Sideshow full size C3PO and R2D2 approved

[CustomCreations]

I think those costs would be offset by more important things like a greater percentage of sale for a better product. Not to mention quality control issues.

true, but then your 3po's and r2's would start going way over the price they are sold at at the moment, which would lower the sales.
As an example, refer top an earlier posting I did about the WETA rayguns. There is a $£ limit people make for these kind of sales, no matter how passionate the buyer.


Now, someone earlier made the comment that Lucas are really unhelpful. It could be the case that they actually DONT let people do straight casts from the originals, as a company policy., maybe?
If thats the case, then consider the labour taken to make these things up. How many posts are from people who say- 'this has taken me 5 months' etc.
Ok spare time, not good in the commercial world. And that labour charge has to mcome from something, so that , again, would be the final price point.
KERCHING !!!!!! :angel

 

[mverta]

I bet, if I snuck a REAL R2 our of the RANCH (one of the crappy resin ones, oh wait, Most were resin and crappy) and brought it out and told everyone
"here is my LICENSED R2, and for 5k this is what You are getting"

I would be LAUGHED at. And Rightfully so!

Can't agree with you there. R2 in real life isn't quite as solid as you expect, sure, but he has a "quality." ...A quality which shows up even in stark basic photography, like this shot of 3 originals at the archives:

And Sideshow's:

If you're going to do it, and charge $5k, they could've done better.

_Mike

 

[GINO]

Frank, I see what you are saying.
But there are sources outside of the archive for most of the things being made where you can actually get a direct casting. Of course, I'm sure a trip to the archives to document the finer aspcts of the piece is icing on the cake.

And it would have cost FAR less to make castings from the real items, than to have them scratch built.

As for total accuracy such as warts, drips, etc... I get that most people don't want that. Depending on the item, you have to use good judgement as to what aspects of accuracy are important to keep, and what others could be sacrificed for marketability.
This is one thing that I feel past and present SW licenses have failed to do well. In other words, full potential isn't realized.

 

[GINO]

R2 in real life isn't quite as solid as you expect, sure, but he has a "quality." ...A quality which shows up even in stark basic photography, like this shot of 3 originals at the archives:

If you're going to do it, and charge $5k, they could've done better.

_Mike

Agreed completely.

 

[lonepigeon]

I'm surprised LFL was uncooperative with a "photos only" policy.
They gave Don Post direct castings to do their life size R2 and 3PO.
Maybe since the droids were all nice and refurbished from Episode 3 they didn't want to risk damaging them.
What about laser scanning?
What about R2's original blueprints?
Heck they could reference the Don Post versions.
The R2 builders are honored when ILM buys their parts, but an official licensee can not?

It's a shame that Sideshow ended up having to license life-size fan sculpts.
They're not bad for being created from scratch, but for a licensed product I would expect and only buy better.

 

[Star Wars Helmets]

For those who havent read it, theres some useful info on my site on these droids and an interview with Fred Barton from a month or so ago.
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/bingo275/Fred Barton Sideshow.htm

The impression I got from him was that he chose not to cast the originals - although in reality why he would do that I dont know. However he certainly had access to them.

I've also updated the page with some pics from SSC's Press Room.

I think overall they look okay, but imo the decision (whoever made it) not to cast an original was just plain wrong.

Here's a comparison I've done of an original, SSC and Don Post threepio head -

from the photos Ive seen thus far I think I prefer the Don Post however I dont think the photos SSC has done are very good. Ive suggested they send me one and I'll take some proper shots :lol

Cheers

Jez

 

[Gregatron]

So these are supposed to be based on the droids' appearance in ANH specifically? That's what the weathering, restraining bolts, and sound clips seem to indicate.

Yet it looks like Threepio's right foot is gold instead of silver (like the shin). It was silver in ANH, and gold in ESB and ROTJ. Hmmm.

 

[Pwrsrce]

Hey Jez...

Reading your interview it says that he was using the actual R2 blue mix that us R2 Builders have come to know as "hypo" blue...And some of the earlier prototypes seem to support that.

However, the new pics from Sideshow show a totally different blue.

He also states emphatically that 3P0 is plated. But the more I stare at the new pics, the more I'm beginning to think it's painted instead.

Any chance of finding out a definitive answer on these things?

Jason

 

[GINO]

Thanks for the helpful info Jez.

I think my earlier comments in this thead are pretty fitting.

In most cases, it doesn't cost any more to make a piece accurate. A lot of times it's just the personal choice of the product development team, or individual artisan. Other times, it's just that these people do not have their finger on the pulse of what is important to casual fans or the serious collectors.

But there are sources outside of the archive for most of the things being made where you can actually get a direct casting. Of course, I'm sure a trip to the archives to document the finer aspcts of the piece is icing on the cake.

And it would have cost FAR less to make castings from the real items, than to have them scratch built.

 

[KevVader]

http://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=4489&sku=2215

http://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=4489&sku=2212

Check out the backstage pass video section.

Worth it? Comments?

Meh...

I'd take a fan-made R2 like Womo's any day of the week and twice on Sunday!

 

[CustomCreations]

ok so looking at pic of the three R2's, and the SS one, what am I looking at that I shouldn't be seeing in the SS's version?
I am just asking, from the uneducated perspective.......

