The Action Figure and Toy Collecting and Discussion Thread!

[CaptainMurdock]

That's actually a good idea. That way the only light you'd need would be if you want to highlight the figures, and if the backdrop has the appropriate colors then you can just use a plain light bulb for overhead illumination of the diorama. It would still look like the original TOS sets.

My current setup is tap lights on the top of the space I use for my scenes. I have one of those Ikea style entertainment center tables and I use the middle as a stage. I need a few more tap lights to balance the lighting then I use the small finger ring lights for the colors.

 

[cooleddie74]

Tap lights are even better. No electric sockets or light bulbs in cramped spaces. And they're bright, but not blindingly so from just a short distance away and there's no bulb heat coming off the surface of the tap lights that could affect the nearby figures and displays.

 

[CaptainMurdock]

I also have a nice small battery operated florescent light if I'm doing a big scene. I also have a bit of lighting from my lamp shine into my dio-space. I get a nice blend of lighting from all angles. Plus using daylight helps as well. My most recent pictures were done during the night but daylight helps a lot. It's a fun learning process.

 

[Astra]

Did you ever do a beind-the-scenes picture Captain Murdock? Showing the lights? I'm not sure I know what tap lights or ring lights are.
I have a light that is standing on three legs but it is very bright so needs to be used carefully.



One time I wanted more colors and this is what I rigged up on the kitchen shelf



I wanted to create a club atmosphere for Doctor Who and Sherlock figures playing in a band - I call them "Wholock":

 

[CaptainMurdock]

Did you ever do a beind-the-scenes picture Captain Murdock? Showing the lights? I'm not sure I know what tap lights or ring lights are.

One time I wanted more colors and this is what I rigged up on the kitchen shelf

My mom would love that arrangement.

Ask and you shall receive.
Here is my main work area. I have a secondary one I already posted. With the painting and green roofed house.

The tap lights are simple lights you can get anywhere. They take batteries and you turn them on and off by pressing the front of the lights. They have double sided tape on them too. Ideal for mounting.

And lastly the ring lights are these little lights you wear on your fingers for parties or anything else really. They come in several colors and are nice and bright. Look for them at dollar stores or party supply stores.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

Just picked up the next in line for the Disney Elite Series, General Grievous. This maybe the best one yet.

 

[CaptainMurdock]

Bowser got bored trying to capture the princess so he resorted to cat napping instead!

 

[cooleddie74]

That General Grievous looks awesome. I don't buy or collect any of these, but I imagine this would be one of the few where the metal screws that people complain about seeing won't matter as much because Grievous is a cyborg with a metallic outer body shell and the screws would more easily blend in with his character's design.

 

[Astra]

Ask and you shall receive.
...

The tap lights are simple lights you can get anywhere. They take batteries and you turn them on and off by pressing the front of the lights. They have double sided tape on them too. Ideal for mounting.

And lastly the ring lights are these little lights you wear on your fingers for parties or anything else really. They come in several colors and are nice and bright. Look for them at dollar stores or party supply stores.

Thank you very much! Since I don't have a roof over my table I don't think tap lights will be of much use, but I have definitely seen the ring lights in dollar stores but never thought about to use them. I certainly shall get some!
My father used to have a flashlight (he was a railroad worker) where you could change the colors to red and green.

The Star Trek team explores a huge Tribble!

 

[cooleddie74]

Those pics are great!

You have all of the main Enterprise officers in those shots except for Chekov and Nurse Chapel. Did they make figures of both of them in this line?

 

[CaptainMurdock]

They made Chekov but they never released Nurse Chapel, They had a prototype of her and Yeomen Rand but there was no demand for them according to DST but they said there is a very very slim possibility they could be released for TOS's 50th anniversary if the demand is there. Here's hoping.

Lovely pictures Astra, I especially love the pic with Uhura and the tribble.

 

[cooleddie74]

A shame they didn't release the two ladies. The facial sculpts and paint jobs on both are pretty impressive for Star Trek figures, but there's long been the controversy that female action figures don't sell as well as male characters so toymakers don't put all that much focus on them in any line or franchise, no matter how popular.

 

[CaptainMurdock]

Yeah that is a real shame. And given DST usually bundled figures together I'm surprised they didn't get on shelves. Pare Rand up with Kirk and Nurse Chapel with Dr. McCoy and they'd struck gold. Which I assume was the original plan.

 

[cooleddie74]

Figure two-packs are a very good and cost-effective way to release certain characters that may or may not be very good sellers all by themselves. Such two-packs can come in themed assortments such as Command, Science and Medical with two figures in each, one of which may or may not be available as a separate release.

 

[CaptainMurdock]

Yeah, put some scratches on Kirk's face and you have a good "The Enemy Within." set for Kirk and Rand and "Journey to Babel" Emergency Surgery set for McCoy and Chapel.

 

[Astra]

I'd totally buy the ladies! I certainly could use both Chapel and Rand for my stories. Seems they have the same body like Uhura so it is mainly a paint job and a new face.

(Btw., that Uhura body is odd. One of her legs is stuck sideways-outways, like she is in a model pose, and she can't stand normally. She also cannot sit down. She has no hip joints)

And that McCoy! Have you seen these arms? LOL

This is the first I hear about the possibility of them yet coming out. That would be awesome!

Yeah, haven't gotten around to buy this Chekov yet but will in good time. I think he is easy to get. I was hunting them all in their red uniforms first, as they seem to be rare and difficult to find. I also have a green Vina now!

I have so many Kirks. There is a "battle scarred" Kirk which came with the Gorn (and is quite dirty):





There is also a "battle ravaged" Kirk which has even blood on his face:





He came with the weapon from the pilot:



And of course I couldn't resist this one









Once I have found a way to hang the "gong" that came with these figures, I'll set the scene more professional, as I also didn't have a watching McCoy at the time yet.

And, I have to say self-critical, the fight scenes look way too static. I hadn't fully realized yet how much better than the Stargate figures these are. As here you can move the feet up and down, which means you can extent the leg and still have the foot properly on the ground. The Stargate figures would topple over if I tried anything like that.

See what I mean?

 

[cooleddie74]

Ball joints and rocker ankles can make a big difference in how you can pose a figure and how realistic you can get them to look. The more ball joints the better.

 

[CaptainMurdock]

Wave 5 of Jakks Pacific World of Nintendo Line announced. My wallet will be crying.

 

[Astra]

The Golden one is lovely!

May I show some recent background customizations I did? My neighbour wanted to throw away an old picture frame but I figures I could use it as windows or doors. It reminded me of Japanese paper walls. Such an easy thing and can be used in so many different ways!

 

[CaptainMurdock]

Those are some great customizations Astra, If they were circular they could almost be the observation deck from the Enterprise bow.