Mara Jade - Choices of One - Build Thread

[mara_jade]

Hi everyone,

I'm Sallie, I live in Queensland, Australia, and am with the Redback Garrison.

 

I'm hoping to develop a new CRL for Mara Jade based on the period 3 BBY to 4 ABY, when Mara Jade was acting in a capacity as ‘Emperor's Hand‘.

 

The major change to this new CRL will be a full length sleeve to the bodysuit.

 

There are several artworks depicting Mara Jade wearing a full lenght sleeve bodysuit. To the best of my knowledge none have been built (unless I missed something completley on these forum boards). This thread http://www.theflagshipeclipse.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1993 discusses the costume I intend to build, however it indicates that there are not yet sufficient references for the costume.

 

At the outset I understand that this may be a difficult task, however I intend to establish through the use of original concept artworks from the individual artists who drew these Mara Jade characters, that there will be sufficient references to define the costume requirements.

 

For your reference in providing me with some feedback;

 

This proposed costume is based on the following LF authorised publications;

Choices of One a novel by Timothy Zahn, released on July 19, 2011.

Cover artworks for the book,

Hardcover art by - John Van Fleet

Paperback art by - Daryl Mandryk

Star Wars - The Essential Reader's Companion, released July 2010.

Various artwork for the book,

Art by - Darren Tan

Star Wars - The Card Game, by Fantasy Flight Games, released December 2012

Various artwork,

Mara Jade Character: Force Stasis Art by - Matt Zeilinger

Mara Jade Character: Force User Art by - Darren Tan

Mara Jade Character: The Emperor's Hand Art by - Anthony Foti

 

In the coming days and weeks I will be posting further updates and very soon having enough references to seek an approval in principle to commence my build. I'm hopeful of having it complete and approved by November for the SupaNova pop culture festival in Brisbane Australia, where the Redback Garrison will be trooping.

 

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback, advice, comments, assistance, etc.

 

Sallie

[Merr-Sonn]

Perfect idea !!

It will be good for Maras in winter trooping

[Okashi]

Great idea and thanks for the work!

I click in "suscribe forum" here

 

Post all image reference here, please!

[mara_jade]

I just wanted to show the images I have so far for the development of this costume. please see my Photo Bucket,

 

http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/slideshow/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build

 

I now have replies from 4 of the 5 artists who are looking for their concepts used to develop these images. I've also provided them with the requirements to have full length front, back and side renditions.

 

Hopefully this week I'll have some more to put up.

 

I've also contacted Lucasfilm Ltd in the hope they may have some stuff kicking around too.

Fingers crossed

 

The main image I want to use is the same as my Avatar, and is by Daryl Mandryk, which is the Choices of One paperback cover art.

Other art by;

 

Choices of One a novel by Timothy Zahn, released on July 19, 2011.

Cover artworks for the book,

Hardcover art by - John Van Fleet

Paperback art by - Daryl Mandryk

 

Star Wars - The Essential Reader's Companion, released July 2010.

Various artwork for the book,

Art by - Darren Tan

 

Star Wars - The Card Game, by Fantasy Flight Games, released December 2012

Various artwork,

Mara Jade Character: Force Stasis Art by - Matt Zeilinger

Mara Jade Character: Force User Art by - Darren Tan

Mara Jade Character: The Emperor's Hand Art by - Anthony Foti

[Okashi]

I can't see it, the link send to my personal drop box and says the fold no exists (obvious)

[mara_jade]

This address works to get to the Photobucket where I've posted the pictures I have for this costume build so far.

 

Please read my earlier post for further description around the artworks.

 

http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/slideshow/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build

 

Sallie

[mara_jade]

Hi Everyone,

Well great news today, one of the original artists, Matt Zeilinger, who did the artwork for the 'Force Stasis' card in the Star Wars card game sent me his concept sheet for the character.

The new file is named "Mara_Jade_Concept_Sheet_Matt_Zeilinger"

 

I'm still waiting on 3 others to get back to me, and hopefully these drawings will be acceptable to generate a final concept of the whole character and have that approved in principle.

 

I have created a Photo Bucket where I'm going to start storing the photos, as I didn't realise how much space they take up on the board.

 

Link to the Drop Box;

http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/slideshow/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build

 

 

Any feedback appreciated

 

Sallie

[LeMaxim]

Good work!

 

Couldn't see anything on Dropbox yet, but I guess that will be added later (or maybe it's not yet shared in public).

 

You should check with the artists if it's ok to add it to the reference library here on TFE too.

 

http://www.theflagshipeclipse.com/gallery/

 

Cheers!

[mara_jade]

Hi Everyone,

I’ve received 2 more concept sheets from the original artists.

 

3 in total now, along with copies of the original art, my evidence brief continues to grow every day.

 

I have stored all my photos in Drop Box.

