Dida Drawing Board: POTA Deluxe Playset

[MegoScott]

Here are the plans for a super insane POTA playset. I've been pondering this for a long while. Finally got some time to do some more artwork this weekend.

It starts as a carrying case playset--the big door will be a scene of the crash landed ship (not pictured here). Then you open it up and assemble it and it has scenes from the whole movie. Cornfield on the back, scarecrows, artifact cave on the back (probably have some kind of scaffold for the cave) and of course the Statue of Liberty. I wanted to push her scale bigger so the raised torch is actually a lamintated piece that attached to the back wall of the dida display.

On the opposite side the top display is the outside village scene I did before but the backside of the torch will be some kind of weird building so in the same shape. There will be an arched bridge--again a laminated peice of art attached to a plastic platform that fits on the Dida walls. Still more laminated cut-outs attach to the sides to give the thing a curvey shape, not so straight as the Dida walls. The two side rooms are a jail and then a Zira office. Still not sure what the inside box will have. I like the art museum scene better than the courtroom, probably a Megoish mix of stuff.

Can I pull this off? The artwork is coming along nicely. I haven't prototyped the laminated parts idea, but I think it will work. The stairs need to be prototyped, no idea if I can pull those off. It also depends on how much all that lamination costs...Then there's the size...Approx 40" wide, 20" high (30 with the torch) and about 20" deep. Let me know how interested you would be in this beast...I'm not sure I should even try to make it unless I know there's demand. I'll make smaller, less ambitious sets using this artwork...

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/village2.jpg

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/village3.jpg

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/village3b.jpg

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/back_display.jpg

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/village1.jpg

[Mego Milk]

WOW!
Looks awesome sir!

[Meule]

That is totally awesome.
You should give up your job and design nothing but playsets :grin:

[apes3978]

I'm sure it's too early to say, but do you know about how much it'd be if you go thru with the set as described in your post?

[BlackKnight]

Thats Very cool Looking Scott.

[miguet]

WOW! It's going to be an amazing display.

[Action Martin]

I'd be interested. But it depends on the price, of course.

[almitysufx]

BAMM! sound of jaw dropping to the floor. Scott, it's amazing how much you cram into your "playsets" The amount of thought you must have put into this one blows me away. The way you've blended so many parts of the movie into it and still.................... I'm at a loss for words, honestly.
FREAKIN COOL!!!!!!!

[DCSTING]

Looks Amazing!!! Fantastic idea!

[censy]

Wow! Scott this is an impressive design. Its a mego-loving, ape fan’s dream come true. I love how the torch of lady liberty extends beyond the set, its the cherry on top of this delicious dida.

I will absolutely be getting one. The only question would be if its in this size or a more modest version. I would need to have an idea of the cost as well as check out how much space I can spare in my office. 40" seems like it might be too big for me.

Thanks for the update.

Chris

[The Bat]

Wow Scott....that's IMPRESSIVE!! I don't collect Paysets...but that top one really makes Me want to! Fantastic design!!:clap:

[david_b]

'Delicious Dida'..? Scott, you should think about changing your brand name.. IT FITS!

Seriously, more Mego greatness awaits us here, folks....! I can seriously see operating tables for those hideous/nefarious simian experiments.

david_b



Wow! Scott this is an impressive design. Its a mego-loving, ape fan’s dream come true. I love how the torch of lady liberty extends beyond the set, its the cherry on top of this delicious dida.

I will absolutely be getting one. The only question would be if its in this size or a more modest version. I would need to have an idea of the cost as well as check out how much space I can spare in my office. 40" seems like it might be too big for me.

Thanks for the update.

Chris

[jessica]

Bravo, Scott. I love the artwork! Lots of mental gymnastics went into the design of this. My favorite is the skywalk/bridge. That is totally cool.

[SUP-Ronin]

Very Sharp. It really captures the key scenery really well. Beautiful.

[Wee67]

Another amazing design, Scott! It looks like you could, indeed, pull this off. Given the success you've had with the other sets, I am positive you will work out any last details. Good luck and thanks for adding even more fun to the Mego community!

[chalwa]

Excellent! Another goes outta the park!
Only suggestion would be to scale back the Liberty torch. I see problems from the smaller area at the connection going to the larger area up top. May be a bit weak for the weight and start flopping.
I think design-wise pulling it down would help the looks also. The idea is solid, though.
Whatta ya think?
bestest

[blastphemey]

those loook sick

[phil]

If the artwork looks that great just think what the finished product will be
like!:grin::ape:

[Edgaar]

It's APE-A-RIF-IC!!!!

[megojim]

that's a winner scott!
I sold all of my apes playsets last year so one like that would be perfect!

