervise detail removal on the original, and then restore it? Why not just leave the details in the first place? Care to clear that one up for me?

Now, I think it'd be VERY interesting to see Brian do a totally new re-do sculpt of Vader. Go Brian, Go Brian! :thumbsup


Doug

 

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[eFX]

Since the helmet that was cast was being cleaned up to rid it from the screen used details inherent in the cast, why not bring in the sculptor as a supervisor like they did with the McQuarrie stuff, rather than have a fan do the work. Since they are removing details, why not have the actual guy responsible for the sculpt in the first place do the restoration?

This is not the case. As you may know, we are doing 2 different versions of the Vader Helmet. One is the more screen accurate version where we have done minimal clean up on the casting from the Baker molds. The second version is cleaned up to appeal more to those who want a more idealized version.

I have had many conversations with Brian Muir!

Thanks!

Bryan

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Really? I thought it was said that both versions had the same amount of cleanup, as the production helmets would come from the exact same mold and the differences was in the paint? Did I read that wrong in that other thread, then?

 

[GromitFan]

Thought I would add this to the thread. Apparently this was posted during a chat with eFX.

 

[GromitFan]

Why not have the actual guy responsible for the sculpt in the first place do the restoration?

Yea, just like having George Lucas on board to do the "restoration" the SW films
since that has worked out so well for the film purists....:rolleyes

If MaQuarrie had done sculpts of these, then eFX would have a good reference for
his stormtroopers. He didn't. For ANH DV, the original RB mold is going to be more
objective and "warts and all" truthful than the person that made them 30+ years ago,
even if they have the best of intentions.

The DV helmet has a completely different set of circumstances than the McQuarrie items.
I applaud eFX Bryan for communicating with Brian Muir, but for the DV helmet,
with an existing archival mold, it was not mandatory to get a quality item.

Transforming 2D illustrations to 3D sculptures has some room for interpretation,
hence bringing McQuarrie in to consult and advise on adding the extra dimension to his designs.

Since the helmet that was cast was being cleaned up to rid it from the screen used details inherent in the cast, why not bring in the sculptor as a supervisor like they did with the McQuarrie stuff, rather than have a fan do the work. Since they are removing details, why not have the actual guy responsible for the sculpt in the first place do the restoration?

 

[Amish Trooper]

Looks much better fleshed out than there computer render.

 

[Clutch]

efx, why are you doing this to me!!?!?? that thing is beautiful!

 

[Clutch]

The cheek tube looks like it opens up to the underside of the helmet. Look next to that canister thingie. Looks like a continuation of the neck seal.

 

[Larry Young]

I may have to get one of these.