ftsvd
Newbie fan
~ Interphase is cool... Tholians are not... ~
Posts: 34
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Post by ftsvd on Oct 21, 2009 18:14:22 GMT 8
... this thread probably ended up as something better - making people realize that Mercs may be the most unique of all the official Lucasfilm costuming clubs. As a 501st member, I'm offended by that remark. In my view, all LFL endorsed costuming organization, be it Mando Mercs or 501st or Rebel Legion, are unique. Each has their own characteristics that make them appeal to everyone. Saying one group is better than the other is bad form. I agree with you that all the clubs are unique in their own way - but I wouldn't take heart at using the term 'most unique', which, in itself without any frame of reference - is a pretty undefinable term. And besides, I didn't say that one group was better than the other. If I said that Hello Vader was the most unique Vader I've seen, it doesn't mean that he's better than all the screen-accurate Vaders in 501st, right? He's just... the most unique... Hence the purpose of this forum: to discuss the differences of opinions and learn to improve from those discussions. Has anybody expressed any 'differences of opinions' pertaining to the Mando armours in question? All I see are people questioning the right of custom Mandos to exist, which is a moot point. Facts: 1. Mercs are official 2. Some of Red's armours have been accepted by the Mercs I.e., At least some of Red's armours are 'official' and all the bashing in the world isn't going to change that. Just accept it. And if anybody wants to know why I myself haven't given any opinions regarding his armours - I've already seen them personally and given my opinion. Thus, I guess I'm as guilty as all of you of derailing this thread. So, that's that.
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Post by azazel on Oct 22, 2009 12:13:00 GMT 8
Has anybody expressed any 'differences of opinions' pertaining to the Mando armours in question? All I see are people questioning the right of custom Mandos to exist, which is a moot point. Whoa, whoa there... when did I question the right of custom Mandos to exist? As I mentioned in an earlier post, some of the custom Mandos I came across while browsing the MMCC website looked cool and in line with the Star Wars that I know and love (e.g. Raymond Ramirez aka Ram Zerimar). My nitpick was only with some of the custom Mandos shown in the first post of this thread that I felt weren't faithful to the Star Wars universe. And no, I can't "just accept it". If something looks lame to me, I will express my opinions on it, no matter how "official" it might be. And maybe you've forgotten, but Red himself said in his first post and I quote: For your consideration: Ge'tal and Ni'Sya Gra'tua...So after much "consideration", I've formed the opinions which I have expressed in my earlier posts. I don't know why I'm getting so much flak for expressing them.
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ftsvd
Newbie fan
~ Interphase is cool... Tholians are not... ~
Posts: 34
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Post by ftsvd on Oct 23, 2009 22:40:06 GMT 8
So, when you said that: Wow... what can I say. Countless EU novels, comic books and games, not to mention Boba Fett, gave the Mandalorians the image of utter coolness and sophistication. You just destroyed that. You were actually trying to say: My nitpick was only with some of the custom Mandos shown in the first post of this thread that I felt weren't faithful to the Star Wars universe. If something looks lame to me, I will express my opinions on it. I don't think they look lame - and the only thing that they 'destroyed' for me was my misconception that Star Wars costuming needed a lot of time, money and expertise - when in fact, all you needed was paper... and time... and expertise... Appearance-wise: I think they look pretty cool. Idea-wise: A fair variety, although I'd prefer to be more liberal Technique-wise: As someone who also likes to build props and costumes and have actually seen his costumes up close, I'd dare say that he's very good at what he does
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Post by azazel on Oct 23, 2009 23:01:38 GMT 8
I guess you're one of those people that find it pretty hard to understand simple concepts, huh? I don't think they look lame - and the only thing that they 'destroyed' for me was my misconception that Star Wars costuming needed a lot of time, money and expertise - when in fact, all you needed was paper... and time... and expertise... Yeah, that's part of the reason why they look lame. Because underneath all the layers of paint and weathering, they still look like papier mache. Do you see Boba's or Jango's armor looking like bits and pieces of cardboard?
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JDream
Fan
This is Snake...
Posts: 67
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Post by JDream on Oct 24, 2009 1:26:31 GMT 8
After going through this thread (phew!), I can safely assume that all Azazel was trying to get across was simple and basic: if you are going to make a costume, by all means make it good, not slipshod or unprofessional (for the lack of a better word).
Likewise, the reason I am not rolling out my Naked Snake/Delta SFOD-D operator yet (I won't be referring to Star Wars here, hence I won't risk offending anyone) is because it hasn't ventured yet into the passable territory. I am one who believes that one should either go for broke when constructing a costume, or not at all. I've seen people who take a shortcut route and turn up as Naked Snake sans a reasonably good harness, or (God forbid) the mandatory underarmor scuba suit. Just as what Kal said, you want to be the character, you live the character. Not necessarily 100%, which would be impossible, but at least close to 80%.
