"Customs" - Cannon vs. Imagination

I'm new here - so hopefully my point won't be taken wrong. I started my "Custom" with the intent that if Lucas himself ever needed a "Desert Mandalorian" he wouldn't have to look far and his prop dept would have the day off. I had alot of help - one - ASOK lead me here and aided me in the correct way to do weathering that looks real. I wanted not to take away from Lucas and his vision. But I knew that doing a custom it had to "maybe" look a little different. As one member pointed out -- Mandalorians fought in several wars - picked up several traits of other cultures, etc. Which is why I incorporated a few things from my experiences in Iraq. At the end of the day - it still is "high;y" representative of what Lucas presented in the Star Wars movies. I can only say this - if one decides to stay close to home - perhaps not much will be said and those who are S/W fans will see that this "mando" did just walk off the set. However, if one decides to stray away from what Lucas has defined - then there might be criticism from a large population - i.e. "cannon folks". I have a Stormtrooper armor set - I went out and bought the correct hand pieces - since my frown is black - and I have the static burst mod in there as well. I wanted that so when people talk to me -- it sounds and looks like the movie version. This is how I approached the "Custom." The photo above with Jango and the other mando in green detail is a perfect representation of what should really be considered.

IF members want to do a custom and their budget is tight -- they are not really "art'sy" - this is the best place to come and read and meet those who have done it and been successful. I read a large number of posts here way before I started my costume: http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/showthread.php?t=20544

I did so - did my homework - because I wanted it to be real. It was personal - but also professional towards those guys and gals that were before me. I didn't want to take away from their hard work in detail when doing screen accurate bounty hunters. This brings to my point. Being creative is fine - but seeing what is out there and viewing the situation - then understanding brings one to the conclusion of what should be done. For example : I have seen jet packs on here that should not be worn - I'm not saying mine is the best -- but I looked at what was out there - bought the materials -- asked questions - shopped for months to gather what I thought would work - and then started. My pack is heavier than the fiberglass one for sell - but I only spent about $85 on it. Yes I worked on it for about a month off/on - stopped and thought about the next stage. I was careful and not rushed. I wanted this to look real - so when a child came up or a S/W fan -- it would continue to inspire them to believe in Lucas and his work.

This of course is mine opinion and I hope that I did not offend anyone - just a different perspective on what as been discussed here. I - like everyone here - will help out anyone doing a custom. I had to hand make my jet pack and gauntlets from WOF & Lisafett templates. Yes I stayed close to home - but I saw it staying within Lucas and his vision - which I believe has set the standard which we all want to express. Therefore - if someone has never done a costume and needs help -- I have several photos of each stage of building each piece and what materials I used to complete it. I will send out those with instructions to help maintain a certain defined standard that we all know and respect - which is why we do what we do - continue the fantasy of Star Wars for generations to come!

Over to you guys,

Joe

Well spoken, Joe. I've seen your armor, and it's definately high quality; you should be proud.
Rob

TK1799jhw said:

I'm new here - so hopefully my point won't be taken wrong. I started my "Custom" with the intent that if Lucas himself ever needed a "Desert Mandalorian" he wouldn't have to look far and his prop dept would have the day off. I had alot of help - one - ASOK lead me here and aided me in the correct way to do weathering that looks real. I wanted not to take away from Lucas and his vision. But I knew that doing a custom it had to "maybe" look a little different. As one member pointed out -- Mandalorians fought in several wars - picked up several traits of other cultures, etc. Which is why I incorporated a few things from my experiences in Iraq. At the end of the day - it still is "high;y" representative of what Lucas presented in the Star Wars movies. I can only say this - if one decides to stay close to home - perhaps not much will be said and those who are S/W fans will see that this "mando" did just walk off the set. However, if one decides to stray away from what Lucas has defined - then there might be criticism from a large population - i.e. "cannon folks". I have a Stormtrooper armor set - I went out and bought the correct hand pieces - since my frown is black - and I have the static burst mod in there as well. I wanted that so when people talk to me -- it sounds and looks like the movie version. This is how I approached the "Custom." The photo above with Jango and the other mando in green detail is a perfect representation of what should really be considered.

