There was some post here a second ago about how The Replica Prop Forum is crap...

[Deathstalker II]

...and that prop collecting is dead because no one crafts anything anymore because it's all just big companies and stuff - and I think it got killed while I was trying to post a response.

As such - if my response is equally out-of-line - feel free to kill it too. But I feel like it needs to be said. Ahem:

"I don't even know what this means. I showed up here dreaming of a prop no one would ever bother acquiring the rights to replicate - having failed to recreate it myself on numerous occasions...

And a few days in...thanks to the creative might and generosity of the people at The RPF - I HAD IT IN MY HAND.

I'm contemplating the acquisition of one of Matt Munson's AMAZING Multipasses (MR hasn't made that one)...am consistently wowed by the detail and ingenuity of the many Proton Packs (HCG hasn't done those)...

And HOLY ****ING HELL (can I "cuss" here? Not sure of the rules...sorry!) - does everything Matsuo pulls from a mold make you want to just...silently weep...and pledge some sort of undying servitude (do another run of Equilibrium guns, Matsuo - er, I mean, SIRE. Just wait until the last week of January. That's all I ask of you. It's a budgetary thing)...?

Every time I click another page on this board, I come face to face with something NOT BEING MANUFACTURED BY PROP COMPANIES. Something unbelievable. This place made me feel like I was discovering the internet for the first time all over again.

I'm a movie nut. Love 'em. Wanna' watch 'em. Wanna' write 'em. Wanna' shoot 'em. And when I first got on the interwebs, I was stunned that anyone knew about some of the old, weird, rare, obscure movies I adored. It was a magical time.

That's what it's like here, now. Not only do people know the flicks - they love them enough to learn the techniques...to fuse art and technology - to enact the sort of crazed alchemy required to turn a bunch of disparate objects into the toys we all wished we had as kids...the toys no one made. The toys no one is making now.

I can draw. I can sculpt. I can paint. I've made molds. I've created props for short films and replicas for friends...but the things people are doing/showing at The RPF make me feel like a hydrocephalic thalidomide baby. I can't do what they do. But I want to learn. And I'm excited to see what they come up with next.

And I understand that some of them have actually been lured away to make money doing "legit" versions of the things they craft here (A "Whitefall" comes immediately to mind) - and good on them. Awesome that talented people get whisked away to that special place where they get actual money to do the thing they love so much.

So maybe this "Sneezle" dude's a troll...and maybe this reply is a bit much - but this ****'s not "dead" to me. I just discovered it. It lives and breathes and freaks me out. It's a thing of beauty. If you show up here, and you make that blather your very first post - I feel sorry for you. 'Cause that's like being trapped in a stalled elevator with, like...Missy Peregrym, Evie Lilly, Gemma Arterton, Rosario Dawson, Maggie Q, Yvonne Strahovski and Sienna Miller DRESSED AS THE BARONESS - and complaining that it's too crowded..."

Short version: THE RPF RULES WITH A "Z". Thank you.

 

[Perigee]

First post, eh? Heh. I suspect the ban hammer hit with might and vigor. He won't be around to see how well he baited you.

I mean, c'mon... the work on the good prop boards is indisputable. Some poor soul wanted attention. And got more than they bargained for, I reckon. The last possible thing Matsuo and the rest of the RPF mad geniuses need is a defense - their work speaks more eloquently than any words I could gather.

I'm always thrilled silly that I fell down whatever rabbit hole I did that has allowed me access to the brilliant artisans who create these replicas. Somewhere out there, there's a boatload of people who gaze in amazement at the AA/DST stuff, never knowing how much better things get in sneaky little places like this.

Don't tell 'em. Production runs are tough enough to land spots on already... ~grin~

 

[TV8]

For example: two words: Russ Rep. Case closed.

 

[Garthok]

I can draw. I can sculpt. I can paint. I've made molds. I've created props for short films and replicas for friends...but the things people are doing/showing at The RPF make me feel like a hydrocephalic thalidomide baby. I can't do what they do. But I want to learn. And I'm excited to see what they come up with next.

