SDCC Factory Entertainment Frankenstein

[Sean]

Prototype Frankenstein's Monster 'Prop Replica' light up bust with electronic features

The piece is sculpted by Douglas Hildebrandt and is 'life' size. This is only a hand made and decorated protoype, but we are planning to include light up features and electronic sounds with operating switches and dials.

We previewed this at Comic Con Last week and would love to hear people's thoughts on it.

Depending on the price point, there is likely a market for it-----despite this mob's figurative attempt to 'burn it beyond recognition in a windmill'.  You did ask to hear people's thoughts.  Sometimes it's not pretty.   

[gracebuster]

I think you have a very inventive take on it and a cool sculpture to boot. I understand that the mass market has a different aesthetic then the collector and my feeling is the piece will be a success for that market. That's what I think.

[Count_Zirock]

Dealing solely with the sculpt on the Monster, I'd say that the likeness is "good," but I've seen better. It's a bit bland and expressionless. I think it's just a hard job, at this point, to come up with a take on the Monster that hasn't already been seen. As to the lab control panel base ... again, more Steampunk than Kenneth Strickfadden. Since it's only a prototype, and not final yet, I think these issues could still be addressed.

[Factory]

Thank you everybody.

All the points raised are appreciated, and there has been some excellent feedback here. We are well used to burning torches and pitchforks (we have learned to cry silently on the inside    ) We are also big enough to admit that we can often learn just as much from negative responses as positive ones.

The piece is only a hand made prototype and we are mainly interested at this stage in seeing how much we can potentially push the envelope from a manufacturing standpoint by adding electronics and 'features' to a resin item. We want to expand what a 'bust' can be, making it more theatrical.

The idea is to produce something that is interesting  enough to both a casual or latent fan and the hardcore enthusiast,  at a price point that is appealing, that will expose  a classic Monster to a wide and hopefully partly new audience.

Personally I think Douglas did a stunning job on the Sculpt. It has a real presence when you see it in person, it has a similar  mix of power and sadness that Karloff exhibited so well on screen. Sculpture is objective and personal as all art should be. Some people may prefer a different flavor or style, we have no issue with that.

It should also be noted that the creator, Douglas is not a professional sculptor or inventor, he is an enthusiastic fan who made something for his own enjoyment that we happened to see and thought was very nice. Working with him we are taking his vision and seeing if it can be turned into a commercially produced product. Its something we are honored to be able to do for a number of creative people both amateur and professional.

The base design is intended to be industrial, in the style of Mr Stickfadden's iconic work. Any steampunk is purely accidental, I would go so far as to say that the steampunk visual asthetic owes a huge debt to Mr Stickfadden that is largely unsung. Its also totally hand made from found parts and does not function... yet.  The intention on a finished piece is that the knife switch will trigger a sound a light response when thrown. It is of course mildly silly in a medical quackery sense and has no bearing on anything actually seen on screen... but admit it... go on admit it... it will be fun! I dare anybody here to resist the temptation to thrown it and not cackle manically if they ever get the chance. Where is is written that 'big kids' cannot actually play with their collectibles?

On the hand made prototype the electrodes connect via wires, using store brought crocodile clips. They don't actually do anything but they can be removed and connected. We are fully aware that the 1931 original we never see their actual function. Functional electrodes did not appear I don't think until Ghost of Frankenstein when we saw them smoke so famously. But everybody knows that the monster has neck bolts or electrodes and we think they should have some practical application on a piece like this. 

So its not supposed to be a battery charger, or a lamp, or anything else. Its supposed to be interesting conversation piece that will fit in well in any monster collection and provide enjoyment to its owner.  We may of course be entirely insane, and may very well be proposing a piece that will have no appeal. Collecting and nostalgia is 100% emotional and anybody who claims to know 'what people want' is probably as deluded as Henry Frankenstein  himself

Its too early to tell at this stage of development.....time will tell

Watch this space....

[Count_Zirock]

Barry, thanks for the background on this piece. For a fanmade item, it's nice and shows a lot of work. It has the potential to be a lot more, though. As it gets closer to being a production-ready item, we'll certainly give you all the feedback you can stomach. And then some!

[Dr.Terror]

Looks like a slightly retooled Cine Art bust. not an original sculpt.   Personally i think there have been enough "collectibles".  Time for some toys.

[Count_Zirock]

Unfortunately, all the toys keep getting cancelled. I'd be interested in a decent bandage-wrapped Monster on lab table statue, if it were in 1/8-1/6 scale. Nothing over 16" long, please!

[Monsters For Sale]

The CineArt bust has become kind of an industry standard for Karloff Frankenstein busts.  I personally evaluate all subsequent busts by the CineArt sculpt - some marginally better, many less impressive.

I would not be a customer for this bust.  I think it falls far short of the CineArt busts I already have.

I would be much more interested in a Karloff bust with some expression beyond the static look of the CineArt sculpt.  Maybe like this bust from Needful Things:




Better yet, why not a killer bust of the Glenn Strange Frankenstein, Lon Chaney Frankenstein, or even the Bela Lugosi Frankenstein?  Has anyone EVER made a life-sized Lugosi Frank?  Seems like THAT would be something collectors would be interested in finally having - I would.

Enough of the rigid, straight-ahead blank stare busts that look like CineArt copies.  It has been done.  It was done very well.  Everybody that wants one has already bought one.

A creative base for the bust is fine - Give us a better bust.

(Opinions expressed here are solely the poster's and do not necessarily reflect opinions of the UMA or its affiliates.)

[Gillfan]

 I think it is important to remember that the other life size busts were not recent products.
Producing something like this would help bring more people into the fold.
A person who is new to collecting hasn't had the opportunity to simply want into a store and buy one of the old busts.

I'm not a fan of the alligator clips but other than that I love the concept and I hope this gets produced.

[Count_Zirock]

Up for pre-order at several e-tailers.

Monsters In Motion lists its retail price at $450. 1:1 scale, 16" with lights & sounds. Ships Aug. 31, 2012.

[marsattacks666]

interesting.

[Dr Acula]

It def looks likes a retooled cine art! I cant tell the difference! This piece has also been listed on ebay exactly the same as a first one off piece!

[Count_Zirock]

This piece has also been listed on ebay exactly the same as a first one off piece!

Factory did say it's a fan-made piece they decided to bring to market. I guess the sculptor was allowed to sell his original piece.

[Wolfman]

Personally I don't like the mouth on it. For that kind of money, I need to like EVERYTHING about it.

JP

[aura of foreboding]

He's kind of smiling.  And I guess that is what is off about him.

On another note, Factory had some "play sets" in the works...  I am still hoping these things materialize in some form...