The Dark Knight Returns by Mezco

One of the highlights of the recently concluded San Diego Comic Con was the release of the new Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer. I must admit, I abused the replay button and I spent a good amount of time watching the trailer over and over again. Then I found myself creating a diorama days after seeing the trailer and 'took my Mezco The Dark Knight Returns action figure for a spin.

Batman: The Dark Knight Retruns One: 12 Collective by Mezco
The details of the figure is amazing with 6 extra hands, left foot, hook, pistol, stand and alternate head. The cloth suit and cape made the figure really stand out.


I made a simple diorama based from the trailer with influence from the graphic novel by Frank Miller.

Still finishing a diorama so come back soon. Also, if you are on Instagram, follow me for more toy pictures @toyphotographyaddict.

Thanks!

Baymax!

Big Hero 6 is the hotly anticipated animated film from Disney. Movie is based from Marvel comics with the same title. This is now being shown here in Manila and 3 weeks ago, the toys were released in the local market. I found myself completing the set weeks after its movie release because we all know what happens when you wait for the movie to be released -- by weekend opening, all the good stuff are gone.

The toys are awesome! There are 6 types of Baymax released (including the plush) but I did get the Armor Up Baymax because this is scale to the other characters released. This version is just like enjoying both worlds, if you want just the regular Baymax you can remove the armor unlike the other versions. The figures are well articulated thank you, Bandai! Will review the figures on my next post. 

Got a total of 7 figures. Didn't get the small Baymax (4 inches) since it is really out of scale.

Baymax vs the soccer ball

Spent an entire week to finish a diorama in time for the movie release. :)

  

We are ready!

 Like with my other posts, will show you next time the behind-the-scene. :) 

Thanks!

Little Ghost, Little Ghost

Little ghost, little ghost
One I'm scared of the most
Can you scare me up a little bit of love?

-- well, that's the end credit song of the movie. A song that will almost got stuck for hours after watching Paranorman. I have seen the movie countless times and yep, 'will see it again today.

 The toys were released by Huckleberry 2 years ago and each of the 4 zombies comes with a tombstone while Alvin comes with a book and Norman comes with a zombie hand. 

 In the movie, Norman was haunted by his uncle in the restroom then had an episode and he was transported in a forest standing on a toiler bowl and the tissues are forming zombies reaching for him.

TIP: For the hand, I used twisties then wrapped it with a tissue paper. I then enhanced it using Photoshop to give that certain 'ghostly' feel.

In the movie, Norman started reading the book the in the cemetery. Then it's all hell from thereon.

Then we see Norman and Alvin fleeing the cemetery and into his uncle's cabin. 

TIP: I used green lamp to achieve this effect.

Still trying to figure out how to do the next scene because the characters released by Huckleberry are just limited. Hope you enjoy and feel free to share. :)

Happy Halloween, everyone! :)

Creating Kyln and M-Ship

Spaceship! Spaceship! Spaceshiiipp! Okay not really Lego-related but went out like a master builder with this diorama. 

Some of the coolest moments in the movie happened in Kyln, a prison. And in Udonta's M-ship. And that has been my inspiration for this piece.

Like with my previous tutorial, start by planning not just with the shot that you will take but most importantly the measurement. Take time to also consider the materials that will use, you don't want to end up not being able to finish your piece because of lack of materials -- or, you can always improvise.







 
Materials:
1. Foam board (bookstore) 
2. Chicken wire (hardware) 
3. Super Glue
4. Spray paint (gray)
5. Acrylic paint (black and brown)
6. Illustration board (bookstore)
7. Acetate or any hard plastic

Start by measuring the foam board and chicken wire before cutting it.

For this piece, I made 5 panels. (2) sides, (1) base (1) backgound (1) cover of the diorama but can act also as a background.







Paint the board and chicken wire with spray paint. Not too close though because this will moisten the board. Lay it flat so I won't curve.










 
Remember what I told you about improvising? Now is the time. Haha. So, I'm desperate to finish my piece and I still can't find the 'perfect' material for the circle thingy (as seen in the movie). I toyed around with the idea of just using an illustration for the 'pins' and it worked!




Hard part is over now comes the fun part. Of course a diorama is incomplete without any props in it and I like to build my own from the scratch. Just use your imagination. 
I used empty candy container, ballpen, cover of a boxed milk. I also used a busted cable (see images below) and other materials that you can easily find in your home.

Then assemble all the pieces together and you can apply wither effect using black and brown acrylic paint (rust). For the window, you can use acetate or any hard plastic. I made the background panel removable so I can insert the other panel. And yeah, that's me goofing around. :)




I have mentioned earlier about 'light source' For this piece, I took advantage of the base to place a red lamp as seen in my shots. I also used the top of the diorama and side (window). See image below.

I had a blast creating this diorama and now that Marvel has announced GOTG 2, I can't wait to watch it and create more memorable scenes from the movie.

And lastly, I would like to thank you all for the wonderful comments and shares especially in G+!

-Fin-

Guardians of the Galaxy Take 2

Take 2.

Finally! I was able to finish my new Guardians of the Galaxy diorama and I would like to share some shots I made these past few days. 

Let's go, Gamora.

Hello Daddy, hello Mom
I'm your ch ch ch ch ch cherry bomb

 

 

Drax the Destroyer hungry for revenge.

"Call me rodent one more time...."

Hail (hail)
What's the matter with you feel right...Come and Get Your Love.

 I'm really having a blast re-creating the movie through toy photography and diorama. :)

Behind-the-scene.

'Will show you next time how I've created the diorama. :)

Creating Planet Morag

Creating Planet Morag (Guardians Of The Galaxy)

I got into serious diorama making 2 years ago. Before it was just a make a shift set-up -- of placing the figure on a nice base then adding some props. Nowadays, I like to build my diorama from ground up. This is a very time consuming hobby but, once hooked, there's no stopping you from creating huge models.

The first thing you need to do is to plan your diorama. You have to take into consideration possible shots that you can make using the base. Consider the size and placement of your future shots. Don't just go gung-ho and encounter a problem later on that would render your base useless. Consider the place where you will take pictures, your diorama might be too big. Consider the toys, your diorama might be too small or worst,  not scale at all. 

What I will show you next are series of images with description on how I made Planet Morag (note: please don't mind the low resolution images -- I just used my mobile device):

Materials used:
1. Styrofoam (school supplies)
2. Wall Putty (hardware section)
3. Water-based acrylic Paint - white and black (school supplies)
4. Glue

Draw the pattern you want then just cut the styrofoam. I just pile up styrofoam then cut it like a madman.

 Once you are satisfied, you can now 
glue the parts.Or, you can coat it first before
 gluing it then coating the base
of the attached portion with wall putty.

This is probably my least favorite -- coating with wall putty. Why coat? (1) I love the details once finished -- it will look like real rocks (2) It won't be hard for me
 to spray paint / dry brush afterwards.
I used to wrap tissue papers and painstakingly gluing it. This is more time efficient but, a bit costly. 

Tip: Coat first the hard-to-reach areas.

Wait for at least 45 minutes  to 1 hour before painting the base.

 My favorite part! Since the base will only be covered by gray, I mixed black and white. I like to make different shades -- strong, medium and soft. This will add a more realistic look. What I do is (for darker gray) add more black, for softer, add more white. Just experiment. :)

 

Then I joined the two by gluing it together then covering with wall putty then paint. 

There are other ways to do a base like this and I will show you next time few tricks and I would also love to hear other ways from you. Enjoy! :)

                                                            -Fin-