Custom Toy Contest -- Begin!

[BigApple3AM]

Here are the rules:
#1 - Anything goes, pick an idea and go with it. No universe/theme restrictions... except that it has to be from some form of TMNT.
#2 - Get an idea, customize your figure, but don't let anyone know what you're doing. Private message me the pictures when you're finished. 2 entries maximum.
#3 - We will then make a new thread with a poll and have people vote on which is their favorite.
#4 - Deadline is August 15th, 2007.
#5 - Winner claims the prize -- a first issue TMNT convention exclusive!
#6 - Remember that this is all in fun, no mean spirited criticism. Hopefully this will be a chance for people to express themselves without any negative ramifications.

Here's the list of members participating. (If anyone wants to be added or removed from the list, post in here.)
Leonardo19
cowabunga14 - Submitted
Damien Kash
Oroku Saki
Ava Collier
TMNTerminator
Patraw - Submitted
Leonardo07
Grayfox
Djblizzard
Blade Raider
Putrescent*
Ectocooler*

*Not competing for the prize.

Use this thread to discuss customizing tips or ask for help.

Have fun!

[Patraw]

What kind of format are you looking for in terms of photos? I usually do a photo collage showing the figure from multiple angles, accessory detail, action features/articulation, etc.

[BigApple3AM]

Lets limit it to 3 photos, any format, and when the contest is over you can post as many as you want in any thread you want.

[Mike Bock]

Does this mean that the custom could be done in classic playmates design , 2k3 design or movie ?

[BigApple3AM]

Anything is fair game, just as long as it is from turtles, and not something like gi joe or power rangers.

[Patraw]

What about something that is most definitely TMNT, but isn't from any 'official' TMNT universe? Without giving away the specifics of my idea, I'll just say that it was something that appeared in a special issue of the Kevin Eastman-owned Heavy Metal magazine that was part of the background for a graphic novel by another famous artist, whom I won't name, as a tribute to TMNT (basically an inside joke). The fact that Eastman allowed it would give it some legitimacy I would think.

[BigApple3AM]

Sounds fine to me. As long as it's not optimus prime or harry potter, etc... Anything in the vast tmnt universe, doesn't have to be cannon or anything.

[OA]

Sounds fine to me. As long as it's not optimus prime or harry potter, etc... Anything in the vast tmnt universe, doesn't have to be cannon or anything.

Dangit...there goes my Hermoine Granger idea...

[Grayfox]

Count me in! =D

[djblizzard]

Hey,
One of my friends told me about this contest, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Count me in!

[BigApple3AM]

Cool wecome to the boards, I've added your names to the list...

[Ava Collier]

More fodder arrived in the mail today. Soon, I can begin my dastardly work. BWAHAHAHAHA-*cough*

[BigApple3AM]

Nice. Unfortunately I've hit a little creative snafu. Oh well, hopefully everyone's doing better than I am.

[VaughnMichael]

but don't let anyone know what you're doing
yeah ok so I some how didn't even notice this before Titanus is one of my guys so I guess I'm out of this I'm busting my @ss on this thing but oh well I'm doing it for myself anyways more so than any contest.

[BigApple3AM]

I made the rule because I didn't want this to be a popularity contest. I don't want people who don't care just voting for their friends.

I know you had other projects you were working on, there's still a month before the due date. If you finish one of your others that you haven't made a thread about you can always enter that one. If you don't get any others done, and no one else has a problem with it, I'll probably allow the custom you're working on.

The contest was more to get people into the toy forum, have some fun energy since this place has been somewhat dead thanks to a lull in the tmnt toy world. I wouldn't want anyone to have any hard feelings, and I don't want anyone to drop out. But I did set the rules for a reason, I'm not trying to be a hardass.

[VaughnMichael]

I made the rule because I didn't want this to be a popularity contest. I don't want people who don't care just voting for their friends.

I know you had other projects you were working on, there's still a month before the due date. If you finish one of your others that you haven't made a thread about you can always enter that one. If you don't get any others done, and no one else has a problem with it, I'll probably allow the custom you're working on.

