JediDefender.com Forums
Collecting => Collections => Topic started by: JACKOFTRADZE on November 28, 2009, 12:44 AM
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Updated 12/6/10
The Back story:
After a year of my collection being packed away as we sold our condo, moved into my in-laws then bought a house I wanted to create the collection room I always wanted! My last Star Wars room was nice but I wanted to take my collection display to the next level this time around to show off my years of collecting in a much more impressive fashion.
Creating the new room vision:
I bought all new shelving, new carpet & gave it a fresh coat of paint that would give me the consistent set up I always wanted to have. I wanted to do something different with the shelves that has not been done yet (at least I have not seen it done to this degree). I chose the dark shelves to replicate a wide screen movie feel as the decoration inside each shelf is what would bring my collection to life:. I called it “Shelfpaper”.
Using some official artwork & screen grabs from the films, I created individual background images for each shelf. It was a very tedious process as I had to plan out everything that I was going to display, set it all up and most importantly be happy with it. Once that was all done I had to take it all down so I could size and create/alter the art for the “Shelfpaper”. Once printing and installation was complete I then had to set up the figures all over again. It was well worth it and I am very happy with the results so far. My collection now “lives” on the shelf instead of just sitting there.
Key notes about my collection:
- I only collect 3.75’’ scale figures, I am a focused collector; it builds a better collection in my opinion. I collect the realistic line with a few & far between animated figures if it looks real enough.
- Older sculpts of figures & ships are phased out of my collection. I only want the best of the best and I want them to have a consistent look for fleets & army builders. (I have gone as far as upgrading my A-Wings with the modern cockpit and my Y-Wings with the modern front cannons to keep them up to date.)
- In regards to my Troops I primarily focus on movie troops. Outside of a few EU battalions my army is comprised of 85% “real screen Troopers”. All of my standard Troopers must be an SA version. You will find no other type outside of a SA style. I am also not into too many “Skittles” Troops.
- All Prequel Clones Saga style DC-15 blasters have been replaced with the more accurate Evolutions DC-15 Blaster style. Yes, all have been replaced. Both versions of the DC-15A Rifle are still in my collection as they still look great.
- I swap out certain weapons and even heads to create the best version of a characters. (All of my ANH Lukes have the Resurgence head, All of my Chewbaccas have the Legacy Pilot Bowcaster with the weathering detail, etc. I go that far to be perfect!)
- I was able to display about 85% of my overall collection. I have two 45 gallon storage bins of figures and ships that I just could not display. (Not shown)
- One corner of the room is the “Calrissian Custom Corner” where I make custom figures and have a dedicated section for the smoothest smuggler in the Galaxy and my favorite Beer!
- Want some tips and tricks? Want to see some cool customs?
Check out my blog here:
http://jackoftradze.blogspot.com/
ENJOY!!!
Pan view of the room shots:
<img src="http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w298/jackoftradze/Jackoftradze%20Star%20Wars%20customs/DiBartoloSWCollectionRoomDec2010Wide1.jpg">
Visit the Blog and you can see super large images of all of the pictures above plus close up shots!
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w298/jackoftradze/Jackoftradze%20Star%20Wars%20customs/DiBartoloSWCollectionRoomDec2010Wide1.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w298/jackoftradze/Jackoftradze%20Star%20Wars%20customs/DiBartoloSWCollectionRoomDec2010Wide2.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w298/jackoftradze/Jackoftradze%20Star%20Wars%20customs/DiBartoloSWCollectionRoomDec2010Wide3.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w298/jackoftradze/Jackoftradze%20Star%20Wars%20customs/DiBartoloSWCollectionRoomDec2010Wide4.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w298/jackoftradze/Jackoftradze%20Star%20Wars%20customs/DiBartoloSWCollectionRoomDec2010Wide5.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w298/jackoftradze/Jackoftradze%20Star%20Wars%20customs/DiBartoloSWCollectionRoomDec2010Wide6.jpg)
(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w298/jackoftradze/Jackoftradze%20Star%20Wars%20customs/blog_headerv4.jpg)
As always I will continue to update the pictures as I finish the uncompleted shelves and update displays.
