75 Years of Batman

Batman is celebrating his 75th birthday this year and fans all over the world are treated with events showcasing the caped crusader's history throughout the years.
A group of toy collectors from the South of the Metro got invited to exhibit their Batman figures and vehicles at SM BF, Paranaque in October 24-31, 2014. 

The many faces of Batsie. One side of the mini theater.

Fans were also treated to a special screening of Batman's various vehicles from 66 up to The Bat.

The event would not be complete without showcasing some Batman action figures and some of Gotham City's key characters. I also got to display some of my action figures and vehicles together with my fellow toy collectors from the south of the Metro -- Jeffrey Velasquez and sons, Raffy Panganiban, Karsen Bob Teh, PJ Arcellana, JC Rivera and Liam Caballes.

Truly a great year for Batman fans, not only we're being bombarded with tons of collectibles but also, we get to celebrate Batman's history and introduce him to the new generation of Batman fans. Cheers, Batman! And please watch your back. :)

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. :)

Fix-It-Felix!

Wreck-It-Ralph is one of my all-time favorite animated films. And earlier this year, I decided to create a diorama based on Disney's animated film as my entry in the 2014 Toy Convention held at SM Megamall, Manila. From the interior (buildings with furniture and light) to the exterior -- arcade style :)

Shot taken from the outside. I placed a blue LCD to make it more arcade-ish.

But, you can also take out the building from the arcade. I'm Gonna Wreck It!

I'm Gonna Fix It! The interior has furniture. The building is just made up of styro board.

This is what it looks like from a far. Got all the buttons (non-working of course) haha and acrylic that acted as the screen since glass is too heavy.

Will show you next time how I have created the diorama (hope I can find all the images in my mobile) hehe.