The contest was more to get people into the toy forum, have some fun energy since this place has been somewhat dead thanks to a lull in the tmnt toy world. I wouldn't want anyone to have any hard feelings, and I don't want anyone to drop out. But I did set the rules for a reason, I'm not trying to be a hardass.
Screw that and I'm sure it will become one anyways.*shruggs*
I'm not doing this all for the contest anyways. oh well.
I'm not going to hide my work though especially something I'm very proud of and enjoy sharing the process with everyone.
Hell I i hadn't shown Titanus to everyone I wouldn't have realized I had his shoulder pads out to far and now it's corrected.
I'm not sure if I'll get others done I've had allot going on.
So do what ya well I can take it I just wont be a happy camper :P

[BigApple3AM]

It's not going to be a popularity contest, how can it if no one knows who did what? All will be revealed after the contest, credit will be given, just not right away. Then people can tell other people what they like and didn't like if they wish.

Competition is a good movtivating factor. The prize isn't all that great, it was just to get people to do something fun, you obviously want no part, so nice knowing ya. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[VaughnMichael]

It's not going to be a popularity contest, how can it if no one knows who did what? All will be revealed after the contest, credit will be given, just not right away. Then people can tell other people what they like and didn't like if they wish.

Competition is a good movtivating factor. The prize isn't all that great, it was just to get people to do something fun, you obviously want no part, so nice knowing ya. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
I didn't say I want no part shesh.
And I ment it will become a popularity thing for the factor of winning because people on this site do indeed have fave members.
And as I well know allot of people dislike me just like yourself they take me the wrong way allot of the time because I come off as harsh when I wasn't even trying to be.
I mean why wouldnt I want to be I was one of the first people to show an intrest in this to you and even suggested that perhaps we get playmates and mirage in on this. :)

[BigApple3AM]

I gave you a second chance and you said screw that. I started the contest to motivate people and to have fun.

The only way people will vote for their friends is if people break the rules and tell them which is theres. Still, the majority of people going into the thread aren't going to see names and just the the work itself.

I'd like for you to stay but I thought you made it pretty clear you didn't want anything to do with the contest.

[VaughnMichael]

I gave you a second chance and you said screw that. I started the contest to motivate people and to have fun.

The only way people will vote for their friends is if people break the rules and tell them which is theres. Still, the majority of people going into the thread aren't going to see names and just the the work itself.

I'd like for you to stay but I thought you made it pretty clear you didn't want anything to do with the contest.
no i was saying i wasnt doing this for the contest thats why i was posting them anyways but would still like to be around if i'll be havvved :)

[Patraw]

I had to finish this up first before I could start on this contest (I hate working on multiple figures at once):

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/kramwartap/QKA_gremlinfinal.jpg

It's a Quake: Scourge of Armagon Gremlin action figure, with a buttload of accessories, that I spent about 15 days sculpting.

Anyway, I finally started sculpting my first entry for this contest yesterday, and got about a third of it done. I anticipate I'll have it finished, and the photos sent out to you, towards the end of this week, Ectocooler.

[BigApple3AM]

I dunno what a quake is, but it's cool! Looking forward to your entry.

[Dragnskull]

I dunno what a quake is, but it's cool! Looking forward to your entry.

this looks like its an awsome idea...i cant wait to see the projects!

id like to join in, always thought makin gmy own action figures would be fun...but sadly i havnt the slightest idea how to do something like that...

[BigApple3AM]

Just read the rules, then check out this website:
http://www.figurerealm.com/customtutorial.php

And if you still want to I'll sign you up!

[Zachatello00]

dude, this is an awesome idea! I'm not confident enough in my own abilities to participate (yet) but I'll certianly be checking back for results.

[Spitfire]

Someone better do Aramggon or Verminator X...or some Archie characters.

[Toonami Tom]

This isn't my plan, but I think a Marvel Legends Psylocke re-painted to look like seasons 2-3 Karai would be awesome.

[Jester]

You could probably use Deathstrike also to make a ML style Karai.

[Ava Collier]

Come on people, don't wuss out just because it's something new. I've never done this before. :P

[Patraw]

Dragnskull: Ectocooler posted up some good links before (can't recall if it was this thread or the other one), in addition to the one given below your post, that will give you some background info on how to proceed. You could just do a repaint if nothing else; that isn’t terribly difficult.

Ectocooler: Quake is a FPS (first person shooter); a video game where you go around blasting things from a first person viewpoint. It’s like Doom, Halo, Unreal, Half Life, etc, if you're familiar with any of those.

My TMNT sculpt is about 2/3 done now. I’m shooting for finishing it Thursday, but it may take a day or two longer than that, depending on how things go.