Thanks for looking stop back and LMK your feedback!
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Woah, the "next level" is right - you've created a fantastic room! The black shelving is very sharp and backgrounds really make the displays feel even bigger. 8)
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Words cannot do it justice.........
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WOW, that is one extremely impressive collection! I really like all those little dioramas and backgrounds you've made, those look very cool. Awesome stuff! 8)
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Thanks Guys, I am glad the "Shelfpaper" reaction is good so far. I really appreciate the posts!
I was suppose to have the next prints done but ran into a delay. They are some of my favorite too: Death Star Trench, DS2 Reactor Interior & the Asteroid for the Bombers. I am also eventually going to make hanger foam core back drops for the closet ships, I would like to do Docking Bay 94 for the Falcon and a Rebel Hanger for the X-Wings.
I should have some big updates by next weekend so please stop back.
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Definitely like the environment feel to it all...it really helps things stand out! I also like how you display the B-wing.
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Hey Michael,
I really like all the work you did, it's really impressive overall. I want to do something similar with the themes with mine when I'm finished. I like the backgrounds for a lot of the scenes by the way, did you print all those out yourself or are they salvaged packaging backgrounds? They look made to fit the shelves.
My favorite part has to be the Cantina though. That looks almost built for that shelf, and I like how it is lit. It seems to really be accurate and well done.
Good luck finishing the room man. It is taking me eons but eventualy I'll get mine completed so my office/collection room is finally done and I've just got loads and loads of dusting to do every week. :P
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I like the backgrounds for a lot of the scenes by the way, did you print all those out yourself or are they salvaged packaging backgrounds? They look made to fit the shelves.
Thanks, they are all custom made/sized for the exception of the two package backdrop place holders: The Christophis and the space battle. They will be replaced soon as I have four 42x60 sheets to finish off the rest shelves. Most had to be printed on a plotter due to the large size. I have some sweet new art coming for the empty shelves that include: An asteroid field for the bombers, the DS2 Reactor interior, Felucia Jungle and Death Star Trench. I should have some major updates by this weekend including the shrine "Clarissian Custom Corner".
LMK if you have any other questions. And yes I can sympathize with you as this takes eons to set up.
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This is amazing. Really great work with the backgrounds and how they all go together.
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Once again many thanks to all of the compliments. I truly appreciate it!
MAJOR UPDATE 12/6/09
UPDATED THE FOLLOWING:
- Added in the new Legacy ESB wave
- Added x4 new Legacy Resurgence of the Jedi packs Luke mods
- Added some more troop builders of imps, droids and clones
- Added 100 clear Protech stands replacing some mismatched ones
- Finished Turbo Tank Kashyyyk Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Tie Bomber Asteroid Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Scum & villianry Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished 2nd Y/A-Wing DS2 Core Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Jabbas Palace Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Yavin Hanger Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Utupau Platform Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Felucia Jungle Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Darth Vader Tie DS Trench Shelfpaper Dio
- Finished Tie DS Trench Shelfpaper (Sides are missing)
- Cleaned up all previous Shelfpaper edges for a cleaner & tighter finished. Re-taped and used a black sharpie on the edges.
More updates coming next weekend!
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That's a tremendous display! Great work. I'm just curious, how big is the room itself? I'm in the midst of trying to plan my own collecting room, and I have at least a comparable loose collection to what you've got on display.
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That's a tremendous display! Great work. I'm just curious, how big is the room itself? I'm in the midst of trying to plan my own collecting room, and I have at least a comparable loose collection to what you've got on display.
Thanks, I appreciate you looking and commenting. I still have along way to go and will update my custom corner in the next two days.
To answer your question: Not counting the closet 11.5 x 13. (With the closet 13x13)
There was a lot more I would have like to display but I wanted to leave some fudge room for next years offerings. You will be surprised how much you will not be able to display.
Planning what to/how to display take the longest time........Good luck! Post when you can!
