Firstly in response re crappy IP issues which though I am against theft of ideas seems to get bsandied around a little to often.
On the Grindhouse Forum Jim Bailey wrote this:
All:
It has been brought to my attention that some people out there think the new Combots are “too similar” to a design from a small but very cool Chinese toy company named 3A. One fan says they purchased the models _because_ they look similar in his opinion. That made me stop and look around for a minute. I do not think they are “too similar”. I made concept models out of plastic oil barrels and copper wire. The final models ended up with more orky detail than my concepts so I can see how others might see it differently than I.
I consulted the Grindhouse legal dept. yesterday. John had to explain to me yet again how IP law works… legal stuff: in one ear, out the other. This isn’t even on the same planet as IP infringement. After “checking that box”, I realized that this was still causing me a great deal of concern. We have built a reputation for plain dealing and brutal honesty over the last 3 years we’ve been in business. We also strongly support all the other “little guys” out there. We would never do anything intentionally to cause anyone grief, especially other designers that we respect. To that end, I sent an email to the guys at 3A asking them their opinion. If 3A feels this is somehow harmful to them, then we will pull down the models. As you guys know, John and I have “real life” careers and we’re in this for fun. If what we do causes someone to not have fun then we have failed. This is about doing the right thing…whatever that ends up being. Regardless, all orders made as long as they are in the store will be honored.
Hopefully I will hear from them soon so we can either fish or cut bait on the Dog Face pack…
Now on to the fun bit.
Whilst thinking about Junk I remembered the SALUTE 2010 Robot, so I dug him out of the Lead Pile, and thought C3PO so here's where it gets crazy......
Ted (Translation & Etiquette Droid) was at a loose end after the Apocolypse, with no one to translate for and help with smooth runnng of all the international business meetings. Whilst wandering the waste he discovered an unoccupied/neutral area of land which had still standing in a decrepitude state an old TV Station studio with a working access to the Internet.
Ted moved in and started to use the internet to find the skills to repair the building and improve the interlink access. One auspicous day he was looking to turn the airconditioning and humidifiers down as the moisture was rusting his components, when he happened on a small clip of two droids on a desert planet, he was obsessed, from their he has found all their numerous adventures that are available, the Movies, Cartoons, TV Series, Family Guy, Curry's advert, holograms, Road safety videos..... the lot.
Wow! Ted could really relate to this golden god amongst robots, so with a few bolts now definitely a bit loose, Ted painted himself Yellow (I imagine the original T.E.D's to come in a black livery, with the Triangular body plate White, and a chrome head, resembling 20 th century butlers). Next task was to start scavenging parts to build a companion and so was born R"D", Ted now logged himself in as C~PO (Teds slightly Dislexic, a faulty chip) and almost forgot his previous existance, inspired by the worlds and adventures he had found and now with the brainwashed R"D" they set up a investigation, translation, Secure messanger transfer, and delivery service. Dyslexia creating CoPRoD 32. Also stops other robots realising what geeks they are
Before you get two bored heres a Photograph of what I have so far.
As the business has become more succesful along with a booming side trade in dealing recovered scrap and since the knowledge of their Internet access has got out they have now aquired protection in the form of five Dogbots (on order)
A few other ideas.
Base paint schemes of Dogbots on the original main story characters
White and Cream with a Yellow Dome ~ Luke
White, Brown Dome ~ Leia
Black, with a White Front Panel, Brown Dome ~ Han
Brown with a Grey Dome ~ Obi
Brown with a sharp toothed mouth design on base of dome ~ Chewie
All pouches to be painted as per the film. All paint work crude as performed by our daft heroes.....
CP~O is still working on R"D" and is scavenging for all the gadgets as seen on the net, he already has a Holo projector and can deliver a powerful electric charge. the next gadget they are collecting scrap for is to build the flamethrower
I have a skimmer model I plan to convert to represent asalvaged skimmer with a few custom additions and paint job.
Finally a concept sketch of the idea for their workshop/dwelling/base, need to look for Dolls house lights for this now
Please tell me I haven't completely lost it.
25 November 2008, 05:38:24 PM