I understand you are trying to make a point, but think twice in future about making light of medical conditions. There is nothing humorous about either one, and I find it extremely offensive.

 

[blownhemi]

I believe this was extremely well said. I admit that I was one of the clueless that thought the mass produced prop offerings were great. Then I came here, and my eyes were opened. This place has sparked a desire in myself to improve my skills, to develop a more critical eye, and to better appreciate the work that goes into these works of art.

EDIT: Garthok, people have different opinions on humor. Because it is different than your doesn't invalidate it, though. And I'm not trying to attack you, at all. It seems as though you may have a very personal reason to dislike the subject, and if that's so, I feel very bad for you, but I felt I had to say something just to clarify things and point out that his humor doesn't make him a bad person.

 

[AnsonJames]

EDIT: Garthok, people have different opinions on humor. Because it is different than your doesn't invalidate it, though. And I'm not trying to attack you, at all. It seems as though you may have a very personal reason to dislike the subject, and if that's so, I feel very bad for you, but I felt I had to say something just to clarify things and point out that his humor doesn't make him a bad person.

Go to Google images and type in the word Thalidomide - see if you find anything vaguely amusing.

It's not a word that should be used in conjunction with humour.
http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&sourc...r6DiCQ&usg=AFQjCNGJyfCbRXOn6oZbdMYYI96HT-zP1A

 

[blownhemi]

Go to Google images and type in the word Thalidomide - see if you find anything vaguely amusing.

It's not a word that should be used in conjunction with humour.

I'm not saying that I found it funny. Hell, I didn't even know what it was until I just Googled it. But my point was that humor is subjective. Just because one person finds it objectionable doesn't mean everyone does.

I truly think it's a coping mechanism. To deal with the horror that is Thalidomide or any other serious birth defect, some people make light of the situation, thereby robbing it of some of its power. I seriously doubt that the OP was a proponent of the disease. I'll be honest, when I first saw the images, I instinctively giggled. Not because the situation that these children find themselves in is funny, but because that's how I cope with stuff like this. So I am one of the heartless bastards that would joke about this. Not because I'm glad that children have to deal with it, but because I am horrified that children have to deal with it. In my view, life is too short, too random and filled with too much heartbreak and disease. So what do I do? I laugh at it. Now, I don't normally joke like that with people I don't know, but that's because I respect that some people deal differently and can be offended by that type of humor. But at least I understand that people are unique and that tastes differ and I respect that.

 

[cayman shen]

Back on topic (I won't get into the defending black humor debate), I think the MR era dampened some of what used to happen, but not all. A LOT of cool crap is still being made, researched, etc. on these boards.

 

[TECKNOVIKING]

Well as i`m still a probie & before becoming an active member, seeing the talent on here, i can say I truely impressed at the work you guys churn out. One day I hope to be that good, well one can dream LOL.

Sometimes the Big company one`s don`t truely deliver the goods & it is left down to the truely talented to do it properly. So I for one don`t buy the concept that it`s only the Big Companies doing prop replicas.

Jason

 

[Ttaskmaster]

Don't forget the big comapnies will only market what they can sell lots of.
A run of 20 items is possibly not cost-effective enough for them to market, so we fill that gap ourselves for the few that want such pieces.

 

[tommin]

First post, eh? Heh. I suspect the ban hammer hit with might and vigor. He won't be around to see how well he baited you.

This will go down as one of my favorite quotes in life. Thanks!! :lol

Don't forget the big comapnies will only market what they can sell lots of.
A run of 20 items is possibly not cost-effective enough for them to market, so we fill that gap ourselves for the few that want such pieces.

Well said.

 

[AlHazred]

I understand you are trying to make a point, but think twice in future about making light of medical conditions. There is nothing humorous about either one, and I find it extremely offensive.

I was going to say he could have put "incompetent idiot" without offending anybody, and then realized that, as an incompetent idiot myself, I'd have taken offense to that comment.

