The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton is one of my all-time favorite movies and I was inspired by a short clip made entirely of paper cut diorama I saw months ago. I've decided to create one but, instead of using paper, I used a cardboard (behind-the scene images below).

What shall we do next, Zero?

Oh, hello there, Zero!

Jack and Sally.

Sharing the behind the scene:

I first sketched the trees and hill. Then I extracted the images using a cutter. I used styro as a base and since I used a cardboard, I did not have a hard time making it stand. For the shoot, I used crepe paper then placed the lamps behind it (as shown below).

Excited to do more of this type of diorama using my other 2-3 inches toys. An inexpensive way to create a quick diorama and the result is equally satisfying.

-Fin-

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.

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!

An Unepected Journey. The Bag End

The Bag End.

It took a me a month to finish this diorama from group up for a local diorama contest. Due to the contest height and width requirements, I had to modify the movie/book version. The roof and back wall can be opened so I can take photos of the interior.

The furniture was hand made using craft sticks while paper clay was used for the food. I covered the exterior with grass powder and added the tree on top of the house.


The Exterior.

The Interior.

The dining room.

The Fireplace. 

The Library. 
I printed book covers and inserted foam inside.

The Pantry.

The study. 
I printed the maps and other effects.

I had a blast creating this diorama and I hope to create more like this in the future. 

The journey continues...

May The Fourth Be With You

May the Fourth Be With You! Well, more like Revenge of the Fifth already. Ha! :)

Made these last minute images for a contest sponsored by My Wonder Factory. The first image managed to land in the Top 10 out of 167 entries and the final round is on-going.


Fighting on Kamino. 
Obi Wan Kenobi v Jango Fett.

How I made the shot? 
I made the base using foam board then added the yellow lights and reflection using CS. I used a LCD screen for the Kamino background. Like with my other flight scenes, I used a string on Jango Fett then erased it afterwards in CS. Of course, the light saber, fire and other effects were rendered using CS.


And Please vote for my entry. To vote, simple click this LINK and hit LIKE. Will very much appreciate, guys! :)  


Showdown on Coruscant. 
Mace Windu v Lord Sidious 

How I made the shot? 
Like with my previous shot, I used a LCD for the background. The base was made of styro foam then I covered it with a board before painting. Effects were rendered using CS.

Thanks!

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-

Milano

Milano.

Opened Star-Lord's ship last weekend was able to take a few shots. The ship fits the 3 inches figures also by Hasbro. This comes with Peter Quill figure, working lights and sounds. 

Off for another adventure.

3 figures can fit into the ship. Pretty easy to assemble but, kinda struggled with the stickers Ha! 

Keep the motor runnin'

For these shots, I used string to hold the Milano then later deleted it in CS. Then added smoke effects and lens flare. :)

The Dark Knight Rises (PlayArts Kai)

The Dark Knight Rises by Play Arts

Similar with last year, and a year before that, I startd my year with a Batman toy shoots. Ha! This year is no different, and I decided to do some scenes from The Dark Knight Rises using the ultra sleek and fully articulated Play Arts Kai. 

For the first 2 shots, I used an LCD screen and a chimney that I have also used before. Using Photoshop, I desaturated and added photo filter to add drama. 

I said no guns, Selina. 

Now for the following images, I've created Bane's lair from scratch using sticks, chicken wire, illustration board, foam board, spray and acrylic paints. Will show you the behind-the-scene and making of the diorama soon. 

Sorry...

Let us not stand on ceremony, Mr. Wayne!

Shameless Plug:
 I joined a local toy photo contest and the last image is my entry. One of the categories is the most number of likes. Would really, really, really appreciate if you can check my entry and hit like. Here's the direct link Click Here 

Also, I'm supporting 2 good friends and fellow toy photography addicts, Ryan and Lionel. Hope you can also like their amazing entries. Here's the direct link for Ryan's entry: Click Here 

And here's the link for Lionel: Click Here

-Fin-

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! :)