AGE APPROPRIATE WARNING

*ADULT SUPERVISION & PROPER SAFETY EQUIPMENT ARE REQUIRED WHEN UTILIZING THE TOOLS, PRODUCTS & TECHNIQUES DESCRIBED HERE ON OUR BLOG TO CREATE STAR WARS CUSTOMS.

Friday, February 22, 2013

RebelForce Radio and Customs for the Kid present "Smuggler's Gambit" Custom Action Figure Contest



“SMUGGLER’S GAMBIT”
CUSTOM ACTION FIGURE CONTEST



Hello all Star Wars custom action figure artists both young and old.  For the last two and a half years this blog has been promoting Star Wars custom action figure art, whether archived in video slide shows that featured custom action figure artists found on our "Customs I Wish I Owned" page, in classic photo novels, or in the educational tutorials that pass valuable knowledge onto beginners and masters alike; and sometimes, we just find something cool that we want to share like the artists featured in our own personal collectionCustoms for the Kid tries to do whatever we can to get the Star Wars customizing community all the exposure possible.  Well, here is a rare opportunity to give you all just that.  Here is your opportunity as an artist to get some serious exposure in the Star Wars community for your custom action figure art and for custom action figure artists as a whole. It can be a fun family activity for first time customizers.  For all you seasoned veterans, it's your opportunity to get your craft thrust out of the Star Wars fansite forums and out into the spotlight! There is nothing cooler than getting some recognition for all your hard work when exercising your craft.  Here's an opportunity to participate in a super fun Star Wars customizing contest.  First time customizers are greatly encouraged to jump in on the fun.  We want as many entries as possible. This is an ALL AGES event.  

Jimmy MacInerney (Jimmy Mac) and Jason Swank of RebelForce Radio (formerly of Forcecast.net) are teaming up with Customs for the Kid to host a Star Wars: Smuggler’s Gambit custom action figure contest.

Darth Daddy was listening to Jimmy MacInerney (Jimmy Mac) and Jason Swank on a podcast one night talking with Fanboys director Kyle Newman and heard them say they wish they could have custom action figures made of the characters from  Star Wars: Smuggler’s Gambitthe radio drama that was recorded live at Celebration VI in Orlando, Florida, based on an original script by Kyle Newman and F.J. DeSanto and currently featured on starwars.com and in the latest Star Wars Insider magazineStar Wars: Smuggler’s Gambit (full audio) was directed by Newman (Fanboys) and produced by Jimmy “Mac” McInerney of RebelForce Radio, who whipped up over 100 sound effects and music cues, which were blasted live onstage alongside the actors to a packed audience of almost 2,000 diehard Star Wars fans!" The production featured some of the best Star Wars voice acting talent out there today.

This is a great opportunity for one of you to be featured on a podcast known for their close ties to  Lucasfilm and other big players in the Star Wars community.

RebelForce Radio in their first week of podcasting had the honor of being iTunes #1 Entertainment podcast. Hosted by podcasting veterans Jason Swank and Jimmy Mac (formerly of the The ForceCast), RebelForce Radio provides information and entertainment to the ever-growing world-wide audience of Star Wars fans. The podcast is broadcast LIVE Tuesday nights at 9:30 pm ET and released widely on Fridays for on-demand streaming and download. RebelForce Radio can also be heard Sunday afternoons at 2:00 pm CT on Chicago’s 1530 WCKG AM.  RebelForce Radio is an extension of the hosts passion and enthusiasm for the Star Wars franchise. As life-long fans, Swank and Mac have traveled all over the globe, from Tokyo, Japan to Skywalker Ranch itself, to provide the most comprehensive internet coverage of major Star Wars related events! Listeners have enjoyed the podcasters in action during live shows from the floors at Star Wars Celebrations IV-VI and Star Wars Fan Days. Swank and Mac also wrote and produced “The George Lucas Hip-Hop,” winner of the 2008 Star Wars Fan Film Awards for Best Animation and Fan’s Choice. At Star Wars Celebration V in August 2010, Lucasfilm’s Dave Filoni (Supervising Director, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) recognized Jason and Jimmy as the inaugural inductees to his “104th Wolf Pack” organization for their “outstanding fandom and support of Star Wars.” The two were also inducted as “Honorary Friends” of The 501st Legion, a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization known for their charitable work and frequent presence at official Lucasfilm events. Swank and Mac enjoyed similar honors by The Rebel Legion, another well-known Star Wars costuming group, and been profiled in Star Wars Insider magazine, LA Weekly, and Chicago’s Daily Herald, among other publications and websites. You know it's good programming if the Supervising Director of Clone Wars Dave Filoni is a listener of their show.