[fallensaviour]

Amazing Scott!!!
You are a true genius. :yes:

[MegoScott]

Thanks for the enthusiasm, gang. I'm still working on the price for this one. It's got 35 sheets of artwork by my count, so printing alone will be hefty. Then laminating is an additional cost I need to figure out, if anybody has any inside deals let me know. I'll keep you posted. There's a lot more art to do, but this back scene is a big item off the to-do list.

[HardyGirl]

Oh my flipping goodness! :juggleyes_y:*passes out* How do you do it? How do you think of all this COOL stuff? It boggles the mind! That's just SO awesome! I can't wait to see a finished version! Lemme know if you need some help w/ something.:ape:

[Captain]

Curse you DIDA displays!!!

Am I destined to die penniless, living in a paupers fort made of your cursed playsets!!!????


To translate:
Great stuff....I want one! :)

[chalwa]

Cool! Can I drop by to play?
I'll bring pennies!:grin:
bestest



Curse you DIDA displays!!!

Am I destined to die penniless, living in a paupers fort made of your cursed playsets!!!????


To translate:
Great stuff....I want one! :)

[Captain]

Cool! Can I drop by to play?
I'll bring pennies!:grin:
bestest



:smiley1::smiley1::smiley1:

[LadyZod]

That's awesome looking... the only thing missing?

The Lawgiver Statue!

[MegoScott]

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs179.snc1/6760_102346186777_657566777_2176092_2838119_n.jpg

This is taking forever! But I did this today and I love it.

[60'schild]

Really Nice!

[jasonmego1277]

Oh wow , I have to say that looks unbelievable ! I wish I had room for these because I would order one of every display.

[jessica]

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs179.snc1/6760_102346186777_657566777_2176092_2838119_n.jpg

This is taking forever! But I did this today and I love it.

That is freaking gorgeous! Very yummilicious, Scott. I totally love that!!!

[pmwasson]

Very impressive! This set will be amazing.

[MegoScott]

I think I'm making a scaled down version of the playset. Not a two-story deal with stairs, the initial design is so much work and crazy BS. Stay tuned.

[pmwasson]

Let me know if you need a jail (http://www.lasermego.com/store/jail)! :wink:

[MegoScott]

Oh, we'll be talking, Laser Man. I have plans (on top of the other plans and more plans I already sent you!)

[vulcan2074]

Very Awesome Scott :beaming1:
Sammy

[Brown Bear]

I'd love to see dida displays make an Arnold's for the Fonz. :)

[marbkwds]

Would any of those plans include enough consoles to make me a deluxe space command set ................. LMK.......... Roy

[alex]

That looks excellant, count me in for one.

[censy]

Makes sense to downscale it a bit Scott. Might have been too big (and expensive?) the way it was. I am looking forward to seeing the finished piece and buying one.

Beautiful job on the lawgiver art.

Chris

[jessica]

Scott, do you sell the Lawgiver image by itself, and how large is that printed out? I really love Him.

[The Sentry]

Man, I really want that Ape City background for one of my levels. I haven't gotten around to talking with the guy that was supposed to design my stuff for the 3 I got from you last year. So I just may be hitting you up for that man! GREAT WORK!!!!!!!!!

[MegoScott]

Jessica, I'd be honored to get you a print, sure thing.

Sentry--Where you been man? Good to see you. Yeah, we gotta fill up that display you bought!

[jessica]

Scott, I'll touch base with you when I return from the Forbidden Zone.

[MegoScott]

I wanted to share the new artwork for this project, I need some feedback. I scrapped almost everything and went with a new approach. I'm really excited about the design and the drawing and coloring I'm doing. I'm taking a very retro marker art style like Mego used and giving it lots of attention and detail from the movie.

This is all of the inside artwork in one view.

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/PotaIntComp.jpg

This is the work in progress on the outside art...Village, scarecrows, red sun, Liberty, and the secret archaeological cave.

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/Extcomp.jpg

Work in progress on the front door panel art showing the crash of the spaceship

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/BigDoorCrash.jpg

A detail shot of the rendering style. Lurid!

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/Liberty.jpg

I'm banging through this one now, I'll have a playset done soon.

[GlobalObserver]

That really looks great!

[censy]

This looks amazing Scott. Love the details and color palette. It feels very animated, I expect a character to walk into the scene any minute.

I will be one of the first in line for one. Any info on size or shape wold be appreciated.

Chris

[HardyGirl]

Ape-tastic! :ape: I can't wait til it's finished! :baby02:

[piecemaker]

:yes:Looking Great!

[vulcan2074]

Thats a Fantastic design. I dig it alot :beaming1:
Sammy

[MegoScott]

Thanks, the final opened set will be 22 inches wide and 30 inches long, but can be broken down into smaller pieces for shelving displays or the whole thing will fold up into a carrying case. It will have a jail room, an office room and a bridge archway entrance. The lawgiver is a separate piece that snaps on, will be 15 inches high and the liberty torch will be on the other side.