IF members want to do a custom and their budget is tight -- they are not really "art'sy" - this is the best place to come and read and meet those who have done it and been successful. I read a large number of posts here way before I started my costume: http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/showthread.php?t=20544

I did so - did my homework - because I wanted it to be real. It was personal - but also professional towards those guys and gals that were before me. I didn't want to take away from their hard work in detail when doing screen accurate bounty hunters. This brings to my point. Being creative is fine - but seeing what is out there and viewing the situation - then understanding brings one to the conclusion of what should be done. For example : I have seen jet packs on here that should not be worn - I'm not saying mine is the best -- but I looked at what was out there - bought the materials -- asked questions - shopped for months to gather what I thought would work - and then started. My pack is heavier than the fiberglass one for sell - but I only spent about $85 on it. Yes I worked on it for about a month off/on - stopped and thought about the next stage. I was careful and not rushed. I wanted this to look real - so when a child came up or a S/W fan -- it would continue to inspire them to believe in Lucas and his work.

This of course is mine opinion and I hope that I did not offend anyone - just a different perspective on what as been discussed here. I - like everyone here - will help out anyone doing a custom. I had to hand make my jet pack and gauntlets from WOF & Lisafett templates. Yes I stayed close to home - but I saw it staying within Lucas and his vision - which I believe has set the standard which we all want to express. Therefore - if someone has never done a costume and needs help -- I have several photos of each stage of building each piece and what materials I used to complete it. I will send out those with instructions to help maintain a certain defined standard that we all know and respect - which is why we do what we do - continue the fantasy of Star Wars for generations to come!

Over to you guys,

Joe

Click to expand...

These are the sort of goals anyone should have when they start their armor. I think one thing we also see is that people start their armor, then decided on what they want it to look like while they are working on it instead of having a plan from the get-go. I have spent no less then a year working on my armor from start to now. Upgrading, repainting, leather crafting, wiring, designing, etc. Everything started from a single plan, and before I started on the *extras* I had the bulk of my armor completed. I have prided myself on having as many working parts on my armor as I can stuff in. To me that makes it more realistic, and adds a more character feel to it. I have however always kept to the starting plan, and add new parts to the plan as I find new things that I feel look good with my armor.

Planing your armor, thats probably the most important step next to patience!

Jeaze, this thread has gotten bigger since yesterday, this is awesome.

Well now, I agree with almost all the opinions here, and my same view on custom quality has been brought up, and I am happy to see I am not the only one.


The problem I think that any custom mando club would come to, is that since there aren't any standards, than there isn't much you can do if there is a bad costume up for approval..

Who am I to say what is bad? I understand , it is custom, it is your imagination, but if I don't like the costume I think it is bad.

A bad mando costume in my opinion- Non-modded Rubies helmets, no armor, or armor from ebay (if it fits you, then it looks good, but on a majority of people, it doesn't fit, and looks very awkward). Sports gear, Nylon for vital areas of the costume (belts, ammo belts) and swords. Those are my opinions, and I am sticking to them, that is just me. If I offend, I apologize.

If I was running a custom club, it wouldn't entirely be custom, because I would be, in some people's minds, Nazi like.

Anyone who believes The 501st is Nazi like, doesn't really get what they are striving to do.

The Clayster said:

Anyone who believes The 501st is Nazi like, doesn't really get what they are striving to do.

Click to expand...

Very true.

What I don't understand is why anyone would gripe to have customs included.?? If you want to join the 501st, get an "approved" costume and join, then wear whatever your little heart desires.

Being a squad leader myself, I would never tell one of my guys/gals they could not wear a custom costume to an event, unless it was a formal LFL event.

D75

Delta75 said:

Very true.

What I don't understand is why anyone would gripe to have customs included.?? If you want to join the 501st, get an "approved" costume and join, then wear whatever your little heart desires.

Being a squad leader myself, I would never tell one of my guys/gals they could not wear a custom costume to an event, unless it was a formal LFL event.

D75

Click to expand...

