Han Solo in Carbonite

[enaswede]

I am late to the HIC game and I am currently in the process of building a HIC for display and after re-watching ESB and ROTJ scenes I noticed that in ESB the HERO panel is on both sides of the HIC but I have never seen that on anyone's replica like from Sideshow or others. I have seen the hero panel on the right side only. Just curious if anyone out there can educate me as to why the hero panel on the left side that is visible in ESB seems to be an unpopular choice to duplicate? (see photos below)
Thanks!

 

[Corellianexports]

The Hero panel was moved to the left side (Han's right side) of the prop for this particular scene in the film.

Like a lot of props used in the films, they either ran out of time or money, so it was easier to place either metal tape or sheets of metal (i.e. the R5-D4 dome) in places where lights were meant to be placed, thus light could be simply reflected. This is true of the remaining panels on the HIC prop.

 

[enaswede]

Thank you for the response... but wouldn't it still be more "Screen Accurate" to have it on both sides?

 

[division 6]

No.
The actual prop has it on only one side.

That said, you can do anything you want with your own build.

 

[enaswede]

Just so I understand... the accuracy of a prop is determined how that prop is altered after the movie... not how it is seen in the movie?

 

[division 6]

Many movies and TV shows have several versions of the same prop and they usually don't match.
Luke's RotJ saber is a prime example.
Also the film gets reversed for some reason so you are seeing the same side.

In this case they moved the "hero" panel to the other side to make the scene more interesting visually.
The panel was moved back and altered with more lights and greeblies for RotJ.
All 8 panels have been mapped out.

 

[enaswede]

Ok Thanks!

 

[division 6]

As to replicating, pick a scene and copy it.

 

[TatooineMachine]

I was interested in this as well. Thanks for posting this!

i know Bigturc sells awesome machined greeblies, Portumac offers stuff, Zenix offers box kit, panels, mesh & clips, but who offers the lighting and numbered panels?

 

[enaswede]

It's funny you commented on this now... I am in the process of creating a post for the "Want To Buy" area and that is one of my questions I will be asking. Once when it is up and you have a chance to look at it... if you want me to add any additional questions let me know and I will be glad to do so.
Want to Buy - Han Solo in Carbonite Build Parts Needed:

 

[Riceball]

Just so I understand... the accuracy of a prop is determined how that prop is altered after the movie... not how it is seen in the movie?

That all depends on the individual. Some consider props or costumes to be screen accurate by how closely it matches the actual screen used item, warts and all. Others base it on what we see on screen in the movie or show and not what was actually seen on set.

Two good examples of what screen vs. set accuracy are Kirk's tunic from TOS Trek and the color of the pulse rifles from Aliens. In both cases what we saw on screen was different from what was actually seen on set and fans have done it both ways and have considered both to be screen accurate. In the case of Kirk's tunic, we see it as a sort of mustard yellow on screen but when seen in person it was more of a greenish color. Then with the Aliens pulse rifle, what appears to be a sort OD green was actually a brownish color in person.

 

[eegah]

So, even tho the carbonite had only one hero panel at a time, it was meant to have one on each side. In universe screen accurate would be one on each side, but as a movie prop it has only one on each side.
I think that I would prefer an in universe version with one on both sides, that’s how the prop makers wanted it to look.

 

[Corellianexports]

Something interesting to note is that in ROTJ, Leia views the Hero panel on the right side (Han's left side) and then uses the controls to unfreeze him.
Also, the Hero panel appears to be showing Han's heartbeat. Should a heart display be on both sides of a carbonite block?

 

[hav1moore]

I just watched the first episode of the Mandalorian, and they're on the left side. In the end I guess it's just a matter of preference.

 

[division 6]

Make them all "HERO" panels.

 

[flimzy]

the hero panel when moved lost the 2 nobs

 

[QCWolf]

I got my light kit from "Fettronics".

I don't know it he's still around but it's worth a search.

 

[Jeepman1976]

I got my light kit from "Fettronics".

I don't know it he's still around but it's worth a search.

He's still around, I just bought from him in Dec. 2021