I want to make a 12 inch Gigolo Joe from A.I.

[olvidadero]

I have never done a custom before and I thought the perfect way for me to start would be an "A.I." figure since it's one of my favourite movies. Gigolo Joe has the best chances to look awesome as a figure, he's stylish and has the incredible good looks of Jude Law.

http://www.perkowitz.net/blog/images/ai-gigolo-joe-jane.jpg
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/1641/sideshowgigolo2cj6.jpg

Luckily for me there's an "Enemy at the Gates" 1/6 Dragon figure that looks just like him, so that should make the job easier. The clothes are a tricky area, but my grandma is a sewing artist and will probably solve all the problems. Here's what the figure looks like:

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2849/sideshowgigolohf7.jpg
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/1430/eqa1cp6.jpg
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/6936/mishaoe7.jpg

So, I am a total custom virgin and need some clues to start. The basic stuff, such as what should I use to sculpt a new hairstyle or modify his protuberant chin. I'd also appreciate tips on how to do the painting, since the character is supposed to be a real-life-looking-robot, and his skin looks shiny and plastic-like, what should I use? What instrument should I use to make the beard disappear? Some kind of file?

http://www.kmf.org.pl/fx/link/ai/efekty/09.jpg

I'm sorry I am a total mess, I'm basically asking how to do this from the start. I think I have the "artistic capabilities" but don't have the basic knowledge on materials and process. Please help!

*Edited to add more pictures.

[Murderofcrows71]

Magic sculpt is one of the best materials to sculpt with, but you only have approx. 20 minutes or so to work with it before it starts to set. It should be fine to resculpt the hair and add slightly to the chin on the Jude Law head though, just use water to thin it out on the sides to leave no edges. The beard can easily be filled in with magic sculpt, like you'd fill a hole in drywall.
As for the shine, after you get finished painting the head, spray it with gloss sealer instead of matte.

[Seaward]

This sounds like a cool idea! I wish I could offer some assistance, but apart from occassionally ironing out Jedi Cloaks, I don't do much customizing. I am inspired though, and I have been wanting to make a 1/6 scale Steve Zissou, and I'll be researching some fabrics, maybe something shiny enough to work for Gigolo Joe. This is a really cool idea, and I loved A.I., maybe the coldest and saddest film from that time period.

[figuremaster_les]

Brilliant idea! I had that Dragon figure and made a Sky Captain out of it instead. But a Joe would be terrific! You are aware that there is a 1/6 Teddy out there, to go with him in case...a keychain I think...perfect scale...
ANyway, I would go with Magic sculpt and fine sandpaper. Fill the head with something to stiffin it too. So, it won't bend and pop the outer additions off. Or, recast it, then alter. You'd be better working with a solid head than a rubber one...
PM me if you have any questions. I have thought of this before...would love to help if you need it.

Les

[olvidadero]

Thanks for the advices, I will put them in practice as soon as I get my Dragon figure, which is on its way home (it takes some time for things to get to Spain...). I'm looking for the clothes by now. Pretty difficult task, since I want them to look as stylish as the original... so I'll probably have to make them out of nothing pre-existant. :confused:

It'd be great if you did a Joe too figuremaster, I'd probably have a pattern to follow, since you're a master ;)

Oh, and I'd LOVE to see what does that Sky Captain look!!

[stshammgod]

I TOTALLY want a 1/6th Sky Captain!

[stshammgod]

Any updates on this? I'm definately looking forward to seeing it!

[Grange Wallis]

That a great idea for a Custom. I noticed this post a while ago. I think the sidehow body would be good for it, because of it's thinness. My only advice would be to tailor a realy tight fitting outfit to bring out Law's lean appearence in the movie... And if you are using that headsculpt. Get the brow right. Because Joe never really frowned in the movie.

Good Luck!!! If it turns out well I might* have to have a shot at it...

PS: Good Luck finding the right shiny material for that outfit.:D

[olvidadero]

I'm afraid I won't be able to pull this off any time soon, as I'm going to be extremely busy the next months (at last I found something to do with my life). I got the figure already and it looks awesome. Now, I'm looking for fabrics and searching for any Ken's clothes that might fit the idea in all my city toystores. In the meantime, it'd be great if some of you guys try doing it! Sorry, I was too excited when I came up with the idea, I didn't want to let you down :o :o