Yep, exactly, unless it is a formal event or an LFL event, you can wear whatever you want to.

The Clayster said:

Anyone who believes The 501st is Nazi like, doesn't really get what they are striving to do.

Click to expand...

Clayster...maybe the Nazi's were striving to be 501st-like...
Rob
(OK, you harda$$e$ out there...that was a joke...don't get bent...you gotta learn to laugh at these things...I'm just funnin'....)

Ghostsoldier said:

Clayster...maybe the Nazi's were striving to be 501st-like...
Rob
(OK, you harda$$e$ out there...that was a joke...don't get bent...you gotta learn to laugh at these things...I'm just funnin'....)

Click to expand...

Well I'm not laughing! As a Nazi, I'm deeply offended by your insensitivity!

Wish I had something new to add to this discussion, but I don't really so I'll just stick with this: I'm not sure if TDH is really the place for any "acceptable level" standards. The 501st is and that's probably the way it always will be, other places like the Mando Mercs will have a more difficult time defining what is and isn't up to scratch. To me TDH seems like a place for any level, where people get and give advice. Sure it says "elite costuming forum", but I always took that to refer to the caliber of the people and their willingness to share their expertise, not just the 120% accurate SE Boba's.

Anyway, just my thoughts on the matter. Rock on custom mandos, rock on.

Pesh said:

To me TDH seems like a place for any level, where people get and give advice. Sure it says "elite costuming forum", but I always took that to refer to the caliber of the people and their willingness to share their expertise...

Click to expand...

Pesh...you hit the nail on the head, pal!
Rob

Well, now I'm hoping I can do a competent job with my custom. :confused

I can see the validity of The Clayster's comments about the unmodded helmets, and the lack of armor or having armor that doesn't fit properly. Unmodded sports gear can look poor as well, but I'd think that if it was modded then it could look good. The nylon I'm not so sure about, and I don't see any reason for excluding swords. But then maybe I'm a bit too fond of my vibroblades in KOTORII.

The Clayster said:

Jeaze, this thread has gotten bigger since yesterday, this is awesome.

Well now, I agree with almost all the opinions here, and my same view on custom quality has been brought up, and I am happy to see I am not the only one.


The problem I think that any custom mando club would come to, is that since there aren't any standards, than there isn't much you can do if there is a bad costume up for approval..

Who am I to say what is bad? I understand , it is custom, it is your imagination, but if I don't like the costume I think it is bad.

A bad mando costume in my opinion- Non-modded Rubies helmets, no armor, or armor from ebay (if it fits you, then it looks good, but on a majority of people, it doesn't fit, and looks very awkward). Sports gear, Nylon for vital areas of the costume (belts, ammo belts) and swords. Those are my opinions, and I am sticking to them, that is just me. If I offend, I apologize.

If I was running a custom club, it wouldn't entirely be custom, because I would be, in some people's minds, Nazi like.

Anyone who believes The 501st is Nazi like, doesn't really get what they are striving to do.

Click to expand...

I think i can agree with some of that above list, but disagree on some too.
I guess it all comes down to budget really. An 18 year old student living with his parents doesn't really have much money to burn. Or the newbie who thinks the ebay armour will fit him without taking measurements. These people have a long way to go to learn, but making mistakes is usually the only way any of us learn, i learnt very fast after getting ripped off for 1500US because i didnt know what was what. I was offered what i know know to be a full suit of Bobamaker armour a few years ago, but instead recieved a set of Altmanns, model number P.O.S.

Unmodded rubies helmets look awful, but that is because the more experienced of us know that there is better out there. Modding a bucket on your own for the first time is a terrifying concept, as is figuring out how to not to look like *&^% without ruining it. As i said earlier, the fastest way to learn is usually from making a rather large mistake. i have to admit, it does bug me sometimes when stuff is just repainted and unmodded, but alot of the time it works out fine, and the costume looks great. I can't remember his name on here (tantive IV?) but whoever that guy is that was doing the medic Mando, i think that is the first time i liked seeing a yellow suit of ANYTHING. Very little modding was done, yet he was able to creat esomething different and unique, so my hat, or bucket off to you friend for your outstanding work. But i would like to sa ythat it is not too much effort, if you want to make your helmet different, to just add one or two extra greebles here and there. Junk metal is very easy to come by, and you ca nget some fantastic looking "sci-fi" looking pieces out of stuff like used plumbing pieces, stuff lying around a construction yard that is left over, etc. Those handful of greebles can go a long way to making you stand out.