[Patraw]

I finished up my entry last night and submitted it. I hope the rest of you are making good progress on your projects.

[Leogeddon]

I had to finish this up first before I could start on this contest (I hate working on multiple figures at once):

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/kramwartap/QKA_gremlinfinal.jpg

It's a Quake: Scourge of Armagon Gremlin action figure, with a buttload of accessories, that I spent about 15 days sculpting.

Anyway, I finally started sculpting my first entry for this contest yesterday, and got about a third of it done. I anticipate I'll have it finished, and the photos sent out to you, towards the end of this week, Ectocooler.

now that's insane, i would join but i can't make things with my own two hands except drawings... but i did come up with a shell phone and wanted to talk with the top dudes of Pizza Hut, a cell company, and Peter Laird himself about making a joint project... if only i could... they wouldn't listen to my awesome idea because it would complicate business and probably not possible.

I even drew out the possibilities of the layout like the pizza hut number that would be closest could be wired in the cell "Shell" phone once activated or something. =\

it could sell millions, i mean, who WOULDN'T wanna carry around a turtle shell looking cell phone??

[Raziel]

who WOULDN'T wanna carry around a turtle shell looking cell phone??

A lot of people. ;)

[Patraw]

Given the popularity of TMNT, I don't think it's unreasonable to think a 'shellphone' wouldn't be a successful item, particularly with children. It certainly wouldn't be hard to make. I imagine the idea has already been thought of though, Tony, so I don't think you'd get anywhere trying to market it yourself (I think 'shellphones' have been mentioned in the TMNT cartoons/comics before, but maybe I'm wrong). As this contest is for figures, I don't think it'd be acceptable as a stand-alone submission (you'd have to talk to Ectocooler for the final word on that though), although it would make a good accessory.

I started sculpting my second contest submission Saturday morning, but I had a busy weekend so I haven't made much progress on it (only about 1/6 done). I'm hoping to get some serious work done on it this afternoon/evening.

[Patraw]

Finished my second figure up yesterday and submitted it this morning; that does it for me. Looking forward to seeing everyone's results after the August 15th deadline.

[Blade Raider]

Since I just finshed touching up my first custom TMNT, count me in!

[installerray]

how about this dude
damn, i dont know how to make the pic bigger!?!?!?
it took me forever just to get it up here.
motherf*@#$r , i should have went to school a little more often, and i might of learned how to operate this fancy learnin box

[Ava Collier]

The cutting has begun! :evilgrin:
Unfortunately this included my finger :embarass:
I hope I'm still in one piece by the time I'm done.
Blarg...it will be obvious which one's mine >_>'

[Patraw]

Uh, nice figure, but I think you just disqualified yourself, missnickyray. The rules clearly state that you're not allowed to show anybody what you're making--now everybody knows what your entry is.

[Spitfire]

Uh, nice figure, but I think you just disqualified yourself, missnickyray. The rules clearly state that you're not allowed to show anybody what you're making--now everybody knows what your entry is.

That rule is ****ing stupid. I say let him enter.

[Ava Collier]

That rule is ****ing stupid. I say let him enter.

That's not exactly the point. She could have...you know...READ the rules.

[VaughnMichael]

That's not exactly the point. She could have...you know...READ the rules.
I've gotta agree the rule is friggin stupid you should be able to show people the things you're working on so you can get opinions.
Hell my showing off my Titanus scukp helped me realize that I hade his shoulder pads to big and in the wrog place before.
Had I not done that I'd forever have a screwed up Titanus and would have had to start all over again.

[Patraw]

Either everybody has to follow the rules, or nobody does--if they're not applied to everyone equally, they're meaningless and unfair. If you don't like/agree with the rules, don't enter; it's as simple as that. The appropriate time to petition for a change/negotiate the rules was in Ectocooler's sign-up thread, not now that the deadline for the contest is about three weeks away. Ectocooler was very specific as to why the rule about not telling/showing anyone what your entry is was put in place. I've seen that rule in other contests, on other boards I belong to, so it's not like Ectocooler is the only one that does it. Yes, it can be frustrating not being able to claim/show your work until the contest is finished, but that's the price you pay for entry.