"I resemble that remark!"

 

[Deathstalker II]

Hey Garthok (and anyone else) - sorry if I offended. It wasn't my intention.

Nor was it my intention to be funny. I was being serious and sincere. It's why I chose the words I did. Were I being crass, I would have used more insulting terms (think "flipper baby" or "water head" - or anything else people laugh at on Family Guy or South Park). It's also why I chose two physical handicaps instead of mental ones. Coming here and seeing what people can do makes me feel physically handicapped. I lack the subtle motor skills...lack the control...

To think you can do something fairly well...then to discover you're not as good as you thought you were - or as other people thought you were - it's disheartening. It's painful. It's a little sad.

I'm not really part of this community. I just got here. But at the same time, this place is different than other communities - where it's mostly about running your mouth and not doing anything...about running other people's work into the ground without being able to do it yourself (try any movie-related board for solid examples of that behavior). This is a community of impassioned artists and craftsman - and as someone who relates to that, I feel a bit protective of this new, exciting place. And also overwhelmed and enfeebled by it. I do indeed feel like I have a handicap I am unable to overcome.

And, trust me - it's not funny.

 

[00MrNotWrong00]

I have a favorite new member thumbsup:thumbsup

 

[JediG60racer]

cheers and welcome aboard!

ps-- gotta grow a thick skin here, because no matter what you post, someone will "take offense" to it and then flame you relentlessly, because nothing they say could possibly be offensive. (I'm sure I'm in for a flaming for even saying that)

but other than that, it's a warmhearted and vibrant community full of very talented people who are mostly willing to help you develop your own skills, educate you, and entertain you with what they have to share!

 

[OldKen]

The day that a company makes a 100% accurate 1:1 star wars prop...

Yeah...

That isn't going to happen.

What is this thread about?

And NO you arent supposed to CUSS and/or defeat the language filter...

But I see why you are deffensive and passionate about this place! Most of us here are!

And the 1st post dude? Probably a sock puppet of a banned member... baiting you... and it worked.

Take a breath and enjoy your stay here!

 

[Perigee]

I'm not really part of this community. I just got here.

Meh. You've got a nickname, you're posting on the board - you're part of the community. Don't knock yourself around.

On the best boards, I don't think it's necessary for you to be The Man, as much as it is that you can appreciate the quality rolling around the place. If ability were a prerequisite to contribution, all sorts of three-letter prop boards would have banned me before I joined. ~grin~ Artists don't create art just so they can show it to other artists; fumble-fingered idiots like me are welcome to appreciate the heck out of it, without regard to whether I can replicate it or better it.

The thing is, you have the passion. Plus some. You're right where you belong. In time, if you want to get up to speed, you'll be slugging 'em out of the park as well as anyone on the board.

 

[AlHazred]

Well said! I remember a particularly poignant bit: what first drew me here was my Time Bandits map. I'd made my own and was reasonably happy with it. I was looking for better images and stumbled upon the prop replica community. The I found one member's TB map, which was stunning! Spectacular! Magnificent!

I could no longer appreciate my own. I come here because here people are complete fanatics when it comes to props -- I can appreciate that level of devotion.

 

[Garthok]

Hey, I am not saying the blokes a bad guy. I just personally find that comment offensive. My sister has it..and obviously,will have for her entire life..if you saw what she has to cope with I doubt you'd find it funny. As for the rest, I don't remember bagging the guy, just saying I didn't like it. Which he can take on board on not.

I do get what he is trying to say. I have commented myself about the skill of the people on here, you think you are doing great work, then some of you guys/gals post your work and you are totally blown away by the levels of skill. So enough said, welcome aboard, and back on topic

 

[fuelish]

I am just amazed at how pathetic someones life must be, that they would take the effort to become a member here(Much harder than most forums) to make a single troll and get banned.
You would think that a dude with the forethought to wait for the sign up, sign in, and then wait to get approved would at least have the chutzpah to feign interest, lure people with his sincerity, then , WHAM, be a tool.