ataru72ita
Well-Known Member
Hi guys,
I finally have permission, albeit indirectly via Bookface, to share on the origins of the fanmade used for Rogue One. Due to NDA, we have been asked to be discrete. Perhaps this will bring a smile - and a bit of balance to The Force.
The mask of my "Quasimodo" helmet sculpt was used for the Rogue One Vader - laserscanned, then the 3D model modified and idealized, yet somehow preserving some of my sculpted characteristics.
I honestly found out by pure accident. I had asked Bookface to provide me with photos taken at the same angles as publicity shots, then asked him to paint one up in Rogue One style - as I puzzled over some similarities. I was stunned when he told me who his customer was, and he sincerely thought he had told me (as if asking for all those pics from him should have tipped him off that I had no idea!)
That is how I accidentally learned of the incredible honor of Quasimodo's part in Star Wars film history.
I have read that Gino on Rebelscum said the R1 helmet was one of his old Vaders. I believe Gino was sincere in his belief as it told to him by the current owner of his old helmet who is a crew member of Rogue One. Bookface contacted that crew member who told him helmet they laserscanned for the film was actually not Gino's old helmet, but was uncertain of the origin of the fanmade. It's entirely possible the intention was to use Gino's old helmet, but there may have been a change of decision made outside of Gino's awareness.
We are still trying to figure out the dome's origin. It may be Quasimodo or something else, but what is clear is a strong degree of evening out of the surfaces and edges, but I do not see PCR tells. But it still looks great compared with the oversanded helmets we've seen in the fandom.
(There is an old thread that compares Gino's old helmet against a VP face paired with a GH master dome, which may have raised the question of whether the dome is Darth Ugly ANH - which had its origins as a GH ANH. The tells of Gino's old helmet and those of Darth Ugly make those domes inconsistent with the R1. )
I, like some of you, wondered if Brian Muir was attached to making the Vader costume(s). I would have liked to see pulls from the original molds used instead. I have not spoken with Brian. Nevertheless, I think that we owe Brian an incredible debt of gratitude and praise for giving us the very stuff of dreams that has lasted 40 years and still continues to inspire - and my work with Quasimodo is my homage to his incredible sculpting of the original.
So hope this helps. I have not much more to share as I never spoke with this crew member personally (using a very generic rank to try to protect his/her rank) but I also want to thank this person for the very kind consideration of my work. I am still boggled by this. Thanks, everyone!
Which means I possess a movie accurate DV facemask really used in a SW Movie, I'm about to faint!!!!
So proud of You and Bookface mate!!!
My sincere compliments!!!
Regards,
Alberto