CUSTOMIZER SPOTLIGHT #37: HYPERDRIVE

When it comes to customizing, Hyperdrive is usually known for his signature "weathered and worn" soft goods. Hyperdrive's soft goods work is just amazing!  

What many people don't know, is that Hyperdrive has created some customs that have no soft goods work at all involved.   One of these figures can be found in my own collection.  Every holiday season, Customs for the Kid participates in Yakface.com's Secret Santa event in their forums.  Darth Daddy and Hyperdrive were each other's Secret Santa, and Hyperdrive made us a unique droid in the old Vintage style that Dad grew up with.  Both Dad and I were really impressed with this figure.  Dad was most impressed with the sticker that Hyperdrive created on his computer to attach to the torso of the droid.  This figure was a really cool addition to my collection and he is now posed with the complete Vintage Droid Factory playset that I found under my tree this past Christmas. 

Originally, we had planned to post this action figure back in January, but Hyperdrive had sent us two packages.  One with the figure and one with the diorama.  Unfortunately, the diorama was lost in the mail for a long time until the box and diorama had been returned by the post office to Hyperdrive's home completely damaged and beyond repair. 

 VINTAGE DROID

created by Hyperdrive

To see more Star Wars custom action figures created by Hyperdrive, click the link below:

http://www.yakfaceforums.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=6760   

While you're here, why not check out Darth Daddy's "Clone Wars General Pong Krell" custom action figure with soft goods created by Hyperdrive:

DARTH DADDY's CUSTOMIZING CORNER: HYPERDRIVE

Darth Daddy's Customizing Corner featured Star Wars artist Hyperdrive in the latest Customizing Corner over at The Star Wars Underworld.

CLICK HERE TO READ

When it comes to customizing, Hyperdrive's signature "weathered and worn" soft goods are unique. He has been honing his craft for many years without a studio; just his wife's sewing room and his kitchen island. He told me it takes about a week to create each figure and the work entails great care and attention to detail. Each piece is sanded down to remove any features that may reveal a bump or bulge from under the custom clothes. The clothes are then custom crafted to the size and shape of each figure for the best possible fit. Hyperdrive strives for maximum articulation underneath the soft goods cloth giving his figures a realistic look. Some of his favorite characters include: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui Gon Jinn, Vader, Yoda, General Veers, Watto, Maul, Greedo, Jawas and Gamorreans.

Hyperdrive's soft goods work is just amazing! Once we saw his figures we knew we had to include his work amongst the other artists I have featured in Darth Daddy's Customizing Corner. Hyperdrive is the guy that should be hired by Hasbro to handle all the soft good clothing design on future figures going forward! 

Hyperdrive is also one of the few Star Wars custom action figure artists that I have had the privilege of collaborating with on a project. When I was creating my Clone Wars General Pong Krell action figure, I came to a point where I  started to think about how I was going to do his clothing.  I really wanted to do soft goods, but I didn't feel like I had the skills to pull it off.

Immediately the amazing custom soft good creations of Star Wars customizer Hyperdrive popped into my head and I thought to himself, "I wish I could do soft good's like Hyperdrive."

My immediate second thought was, "I wonder if I could get Hyperdrive to do the soft goods?"

Followed by, "How should I go about asking him?"

The General Pong Krell action figure collaboration was willed by The Force.  No lie.  True Story.

In "less than a minute after I had that thought of asking Hyperdrive to make the soft goods from my Krell", I got an email from him asking me if he could update the video of his work on our "Customs I Wish I Owned" page. I immediately obliged and while I had Hyperdrive's ear, I asked if he would collaborate with me on Krell. The rest is history.

When I was finished with all the sculpt and paintwork, Krell was shipped off to Hyperdrive who not only created the beautiful looking soft goods tunic that Krell is now sporting, but Hyperdrive also made one awesome diorama stand for Krell when he's on display.

Hyperdrive created Krell's soft goods tunic, tabbards, and wraps with fabric that was hand dyed and then weathered. He also created the leather removable belt held on with a metal clasp located at the back and then inlaid magnets that were set inside for saber hilt connections.  He then fabricated a custom swamp display base with water effects.  And after all that was done, he fixed his busted sewing machine. 

"JEDI GENERAL PONG KRELL"
created by Darth Daddy

(KRELL's TUNIC and DIORAMA STAND created by HYPERDRIVE)

"Hello all. I just had the privilege of contributing to one of the coolest, most beautifully sculpted figures that I have ever worked upon. Darth Daddy's sculpt work on his General Pong Krell figure is top shelf, TOP SHELF! Having seen it in person, I can attest to his craftsmanship and skill. While the entire piece is nicely sculpted, I was blown away by the head sculpt and his feet. Also his paintwork was awesome. Pong Krell is en route back to Darth Daddy as we speak. Looking forward to sharing the finished product with you all.  It was awesome to lend a hand with this figure. It's way more rewarding to collaborate with others, I highly recommend it. When the figure arrived at my door, I wanted to live up to DD's craftsmanship. We emailed constantly once it was on my bench, and after several alterations, arrived at this finished product."  - Hyperdrive

To see more Star Wars custom action figures created by Hyperdrive, click the link below:

http://www.yakfaceforums.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=6760

CUSTOMS FOR THE KID: 2013 VIDEO RECAP

Happy New Year everyone!  Another year behind us.  Well 2013 wasn't the most productive year we've had at Customs for the Kid.  In 2012, we created 2 vehicles and over 70 action figures.  In 2013, we only made 40 Star Wars custom action figures here at home.  Furthermore, we tackled about only half of the projects we had hoped to take on. That said, we definitely don't see our lack of productivity in a negative light.  

