It was Purely QMx Sonic Screwdrivers...

[GeneralFROSTY]

Re: Purely QMx Sonic Screwdrivers

Hi General....
Actually, Nick and I discussed that. I just called him not that long ago and asked if he had done time this month. We did look at the second week in August that I could fly out there. Mainly to discuss the paintingof the 10th and go over that. But also to look at the sonics in general. However, I ended up with a couple movie projects and had to hold off. If I still go out, it would have to wait until after August.... not just because of my projects but Nick will be busy this month as well. So, I wouldn't rule it out just yet.

If you can make that happen, all the more power to you. Nothing like a first hand look at how the real props are made.

 

[kcpstudio]

Re: Purely QMx Sonic Screwdrivers

Guys guys guys..... please don't PM me now with negative comments. I mean really, this is all getting out of hand. Again, I came here to introduce myself, give you guys the inside scoop... and to just try and have a great discussion. Are we all children here? Seriously... please don't email me nasty PMs.

 

[phez]

Re: Purely QMx Sonic Screwdrivers

Are the batteries that you intend to use in the 10th Sonic the same FOB battery (something you would need to order) that comes in the 11th sonic or are they something that you can readily find at somewhere like a Wal-mart? I realize we may need to wait until the release date to find out.

 

[jedibugs]

Maybe I'm just weird, but I don't get the desire to have something look and manufactured to be exact to the prop on set, inside and out. Personally, I prefer something that looks like the fictional item that the prop is supposed to represent on screen. Usually, that involves making it pretty damn close to or exactly like the set used prop, but a lot of the time, props are made in such a way that certain things are never supposed to be seen. For example: if the TARDIS materialized in your living room right now and the Doctor handed you his Sonic, I'd bet it wouldn't have a little screw at the bottom of the green emitter bulb. As far as calls to make the internals exact... That I REALLY don't get. If it looks 100% accurate but is assembled differently, why does that matter, as long as it's functional and doesn't fall apart? Sometimes making it differently is WHY a replica doesn't fall apart.

Anyway, that's what I'd like... Pretty much what Asp9mm asked for. Sound would be nice. Oh, and a working bottom button.

 

[kursosawa]

Re: Purely QMx Sonic Screwdrivers

Call me superficial, but as long as the sonic looks screen accurate, I wouldn't mind fudging the details on the innards for the purpose of functionality. While sound would be sweet, at this point, i dont find it necessary.

 

[themeinside]

Re: Purely QMx Sonic Screwdrivers

You may even want to discuss the possibility with Qmx about doing a stunt version that is accurate sized, but maybe made for costume convention use.

Maybe I'm just weird, but I don't get the desire to have something look and manufactured to be exact to the prop on set, inside and out. Personally, I prefer something that looks like the fictional item that the prop is supposed to represent on screen. Usually, that involves making it pretty damn close to or exactly like the set used prop, but a lot of the time, props are made in such a way that certain things are never supposed to be seen. For example: if the TARDIS materialized in your living room right now and the Doctor handed you his Sonic, I'd bet it wouldn't have a little screw at the bottom of the green emitter bulb. As far as calls to make the internals exact... That I REALLY don't get. If it looks 100% accurate but is assembled differently, why does that matter, as long as it's functional and doesn't fall apart? Sometimes making it differently is WHY a replica doesn't fall apart.

Anyway, that's what I'd like... Pretty much what Asp9mm asked for. Sound would be nice. Oh, and a working bottom button.

Call me superficial, but as long as the sonic looks screen accurate, I wouldn't mind fudging the details on the innards for the purpose of functionality.

All three quoted for the truth they provide.

But I think sound is most definitely the way to go with these- perhaps incorporating the 'Artisan' and 'Standard' editions. Artisan- Kenney's idea of exact workings to the screen used, 100% exact to the filming prop edition- No Sound. 'Standard'- Idealised prop with sound.

 

[VortexRunner]

Re: Purely QMx Sonic Screwdrivers

KCP will the sonic be spring loaded or flick of the wrist action? I prefer the flick of the wrist action as I believe the catches will get easily worn out?

As for the accuracy, I think the replica should be as close to the original but bearing in mind, these things are fragile and need constant maintenance - making them screen accurate in this respect would be a poor choice.:confused

 

[greatwazoo42]

Re: Purely QMx Sonic Screwdrivers

But I think sound is most definitely the way to go with these- perhaps incorporating the 'Artisan' and 'Standard' editions. Artisan- Kenney's idea of exact workings to the screen used, 100% exact to the filming prop edition- No Sound. 'Standard'- Idealised prop with sound.

QFE and stuff.

 

[whitefall]

Re: Purely QMx Sonic Screwdrivers

Haven't posted in a while, but I saw this thread and thought I'd chime in, for what it's worth.