Customizers need to get in on this contest and build on the momentum of  the Celebration 6: Star Wars Custom Action Figure Panel.  Show people in the Star Wars community just how much fun customizing can be.  Let people in on all the amazing results.  Let's show Star Wars fans what the customizing community is capable of.

ALL ENTRIES received will be displayed in a video at RebelForceRadio.com and on the Customs for the Kid blog.

The winner will also be featured on a special interview segment on RebelForceRadio and the winner and their action figure will be featured in a post on the Customs for the Kid blog as well.

The judges for the contest will be "Smuggler’s Gambit" writer Kyle Newman, co-writer F.J. DeSanto, Jimmy MacInerney (Jimmy Mac) and Jason Swank of RebelForce Radio, voice actor David Collins (Han Solo), artist Paul Bateman from The Art of Ralph McQuarrie, and Darth Daddy of Customs for the Kid.

Listen to the podcast with the contest announcement for more information.



RULES

-All custom action figure entries must be of characters that appear in the Star Wars radio drama "Smuggler's Gambit". Custom action figures can be in 3 ¾” scale or other.

-Participants are encouraged to submit as many entries as they wish.   Please include 1 - 4 photos per custom action figure submitted (Front, Back, Left, and Right).  

-Include your email, name, and mailing address, with your entry.

- Photoshop manipulations such as glowing lightsabers and blaster fire will not be accepted. We want the focus to be on the customs and not on their digital enhancement.

-All photo entries must be sent to the following email address: show@rebelforceradio.com.

Notice that nowhere in the rules does the contest say that it has to be a "brand new" custom.  If you made a custom years ago that you feel can fit within the "Smuggler's Gambit" story just enter it.  It only takes a few seconds to email a few pictures.  Especially if you have already photographed it.  SHOW US YOUR STAR WARS ART!

Make sure your picture(s) are attached in your email and all the contest's rules have been complied with before you send your email.


PRIZES

A prize package will be awarded to the winner at the conclusion of the contest. Prize Package will include one autographed 501st trading card of James Arnold Taylor, one autographed 8x10 of Clone Wars actress Anna Graves, one autographed 8x10 of Clone Wars actress Jaime King, and autographed  DVD of The Force Within Us, and a selection of Sony Playstation games.

ALL ENTRIES will be displayed in a video at RebelForceRadio.com and on the Customs for the Kid blog.

The winner will also be featured on a special interview segment on RebelForceRadio and the winner will be featured in a post on the Customs for the Kid blog as well.

The judges for the contest will be "Smuggler’s Gambit" writer Kyle Newman, co-writer F.J. DeSanto, Jimmy MacInerney (Jimmy Mac) and Jason Swank of RebelForce Radio, voice actor David Collins (Han Solo), artist Paul Bateman from The Art of Ralph McQuarrie, and Darth Daddy of Customs for the Kid.



DEADLINE

MAY 1, 2013 at 11:59pm












Below are the character descriptions from Kyle Newman that you all can use as a guide to create your "Smuggler's Gambit" custom action figure:







RYDER THORNE

A spirited late teen human, with a punkish flair, who spent most of her life raising herself...until Ro Kurota took her under his wing. Despite her new line of work, she has heart of gold and a moral compass that will always steer her to safely. She's also a skilled pilot, who shortly after the events of the radio drama, enlists with the rebels. Played by Ashley Eckstein.



RO KUROTA


A brash, young human hustler trying make a name for himself as a neophyte smuggler (recently turned bounty hunter thanks to Han Solo showing up). He dresses with an edge, usually in black, to overcompensate for his lack of experience. On RHEN VAR he sports an extra layer to deal with the inhospitable climate. Played by Sam Witwer.



SWEEPER

A Sanyassan spacer out for revenge on Han Solo. He's been around the galaxy a few times and sports the scars to prove it -- especially that nasty one on his face. He's not afraid to dress for business -- shady business -- often displaying his many weapons on his wardrobe. Played by Dee Bradley Baker.



XIZOR

Xizor is eager to score Solo and the Wookiee from Kurota to further leverage himself within the Empire. He arrives on the remote, icy planet RHEN VAR in sleeker, less formal, attire to close the deal... prepared to get his Faleen hands dirty if necessary. Played by Dee Bradley Baker.