Part way through the year, Dad made a decision to stop creating fan fiction characters and wanted to only create Star Wars characters that never made it to plastic.  As a result, Dad's  action figures took longer than one day to create with sculpting factoring into his projects more than before, but he added molding and casting to his toolbox this year so I'm curious to see how that adds to his repertoire.

Customs for the Kid also hosted our first Star Wars custom action figure contest with RebelForce Radio that promoted the Star Wars: Smuggler’s Gambit radio drama.  It was a lot of fun and maybe Customs for the Kid will try and do another custom action figure contest in 2014.  

On Sunday, April 7, 2013, Customs for the Kid brought their traveling museum of Star Wars custom action figures to the Star Wars Spectacular event in Woodbridge, NJ.  It was our first ever Star Wars event.  Attendees were treated to an exhibition of Star Wars custom action figures created by talented customizing artists such as: Stronox, Sillof, Luke Sprywalker, Chewie, Wraithnine, Hangarbay94, Peakob1, SithHappens, Omar Rivera, Incom aka Mr. Black's Customs, Lucasclones, Stocos28, JACKOFTRADZE, Darth Daddy, Elias, and more.  Also on display were video tutorials and slideshow videos that are featured on our blog.  While there we had the opportunity to meet up with Star Wars customizers darthstreams and Dave Castle aka StarWarsGeek. The display table stayed pretty packed throughout the day, and brought attention to the blog's online museum of Star Wars custom action figures and the featured artists we help promote. We were really impressed with the crowd turnout, and loved the reaction of all the attendees to what we had on display.

Customs for the Kid also had an opportunity to see some awesome Star Wars custom action figure art created by one of the most talented customizers out there today, Luke Sprywalker. Some of you may know L.E. Spry aka Luke Sprywalker from the Celebration VI "Star Wars Custom Action Figure Panel" that was held in the summer of 2012.  Luke Sprywalker was a speaker at the panel along with Star Wars customizers Sillof and Sith_fire30.  Dad and I had the opportunity to visit Luke Sprywalker's home, affectionately dubbed Sprywalker Ranch while on a trip through North Carolina on our way to visit family. Getting to hold some of my favorite custom action figure art in my own two hands was a real treat.  I thought the photos of his work were cool, seeing them in hand was just mind blowing.

The highlight of this year for me as an artist was creating seven Cantina aliens for my display. Dad said his highlight was finishing the Clone Wars General Pong Krell custom action figure collaboration with Hyperdrive.  

Definitely a year to be proud of.  Here's to making sure 2014 brings some memorable moments as well.  Hope you all enjoy our video of what was made here at home in 2013.

CUSTOMS FOR THE KID: 2013 RECAP

Star Wars Custom Action Figures created by Elias & Darth Daddy 

Our video was featured on the front page of Imperial Shipyards.

GENERAL PONG KRELL custom action figure - COMPLETED

"JEDI GENERAL PONG KRELL"
created by Darth Daddy & Hyperdrive

"Click Image" above to go to the post with the completed figure.

"Hello all. I just had the privilege of contributing to one of the coolest, most beautifully sculpted figures that I have ever worked on. Darth's sculpt work on his General Pong Krell figure is top shelf, TOP SHELF! Having seen it in person, I can attest to his craftsmanship and skill. While the entire piece is nicely sculpted, I was blown away by the head sculpt and his feet. Also his paintwork was awesome. Pong Krell is en route back to Darth D as we speak. Looking forward to sharing the finished product with you all." - Hyperdrive

"Oh my, this is fantastic! You have really raised the bar with this beautiful work of art. I am blown away by how awesome this figure is! I officially nominate this as custom action figure of the year! Just had a thought, CAFN should do a Figure of the year show with what they feel was the best figure/figures created. The soft good by Hyperdrive really seals the deal and that custom base is great as well." - Luke Sprywalker 

"You just made my top custom figures of all time list. Just awesome work here." - Tamer of Imperial Shipyards

"WOW O WOW Krell is just brillant the details on him a just flawless." - Ron Hemble

"Looks stunning!! My jaw is on the floor!" -Wraithnine
 

"It really doesn't get better than this. What a fantastic collaboration between the two of you. The figure was already amazing before Hyperdrive's soft goods were added... the final touches just make this without a doubt, one of the most amazing customs to grace our boards." - Chewie 

Hyperdrive Added to "Customs I Wish I Owned"

When it comes to customizing, Hyperdrive's signature "weathered and worn" soft goods are unique. He has been honing his craft for many years with no studio, only his wife's sewing room and kitchen island. It takes about a week to create each figure with great care and attention to detail. Each piece starts with an "ultra articulated" custom base figure, sanded down to remove any features that may reveal a bump or bulge from under the custom clothes. The clothes are then custom crafted to the size and shape of each figure for the best possible fit. Hyperdrive strives for maximum articulation underneath the fabric giving the figure a realistic look. Some of his favorite characters include, Kenobi, Qui Gon Jinn, Vader, Yoda, General Veers, Watto, Maul, Greedo, Jawas and Gamorreans.

Hyperdrive's soft goods work is just amazing! Once we saw his figures we knew we had to include his work amongst the other artists we have featured here on our blog. Our video museum full of talented Star Wars custom action figure artists just wouldn't have been complete without him. Hyperdrive is the guy that Hasbroshould hire to handle all the soft good clothing design on all figures going forward, but don't take our word for it, check out his custom action figures in the video below.

Hyperdrive

To see more Star Wars custom action figures created by Hyperdrive, click the link below:

http://www.yakfaceforums.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=6760