[Meule]

Most impressive Scott, I really like your new approach

[SUP-Ronin]

I'd love to see dida displays make an Arnold's for the Fonz. :)

That's a pretty cool idea. It would prefer classic Arnolds, not 80's arnolds. Maybe something fairly simple so it's less expensive (since the line isn't hugly popular) but it would be a great layout and could involve multiple lines for display. And maybe some custom booths from the laser megoman. Especially if it had a sound card like those Hallmark ones so that when you open it, it says "Happy days is filmed before a live studio audience."

[SUP-Ronin]

I wanted to share the new artwork for this project, I need some feedback. I scrapped almost everything and went with a new approach. I'm really excited about the design and the drawing and coloring I'm doing. I'm taking a very retro marker art style like Mego used and giving it lots of attention and detail from the movie.

This is all of the inside artwork in one view.

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/PotaIntComp.jpg

This is the work in progress on the outside art...Village, scarecrows, red sun, Liberty, and the secret archaeological cave.

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/Extcomp.jpg

Work in progress on the front door panel art showing the crash of the spaceship

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/BigDoorCrash.jpg

A detail shot of the rendering style. Lurid!

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/Liberty.jpg

I'm banging through this one now, I'll have a playset done soon.

You've got mad skills, that art is really great. This thing is gonna look sweet.

[alex]

I must say u are very talented, love the cartooney art work, theres nothing I could say I dont like.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

Mmmm. Gorgeous Scott.

[MegoScott]

I was kind of blown away by all this playset art on my computer desktop at once. Here's a screenshot of both monitors with artwork and reference photos. Next, I will comp these up in a sample playset design.

http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/desktop_small.jpg

Full size image (http://www.didadisplays.com/protos/pota/desktop_work.jpg)

[rche]

I love it that the MM is peeking out behind your video player. good stuff

[wilbs518]

Great stuff!

[Meule]

So that's how you work your magic, eh?
Cool pic, Scott

[Sandman9580]

Just came across this thread in a search, and I am blown away. That first shot is jaw-dropping! I understand you are simplifying the design, but I gotta say I love the stairs and the bridge! I'm sure you've thought of this already, but I wonder if there was some way you could get some pieces--or one big central piece--vacuuformed, and then have that "fit" into the vinyl set. I've spent some time looking around monster model sites, and there's a lot of guys who make castle/dungeon-type dioramas, and then cast the pieces in resin and sell them. Mego is roughly the same scale as a lot of the old Aurora models, and that scale is very popular with figure modelers (as are the Apes themselves). Maybe a collaboration could be struck? Say, one central piece that could be made cost-effective by incorporating into other "Super Didas"? (Castle, Pirate's Cove, Mad Scientist's Lab, Supervillan Hide-out, Star Trek environment... yeah... alright, easy for me to suggest, I know. As Blondie sang, dreaming is free. : )

Anyway, this looks beautiful. I've always liked playsets that utilize flat backgrounds, and have a kind of stage-y, movie-set quality to them. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

:2thumbsup:

[cdhall]

Scott, you are a genius. Mattel needs to call you. You need to do a Playset for the WGSH.
:yeah:
Duh.

I am still hoping to place that order we discussed but I will get to you when I'm ready. I know the offer may expire.

This looks awesome though. If my Trek guys land on this planet, maybe chasing GL and Sinestro... this could come in handy...
:prv:

[HardyGirl]

Sandman,

I have a POTA Tribox set that can be folded out into a stage playset, and it's so cool. Space saving, and good play value. No, Scott did NOT pay me to say this. But if space or money is an issue, than this is a good solution.

[Sandman9580]

That sounds really cool HardyGirl! I'm not seeing any POTA displays on the Dida site, so was this like a DIY kit, or commission or something?

[MegoScott]

It's not on the website yet. I'm not doing a lot of Didas right now, so I'm not actively promoting new stuff. I have 3 of these POTA deluxe sets I am finishing now. I'll have new pics of the final product soon.

Thanks for the ideas re: vacu-forming. I've investigated it, I'm just not inclined to get involved with all those complications. I like doing as much as I possibly can with Dida parts and simple solutions like laminated art. The bridge is looking pretty great in all
it's dorky glory.

[Sandman9580]

Thanks for the info, Scott. Glad to hear you kept the bridge, that's my favorite feature! Can't wait to see these...

[DocDrako]

The only thing I don't like about your work Scott, is the fact that I can't afford to own every last piece you design.

Great work as usual!

:grin:

[cdhall]

The only thing I don't like about your work Scott, is the fact that I can't afford to own every last piece you design.

Great work as usual!

:grin:

I second that.