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Thanks. I think I might have some more wall space to work with, but I've also got my Gentle Giant & Sideshow collections to get in there (somehow). Thankfully I've got a friend who's an architect who seems to relish the idea of helping me with this project. But I also want to keep the whole room to a reasonable budget when it comes to shelving. I'm hoping to finally have some displays going within a couple of months.
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(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w298/jackoftradze/Jackoftradze%20Star%20Wars%20customs/MasterCollectioncloseup94.jpg)
There's a ton of great pics in here, but these guys are fantastic in the Cantina. ;D
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I forgot I left my custom Kubaz in there, glad you like them! they are the only customs I made that I kept.
UPDATE 12/7/09
- Updated Calrissian Custom Corner with 9 pictures
- Replaced Sign bulb to show off the Power of Colt 45!!!
I am awaiting some new Colt 45 billy Dee Pictures to complete the shrine! Stay tuned!
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Heh, I like the Santa Kubaz and Pimp Kubaz.
Your display as a whole is excellent.
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Thanks Sal, I have had more compliments on those two than the whole display. It cracks me up!
Well, I have updated 75% of all of the pictures with a ton of changes/upgrades:
Added the following shelfpaper:
- Completed CW Y-Wing Shelf
- Echo Base interior
- Tie interceptor Space Floor Base
- B-Wing DS2 Battle
Reprinted/Reapplied the following on light adhesive sticker paper with more vibrant colors:
- DS2 Hanger Bay
- Imperial Hanger with AT-ST's (Added the side walls too)
- Wampa Cave, Hoth, Rancor Floor Bases
- Lars Homestead (Removed the Homestead from image too) The close shot needs to be replaced to reflect this.
- Darth Vaders Tie Fighter
- BW tie Fighter (Completed the side walls too)
- Rancor Pitt
I also got some more sweet Colt 45 Vintage art for the Calrissian Custom Corner as well as some close up shots I missed like the Octapurra droid and some others.
As always ask me any questions. I still have to create some floor bases for all of the Y/A-Wing shelves, the Christophis, Droid army and the Obi Starfighter shelves. Once they are complete I will create some cardboard backdrops for the closet hanger bay with some other key upgrades.
Stay tuned!!!
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I just don't get tired of looking at your pics. ;) The lighting in your Cantina is fantastic -- my wife commented on that too.
Your shelving is great too. I'm sure you're able to display a lot more stuff by having each diorama fit in an area exactly the size you need and don't have any wasted space.
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Wow, that is amazing!
I came up with some questions:
1. What do you do when a newer/better version of a certian figure becomes available? I assume you just replace the inferior version with the better version in your display?
2. Do you buy everything? If a new, nearly identical version of a figure comes out, would you bypass it if you already owned it, or do you buy everything?
3. What do you do when a scene gets too big for the shelf? They are making more cantina aliens and Jabba characters all the time. What happens when they get overcrowded?
4. What about small scenes? For instance, the scene where Luke gets his robotic hand? . Would that get a diorama?
5. Do you have kids or every play with this stuff? Do they get to play with this stuff? My daughter would love all that!
6. Why not hang some of the space ships from the ceiling? That would free up some shelves...
7. Do you add scenes INTO ships? For instance, lots of mini-set ups could be inside of the Deathstar, Falcon, or X-14 Nubian...
8. Where is the Jedi Council? (I've been wanting that meeting room with the 12 chairs...)
9. You don't have an extra Lars' house do you? (My kid wants one!)
Keep it up!
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Thank you!
To answer your questions:
1. What do you do when a newer/better version of a certian figure becomes available? I assume you just replace the inferior version with the better version in your display?
- I will always upgrade with the best version available. Sometimes I make a mod like swapping heads with a better likeness.
- When a better version comes out the old one gets sold, traded or hacked up for custom fodder.
2. Do you buy everything? If a new, nearly identical version of a figure comes out, would you bypass it if you already owned it, or do you buy everything?
- If you are referring to the Legacy/Vintage Movie line line yes. If it's OTC related I buy 100% of the product.