Just my 2 cents. :0)
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ftsvd
Newbie fan
~ Interphase is cool... Tholians are not... ~
Posts: 34
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Post by ftsvd on Oct 24, 2009 10:20:16 GMT 8
I guess you're one of those people that find it pretty hard to understand simple concepts, huh? Dammit, I'm a Starfleet officer - it comes with the job... ;D
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Post by azazel on Oct 24, 2009 18:30:58 GMT 8
I guess you're one of those people that find it pretty hard to understand simple concepts, huh? Dammit, I'm a Starfleet officer - it comes with the job... ;D Aaaah... a Trekkie... that explains a lot!
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Post by azazel on Oct 24, 2009 18:41:22 GMT 8
... you live the character. Not necessarily 100%, which would be impossible, but at least close to 80%. Just my 2 cents. :0) I'm glad someone got my point. Its pointless to dress up like a character and yet do things that the character wouldn't do. That's not staying in character. For example, the first custom Mando in the first post in this thread has rolled up sleeves for God's sake! What, he's getting ready to wash dishes or something? I've seen a Vader stay in character in the scorching Australian summer with his heavy armor and only took a breather once he's out of costume. That's being faithful to the character and showing professionality.
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Post by Rhyden on Oct 26, 2009 19:03:39 GMT 8
At the end of the day, it boils down to two things - mutual respect and tolerance. Labelling "WTF is that. Uncool" on someone picture hardly qualify being nice, no matter how frank/forthright a person is supposed to be. As mentioned ad nauseum, we all have very different needs but we are united in Star Wars geekdom. Trashing any costume without constructive criticism is just bad form. Not every one looks like they just stepped out of the screen but most of the time, folks do try to keep in the spirit of doing things. Frankly, it is their time, money etc... whatever they want to do is and will always be their business. If they find humour in being Hello Kitty Vader, that is up to them. They got some folks talking for better or worse, right? Maybe, THAT is what they are aiming for. Rather than following either Legions standards. There are people who want to do that religiously and that is absolutely fine. Professionalism is how you behave in and out of costume - not just merely eye-candy. It is how you interact with people, how you inspire people to try out Star Wars fandom, costuming etc., how you share your love and passion to the masses without turning people completely off. As far as I am concerned, anyone can look pretty good in 'screen accurate' professional armour, clothes and trimmings with enough money and time... but failing to pass the message of good will along amongst fellow fans, that is just very very sad.
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Post by azazel on Oct 30, 2009 18:34:51 GMT 8
Trashing any costume without constructive criticism is just bad form. Not every one looks like they just stepped out of the screen but most of the time, folks do try to keep in the spirit of doing things. Frankly, it is their time, money etc... whatever they want to do is and will always be their business. Being nice is so overrated. Besides, I find that if you tell someone "Wow! Good work on your costume... but there are some minor niggling details...", they'll probably just brush you off and bask in their ignorance. Whereas if you tell them "Aw, man... your costume sucks ass!" it'll motivate them to step up the ante and do better. And while I do agree that not every one can look like they just stepped out of the screen, it is my personal belief that that would only apply to first time costumers or those who dabble in costumers once in a while. When you are proud of the fact that you can crank out 4 different variations of the same costume in a short span of time, or that you've been ordained by this book of records or that book of records or whathaveyous, then the above rule does not apply. Such person would need to be measured by a much higher yardstick than the average costumer, or else you're not special at all. But since my frankness is frowned on here, I'll discard it and put on my "constructive critic" cap for the benefit of those interested and post my comments on these "custom Mandos" as follows. Here goes. The elevator boots and the real world hip/leg pouch really take away the uniqueness of the Mandos and make them seem "ordinary". Try making do without these. Juan Peron of Argentina wanted to connect with the average people of his country so he rolled up his sleeves everytime he addressed the people. That same principle does not work with Mandos. Please get rid of this helmet. Pretty please. With cherry on top. There are female costumers at cons in US who dress up in Stormtrooper armors with molded boobies and bare midriff, sans helmets to show off their faces and locks. But that's purely for sexy value, not for serious costuming. A fully covered female Mando with molded boobie armor just doesn't have that same effect. This armor design is actually pretty interesting. But more time should have spent perfecting the look of the armor, e.g. sanding, painting it to look more realistic. Because of the limited time spent, the armor looks plasticky and cheap and toyish... not something a Mando would wanna wear in his dangerous encounters. Again with the boobie Mando and this time we get to see some hair sticking out of the helmet. It doesn't improve the look one bit. And another thing, notice what's missing from all the above Mandos? One this normally seen in a Mando costume? That's right... the jetpack. This to me is an inegral part of the costume. Spend some time scratchbuilding a good jetpack, and make it look good. Wanna see a really cool looking custom Mando? Check out this guy's Fenn Shysa costume: Now THAT is a Mando!
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