Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

[aburabusimbutu]

Here's my ambitious Christmas Customs project. There will be (gulp) 10 figures in this series when finished- based on the 1964 B-Movie "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians". Four Martian adults, 2 Martian children, 2 human children, Santa, and the robot Torg. I am beginning to see that I will not very likely have these all done by December 25th!
My "high concept" intention with these figures is to have them look like 1964 Woolworth's/dime store fodder- toys sold as quick promotional items for the movie. I am using bargain basement supplies to assemble them including 9 1/2" tall Dollar Store base figures (REALLY BAD Spider-Man knock-offs).
I sculpted the head and helmet from Crayola Magic Molding Compound.
I was hesitant to post this picture- after I saw the picture I could see how badly scaled many of the details really are, how wrong the colors are, etc.. But the value in doing this is actually seeing all of the things I need to change, adjust, redo or live with. I still haven't decided what balance I'm looking for between cheesy toy/accurate details. Please offer as much comment and suggestions as possible. It is very difficult for me to be objective of my own work or know what is working and what isn't. I REALLY need some feedback. This is a Work in Progress right now so BE CRITICAL!
This first figure is Kimar- leader of the Martians.

[radioscooter]

Okay first off - you're a wacky, wacky man.

2ndly - since you have been chastizing me for not being critical enough lately - here goes:

The overall look is great. Great helmet sculpt. As part of your 'high concept' I don't now how accurate you want these to be. I don't know why you sculpted a head instead of a human head since it looks like the guy is just wearing makeup. The face is looking a little sleestack-ish. It looks like the helmet in the movie had more silver parts. You can paint that compound i've done it before. The top helmet antenna need to be flimsier and curve. Try audio wire. I like the side box antenna that look like an atari double joystick.
The accordian ribbed brass colored hose coming out of the head looks great. However it is also very obviously 2 straw pieces stuck together. Whereas - the movie you are emulating is cheap - but not THAT cheap! They actually used some plumbing fixtures! There are any number of different Joe scale seadiving hoses that are in my parts box that would fit the bill for that. You're welcome to them if you want them.

[faithfulbutler]

10 figures that's keen Kev.It looks like you're well and truly on the right track with the style you are trying to achieve.At the moment i'd like to see the Whites of his eyes painted in that would help.Also painting the Metallic parts of his Helmet Silver would be good.1/2" tall is a pretty tricky size to work with so i can't fault the sculpt on something so small.Great effort there.
That's about as critical as i can get,feel free to shoot me down if i'm talking rubbish. ;D

[radioscooter]

I THINK Kev meant 9.5" base figures Andy. Not "Nine half inch base figures" but I could be wrong.

If that's a .5" figure - forget everything I said.
-S

[aburabusimbutu]

Now that's more like it! Thanks for the suggestions and keep 'em coming as I post further work on this project.

Scot-
I would definately like to take you up on the hoses as I am not at all happy with the straws. I would really appreciate it!
Thinner wire antennae- check!
Silver parts- still waiting to confirm that color is correct. The film quality of this movie is horrible and what appears silver in one scene looks green in another. But that detail will be added.
The helmet compound as well as the face is actually painted- the original was white.
I sculpted the faces because:
1) I wanted to approximate the actors in a broad sense
2) Most available heads would have been too nice for this
3) The base figure is Spider-Man so he has NO face!
Not sure about how Sleestack-y he is but I can't help but feel he looks a bit too Ronald Reagan-y.
You are right about this being an ultra-chep-o movie, half the time the actors don't even look like they are wearing make-up at all.

Andy-
Paint whites of eyes- check.
Yeah, these are 9.5" in height. Sorry for the confusion. I have had to learn to not use decimals (which would have made it clear from the start) because there are so many dim-wits at work that get confused by them.

Thanks again guys- the help is much needed!

[Wild Willy]

Big project Kev, and your off to a good start.
I'll take the easy way and go along with whats been said, I never would have placed Straws at the scene, (good eye Scot) but the improvements suggested would bring it further to your goal.

My critisizm will lay upon the face. I realize you are pretty new with sculpting and for the many who do sculpt (including myself) many times find it difficult to achieve a resemblence to our chosen subject.
IMO The lack of detail around the mouth of your sculpt is what really stands out as the "Weak link" of this WIP.
I would recomend useing a base head which has the features which your original sculpt lacks.
I useually take a head which most resembles the subject, and alter the nose,. browe, hair ect. But if I can use any of the things like existing mouths especially, i will do that, as they are hard to get right.

Keep the pics comming Kev, I can't waot to see more.
Will

[casimir]

I know I'm supposed to offer a critique, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. But I wanted to say I admire your bravery and fear your insanity for embarking on such a project!

C.

[Figuremaster Les]

;D

[customslab]

very cool i can remember getting up at 3 and that be one while my parents went back to bed after i woke them up every hr. on the hr. ;D

[faithfulbutler]

I thought afterwards you probably meant 9 and 1/2 inches sorry about that.
I think the facial sculpt for that realistic dime store style is great,you don't want to be precise or it'll spoil your goal imo.Another thing you might try is to darken your flesh tone slightly and put a light wash around the Lips just to break up all the Green just a bit more.
I'm loving it though,as Cas said you're a brave man.

[BlackKnight]

Being the resident "kid" here, I have no idea what this is. However I find it very interesting. Looks very unique, & am intisapating the completion of the line & this figure, would love to see them all together.

My only question is,... is that the top of his suit ? Looks "thick & wolie"... Need a suit? Just ask, got that color of green over here. In tight fit Spandex mode...

[radioscooter]

blackknight said:

Being the resident "kid" here, I have no idea what this is.

I'll wager I am as old or older than Kevin and I have no idea what these are either.

[aburabusimbutu]

This has all been enormously helpful guys. I am starting to re-think this a bit based on the feedback. I need to settle on a clear defintion of what the specific style of these should be rather than having a notion about it.
Will is right that the whole mouth area is troubled. Andy is right about the lack of definition between the green shades.
I am starting to regret my choice of base body now too. I think I need to spend some more time researching the period these would have come from before I push this project further. I suspect i will be starting over from scratch. Nothing new there. Once I get the first one done, the rest should come more easily. Stay tuned- I am pretty gung-ho about this idea but need to invest some more thought into it.
Jason- I just tacked the cloth up to get an idea of the tone with the head. Not ready to start worrying about the costume just yet. Thanks for the offer!

[faithfulbutler]

Well i'm really hoping you stick with it Kev.I'm really excited by your idea for this and think you are definitely on the right track.Just take your time and enjoy it i reckon.

[Wild Willy]

scooterscustom said:

Okay first off - you're a wacky, wacky man.

This place really cracks me up!

Will