Queen Studios: Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) 1:4

[Phoenixblazes]

Originally Posted by Silas Loki

Why? It's a material.....and like any material, it can be good or bad depending on a lot of factors.

Are we sure about that.

I know there are outliers, but aren’t most of the more recent headsculpts with a more than decent likeness to an actor, made out of materials other than straight polystone.

The couple of good ones from Sideshow have been PVC, Iron Studios appears to use either a translucent resin or what appears to be PVC, and Prime 1 again uses translucent resins on nearly all their movie based pieces.

[ukshaun]

Update..
There no is answer to the silicone, resin, polystone question.

[Silas Loki]

Originally Posted by Phoenixblazes

Are we sure about that.

I know there are outliers, but aren’t most of the more recent headsculpts with a more than decent likeness to an actor, made out of materials other than straight polystone.

The couple of good ones from Sideshow have been PVC, Iron Studios appears to use either a translucent resin or what appears to be PVC, and Prime 1 again uses translucent resins on nearly all their movie based pieces.

The thing (ultimately) elevating one sculpt over another (IMHO) isn't the base material.....it's often the paint application. A fully latex / pvc head will look terrible if the paints apps don't complement the base sculpt.

[Phoenixblazes]

Originally Posted by Silas Loki

The thing (ultimately) elevating one sculpt over another (IMHO) isn't the base material.....it's often the paint application. A fully latex / pvc head will look terrible if the paints apps don't complement the base sculpt.

Maybe.

And yet nearly every single Hot Toys PVC production head sculpt has been far superior to the polystone ones produced by Sideshow.

And then you have Iron Studios and Prime 1. Though Prime 1 have been struggling to capture likeness, they at least look lifelike without looking like some sort of cartoon caricature like so many of Sideshows pieces.

And yes I’ve seen how a repaint can elevate even a Sideshow sculpt, but even in those cases likeness isn’t great. So while I do agree paint app is a significant factor it isn’t the only one, unless their use of a different material to achieve a relatively different result is only a coincidence.

The use of PVC/resins doesn’t automatically make a great face sculpt, but imo it gives it an advantage on those using straight Polystone.

[qz33]

Polystone is the worst at capturing details. It sinks in the mold under it's own weight. It's literally like pouring a concoction of plastic and sand in a soft silicone mold and expecting it not to distort like sandbag. Of course everything matters, especially paint. As far as faces, a warped muscle might go unnoticed but an eye or lid out of place or misshapen eye can't even be fixed with paint.

Polystone is also brittle AF. Collectors are stuck on bias and perception. Heavy and feels like hard ≠appearance quality.

[BigMo]

If they can't do life size then next best would be half or 1/3 scale. I own nothing in those scales, its normally life size or 1/4 scale for me, so this might just push me over the edge.

[alshadow]

Originally Posted by pdenham

https://youtu.be/x7KBUdnoTpc

16:35- They are currently restricted to using silicone for the heads sculpts in the US.
Maybe in a couple years, he says, referring to the use of polystone.

Wow I had no idea that even the materials used is covered in the scope of a license.

[BigMo]

Originally Posted by alshadow

Wow I had no idea that even the materials used is covered in the scope of a license.

Yes weird hey? But that's also why Star Wars Pops are actually bobble heads, because then they are not classified as a statue and can release them.

[Phoenixblazes]

Originally Posted by BigMo

Yes weird hey? But that's also why Star Wars Pops are actually bobble heads, because then they are not classified as a statue and can release them.

Not just Star Wars, but Marvel pieces as well. At least it’s that way with Hot Toys Cosbaby’s etc.

[qz33]

Originally Posted by alshadow

Wow I had no idea that even the materials used is covered in the scope of a license.

Every contract is different and is subject to prior agreed upon terms from negotiations with existing licensees.