And from the pic- Mike V, you're a lucky sod !!! ;-) !!

 

[BrianM]

Meh...

I'd take a fan-made R2 like Womo's any day of the week and twice on Sunday!

Me too, but funny how a great R2 Club fan-made R2 sits in the Junkyard right now un-sold.

If we are the target audiance for 1:1 droids and if a "better than sideshow R2" can't sell. I don't hold out much hope for Sildeshows bottom line on this one.

BrianM

 

[mverta]

ok so looking at pic of the three R2's, and the SS one, what am I looking at that I shouldn't be seeing in the SS's version?
I am just asking, from the uneducated perspective.......

And from the pic- Mike V, you're a lucky sod !!! ;-) !!

It's the "vibe" as much as any one issue. Sure, the blue is obviously wrong/paintjob sucks, and there are questionable choices in regards to things like his holoprojector - but overall, the surface quality and paint, details, etc., just come off like a cheap knock off. I actually picked the best of the SS photos...


_Mike

 

[GINO]

Me too, but funny how a great R2 Club fan-made R2 sits in the Junkyard right now un-sold.

If we are the target audiance for 1:1 droids and if a "better than sideshow R2" can't sell. I don't hold out much hope for Sildeshows bottom line on this one.

BrianM

I don't think that anyone is arguing that 'we' (meaning prop collectors who visit formus like this) are the target audience. What I was saying was that it is possible to (for the most part) find that balance of satisfying the die hards like us as well as the casual SW fan (who blows $5000 on a statue for his home theatre) without having to use a lot more money.
But if you have this fantastic opportunity to make a licensed SW piece, I just feel like it's such a shame to see the full potential not get realized.

As far as the junkyard R2 goes. I think it's awesome. But compared to the SS R2, there's only a small percentage of people who ever get to see it being up for sale.
The other thing is that most people who spend $5000+ on a prop want a completed item. They don't want to have to invest time, research, and more money to get it finished. Most people would not be able to finish it themselves anyway.

 

[Pwrsrce]

Yeah, Verta is right...They could have at LEAST got the paint colors right and taken a little more care with the overall "finish" of the piece.

Not to mention the fact that it looks like they outlined all the dome panels with a black Sharpie...What's that about?

The front and rear flashers should be milky white plastic...Not red, etc...The blue portions of the side vents and pocketed vents don't look quite deep enough...Neither does the octagon port...Coin slots look wrong...Main front body vents are too shallow and possibly the wrong shape...Half moon details on the foot are too soft and possibly not thick enough at what SHOULD be their thickest point.

yada, yada, yada...

It is R2-D2...And I guess that most "average" fans would never know the difference...But if they would take the time to address simple things like the finish and paint, it would definitely make for a better product.

On the bright side, I really like the base...Those are a nice touch.

If i could pick one of these up for $2500ish, I would probably do it and fix/repaint it myself...But not at a $5500 price point...No way.

Jason

 

[BrianM]

Yeah, Verta is right...They could have at LEAST got the paint colors right and taken a little more care with the overall "finish" of the piece.

Not to mention the fact that it looks like they outlined all the dome panels with a black Sharpie...What's that about?

The front and rear flashers should be milky white plastic...Not red, etc...The blue portions of the side vents and pocketed vents don't look quite deep enough...Neither does the octagon port...Coin slots look wrong...Main front body vents are too shallow and possibly the wrong shape...Half moon details on the foot are too soft and possibly not thick enough at what SHOULD be their thickest point.

These are exactally the things that the Chinese companies do to cut costs. Shallow detal makes for quick demolding and long life molds. Everybody knows who's painted an R2 it is a multi-day, multi stage process. The Chinese SS are painted in a day or two I'm sure. These are the things that have to be done to meet the price point.

It is R2-D2...And I guess that most "average" fans would never know the difference...But if they would take the time to address simple things like the finish and paint, it would definitely make for a better product.

On the bright side, I really like the base...Those are a nice touch.

If i could pick one of these up for $2500ish, I would probably do it and fix/repaint it myself...But not at a $5500 price point...No way.

Jason

Jason wait about 18 - 20 months you may get your wish :lol

BrianM

 

[Trooper TK409]

Regarding Threepio,
At the very least, the torso, feet and legs are cast from a DP statue, then poorly posed. The feet are rounded as opposed to the more pointed screen-used feet. The knees are exactly like the DP statue, with the left leg even showing the same slight knee bend. The right knee shows the split kneecap, and the backs of the knees show the thick, sculpted wrinkles rather than the smooth black with wires - all are exclusive characteristics of the DP statue.

DP statue photos:
http://www.jeffcohost.com/~tk409/c3po/exhibits/Don_post_statue


I wish they would have done a better job posing it.

But you still can't wear it!

 

[hyperdyne]

Who wants to wear a gay golden droid outfit anyways?

You'd probably lose at least 10 man points everytime you suited up. :lol

 

[CustomCreations]

I was intrigued to note the don post was supposed to be cast from a screen c3po, no?

 

[Trooper TK409]

You'd probably lose at least 10 man points everytime you suited up.

Haha, "man points" huh? I must have lost thousands.

I was intrigued to note the don post was supposed to be cast from a screen c3po, no?

A lot of info on that here from Don Bies himself:
http://therpf.com/showthread.php?t=38766&highlight=c3po