HAN SOLO

Despite being a reluctant leader, Han dresses a bit more traditional during his opening Rebel Mission on the jungle planet of ABROSSOS VI... but slips back into more casual wear once he parts ways with the fleet. His outfit is a mix of classic ANH Han with a few new Rebel accents. Played by David Collins.



PRINCESS LEIA

Dresses in vintage Alderaan-garb, in honor of her recently destroyed homeworld. Played by Clare Grant.




There are several other characters in the story not listed, such as the Abrossos cantina patrons, Abrossos villagers, Abrossos miners, Rebel Commander, Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett, Chewbacca, and even Sweeper's thugs who  are all open to interpretation for the contest as well....








Dad threw these two custom action figures together to show potential "Smuggler's Gambit" contest participants how they can make a quick and easy "Smuggler's Gambit" custom action figure in just minutes for the contest that we are promoting with RebelForce Radio.  This is a great technique on how to create a Hasbro looking figure without even having to break out a paint brush.  These types of customs are great starting points for those of you who are are just beginner customizers and don't feel very confident with your painting skills yet.  

"ABROSSOS VI 
REBEL RECONAISSANCE TROOPERS"
created by Darth Daddy




"ABROSSOS VI  
CALAMARI REBEL RECONAISSANCE TROOPER"
by Darth Daddy





















Using the lower legs and lower torso of the Vintage Endor Rebel Soldier with the top half of a Vintage Admiral Ackbar, you can make a unique Abrossos VI Calamari Reconaissance Trooper that would work just as well in an Endor diorama as he would completing his scouting mission with Han Solo. 

The following Vintage Star Wars action figures were used:

-Vintage Endor Rebel soldier
-Vintage Admiral Ackbar



DIRECTIONS

Action figure assembly requires adult supervision and the following tools for a kitbash project:

-Heat gun or hairdryer

Both the Ackbar and Endor Rebel action figures only had to be heated up at the waist enough to pop them apart. Make sure the action figures are not hot enough to burn you before handling and disassembling.  Once sepaerated at the waist, we only needed to pop the parts back together in their desired positions before the plastic joints cooled down again.  
(ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED: If no heat gun or hairdryer is available, both figures can be put into boiling water for approximately 5 minutes....NO MORE. Make sure the water level is higher than the figure and that no plastic is above the water line.  Do not add the figure to the water until the water is boiling.  After the 5 minutes has expired, turn off the burner, and remove the action figures from the water with tongs.  Make sure the action figures are not hot enough to burn you before handling and disassembling.)


"ABROSSOS VI  
SNIVVIAN REBEL RECONAISSANCE TROOPER"
 created by Darth Daddy

















The following Vintage Star Wars action figures were used:

-Vintage Orrimaarko (Prune Face)
-Vintage Snaggletooth Target 3-pack

DIRECTIONS
How's this one for easy.  Head swap!



For any of you who listened to the radio drama you know that Han Solo and Chewbacca visited a village and bar while on Abrossos VI.  That means participants can enter the contest with a cantina alien custom action figure, or just an ordinary citizen that Han Solo and Chewbacca passed on their way to the local bar.  A miner that lives in the settlements on the planet. 

Notice that nowhere in the rules does the contest say that it has to be a "brand new" custom.  If you made a custom years ago that you feel can fit within the "Smuggler's Gambit"story just enter it.  It only takes a few seconds to email a few pictures.  Especially if you have already photographed it.   Show people in the Star Wars community just how large the Star Wars customizing community is. Let people in on all the amazing results we can produce. Let's show Star Wars fans what the customizing community is capable of. Let's knock everybody's socks off!

I love this Rodian girl that I created because she can be comfortable fitting into a lot of Star Wars dioramas.  She fits in a Tatooine street scene, as a dancer for Jabba or some other Hutt.   She looks great in a cantina scene too.  Heck if you threw a Jedi robe on her and put a lightsaber in her hand she can be a Jedi.  Today she is an Abrossos VI cantina patron.  Do you have any customs like these that you'd like to submit to the contest?  Let's see what you've made.  SEND US YOUR ENTRY!



"RODIAN GIRL"
created by Elias




















GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!









STAR WARS INSIDER: ISSUE 139 featuring "SMUGGLER's GAMBIT"


"SMUGGLER"S GAMBIT" FULL AUDIO