Looey's Small Film Steps

Hi Woodsy!

You were asking about my progress on my puppet fillum...

I've completed a 1st version of the pre-viz which clocks in at 10 minutes. After suggestions from my collaborators (the Missus and my ex-work pal) I'm working hard on Ver. 2.

The only finished footage I've completed to date is my opening ID. This is all composited real imagery (as opposed to CGI or AI) I've smashed it down to low rez for posting as opposed to the 4K it was shot in!

If you're interested I can detail how I actually did it! (SPOILER it's actually more basic than you might suspect!)

Keep on Bloggin'

Looey

Oz Base

REMOTE CONTROL MOON RANGER

This Moon Ranger appeared on Ebay earlier in the year and is another Project SWORD toy that has been adjusted with a remote control and wire.

We've seen a few of these adjustments over the years. I believe that they are home improvements rather than anything official in the factory. I can imagine that the remote control just made it more fun rather than reaching for the awkward on-off switch at the side of the toy.

What do you think?

Have you any remote control toys?

Sherlock Holmes Gift Set

Mine and Bill's latest creation, an original custom 'toy' of our own:

The Hound of the Baskervilles Two Pipe Problem Gift Set! 

Card art by Bill, pipes sourced by me.

Elementary! 

Ed's Alien World Diorama Base

Woodsy,

My red diorama base was built back in 2012 and made from a 29.5" x 11.5" piece of shelving (cut to fit within a shelf unit in The Cave), Styrofoam sheets for the rockwork, carved then covered with lightweight patching plaster, and lastly painted. 

I didn't want a gray Moonscape look for this one, but rather a red Martian-esque look. The photos show an additional rock outcropping which is actually a separate piece and removable, depending on whether I want to use it for a shoot. 

The background picture I painted myself - also in 2012 - on black foamcore. It's not made to represent Earth, just an alien world. I chose blue because it was a nice bright color that stood out from the black backing.

From Vegas Base

Ed

Operation Lone Star Customs - The Five Toy Swords: 5. Dick Turpin

 Our final Lone Star custom, Dick Turpin's sword released between 1979 and 1982.

Again, with reference material kindly supplied by John Buss of Murdersville, Bill was able to create a really fabulous backing card and I was able to get the sword guard gold colour right.

So here goes, the latest of Lone Star's swords and the last of our customs:

Hope you like it.

In the catalogue picture provided by John there was an image of the sword along with a neckerchief and what I assume to be Dick Turpin's black cap. I think they came with the sword sold in toy shops.

Here's my rather shoddy imitation of it.

That's it, we're done with Lone Star's swords.

Hope you enjoyed the journey.

Next up, Secret Sam!

Looey's Day at Dirty Jane's

Dirty Jane's antique market in Bowral NSW Australia is one of the nicer antique stores still around, although I notice their overall prices are creeping up recently...

Viewers in Blighty may derive some amusement from these Colonial prices! ( halve A$ prices to get £!)

So here's a quick squizz from down under...

1) Some Tarzan books caught my eye and I thought "Woodsy would like to see those..

2) Plastic Gorillas and Werewolves, including a Petterson/Gimlin pose Bigfoot - too tasty at $35 each!

3) Wyn Toys, Wyn-Toy Products Pty Ltd, 1940-1982.

Australian made metal toy in fair unrestored condition...

4) Stupid prices on vintage die-casts

5) An amusing Australian Air Force livery, pedal style fighter display. Sadly NFS.

6) "£25 for a pair of plastic Noddy and Big Ears egg cups? Tell 'em they're dreaming!"

7) "Hmm, I recognise that name, what's that doing here? Oh right, this stall is PhotoAntiques. 

My Dad displayed his stuff in their upstairs gallery back in the '90s. This is probably a gift to them, which they're now trying to get a return on!"

Looey

Oz Base

Brassed Off!

 I recently found these old brasses of my Mum's in our attic: peacock, slipper and all.

I remember some of them my growing up.

I seem to recall my Mum buying them from one Mr. Singh, a second hand seller on Preston outdoor market in the Sixties.

As if by magic, here's an old print of yours truly admiring the very same brass peacock on its shelf at home circa 1961!

Here are more old shots on the same day. Looks like a party! Do you recognise the drinks?

Not sure what my parents were celebrating.

Happy days! 

Monster Shorts

Here's my Mod Monster holding up some snazzy material for his new underpants, which the Missus will fettle.

It's all part of a new custom project in the pipeline.

My old late mate Pete looks on, considers and takes a drag.

Did you have a Mod Monster?