SDCC Swag (Balrog etc) *Giveway 25 items! WINNER ANNOUNCED!*

Instead of doing the usual lengthy write-up, I just decided to add some thoughts along with these photos. This just covers meeting the Weta guys as well as winning my awesome prize at the Sideshow/Freaks party! The swag is what everyone always wants to see anyway right? As with my main product gallery, you can navigate using the thumbnails at the bottom. That's about it from me for SDCC 2005

Scroll down the thread if you're looking for info on the giveaway

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(of interest to Balrog owners! "droopy balrog" owners take note! I took the Balrog down about a week before Comic-Con and laid it on its backside back in the styrofoam. When I put it back on the base yesterday, it had returned to how it originally looked! The tail was high again, and the whip no longer touching the base. Also the wings were a little higher as well. Of course I have no doubt that it will droop back down again over time, but this was certainly unexpected)

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

THATS VERY BRAVE INDEED.

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

Very impressive! But i would 've asked them to sign the statues without my name on it , as it would be more valuable, but I don't think you plan on selling them so that's fine...

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

That was very brave of you, Chuck! But the end result appears to have been well worth it.

(of interest to Balrog owners! "droopy balrog" owners take note! I took the Balrog down about a week before Comic-Con and laid it on its backside back in the styrofoam. When I put it back on the base yesterday, it had returned to how it originally looked! The tail was high again, and the whip no longer touching the base. Also the wings were a little higher as well. Of course I have no doubt that it will droop back down again over time, but this was certainly unexpected)

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This is a very interesting discovery! It almost sounds as if there is some memory aspect to polystone, at least when the form-fitting packaging is available to help reshape the polymers. That is very encouraging news, indeed! (for those who don't know what I am talking about regarding "memory", do a google search for "memory plastic", and you'll find some interesting reading).

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

I have no idea where the bravery aspect factors into this at all, but thanks I suppose?

Very impressive! But i would 've asked them to sign the statues without my name on it , as it would be more valuable, but I don't think you plan on selling them so that's fine...

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Actually, when asking for autographs I usually let them decide. In this case, Ben Wootten asked me who he should make it out to. It would've been kinda rude to say "no one, in case I ebay it later!" no?

But yeah, as you've keyed into, I have no plans of selling these, so the personalization is even better. Even if I had to get rid of these later for monetary reasons, I don't think I'd have much of a problem reaching market value anyway. After he was done signing he said "oh let me add the date too"- hence the 05 you see on those. I love that RT added "Weta" on the Balrog as well.

This is a very interesting discovery! It almost sounds as if there is some memory aspect to polystone, at least when the form-fitting packaging is available to help reshape the polymers. That is very encouraging news, indeed! (for those who don't know what I am talking about regarding "memory", do a google search for "memory plastic", and you'll find some interesting reading).

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I don't know about the 'memory' aspect, my conclusion is just that gravity and heat (it gets very warm in the room where my polystone is, right around this time of year) working at the piece again- except now to the opposite effect since it's laid upside down. But it is definitely cool to know that you can reverse the drooping quite easily!

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

I have no idea where the bravery aspect factors into this at all, but thanks I suppose?

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It was more than obvious to me. Bringing/carrying valuable staues to SDCC for the chance of getting them signed. There was always a chance of a piece inadvertenly getting damaged.

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

I'd assume Chuck only took the bases with him?

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

I'd assume Chuck only took the bases with him?

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Right you are sir! It would be rather pointless to bring the entire statue along. I thought it was obvious in the photos of them signing that it was the base only.

Sure the Balrog one was a little tricky since there's stuff on the base but, a little creative padding and I was good to go.

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

I'd assume Chuck only took the bases with him?

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:bonk Um er duh!!! LOL, what was I thinking?

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

Very nice Gabberjawa , I'm jealous . I hope those guys are there next year so I can get some autos myself . So far I've got 2 John Howe autos , 2 PJ autos , 2 Richard Taylor autos and a small handfull of the lead cast , and I'd love to add a Daniel Falconer and Ben Wooten to those . I have yet to get an autographed base so I'm hoping next year will be my chance !

Thanks for the great pics !

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

wow...u are one hard workin dude....

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

Hi Chuck. I really think you scored with all those signatures, though one thing I have to ask: was it your choice (your marker) or theirs to use what looks to be yellow for a colour?

I guess you have more experience getting stuff signed than I, for when is saw John Howe in Toronto and got him to sign my balrog base, I thought it was asking too much to get him to sign another one. But now seeing so many other people getting multiple bases signed, I discover I'm just not realizing how curtious, obliging and down right friendly these people are to their fans. <img border=0 src="https://www.maxwellsgoldenhammer.com/emo/rock.gif" />

I think my favourite one you have is the Legolas, I like how the writing is large and spread out.

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

Hi Nemo, thanks. It is actually metallic gold in person, but it does look yellow in these pics. I chose it because it was really ideal at 'not bleeding'. The marker I used with DF sorta bled a little. Typically, a silver sharpie will work wonderful for anything, but I wanted a gold color for these.

I usually only ask for two things signed, that seems about right to me. While Richard was between signing the bases, he said "can I sign one of these for you?"- meaning one of the Weta art cards they had on hand. How generous is that? Totally kind guy.


HOS- if you like autographs, you'll definitely like Comic-Con. Everywhere you turn it's signing this, signing that. I got a good deal of my LOTR autograph collection there. See you next year!

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

I have a question, do they expect to get paid for their sigs? (as with every other convention!). I mean you guys pay a bomb as it is ( just to get in...travel/flights...hotels..food .. etc etc..) .and they have the benefit of mass promotion of whatever it is they are working on at the moment - so it just wouldn't seem right.

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

Nah, Weta is there to promote "Weta Collectibles" to the masses. They signed autographs freely. Actually none of the autographs I got cost anything. Even when they had people like Dom there some years back, it was always free. I'm certain New Line or whoever 'took care' of em.

There ARE people who charge for autographs, but they are usually there on their own to make money. For example, some Star Wars actors etc, Superman(original movie) actors etc.

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

Yeah, RT was extremly nice signing this Kong/Weta brochure for me. I wish I had a statue base for him to sign at the show.

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)



Couldn't be there? Cheer up! Now you can enjoy some of the SDCC experience with a ton of swag! The winner will receive everything pictured in the photo(and more!)

I am now holding a giveaway on my forum that is also open to Sideshow Freaks members.

Click here for a description of everything that is included, and details on how to enter(really easy to do)

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

Very cool of ya Chuck!!

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

wow.....some cool stuff the Chuck...........v cool of you to do this!!!

Re: My SDCC Swag gallery (signed Balrog, RWOS etc)

Thank you for the generosity Chuck ! Very nice of you ! See you next year at SDCC !