Grody Shogun - New Stuff

Same here, my friends and I are all sending our heads together for that exact reason

 

What’s the difference between grouping the heads together or going solo?

 

Luke mentioned he would put 4 or 5 heads on a mold. And set up group chats for everyone on the mold to coordinate pulls.

 

Just keep in mind, that just getting a single mold pulled can be complicated at times. Let alone get 4-5 people to be on the same page. And then say manage 4-5 ( or more ) groups of people.

This is BEFORE vinyl orders and who wants what colors. Then where to ship after it’s pulled. Are you shipping to one location or does this all go to each person who ordered. Potentially adding up to dozens of unique orders going to all different addresses. And this is months later because wax and molds take time. He needs to keep track of all this info while he waits and while he’s pulling vinyl.

Then who is pulling this him or Dennis ? That’s another time consuming issue, and confusing. If he’s pulling or is this being added to Dennis schedule. If it’s Dennis he will rely on Luke’s notes on what to pull from each mold.

What is being proposed is a tall task for even the most organized person.

It’s a nice idea, and it would help many people out get something made. But this should have been tested out with say doing a group of 5 people first. Go though the entire process and see how to scale it up. Jumping straight into the fire without any test runs is wild.

We tried to do a small group project 3 or 4 years ago. Luke came out to my shop, we sculpted the parts directly there with him. He took the parts back to Japan and was supposed to get them done immediately. He even did some wax. Then nothing, years go by. It was just recently that he got them done and the project was able to get on track with mine and manny’s parts. That was literally under the best case scenario, with only 4 guys. And even then the costs where expected to be about 500 or more per person. That’s just for production not even vinyl. And since then vinyl costs have doubled. Now this was a while back and Luke had some issues he was working through so who knows what set backs this caused. It’s totally possible he has gotten the time he needs and is back on track.

I truly hope this works, and those that do get involved go into this knowing that you might score big and get your toy made, or it go no where. A 300 dollar investment is literally nothing when it comes to production costs ( most of the time shipping the order, Japan tax and commission fees costs more than $300 on the smallest order) You might score big with your toy on a body, or you might never see a single thing.

 

I think the idea sounds super fun, but to the points @Rich brings up and the whole "coordinate between yourselves" @JoeMan mentioned, this seems like an epic shitshow. But hey, if you got $300 for a total gamble and you're cool with it potentially (likely) never happening then it might be a fun experiment

 

Also, what are the chances I’d never see my sculpt again…?

 

Thanks for taking the time and effort to say this. Knowing what sort of worst-case-scenarios could possibly come out of this makes everything more realistic and helps steel my mind and be prepared for the chances I’m taking.

 

I hope you aren't planning on sending an original prototype out. You should always send a resin copy. Letting an original sculpt out the doors is just plain reckless. You won't see it again regardless if this project is a success or not. Did you expect them to send it back?

 

Usually yes they do send it back. And usually yes most do send original parts. It’s common.

 

Ignorance is running the show over here for me. That’s why I asked. Ive never seen any maker talk about sending resin copies instead of the OG, but the idea makes total sense. Just within the past day of mentioning my interest in participating in this project I’ve been educated on all sorts of details. Which is exactly what I’m in it for. Knowledge and experience. Thanks for the information, and keep the scrutiny (edit: and by scrutiny I mean help) coming!

 

When I had my sofubi toy made I was asked to send a resin copy of the original sculpt, so I guess I assumed that was the standard since I was working with a well known company/producer. I definitely feel uncomfortable sending original sculpts overseas, there is so much that can go wrong in-transit. Never got it back either! Perhaps my experience is unique.

 

Every time you cast your sculpture you lose height and thickness, a few casts can leave the figure much different from your original sculpture. Unless you sculpt with the intention of reducing the size through casting.

I’ve been working with Amy and Lulu forever. I’m very confident that anyone who does this with me will either get vinyl or a refund. Patience is the key. And it may take a while, but If you are relaxed and aren’t anal with your expectations, I’m willing to roll the dice with the right foursome or fivesome.

 

On a side note the Grody Shogun x Real Head preorder has gone up on the lulubell website

 

FYI regarding the Good Head Goons deal: bringing this up with Luke on one of his Instagram live streams just now apparently this wording on Lulubell "You will receive 15 of your head on the body of your choice" might be erroneous. Luke clarified you only receive 15 samples of your head with the option of purchasing bodies to go with it at wholesale cost. He said he'll look into it though. Hopefully people do get 15 bodies as well. That wording is not possible to misunderstand, IMO, and is surely legally binding for people who have already bought in under these conditions - thinking they would receive 15 complete figures at this price?

Edit: It seems the wording should have been something like "You will receive 15 of your head sculpted to fit the body of your choice". Hopefully that is how folks who signed up for this have understood it. And just for the record: I haven't, and not looking to stir up shit, I just think this typo/misunderstanding is unfortunate for anyone taking part and wanted to give a heads-up for anyone still on the fence.

Edit II: NB! Bodies at wholesale - not retail.

 

Dumpster fires are FUN!

 

But dude deserves the $300 for his optimism and entertainment value!

 

…GUH…

 

At least it’s put a fire under my sculpting desires. Back on the fence I go…

 

I stand by what I said above ….

 

I think I'm gonna do this. Working on other stuff that will hopefully happen otherwise, but this seems like fun.

 

Edit : GHG here we go.

 

Well I WAS gonna go for it, but luckily I read the part about needing to have shipped all heads by Aug 5th before I hit the checkout. Kinda weird to have the buy in date and the drop dead for shipping be the same day, but all good.

Looking forward to seeing what all everyone comes up with!

 

If you had a head completed and purchased the spot and also sent it by today you'd be fine.
If you didn't sent it today but bought a spot you would have been refunded.

An email was sent out for those who wanted refunds just in case somebody bought a spot and wasn't able to send it by August 5th.

 

Yeah, like I said it's just slightly weird that the buy-in deadline and the need-to-ship deadline are the same, seems like it could have been staggered a bit—but I'm not too worried about it. I am excited to see what comes of it all!