[VaughnMichael]

I've made my reasons very clear as to why I think that rule about now showing what you're doing as you go along to be a very bad rule.
I'd much rather not be a part of a contest that doesnt allow me to get peoples opinions on what I'm working on in case my eyes miss something that they might see so I have a better more acurate sculpt in the end.
I also posted my first custom before the contest even began because it had started before Ecto even came up with the idea to have a contest.
People should just be doing them anyways it's not like he's giving out a million dollars or anything.
I say do your customs post them if you want don't let something hold you back.
But peopl shouldn't be rude to people for posting them reguardless there's better ways to say something than.
OMGZ YOU BROKEWD THE RULESSS NAAA NAAANAA NAA I'M TELLING!:roll:

[Spitfire]

The stupid thing about that rule was he added it after the fact.

[Cure]

OMGZ YOU BROKEWD THE RULESSS NAAA NAAANAA NAA I'M TELLING!:roll:

Jesus Christ, where was somebody being as rude as that?! My God, you guys DO make big deals out of anything and complain about everything. Either enter and follow the rules or don't enter at all. Simple as that. Then you guys wonder why you get nominated for most rude and whatnot. You're just basically ruining the fun for others.

[Jo Dawn]

Ok, ok... Let's calm down a bit.

I'm not sure why the rule is such a bad thing; it's why I ask that people sumbit votes for the Dromies via PM, also.

This is a fun idea; I'm anxious to see all the good work done here. I hope it's not sullied by any more fighting that could rather be done via PM, yes?

[VaughnMichael]

Jesus Christ, where was somebody being as rude as that?! My God, you guys DO make big deals out of anything and complain about everything. Either enter and follow the rules or don't enter at all. Simple as that. Then you guys wonder why you get nominated for most rude and whatnot. You're just basically ruining the fun for others.
I was being sarcastic like you know how many people tend to be on the Internet.
A sense of humor is a wonderful thing to have.
I was just making points and please don't group me in with other people.
Every time I have something to say I've always got valid points to back up what I have to say.
I'm quite happy I've shown what I was working on like I said it saved me from making an error in my sculpt that I wouldn't have otherwise noticed. :)
I'm not mad at all or being over dramatic.
Like I also said it's not like he's giving a million dollars away.
I also love how I typed allot of good points but the one thing that was focused on was a sarcastic joke.
And posting ones opinions is a great thing it doesn't ruin anything for anyone if some other persons opinions effect you so much then perhaps you shouldn't be here.
The thing that's funny is you think I'm so negative but I like a heck of allot more of the tmnt worlds and veriations than most fans do I really don't see the reason behind bickering about such things or making fun of other tmnt universes to me TMNT is TMNT no matter how you look at it.
Also I'm not trying to agrue or start crap with anyone I'm just trying to make some valid points that should perhaps be used next time a contest of this nature is done.
It's very helpful to get other peoples opinions on what you're doing so it turns out 100% correct.
It will also keep others from doing the same exact things you might be doing and give a very nice variety of entries.
I post many good things it's not my fault that most people like to focus on the things I say that they don't agree with.
Much like any other person I will defend my beliefs to the end but I more often than not try to see things in the ways others would.
I've stated my opinion on the matter nothing else really needs to be said.
Ok, ok... Let's calm down a bit.

I'm not sure why the rule is such a bad thing; it's why I ask that people sumbit votes for the Dromies via PM, also.

This is a fun idea; I'm anxious to see all the good work done here. I hope it's not sullied by any more fighting that could rather be done via PM, yes?
You know no one does that Jo but it's nice to see you're alive and kicking I thought all the mods jumped ship there for a moment.:lol:
I'm not saying the rule is even that bad I'm just saying it's just not a good idea especially for people like myself who had been doing customs all along and ask for peoples opinions incase I maybe missed something that they saw or for advice on what could make the sculpt better.
I wouldn't say some one who asks for others help on something and values the other members opinions on his own work is a rude jerk.
I'm just overly opinionated on allot of things and I have as much right to say the things I do as anyone else does.
Sarcastic or not.

[Spitfire]

Yeah please don't group Putrescent here with me. I tried being nice with you people but you don't listen to me either way so why bother wording my rants in a nice manner when I get the same response when I write them in an angry tone?

[Ava Collier]

My opinion on the rule doesn't really matter. ;)
The fact is, it's there. A new contestant coming in with blatant disreguard to any of the rules makes me think one of two things must have happened.

