Dracula 1:1 Bust

[Migwit]

Well, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, all you "CAPEANDMEDALLION" pushers! I was PERFECTLY happy with my newly ordered Dracula 1:1 bust, when I read this thread and saw those awesome photoshopped pics of the cape and medallion! First thing I did was check eBay for Dracula medallions, just to test the waters and see if there's anything out there that I can add MYSELF!



Bugger. Guess I'm on the "Cape and Medallion" wagon now.

Thank you all so freakin' much!

CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!!

Ah, the lure of being just another sheep in the fold...

 

[lcummins]

Well, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, all you "CAPEANDMEDALLION" pushers! I was PERFECTLY happy with my newly ordered Dracula 1:1 bust, when I read this thread and saw those awesome photoshopped pics of the cape and medallion! First thing I did was check eBay for Dracula medallions, just to test the waters and see if there's anything out there that I can add MYSELF!



Bugger. Guess I'm on the "Cape and Medallion" wagon now.

Thank you all so freakin' much!

CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!!

Ah, the lure of being just another sheep in the fold...

You will obey! Dracula commands it!!

Now if we got all the Crusaders together and everyone sent emails to Sideshow for medieval Kurgan, CAPE AND MEDALLIONS, Giles, more Apes, etc. we might be a force to be reckoned with!!!!

 

[HerryGrail]

FrankenFan alerted me to this board...I am a huge SideShow fan and would never presume to formally alter or challenge the work of a master sculptor, but over at CHFB we've been talking about the eyes and other features, so just for fun I did a little Photoshopping to the head and face of FrankenFan's excellent cape and medallion bust...does it answer any of your concerns? I also have another over there with fuller lips.

 

[Darklord Dave]

Herry!

And Photoshop Nitpick is one of our favorite sports!

But I'm having difficulty seeing the difference - perhaps a side by side and a bit larger?

 

[lcummins]

Herry!

And Photoshop Nitpick is one of our favorite sports!

But I'm having difficulty seeing the difference - perhaps a side by side and a bit larger?

He darkened the lips, lengthened the nose, and I think darkened the eyes or eyebrows??

And yes, welcome to the board!!!

 

[Anton Phibes]

If I have to settle for one I am going to go with medallion. If we get neither I am still going to go coo-coo for coa-coa puffs because I think the bust rocks. When I was a kid I would've wet myself just to see these...much less own them. Heck, I may have wet myself when I saw the preview pics anyway and now I am an adult.

 

[Universalrocks]

I feel Like Dr. Frankenstein. What monster have I created, by mentioning the lack of a Medallion. Im sure Sideshow will Now put me on their Hit list of Troublesome fans, lol. But like a small Child I will deny that it was me who broke the lamp. And at least I did not mention the missing Cape. But count me in on the Campaign!

CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!!

 

[creecher]

You will obey! Dracula commands it!!

Now if we got all the Crusaders together and everyone sent emails to Sideshow for medieval Kurgan, CAPE AND MEDALLIONS, Giles, more Apes, etc. we might be a force to be reckoned with!!!!

Don't go along with that idea but I do think a stand alone campaign has a better chance of being noticed, so I do like the sentiment.

This bust isn't in the same category as dormant lines or promised figures, or of what could be. This item is going ahead, and any promising outcome needs an immediate response. I wont be buying it, so my voice is mute. I would say the best chance is from those that have a pre-order in, that can verify their committed obligation to having the bust. They speak with the loudest voice. A bombardment from the masses means little. I don't mean threats of cancellation either, surely the addition of these items is well within reason, and their inclusion may raise the number of pre-orders and the edition size, warranting a small delay to the first quarter of 2007.

CAPE AND MEDALLION! CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!!!

 

[HerryGrail]

Here are some of the pics from CHFB. This a little touch up on the head-on shot:
<img border=0 src="https://img63.imageshack.us/img63/4724/drac4hz.jpg" /><img border=0 src="https://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4518/newdrac8os.jpg" />

Below are two alternates on the three-quarter view shot. I used FrankenFan's great medallion/cape version (first image below) and did one that has the original lips (second image), and one that includes new lips (third image). These can't be shown larger since I used a screenshot of FrankenFan's medallion/cape version.