- If you are talking about straight repacks with no upgrades or new deco no. The only way I would if it's to get a new figure.
- If there is a sculpt of deco upgrade absolutely. I want the best representation in my collection.
- Any movie vehicle that was on screen I will buy sometime multiples of them.
- I have been bypassing some items like Shadow Troopers and the way out there Hasbro made up decos like the space Whale ARC.
- I do not buy 90% of the animated line figures, only the occasional one that fits into the real line close enough like IG droids.
- Outside of the Jedi Starfighters & Magna Fighter I am buying the majority of CW vehicles.
3. What do you do when a scene gets too big for the shelf? They are making more cantina aliens and Jabba characters all the time. What happens when they get overcrowded?
- The custom Cantina can hold so many figures it's not an issue.
- The AT-AT shelf will b lowered and the Pilot shelf will be moved to the closet.
- If I like the screen enough I will expand it to two shelves.
- The only shelf that is getting a bit crowded is Jabbas Palace (Which I will be upgrading the artwork shortly. It was rushed).
- If I run out of room some figures will be swapped out based on how much I like them. **** happens.
4. What about small scenes? For instance, the scene where Luke gets his robotic hand? . Would that get a diorama?
- The scene you refer to is too nich for me. I prefer larger scenes with variety of characters.
- For scenes like that I will combines (see the Echo base shelf)
- I am not that a stiff so I will take some liberties.
5. Do you have kids or every play with this stuff? Do they get to play with this stuff? My daughter would love all that!
- I have a 15 month year old Daughter Roxy. She loves astromechs, especially Blue ones. She LOVES Max Rebo too! She is actually very good in the room and does not go Godzilla on the shelves.
6. Why not hang some of the space ships from the ceiling? That would free up some shelves…
- I am 6'5. Not happening.
- One flaw of the room is the ceiling is lower to where I do not have enough space to put ship on top of the 7.5 shelves.
- I will be hanging up the VOTC MOC figures on the entrance walls plus adding another shelf.
- A lot more is coming soon!
7. Do you add scenes INTO ships? For instance, lots of mini-set ups could be inside of the Deathstar, Falcon, or X-14 Nubian…
- Nah, I want them epic in a tasteful way.
8. Where is the Jedi Council? (I've been wanting that meeting room with the 12 chairs...)
- I have it but the diameter is pretty big. I chose to put all of the Jedi on one shelf with the Temple backdrop.
- Once I hang the VOTC figures up it will free up a lot of shelf space so I will be abw to make room for this. Stay tuned!
9. You don't have an extra Lars' house do you? (My kid wants one!)
- I have two. The Dirty and Clean version but they are not for sale. You can actually still finad this at TRU or get it cheap on eBay. It's not in demand.
Keep it up!
-WORD!
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After a long hiatus I finally have a big update to my collection room!
The following changes have occurred:
- Reshot every picture with my new digital camera.
- Cleaned/rearranged every display.
- Added ANOTHER shelf. (Some open/temp spots are reserved for this years offerings)
- Added all previous VOTC carded figures on the side wall & will expand with new Vintage line.
- Added Colt 45 Signage to the Wall of Lando
- Added Unleashed Poser to the inside of the closet door.
- Added several new figure shelves (EU, Legacy, Senate & McQuarrie).
- Added Senate Rotunda Building Shelfpaper.
- Added Octapurra Battle Shelfpaper.
- Added Senate Rotunda chamber Shelfpaper.
- Added Kamino Shelfpaper.
- Added Endor Moon (3rd Y-wing shelf) Shelfpaper.
- Added BMF Bespin backdrop image.
- Reprinted/Replaced DS2 Interior Shelfpaper.
- Reprinted/Replaced Mando Tatooine Shelfpaper.
- Reprinted/Replaced Jedi Temple Knightfall Shelfpaper.
- Reprinted/Replaced Star Destroyer Interior Shelfpaper.
- Reprinted/Replaced Tie Bomber shelf
- Replaced Death Star prison Interior Shelfpaper.
