GubernatorFan wrote:Stunning work, Adam. Anything I can say has already been said, but I loved all of it. The pacing, the complex posing, the dynamic progression through the shots, the script/story, the twist at the end. And so many of the interactions between two or more figures came out utterly flawlessly. Also appreciate the massive crowd, and the way it was shot (informatively, but recognizing its background function, extending all the way to just the feet and lower legs of the ones up on the balcony), and I realize how difficult it would have been to choreograph the main action and such a large background group at the same time. And more needs to be said about the excellence of your bar diorama, which is just excellent for this type of dive. Bravo!
Thanks you so much!!! I was very lucky the crowd behaved, and once set up, there were no disastrous falling chain-reactions. I'm glad to finally get to reveal the bar elements too! They'll do double duty in the world of the Radio Kings as well, although I still have some tricks up my sleeve to add.
skywalkersaga wrote:Well, you've officially out done yourself yet again, Rev! Your photo series consistently raise the bar, especially when it comes to posing and overall mastery of visual storytelling. Can't even imagine how long it must have taken to set all of this up!!
Yeah!!!! Thanks so much Sky!!! Yeah, this took a bit to pull together, buy the reaction is so worth it!
skywalkersaga wrote:Ovy has already made the most epic list detailing some of the especially delightful elements of this, but I'll try...
Bring it on!
skywalkersaga wrote:- the pile of purses and shoes at the beginning is indeed a hilariously accurate detail. Also how ironic I was just moaning to you about how hard it is to find shoes that I actually like for these figures...
It was EXACTLY what it always looked like at my place growing up, just piles of everyone's shoes, bags, and coats. And yeah, there really are some good options out there for shoes. Let me know if there's anything particular you're looking for and I'll keep an eye out.
skywalkersaga wrote:- Loved the 'who's who' of the crowd. The mix of kitbashes with more recognisable figures actually worked really well, and added a ton of visual interest to the scenes. I couldn't help but think of how fun it would be to hide that recently announced 'Where's Waldo?' figure amongst them. :'D
If only that Waldo figure was out! Although I'd have to have figured out something truly heinous to be doing in the background as a reward for the eagle-eyed.
skywalkersaga wrote:- as others have said, it's pretty awesome how you also used the the crowd to add a bit of extra emphasis to the actual fight scene. The fact that so many were watching them, filming on their phones, betting money on them, etc, all emphasised the 'stakes' of the fight.
I'm so glad the crowd pulled together. I worried if I had enough of a collection, and as soon as I saw all together I felt so good about it, like it would really sell the scene.
skywalkersaga wrote:- the bood effects are freaking amazing. Those last few shots gives the whole thing a Tarantino-ish vibe. Love the horned red-eyed swordswoman placing the head onto the bar, such a great touch and says volumes about her character and personality without any words needed.
Thank you!!! I knew it'd be an experiment, and might have been a big reason I've put off shooting til now. But now that I know it works, expect to see a lot more gore. And yeah, she is an absolute badass, and is a big part of how he's been able to take over all he has.
skywalkersaga wrote:- this new mysterious Asian dude is indeed quite intriguing. I am guessing we will be seeing more of him?
Oh yeah. As I was figuring out his name, more and more of his background was coming together. He's a pretty ruthless gangster, but way more scrupulous than a lot of the guys he's replacing. He's a big believer that crime needs to be regulated to keep the worst elements in check. Equinox needs both the royals and elites, as well as it's underworld, and as those element overlap, he'll be involved in a lot of it.
skywalkersaga wrote:- how did you do the blood effects on Krysa's face? was it photoshopped or actual effects? (I ask because I would love to be able to do some 'bloody mouth' type scenes but without permanantly marking a headsculpt.)
All real! So, everything was done with hot glue and a Citidel effects paint called "Blood for the Blood God" (the single greatest paint name ever). I painted everything on parchment paper (like for baking) and of course slopped paint everywhere. I realized afterwards that once the paint dried, I could peel it off the parchment, and it was just tacky enough to stick to the figures. Works fantastic, and i highly recommend giving it a try.
skywalkersaga wrote:- it was hilarious how the beheaded villain had the same shouting expression on his face the whole time as both a living and then dead guy, and yet it totally worked in both contexts, lol.
He never had the chance to close his mouth!
skywalkersaga wrote:- the girls' expressions and gestures during the fight were also so well done, and helped add to the cinematic immersion of this whole photoseries, not to mention the emotional impact.
Aim so glad!!!! Yeah, there were a few shot I just felt "that's it exactly." Delia and Thornapple's exasperation when Krysa got up felt like it played just right. I'm so glad!!!!
skywalkersaga wrote:- I actually felt truly upset watching Krysa get punched in the stomach and then knocked out by that big dude. Doesn't matter if she is a badass fighter and can hold her own, it was still quite visceral to see. I flipped from being highly amused by the fight to getting super angry on her behalf and wanting him to get his comeuppance in a matter of seconds.