The changes to the photo above include moving the eyes closer together, reworking the lips and the indentation above them, reshaping the ear and jawline, and blending and shadowing the area between his mouth and chin so it looks more like Lugosi's, which was very distinctive. On the bottom photos, I've done the same things but also reworked the nose. Again, on the second, I've used the original lips; the only difference in the third shot is the new set of lips.

<img border=0 src="https://img333.imageshack.us/img333/5199/drac6bs.jpg" /><img border=0 src="https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/4989/dracthreequartoriglips9on.jpg" />
<img border=0 src="https://img346.imageshack.us/img346/305/dracthreequart37gw.jpg" />

 

[Migwit]

CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!!

I just can't seem to stop myself...

CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!!

Universalrocks, most of us on this board have probably been on that constantly-updating "Troublesome Fan" list at one time or another. I've gotten used to being under constant surveillance by Them.

Hey, just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean They're not out to get me!

 

[FrankenFan]

Link to the 360 GTVR is up on the product page.

If this is a production sample (left pic), comparing it to the prototype, I'm not pleased with the tailoring.



(And it really needs that cape and medallion.)

 

[occulum]

whats up with the jacket being so open in the center?
almost looks as if the shirt piece is over the jacket or something.

 

[Viking28]

Really don't like that new look at all, and I agree he needs his cape and medallion!

 

[HerryGrail]

It's Bela, it's Bela!! Forget about the cape and medallion...have you noticed that now it's HIM!!!!???

Thanks, Sideshow!! Incredible transition to the perfect likeness!

 

[creecher]

If this is a production sample (left pic), comparing it to the prototype, I'm not pleased with the tailoring.

(And it really needs that cape and medallion.)

Looking at the production sample and the prototype side by side, I have to agree with you. The prototype looks that much more tailored. I had to go to my Bela PF to compare. The production sample would be more accurate. The white shirt, coupled with the white vest, does cover a wider area. The lack of the broad red ribbon does give the impression something is amiss. I would rather the prototype look if the medallion and cape are going to be missing.

Looking at the photoshop red ribbon, it does blend in well, but again, comparing it to my Bela PF it isn't anywhere near as wide or cover as much area. If there is no red ribbon, I am wondering why bother having the gold chain/thread, presumably for a monicle, included.

CAPE AND MEDALLION! CAPE AND MEDALLION!! CAPE AND MEDALLION!!!

 

[HerryGrail]

I think the "gold chain" is shadowing from the vest.

 

[lcummins]

Link to the 360 GTVR is up on the product page.

If this is a production sample (left pic), comparing it to the prototype, I'm not pleased with the tailoring.



(And it really needs that cape and medallion.)

I agree... It may be more accurate as creech points out, but it just doesn't look as good as the prototype. It also makes the bust look more squat, not as tall and sleek as before. The factory paint job turned out nice on the face, and some of the "shadows" are well done and give a bit more character to the face. If they could just include the red ribbon, it would look great!

 

[Universalrocks]

Well to me I don't see any difference, in the two. I think because we are seeing the bust in full light, the paint job is going to look different. As for the suit, I know on Ardeth Bey that clothing is gathered at the bottom of the bust with elastic. I think if you could walk up to the bust you could adjust the jacket opening. I think when they did the 360 someone just did not adjust this. Why who knows.

 

[HerryGrail]

If the difference in the original posted shots and the new 360 post is just lighting, then the original shots were among the worst examples of product photography ever. At CHFB, for instance, there was a lot of discussion about how bad the likeness was and why that discouraged normally enthusiastic fans from considering purchasing it, still waiting for a dead-on Bela sculpt from another source in the future.

Heck, isn't the "poor likeness" the reason we decided to settle for a cape and medallion...the simplest ways to get the bust to actually look like Bela?

Looking at the new 360 closely, I could be convinced there actually is not a new sculpt, that it's just lighting. So now, enthused about and leaning toward buying the thing, I worry that the better likeness was achieved only through painting and lighting tricks, and that it still really looks like the original.

What do you all think??

 

[occulum]

my guess is that the differences would have to be lighting and paint as far as the likeness is concerned. I dont think nearly enough time has passed to make revisions to the sculpt and go through another paint-up.