- Repainted my custom dio on the custom table
- Replaced the Naboo Royal Starship with Command Gunship
More to come. I still have a few Christophis shelves that need to be finished.......
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I just rehot 75% of all of the shots and here are some of the updates:
- Added new Jabba Palace shelf diorama (Only about 80% done, it needs lights & more details)
- Added tons of new figures, EU wave, TFU sets, Star Tours Landing Party & Mickey R2, Last Comic packs wave, more Troops and so much more!
- More unique bones to the Rancor Pit.
- New EU Imperial Troops shelf.
- Leaves on Tree tops of Ewok Village
- Added more ships in the closet plus upgraded my Gunships with more troops and stored Speeder Bikes. (I will retake those next time)
- Standardized weaponry on troop & main characters. (All of my Chewbaccas now have the Legacy Falcon Pilot Bowcaster with the weathering, & all of my EP2 era clones have upgraded Evo DC-14 Blasters.
- Standardized stand colors on every shelf so each shelf matches.
- BTW: I have to redo the Senate shelfpaper for some reason it came out too short!
- So much more I forgot!
As always any questions or suggestions LMK! I have so many other things to post it made sense to start a blog. I will do an in depth post on the Jabba dio as it progresses to the final stages as well as simple upgrades to enhance your own collection with Little Difference!
Thanks and enjoy!
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I like how you grouped all the VOTC/VTSC/VTAC figures. It's cool to see the entire lineup!
Something that made me laugh was seeing a customized Dark Jedi/Sith(?) character that you made with the head of a Bellatrix Lestrange action figure from the 'Harry Potter' series. It actually fits quite well in there!
And I barely noticed that Gha Nacht (Trandoshan from TCW) was in your Cantina diorama! Despite being animated, it also fits quite nicely in there.
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Thank you so much to all of the posters I did not respond to. It's been two months since I updated my collection room pictures and it's long overdue. I reshot every single picture and there are so many changes it's like a new thread. Here are a few of the changes that took place:
- Reprinted/Readjusted Hoth Battle Shelf to accommodate the new AT-AT.
- Reprinted the Tattooine Bounty Hunter Shelf & removed alcove diorama display.
- Replaced Christopsis Cardboard Package Backdrop with a new Printed backdrop.
- Ceated the all new Flying Snowspeeder Assault shelf. (I tried something new by hanging ships within the shelf)
- Began Droid Army Shelfpaper
- Added a ton of figures & vehicles from the Vintage Line. (Jabba/Throne, Jodo Kast, Vintage Wave 1, Retro
4- Lom/Zuckuss, SDCC Owen Lars, Snowspeeder, Cloud Cars, Two AT-AT's, Cad Bane Bike, Aurra Sing.
- Added several older figures/vehicles not previously on display including another Gunship
- Reorganized several shelves including a complete overhaul to the closet Hanger Bay
- Added a ton of carded figures to the wall.
- 501st & Utapau Clone Troopers have had their DC-14 Blasters upgraded to the Evolutions style.
- All Clone Trooper Saga style DC-15 Blaster rifles with the Brown Butt have been replaced with all black versions.
I am finally satisfied with one part of the room and will be printing a few more shelves. I was so happy to phase out the final two cardboard backdrops and will never use them again. I will also be adding another shelf as my room is quickly filling up. This will be the last one I will be able to add as I have no more wall space. I should have it by the next update as well as many more changes. As always.
Your comments are always appreciated and I want to be sure that every time you view this thread or my Blog it's something entirely new!
Michael
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You probably get this a lot, but that's an unbelievably impressive collection. Having those background images on the shelves really adds a lot to the display, what are those, just print outs stuck on?
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Updated this pictures with a ton of stuff but I did not include the close ups shots as there are just too many. The can be viewed on my blog if you are interested. Posting all of them bogged down this topic. thanks!
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Once again I updated my collection room pictures with a ton of stuff. Close ups shots can be viewed on my blog if you are interested. Posting all of them bogged down this topic. As always, thank you!