Spotlight On: Vinylmation Custom Artist Cesar Diaz

WDWNT on May 5, 2011

As part of today’s Star Wars celebration we have a very special Star Wars themed custom to show! Custom Vinylmation Cesar Diaz from California, who created a great looking LOST set, just finished a 9” Star Wars Tusken Raider. We talked to him recently about this design.

Destination Vinylmation: Tell us about the process of conceptualizing a figure like this? Does it start with a 2D drawing, or do you pencil right onto the Vinylmation?

Cesar: All the vinyls I create always start off as a drawing on paper. The final vinyl always ends up looking a tad different than the 2D version. More detail it seems.

DV: There is a ton of detail in this figure. Was the idea always to add accessories, such as the horns and the weapon?

Cesar: Oh of course! In my head I always saw him that way. What’s a Tusken without his staff?

DV: What is the staff made out of?

Cesar: The weapon is a combination of wood, super sculpey and craft foam. Oh and a old black t-shirt for wrapping the staff.

DV: Why did you choose the Tusken Raider and do you have plans for more characters from the Star Wars universe?

Cesar: My original plan was to do a Sand Trooper. When I told my friend the idea he said a Tusken Raider would look so much better. And you know what? He was right! As for more Star Wars characters, I do plan to make more 9″ ones. I already made a 3″ Greedo to go with Han Solo.

DV: Even going back to the LOST series, you always seem to make fantastic use out of the Vinylmation’s ears. Was that part of the canvas ever a challenge for you, or do you enjoy using your creativity to make the ears work?

Cesar: I’m the kind of artist that believes in making things work with what you got. I will never alter the vinyl in anyway. If I ever do, it stops becoming a vinylmation. The ears are always a challenge. Part of creating something is solving the problems it comes with.

DV: As an artist, what are your first impressions of the new Vinylmation 3″ mold and do you want to see that form come to create your owns?

Cesar: I’m actually a bit disappointed in the new mold. I really hate the fact that the new mold has no nose and no buttons. It is now a semi looking Mickey. If they changed the hands but kept the same body, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. But I also believe in “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”. I understand why they did it. And I am curious to try the new mold.

DV: What’s next for Cesar?

Cesar: Well….I have a grip of vinyls lined up to create. My next 9″, which I’m creating right now is going to be pretty cool. I wish I could create vinylmations for a living. But for now, customizing will do just fine.

DV: Cesar, thank you for you time today. Where can people see more of your customs?

Cesar: If anyone is interested in seeing the rest of my work, please visit my website at mycustomations.com

Kidada’s Sweet 9″ In Hand

WDWNT on May 4, 2011


DV Reporter Zoe was nice enough to take these pictures for us. Check out the front. She says it’s “even better in person”. It does look pretty sweet.

Here’s our first real look at the back side. Kinda of strange as Minnie is thru the hole on the front, but on the back she’s also thru the hole. The only other really noticeable part of the back is the Life is Sweet in the ear.

Here’s a look at the charm bracelet that came with the piece. It’s a bow. Not quite big enough to wear though, I thought it might come with a matching piece for the buyer to have.

All photos by DV reporter Zoe

And here’s the bottom. Check out the cool giraffe design Kidada uses for her symbol. She also uses her full name on the bottom, “Kidada Jones”.

What do you think of this vinylmation now that we have seen it in full? Worth the rush? There were only 500 total, and the online store sold out of them in about an hour. The stores only seem to have about a dozen each in them, and I’m sure most of them are gone (we know Santa Monica is sold out).

Stormtrooper of the Week #14

WDWNT on May 4, 2011

It’s Star Wars Day. May the Fourth. Not all stormtroopers are heartless killing machines. Sometimes they have fragile hearts that can be broken. Sometimes the world just doesn’t make any sense to them. Just look at Bob here…

ZoMG: Kidada Disney Store Release- Santa Monica

WDWNT on May 4, 2011

When I went to get my Kidada vinylmation, I was the first person in line so they let me help open up the store with this Disney Store magic key! Very fun! 🙂 (I love this key!)


(Evil Shadow Zoe opens the store, Ed.)

I don’t think enough people knew about the release. A couple of more people came and they sold out. They only had 12 of the 9″ figures!


So cute!! Just like the chocolate milk vinylmation that came with the
hats! I love this!!

All photos by DV reporter Zoe

Cute little saying! 🙂

-Zoe

Kidada Disney Store Release- NYC Edition

WDWNT on May 4, 2011

Our reader, The Playwright, was at the Times Square NYC store for the opening of the Kidada section of the Disney Store. Here are some pictures that were taken from the trip.

The first floor looks like it is still under construction, but as the sign says, “There’s plenty of Magic upstairs.”

This is the 9″ box from the front. We’ve seen this image a lot, but it still retains the “New Flavor” starburst.

Here’s the back of the box. Kidada’s logo is interesting. It’s got a Giraffe as a central part of it.

Check out the side of the Kidada 9″ piece. Lots of fun details about the production including this Nutrition Label.
That’s right, this piece covers 100% of your daily allowance for Girly Fun, Vinyl Perfection, as well as the Vitamins C(ollective), D(elicious), and A(dorable)!