A: They didn't bother to read the rules
B: They don't care about the rules

...and either is disrespectful.

*sigh* With everything going on here, and in my head, I don't know if I'm going to make the deadline, but I'll try.

[Krueger]

I thought the only rule about the Custom Toy Contest was don't talk about the Custom Toy Contest.

[Ava Collier]

Blarg I have to drop out too. My husband misplaced the paints we spent $60.00 on, and I don't have the money to replace them. :dead:

[Patraw]

Sigh. Here comes the onslaught of dropouts that always accompanies any message board contest/project. :dead:

You know, Ava, there are still two weeks left till deadline. If you looked, you might be able to find the paint by then--I wouldn't call it quits just yet. Also, there are a lot of cheap paints to be had--I use Apple Barrel/Folk Art acrylic paints, which can be bought at Wal Mart for less than $1 for a 2 fl. oz. bottle. You could buy white, black, red, yellow, and blue, which would allow you to make almost any color you needed, and it would only cost you $5, including tax.

[Ava Collier]

I can try. I didn't plan on just abandoning the project, but truth be told there's a lot more going on than just lost paints. Thanks for the tip about the paint though. If I really can not locate the ones I bought, I'll have to see if I can find a ride to wal mart.

[Shredder]

Offensive post deleted. NO personal attacks on other members, please.

[Ava Collier]

Offensive post deleted. NO personal attacks on other members, please.

Thank you Shredder. I don't even know what that was about. :ohwell:
You're the man your evilness. You've always been the man. :P


And on a side note, I not only found my crap last night, but I've almost got all my sculpted bits ready for the oven.

[Patraw]

One more day to go till the deadline expires . . . hopefully everybody has their stuff done or is putting that last swipe of paint on.

Can't wait to see what everybody came up with in the voting thread!

[Toonami Tom]

My image hosting website isn't working right. So the only way to enter the contest that I can think of at the moment is to make my custom figure my avatar.:ohwell: This will be the first time anyone has seen my custom, and since the contest deadline is tomorrow.... I just wish my image host site worked right.

Once everyone has seen this pic of my figure, I can change my avatar to a close up of my custom.

[Roseangelo]

There are several different photo hosting sites, I'm sure you can find one that'll work. It is also possible to attach photos directly to your post.

You should try photobucket.com, imageshack.com, or flickr.com.

[Ava Collier]

Well I'm definately ****ing out now. Not only did one of my figures turn to mush in my hands, my damn oven caught fire. I can't finish the other one either. Good luck everyone else, I have to wait until I can afford to replace my ****ing oven to finish my projects.

[Toonami Tom]

I'm sorry to hear about that Ava.:(

Roseangelo, thanks for the suggestions for image hosting sites. I will try my image hosting site again, maj.com, and if that doesn't work I will probably go with photobucket.com or imageshack.com.

[Roseangelo]

Oh no! Good luck getting everything worked out, Ava!!

[Ava Collier]

Thanks guys. Appearantly it's disaster time. It started yesterday and just keeps on going ~_~' ugg.
When I do replace my oven though, I do plan on finishing, and posting the pics...if nothing else goes horribly horribly wrong.

[Leonardo19]

what time today is the deadline? i will have my entry done today but its going to be this evening.

[cowabunga14]

what time today is the deadline? i will have my entry done today but its going to be this evening.
I don't think there's a particular time per se; we probably just have to wait for Ectocooler.

[BigApple3AM]

We only have 3 entries in so far. I'll be posting the new thread tomorrow, so try to get your pictures in as soon as you can.

[Toonami Tom]

I'm going to create a www.imagshack.us account.

[Patraw]

Leonardo07: I recommend Photobucket; I've been using it for a long time, without any significant problems, and it’s the service I used to send Ectocooler my photos for this contest, and there were no problems. Don’t, as you said, put a photo of your figure as your avatar and/or in your post—remember all entries have to remain anonymous until the voting is over.

Ava: In the future, I recommend getting your figure(s) done long before deadline, particularly if you anticipate difficulties beforehand. Doing so will give you the time to solve/deal with problems that may arise and still get a submission in on time.

[Slash]

how about this dude
damn, i dont know how to make the pic bigger!?!?!?
it took me forever just to get it up here.
motherf*@#$r , i should have went to school a little more often, and i might of learned how to operate this fancy learnin box


I liked this one...