Yeah, I wanted it to feel pretty brutal for EXACTLY that reason, and to establish some real danger. So freakin happy that worked!
skywalkersaga wrote:- LOVE the Ron Perlman bartender. He added SO much character to this whole scene. I could have watched a whole photoseries just about him, lol. (Also really like the bar itself -- curious if you made it, found it, etc.)
I'm so glad! Yeah, he just looked so exasperated when Krysa stole his bottle. Definitely a rough night for him. I think his name will be Kellen, and he's going to pull double duty in both worlds, HoS and Radio Kings, like some sort of universal constant. He may just have to get his own series now...
skywalkersaga wrote:There's so much to see here, I'll certainly come back to look at this again and again!
Please do!
davidd wrote:I... don't even have rational words to string together at the moment.
Do these figures actually stand and balance like that?
The big dude reminded me of a pro wrestler who was popular when I was a kid: Jimmy Snuka (who later in his career, unfortunately, became involved in tragedy and scandal).
So much amazing action, but for me, the highlight was the three or four panels of the girls leaping over the back of the sofa, pulling on their shoes, and dashing out the door! That shoe-pulling-on pic is just
!
Thank you David!!! My work here is done.
And they actually do! I'm still amazed and impressed with what you can accomplish with these seamless bodies.
Superfly Jimmy Snuka! I remember him too, and now that you mention it, he does look like him. Hadn't heard about all his later in life drama. Holy crap!
And so glad you dig the quieter moments. I really liked how those came out too, and they're always so much fun to shoot.
Yeah, it kinda pays off to have smart friends.
Valiarde wrote:I also want to ask, if you used any cords, magnets or glue sticks for the fighting scenes or did you balance everything out? lol
Dynamic hair ist great for the fight, so much motion
- agree with what others said: Looking at the crowd was so much fun, like when dr Strange appeared
All just balanced out! It's actually easier with multiple figures, as they can help balance each other. Although I REALLY want to shoot some skateboard scenes soon, and I think I'm going to need to figure out a few new tricks.
That hair is the unsung hero of action scenes like these. You really can get such a sense of movement with it.
And yeah, Dr Strange totally deserves some time off to have a beer and watch a fight. I did make him leave the big billowing cape at home.
Stryker2011 wrote:Wow! That was seriously awesome. Cool set up, amazing poses, and a story told with little to no actual dialogue or exposition. Very cool. I really enjoyed how you pulled off the blood effects, and all the different characters as spectators. Are those chess pieces are barstools? Pretty clever. Great stuff, Adam.
Thank you so much!!! Good guess on the barstools, but no. They're actually those unfinished wood candlesticks you can get at the craft store, cut down and topped with tops from tequila bottles (which I have in abundance). And so happy you liked the blood effects! Plan to make a more from here on out.
Illusion wrote:Epic - grand - grandiose...
paid off to just stay down last time. Would have been quite a hard fall again...
Amazingly dynamic posing - again - as usual...
Excellent diorama
Just LOVE the crowd (so nice to get an idea who else is living in your collection
Doc Strange looks kind of strange among them...
) - I can feel their eagerness for the fight.
The flying hair.... the blood effects.... just stunning.
Little Nero is just precious.
I already have quite a crush for the Killer Kiyoha head, but you brought it to new heights. Very cool.
As for Ryuji: first though "oh, hello precious... who are you?" - then: "wait ... all clear here, you are already in my team, just dressed in white" (I have the Hot Toys Storm Shadow)
PS:
I'd suggest a disclaimer: "no TBLeague bodies were damaged during this shooting"
Thank you Illusion!!! Yeah, there are some characters in that crowd overdue for some photo time. I always mean to shoot some of them too... I tried to stick to just the ones who would reasonable blend in, or looked mostly human. Yondu and Spiderman had to stay in the display case.
Isn't that Killer Kiyoha head great!? I was so happy to get one, and I felt really good about the repainted eyes.
And yeah, Ryuji/Byung-hun/Storm Shadow is just empirically handsome. I considered other heads for him, but it's the only one that felt right, and carried that necessary charisma.
And I'm AMAZED no TBLeague bodies were damaged during this shoot. I really am a little rough on them to get certain poses, and I'm actually always so impressed they are as sturdy as they are. But this shoot at least gets the union safety seal of approval.
Within seconds the danger has passed. Gotta say the blood effects are top notch! They work so well.
) 
plus the choreography is really good. but whats the main star for me is the level of detail in the small items. those make or break a diorama in my opinion
I wonder who that could've been?? 
Ryuji and his horned henchwoman are badass additions to the cast, and unexpected. 
