Inside Out

Inside Out is an animated film by Disney Pixar. I have not seen it yet but, based from the trailer, it's a comedy-adventure film that revolves around the mind of Riley and her 5 emotions. The movie is set to be released locally sometime next week.

Now, let's talk about the toys. Got the 5 figures from Toy Town a few days ago because once the movie is released, we all know what will happen. By opening weekend, these figures will be gone. Have not seen the console yet and I'm itching to get my hands to get Bing Bong, too.
  
Shot was inspired by the movie poster and I replaced the image with my figures. 

Let's meet the gang one by one:

JOY.  The figure comes with a memory orb. The height is 5 inches from the tip of the hair to the base. With 7 points of articulation: (1) Head; (2-5) Arms, Left and Right [sideways and back and forth] (6-7) Legs [sideway].

I just love Joy's facial expression and the skirt is made of soft plastic. The figure lights up when placed near the HQ Console (sold separately).

SADNESS. Like with all of the figures, Sadness comes with a memory orb. Stand about 3 and 1/2 inches and with 5 points of articulation: (1) Head (2-5) Arms, Left and Right [sideways and back and forth].

This is my favorite among the figures because she is so darn cute! There is no leg articulation on Sadness, though. The figure lights up when placed near the HQ Console (sold separately).

DISGUST. The figures comes with a memory orb. The height is 3 and 1/2 inches from the tip of the hair to the base. With 7 points of articulation: (1) Head; (2-5) Arms, Left and Right [sideways and back and forth] (6-7) Legs [minimal back and forth].

Like with Joy, Disgust's skirt is made of soft plastic and lights up too when near the console (sold separately).



FEAR. The figures comes with a memory orb. The height is 4 and 1/2 inches from the tip of the hair to the base. With 6 points of articulation: (1-4) Arms, Left and Right [sideways and back and forth] (5-6) Legs [minimal back and forth].

I just love the look on Fear's face. Too bad, there is no head articulation on this one.

 ANGER. The figure comes with a red memory ord and the fire on his head can be removed. Stand about 4 inches (with fire) and 2 1/2 inches (without fire) and with only 4 points of articulation: (1-4) Arms, Left and Right [sideways and back and forth].
 
Note: I edited the flame using CS. Please see picture below for the actual flame.

Overall, TOMY did a fantastic job with these figures and I hope the HQ console will also be released locally.

Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire

Just a few more days and the Season 5 of Game of Thrones is upon us. I can't wait for the season premier so, I've decided to finally take some of the GOT figures for a photo shoot. Was able to complete series 1 of this line but, I still need 3 characters from series 2 and I hope to complete it before the season begins. I've got to say, Funko did a fantastic job with these figures in terms of articulation and overall sculpt well, except for Arya (lol) and the figures seem fragile and will break any moment.

Daenarys Targaryen.

"I'm going to break the wheel."

How I made the shot: I used a red lamp to make it look like that a dragon is breathing fire below. I added a dragon's shadow using CS then fire effects -- but, I want it subtle, so I blurred it a bit.



The Hound and Arya Stark.

Ser Gregor
Dunsen
Polliver
Chiswyck
Raff the Sweetling
The Tickler
Ser Amory
Ser Ilyn
Ser Meryn
King Joffrey
Queen Cersei
The Hound

How I made the shot: I used an orange lamp then used one of my dioramas (Walking Dead Funko Pop) and an LCD screen. Using CS, I added a photo filter to compliment the background color.

Jon Snow.

Watchers on the wall.

How I made the shot: Using an old diorama, I just added fog and snow effects using CS. You can just use a fog brush (you can download it for free) then a nice soft brush for the snow before applying blur (to the snow).

Robb Stark.

The King of the North.

How I made the shot: Not much editing except for smoke effect which you can also download or you can just use a brush from the preset.

White Walker's Master.

Winter is coming.

How I made the shot: Painted some branches white then using CS, I added snow effect. I used 'dodge' for the figure's eyes before replicating the layer then adding a black photo filter. In that layer, I erased the eyes making it stand out. 


Shameless plug: Would greatly appreciate it if you can like my Facebook page and follow me on Instagram @toyphotograpyaddict. Thanks, guys!



-Fin-

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. :)

2014 Collecticon

Collecticon is one of the most anticiated toy conventions in the country alongside Toycon and Tagcom. Now on its 7th year, the organizers transferred the venue from Robinsons Place Manila to SM Megamall. The 2-day event was jam packed with these activities:

- Top comic book artist sketches and commission
- Gundam Caravan
- Customizer's Clinic featuring top local customizers
- Guardians of the Galaxy Cosplayers
- Toy Display by different Toy Groups
- Toy Diorama by Toy Soldier 1:18
- Statue and Lifesize Display
- Toy Groups Trivia Contest & Discussions
- 1/6 Scale Customizing Contest
- Toy Photography Contest
- K-Zoned featuring KPop Group NOM/Dance


 I have been going to Collecticon since its debut 7 years ago and has been joining the photo contest for the past 6 years. I exhibited my He-Man collection as well 2 years ago and it is always a treat meeting fellow toy and comic book enthusiasts. I just want to share some photos that I took during the 2-day event held at the Megatrade Hall 3 on September 27-28, 2014.

From the entrance, the guests were greeted by the amazing toy displays from various local toy collectors:

Custom figure by Myke Dela Paz

Custom figure by Myke Dela Paz

Custom figure by Myke Dela Paz

Custom figure by Myke Dela Paz

PinoyLUG's first toy display. www.facebook.com/groups/PinoyLUG

PinoyLUG's toy display.

Star Wars Lego display by PinoyLUG.

Flash by Riverspoons Studios

Green Arrow by Riverspoons Studios

 

Funko display by Funko Funatics Phil.

Gundam Caravan

Gundam toy display

  

The entire half of the hall was dedicated to selling and some really cool finds! Was able to take home a few comic books, old and hard-to-find toys:XD

 

 

Cool toys were auctioned during the event. A lot went  home with empty pockets but, happy as a kid. Haha!

The crowd was also treated by the Guardians of the Galaxy cosplayers.

And my fave, toy photography contest. Got really lucky and won 1st place in the Edited Category. My 4th win and ticket to Collecticon's Hall of Fame. Ending my toy photo stint with a bang -- Guardians of the Galaxy way. Thank you, Collection! Until next year.

I missed a lot of events during the con like the Marvel trivia contest, Figure Custom Clinic and 1/6th Custom contest because I was busy roaming around with fellow toy geeks chatting and hunting for toys. Ha! Well, there will always be next year. :)

My winning entry. We Are The Guardians of the Galaxy.

-Fin-