[Alex Newborn]

Quick update ! Here is the latest offering, I think i am almost ready to vacform. As always any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

Is it the angle of your photo, or did you tilt his head to the left (his right)?

I agree with Cap. The head looks like it got shifted about seven degrees counterclockwise.

I know it's a lot easier to fix the photo than the real buck, but if you could just nudge it back to about here (exactly seven degrees in my software) I think it would look perfect.



Alex

[gbfhs]

Hi to everyone and thanks for the suggestions. Just before i chop off and adjust the head i thought i would post another pic from a similar photo angle to see if it does need adjusting or if it is just the angle of the photo i had taken. Comments welcomed as always.

[CaptCyan]

I hate to say this, but it still seems a little off to the left.

[Alex Newborn]

Yes, it definitely needs adjusting.

Here's a bit of photo manipulation to try to illustrate why.

If we adjust the horizontal and vertical perspectives of the movie frame, and also skew, stretch, and free-rotate the image, we can get the square borders of the sign a little closer to being perfect right angles.



Now, this of course does all sorts of crazy distortions to the curves of the ghost, so I only want you to focus on ONE area... the upper right part of his head that runs along the black line I added at the noon position. See how well it corresponds to the vertical left and right edges of the square?

Above is the B side. Now let's use the exact same techniques on the A side.



I didn't quite get all the edges vertical, but still you can see that same part of his face is lining up with the vertical.

And finally, here is the same set of manipulations done to your photo.



I only put part of the 'noon' line on this one, so as not to obscure the white part.

As you can see, you actually HAD the head in the right spot, as indicated by the white area on the circle. But at some point, you rotated it counterclockwise. About seven degrees.

So although I totally understand your hesitation about altering the sculpt, it does need to be corrected before vacuforming from an incorrect buck.

It needs to go from this...


(where he's looking slightly 'downhill')

... to this:


Alex

[gbfhs]

The headless ghost, i am sure that was a different movie.

[gbfhs]

Ok heres the adjustments. Please let me know if you think its right. Thanks

[CaptCyan]

In my humble opinion, much better.

[Alex Newborn]

Contented siiiiiiiiigh...

That looks SO much better! Thank you!

I should also say, I beg your pardon for wanting that ONE detail fixed.

But the reason was, this thing looked so beautiful and perfect in EVERY other detail, it was literally the only possible thing to tweak.

Can't wait to see what you do next.

Alex

[gbfhs]

Thanks Alex and CaptCyan for the kind words and help with the detail. So now all that is left is to fill in we're the adjustments have been made, then it's the bit I like best which is vacforming. Stay tuned ?

[CaptCyan]

Can't wait to see the first pull.

[portugueseGB]

Off topic, I am sorry, but one thought that always comes to my mind when I watch GB1 is illustrated on the fire house pictures above, when the Containment is shut down and the ghosts escape: Why does the fire house look GREEN?

On-topic:

Looking great! It would look so good hanging from the wall, lighted from the inside.

[KoCo]

I've been following this build for a while now, and must say I am VERY impressed!
It's really starting to come together.

[Kingpin]

Off topic, I am sorry, but one thought that always comes to my mind when I watch GB1 is illustrated on the fire house pictures above, when the Containment is shut down and the ghosts escape: Why does the fire house look GREEN?

Probably the result of it being a F/X shot.

[910dohead]

That sign is looking very good!

[gbfhs]

Here is one of the first pulls in clear with a white background, obviously when the colours are added this will make it stand out and come alive. Quite pleased so far !

[Alex Newborn]

That looks really good so far!

Can't wait to see the finished version.

Alex

[CaptCyan]

That looks awesome without the Paint.

Being that it's a Clear pull, are you going to "Reverse Paint" it from the inside?

[gbfhs]

Yes I am going to reverse paint it, because I think that is how the original was done and it achieves a even gloss and protects it from the elements.

[PssdffJay]

How do you paint it so it doesn't show that it was painted and the paint is uneven?

Does that make sense? I forgot how to brain today...

[gbfhs]

It is time consuming but what I will do is mask everything except the black bits and spray paint black then reveal the red bits and spray everything red, it doesn't matter if the red goes on the black. Then remove all masking tape then spray everything white, overspray on the red or black does t matter. I personally would not try to brush paint because I cannot do it but I have seen people paint glass and do a fantastic job (no brush marks etc).

[PssdffJay]

Oh that makes sense. I was thinking brushes.

[Alex Newborn]

I know we're past the sculpting stage, but just for the sake of collecting all the reference pics in one thread, here's something from the GB Storybook by Anne Digby:



Alex

[GOZER84]

Hey gbfhs your sign is turning out awesome I cant wait to see more updates and the finished product, great job man

[d_osborn]

I'm not sure if this will help, but it's cool having all of the sign reference in one place.

This is a quickie iphone shot. I really need to scan the whole image. From a GB2 scene that was cut down for the montage...

...here's something from the GB Storybook by Anne Digby

I remember reading that there was a false wall built inside H&L8 to make it look like the LA23 interior. This might be the best shot of that. Thanks for posting!

[Alex Newborn]

Yes, please scan that, but wow what a heart-breaking image. Did they really do that to the original prop from the first film, only to leave the shot out of the film entirely?

Good catch on the false wall. Never thought about that.

Alex

[Kingpin]

Facinating photo Derek! I vaguely recall a script description of the abused sign, where it would've appeared shortly before some of the Ghostbusters entered the wrecked Firehouse and viewed the destroyed Containment Unit... prior to "We're back!"


That shot gives a good idea of the scale of the sign... it's huge!

[CaptCyan]

... Did they really do that to the original prop from the first film, only to leave the shot out of the film entirely?...Alex

Seeing as how they stored the Ectos, I'd be willing to bet that they didn't have to do much distressing to the Sign. What's more likely is they found it in a corner and said, "Hey this looks like it's been through an explosion. Let's use it." and made the shot.

Just my opinion.

[d_osborn]

Seeing as how they stored the Ectos, I'd be willing to bet that they didn't have to do much distressing to the Sign. What's more likely is they found it in a corner and said, "Hey this looks like it's been through an explosion. Let's use it." and made the shot.

Like Kingpin mentioned, it was actually written that way in the script.

I scanned a few shots and posted them in the press photo thread. I'm not sure if the shots will help with the sign project--hopefully so. Great progress, gbfhs!

[gbfhs]

I have started the paint process and i have learnt a few thing along the way, i found that if i used a white board marker i can outline on the front surface then flip it over and trace on the back, this makes it a lot easier and if you make a mistake on the front you can simply wipe it off before you flip it over and trace. i have decided for the black colour i am using a permanent marker pen, it just seems easier than masking off all those curves especially the eyes etc. Here are a few shots of the progress on different surfaces.

[CaptCyan]

Looking great ! Are you also going to give it a once over with some Black Paint? Marker on Plastic, even the permanent kind, can leave streaks and light spots.