Taken thru the box, this is the Artist’s Card. (So these still have them, I wonder how long it will take to completely stop them)

The 9″ was on display with Kidada’s other recently released items, the Wish-a-Littles.

All pictures from The Playwright

They are pretty adorable themselves. According to a tweet last night, @evilosart also seem to like them.

We’d like to once again thank The Playwright for these pictures from NYC. What are your thoughts on today’s release. Also look for a similar post from the left coast coming soon!

New Star Tours Marquee Poster Revealed

WDWNT on May 4, 2011

From Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald on the Disney Parks Blog:

Today, May 4, we unveiled a stunning new piece of Star Tours art which serves as the attraction poster at Disneyland park and the marquee at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Designed by Imagineer Scot Drake, the piece features the new Starspeeder 1000 surrounded by many of the planets, vehicles and characters from the show. Look for Darth Vader lurking in the shadows.

The photo below shows the new marquee as it was being installed just this morning at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Adventures Continue – only weeks away!

Kidada 9″ Donut Disney Store Exclusive

WDWNT on May 4, 2011

Update: 5/4/11 8:06 AM EST – SOLD OUT at the Disney Store Online.

We also got a better look at the charm that comes with this 9″ figure. It’s in the shape of Minnie’s bow.

Update: 5/4/11 3:45 AM Today is the day Kidada’s vinyl comes out. In fact, it’s already out at disneystore.com. Check it out! Only $49.95. Get yours while you can. Remember to use the code “SHIPTODAY” for free shipping on orders of 2!

Update: 5/3/11 @DisneyStorePrez tweeted that the other Disney Stores will be Chicago’s Michigan Ave Store, Santa Monica’s Store, and San Fransisco. We already knew they would be in New York City’s Times Square and online also! Coming out tomorrow! The Prez also stated the price to be “around $50”. Thanks to @lilsqueakrr for asking him!

Update: 5/3/11 DV reporter Zoe noticed that the website Stitch Kingdom (really great Disney news site!) found the pictures for the upcoming exclusive Disney Store Kidada merchandise including the 9″ Vinylmation.

Artist: Kidada Jones

Released at: NYV Times Square, Chicago Michigan Ave, Santa Monica, San Fransisco, and the DisneyStore.com
Price: $49.95
LE 500

Also, take a look at the right wrist:
Each 9″ Vinylmation will come with little charms hanging on it. Looks like maybe a diamond and a Mickey Head. UPDATE: Actually it’s a bow…


Update: 4/29/11 @DisneyStorePrez just tweeted that the Kidada Vinyl will be available online and at 5 Disney Stores, including Times Square NYC. So if you aren’t in New York, check online on May 4th.

Update: 4/29/11 After some digging, we also found this picture up at @meltdowncomics’s webpage: meltcomics.com. According to them, the vinyl will be exclusive to NYC stores! This tweet was also forwarded by @DisneyStorePrez which legitimizes it.

4/28/11- Today @NeRdArMy posted the following picture up on twitter:

Rumor has it, this will be a Disney Store Exclusive released on May 4th. Looks like a 9″ figure. A bright, colorful design depicting what looks like pink ice cream on an ice cream cone. There is a hole in the middle with Minnie Mouse peeking through! Reportedly, the artist is Kidada. That artist showed up on the DisneyStore.com as well today as the designer of a new line of little Disney Princess collectibles called “The Wish a Littles.” According to this screen shot, this product is coming out on May 4th exclusively at Disney Stores as well.

If you visited DisneyStore.com today, you couldn’t miss these little Princesses hopping across the screen! A Google search brought up fashion designer Kidada Jones, who has designed a line for Disney Couture. If this is the same Kidada, she is also the daughter of music mogul Quincey Jones.
We put in a call to Disney for information about this figure and will let you know when anything official is released.

Time Lapse Footage of Little Mermaid Construction

WDWNT on May 3, 2011

Neat little video from the Disney Parks Blog:

We love time lapse footage around here! It shows how much progress we’re making! In this time lapse you’ll see the façade of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure in various stages of construction. You’ll notice at the beginning of the video – over to the right of the screen – the Palace of Fine Arts rotunda, originally the entrance to the former “Golden Dreams” attraction. Walt Disney Imagineers incorporated it into the new architecture. As the video progresses, you’ll see King Triton placed atop the arch, surrounded by relief carvings of six of Ariel’s six older sisters: Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella and Alana. The architecture is modeled after buildings found on boardwalks at the turn of the century, and was created using new digital 3D technology. Enjoy!

 

WDW Trading Event: May 20th

WDWNT on May 3, 2011

Update: 5/4/11 Thanks to Konrad for noticing that Disney updated the events page confirming this event as vinylmation!


Disney Pin and Vinylmation (confirmed) trading event:

May 20, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Ballroom of the Americas

This will also be the first day of Star Wars Weekends, where it is rumored that the Star Wars set will be re-released. (As part of SWW the new Star Tours 2 will open!)

We’re looking into confirming the event is also for Vinylmation. Vinylmation.com still has not listed the event, so we will keep you updated. Although, even it it’s not a confirmed “vinylmation” event, we are sure there will be some vinyl trading going on. (At the last event the vinylmation trading was mush bigger then the pin trading!)

See you there!