Full disclosure - I do occasional freelance work for QMx. My day job is also in CAD/CAM software. Completely coincidentally, Kenny uses the CAM software our company develops (I actually ran into him before I knew his affiliation with QMx, when he was looking for some additional CAM software. Pretty bizarre, actually).

- I've seen his stuff, both completed and as CAD files, and there's no other way to describe it other than top notch. Especially some of the CAD files. Absolutely stunning.

- I'm very well aquainted with 3D scanning and what results can be produced straight from untreated objects. As it happens, I'm out in Washington now doing a series of site visits, 3/4 of which employ handheld laser scanners on a variety of untreated surfaces, and the results can be INCREDIBLY accurate.

I can't speak to the sonic - I haven't seen scans, CAD, or protoypes - but judging from the previous work I've seen I don't think there's any question about the skill level involved.

 

[DaddyfromNaboo]

Let´s continue the discussion of QMx sonic screwdrivers.

Regards,
Michael
RPF staff

 

[NTBBCPD]

...........................

 

[greatwazoo42]

That's a toughie. Like I've said a few times I'd love QMx to release two levels of the replica. One being designed to be as close to the real thing as possible but made to be affordable (with sound) and the other be an artisan grade replica which is exact in every detail (warts and all) to the real prop to the point you could put one next to the other and not know which is which.

 

[mistersh0w]

That's a toughie. Like I've said a few times I'd love QMx to release two levels of the replica. One being designed to be as close to the real thing as possible but made to be affordable (with sound) and the other be an artisan grade replica which is exact in every detail (warts and all) to the real prop to the point you could put one next to the other and not know which is which.

Been lurking the thread for a while, but I just wanted to second the idea of the "2 levels" of the replica. Mostly because I'd really want sound included, and the non-"premium" version would be perfect as a higher end "toy" for cosplay and fun.

Of course if the "premium" close-to-perfect sonic included sound somehow without compromising the authenticity, I'd be down for that too!

 

[greatwazoo42]

Thanks! My thinking is that the lower cost one would be good for cosplay and for every day carry while the artisan level version is for puting in the display cabinet and occationally taking out to admire.

 

[Mr.Spider]

I have always preferred the idealized prop, mad as if it were the real thing, without the scrapes and dings

 

[themeinside]

I have always preferred the idealized prop, mad as if it were the real thing, without the scrapes and dings

For sure, I don't quite get the whole pre-relic'd look...

 

[Birdie]

How could QMX possibly release a 'warts and all' exact replica, with no sound, and charge more for it than an idealised (ie like 99% of fans think they are seeing on screen) one with more functionality :confused

Come on guys, whatever Kenney is saying about wanting input, QMX is a business, and that business model would be commercial suicide, even without the inevitably high pricetag of such a piece.

These threads just keep getting weirder...

 

[greatwazoo42]

Considering the membership here; weird is a compliment. LOL!

 

[TrumpetClark05]

It has to do with volume. More people would buy up the "cosplay" level of the piece, so one would assume that a marginally lower price coupled with high demand would equal a reasonable profit. The crowd that desires high end, "it could've walked off the set" replicas are a smaller bunch who will likely pay whatever is asked for a limited run, limited number item. I don't believe that line of though is entirely unrealistic...if it goes down that way is another matter entirely.

 

[jedibugs]

A couple things about the idea of a "Warts and all" sonic... First, it is patently impossible to make a definitive replica in this fashion, as those dings and scrapes and repairs evolve over time. You could make a definitive replica of ONE of the props for a given MOMENT in time, but it would only be indistinguishable for that single prop for a small window of time. Next time Matt drops the sonic, BAM, you're no longer screen accurate.
Secondly, I just don't get it. I can see why you'd want an actual warts and all prop that was really and truly used for filming... It's a piece of the history of your favorite show or movie, but a replica of that? To put my thoughts on this in context, lets switch gears to a different property... Say, the Blade movies. Now, Blade used a cool, unique sword. I'm sure, most of the time, the sword used on set was resin and probably didn't look all that great when you were holding it in your hands. Owning that original resin sword? Awesome. Owning a mass-produced exact "warts-and-all" replica of that resin sword? Um... Less than awesome. Give me the vampire-killing, 420 stainless steel katana of death, please.
Lastly, when asked what we wanted, he was looking for how to make the ONE prop to appease the most people. QMx don't seem likely to make a trio of props to serve every nook and cranny of an already fairly limited market. They're making a prop replica from a TV show that most Americans have never even heard of. (Before you argue that point, look outside your circle of friends... Try asking some random people what the hell a sonic screwdriver is). They're not Coca-Cola. We can have Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Cherry Coke or Coke Zero. Or, maybe some mixture of two or more of those. We're not going to get the whole Coke lineup, so let's just pick our favorite damn flavor. Mine is the coldest one, that hasn't gone flat, and whose can is still brightly colored with no dents. Oh, and real sugar, please.