As far as the swords go, i welcome this change, as it is well established that someone who is trained in Bladed combat in the SW universe is a nasty, deadly person fully able to beat blaster weilding thugs. As long as it doesn't look "earthly" for want of a better world, i'm all for it as it gives that extra edge to this wonderful universe. I myself am using a bladed weapon for my primary, and i think it looks very SW universe, but i could be wrong.

The nylon point is also another intersting one you bring up. To a certain extent, i do agree that alot of the nylon stuff is not something i persoanlly would use. But it all comes down to the style of the nylon being used, some of it can be excessively gaudy and plastic looking, while on the other hand you can get some top notch military webbing belts made entirely out of nylon that look like standard issue to some backwater planet peacekeeper. Take some time looking for what you want, and ALWAYS have your entire costume pictured in your mind, then buy the accessory. A great looking accessory is useless, and potentially expensive when you realise it does not fit with anything else on the armour. Always ask yourself if it will go wit hthe overall look, if you can get away with some small changes so it does, or if there is something on the next shelf that will be a better choice.

The key, as always friends is imagination, but also self-satisfaction. Your Mandalorian is just that. YOURS. costuming should be something you do to relieve stress, make people smile because you wan them to. NO point in screaming at someone 3000miles away that cant even see you now is there.

There are some horrible customs out there, and there are some out of the park awesome ones too, we all know who they are. Hard work, patience, and lots of mistakes got them to where they are today, so keep on dreaming, drawing and glueing until you reach that point brothers, you should all be proud of yourselves for being part of such a wonderful group of people. Keep it up guys,
Matt

I cannot understand this no swords concept everyone is having issues with, well not everyone but many.

It had been established in the movies that bladed weapons did exist, so it's not just C-canon (continutiy canon) but G-canon (george lucas canon). To help establish what I mean here, just watch episode 6.

* Gammoreans have axes.
* Lando wielded an axe as well.
* The royal guards carry force pikes.

In episode 4, sand people use melee weapons as well. And do not forget the electric staffs the magna guards use. Jango had blades in his gauntlet in 2.

Ok, these aren't swords but they are melee. So why shouldn't swords exist?

-

Canon vs Imagination. Hmm. Well, from my standpoint, "customs" that are well done make the community more creative and inspired. And who is to say that this character couldn't possibly exist anywhere in the fictional universe called Star Wars? Does anyone question the existance of all those folks in mos eisley that no one can identify by name? And how many planets are there?

Okay, no one will ever get every custom in the canon, but this galaxy is a product of imagination and it's a lot bigger than planet earth. So why not be a player and drop your character in the galaxy, even if he/she will never get mentioned or even be seen in movies/TV/comics/books? I think it's a lot of fun to do, and really makes me feel creative.

I think the only customers that shouldn't customize their costumes are those who wear clone/imperial costumes.

A bad mando in my opinion? Earthy weapons, unmodded do not yell out star wars. Crappy paint job does yell out lazy, everyone can paint if they put themselves into it. If you have low budget, take your time and use your imagination.

Oh and a newbie is never helpless. There are tons of guides out there, and forums such as these.

Here's one with a sword, I want to eventually make it for myself (I love the yellow/green color scheme):

I believe I was the only one in this thread that said they didn't like swords.
I am not pushing my views on anyone, nor am I am trying to start an argument or debate, I don't want to "double-team" aye?

If any of you other don't like my views, or just want to post yours, by all means, go for it. But I am not trying to spark an argument, everything so far has been pretty nice nice, I hope to keep it that way.

And on the swords bit: I do not like them, that is me, I don't really care if they were canon or not, they don't fit in with the SW universe very well ( I don't think) and that is very debatable, but I don't care. I carry a blaster, and other gadgets, sword fighting is when I am in Jedi. (my opinion)

Bladed weapons were in the original movies, the new movies, the comics, the video games, and the books. Sure, they aren't anywhere as prevalent as blasters, due to the level of galactic technology at the time, but they are there: Vibro-axes (Gammorean Guards, Lando), vibro-blades (Neo-Crusaders), force pikes (Royal Guards), gauntlet blades (Jango and Clone Commandos), and others that I'm sure I'm forgetting...

The most primal and lastingly effective weapons in every warrior culture, real and fictional, have always been bladed ones. I find it hard to believe that Mandalorians, a culture who value the spirit of battle, would limit themselves to long-range or hand-to-hand combat. I think maybe a dagger or blade made from the bones or armor of fallen enemies would fit right in.

two games stand up for swords, KOTOR and KOTOR II, the best SW games. any ways cannon is more of a guide, i like to stay to the cannon in regards to colors and tech, but i look for inspirations from all places, if you can make something work more power to you. i don't want to keep all of my parts to look like boba, which is why I'm in the market for some Storm trooper gauntlets, ( if anyone can hook me up ) imagination is the key to all costuming

We all start somewhere with our customs. I too started with a simple Jango repaint. Since then over the years I've decided to explore my imagination a bit more and through alot of trial and error...mostly error, have developed other skills.
All I really want to add to this is ONE comment, Please for the love of Jeebus, ... FILL in that dent!

Well shows over people, the master has spoken!
FILL IN YOUR DENTS!


Good to see you here MS since you're referenced several times!

The Clayster said:

I believe I was the only one in this thread that said they didn't like swords.
I am not pushing my views on anyone, nor am I am trying to start an argument or debate, I don't want to "double-team" aye?

If any of you other don't like my views, or just want to post yours, by all means, go for it. But I am not trying to spark an argument, everything so far has been pretty nice nice, I hope to keep it that way.

And on the swords bit: I do not like them, that is me, I don't really care if they were canon or not, they don't fit in with the SW universe very well ( I don't think) and that is very debatable, but I don't care. I carry a blaster, and other gadgets, sword fighting is when I am in Jedi. (my opinion)

Click to expand...

I think we all respect each others views here, at least hope so. Everyone has something against something within the fictional universe - I personally never saw the vongs as really Starwars-y.

I'm also a "wannabe Mandalorian" from way back in the day, I always figured that kind of suit in ESB & RotJ would look so much better on me than it does on Fett cause there's so much more that he could add to it & if I was in that suit I wouldn't have a crotch plate or wookiee braids. Or those colors, well maybe some of those colors cause they're cool but the point is I don't want to be Boba Fett, I want to be a Mandalorian that is better & has more style than Boba Fett.

My little Fett or Jango SW figs that I repainted would always have my head on under their little helmets & when I finally got almost a full set on Mando armor in SWG it was my head under that helmet, or as close as I could get it using their char creation system. SWG just re-igniting my whole dream of being in & living in the Star Wars universe. I had a house, I had a bunch of different outfits, I had lots of weapons & cool ships, I bought & sold stuff, I hunted & missioned stuff, I vaped & escorted stuff. After a while right before SWG became teh suck, I was doing the Empire's work by hunting down & killing the absolutely large amount of Jedi that just happened to be hiding in a cave during the Clone Wars so that their clonetroopers wouldn't shoot them all to death, I killed a bunch, alot more killed me, but I was living it like a Mandalorian, in my Delorian, lemme stop before I get all mc chris on this.

When I finally get my kit together & put it on to go out at cons, clubs or whatever, I'm not trying to hear some SW snob tell me that I'm not Jango/Boba Fett & I'm not trying to put a sign on the back of my armor saying that I'm a custom Mando when I suit up, like or hate my gear it's alright peoples. I'm doing it for myself, I'm Mandalorian warrior # 23, codenamed Tricky & this is my fantasy.

This is a cool thread, I likes! Si good to know that I'm not the only opinionated custom Mando out here.