Link to the Drop Box;

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/m2u8vdw4wb2qqq0/AABgY92qpLc-Wrqy-W8UOab_a

 

The next thing I’m looking at is the development of a draft CRL as a document to support the proposal for the costume. I will assume that something like this will help, even though only in text, when read with the attached artworks and concepts, I feel it should give good grounds for further discussion on the costume.

 

Thanks

[Bhelia]

This is exciting! Keep it up!

 

I especially like the artwork of Darren Tan (he's on deviantart as "wraithdt").

[mara_jade]

Hi Everyone,

I’ve received 2 more concept sheets from the original artists.

3 in total now, along with copies of the original art, my evidence brief continues to grow every day.

 

Photos can be found at the end of these links;

from Matt Zeilinger;

http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/media/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build/Mara_Jade_Concept_Sheet_Force_Stasis_MattZeilinger_zpse9b5a880.jpg.html

 

From Anthony Foti;

http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/media/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build/Mara_Jade_Concept_Sheet_Anthony_Foti_zpsd1955b93.jpg.html

 

 

I have a document that I'm writing as a supporting set of references and descriptions for the new build.

I can email it to anyone who would like to review and comment, just send me your email address and I'll post it straight out.

 

I will assume that something like this will help, even though only in text, when read with the attached artworks and concepts, I feel it should give good grounds for further discussion on the costume, and an approval in principle before I spend money on the costume.

 

Thanks

Sallie

 

[mara_jade]

I just wanted to generate some discussion & feedback on the potential selection of belt and belt buckle for this costume.

 

As can be seen in the main image, the belt appears to be a militarised style webbing belt with a distinctive buckle.

http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/media/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build/Choices_of_one_1_Daryl_Mandryk_zpsb99c9637.jpg.html

 

I would hope to use black webbing for the belt and a, "ITW GT COBRA SLIDER BODY 2"/ 50 MM in BLACK" buckle, as shown in the other pic below, as this is the closest representation to the actual buckle I can fine. The costume maker that I have been speaking with indicated that a 'non-functional buckle could be made from a resin cast and the belt fasten through some other means, but I feel to have a functional buckle will be more authentic.

 

Picture of the proposed belt buckle can be found here;

http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/media/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build/CRL%20Support%20Photos/CobraSliderBuckle_zps4ebc9600.jpg.html

 

The slung belt for the attachment of the holster will be a 1" webbing belt attached to provide the appropriate amount of sling across the opposite hip.

 

If anyone has any thoughts, please reply via quote to this post so the Belt and Buckle conversation stays together.

 

Thanks

Sallie

[mara_jade]

I just wanted to generate some discussion & feedback on the potential make up of the shoulder, elbow, forearm, & Shin armour.

 

I'd really like to use a moulded leather to fabricate the armour for this costume, to maintain the layered look and get good definition of the detail. Arm bands and attachment straps would be made from black webbing material, with plastic militarised buckles.

 

Speaking with a costume builder he has suggested that this would also be a good way to go as it could be incorporated into the costume, as a permanent fixture, and not be a separate piece.

 

Has anyone had experience with using leather for this type of armour before?

 

Please refer to my Drop Box photos as I've reached the board attachemt limit

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/m2u8vdw4wb2qqq0/AABgY92qpLc-Wrqy-W8UOab_a

 

If anyone has any thoughts, please reply via quote to this post

 

Thanks

Sallie

[mara_jade]

The gloves for this costume are fairly simple I feel.

Fingerless military/riot style, for the following reasons;

 

Military or Riot style fingerless gloves have been chosen

 

These are in line with a character who needs protection on the back of the hand for attacking and defensive moves in a fight, but still be able to maintain the fine feeling within the finger tips to allow greater control over the lightsaber and the blaster” “hair trigger”

 

If anyone has any thoughts, please reply via quote to this post

 

Pictures of the gloves are here;

http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/media/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build/CRL%20Support%20Photos/Gloves_zps4e4fc7ec.jpg.html

 

I've now purchased these gloves.

 

Thanks

Sallie

[LeMaxim]

I just wanted to generate some discussion & feedback on the potential selection of belt and belt buckle for this costume.

 

As can be seen in the cropped version of the main image, the belt appears to be a militarised style webbing belt with a distinctive buckle.

 

I would hope to use black webbing for the belt and a, "ITW GT COBRA SLIDER BODY 2"/ 50 MM in BLACK" buckle, as shown in the other pic below, as this is the closest representation to the actual buckle I can fine. The costume maker that I have been speaking with indicated that a 'non-functional buckle could be made from a resin cast and the belt fasten through some other means, but I feel to have a functional buckle will be more authentic.

 

The slung belt for the attachment of the holster will be a 1" webbing belt attached to provide the appropriate amount of sling across the opposite hip.

 

If anyone has any thoughts, please reply via quote to this post so the Belt and Buckle conversation stays together.

 

Thanks

Sallie

 

I'm no expert so please don't put too much weight in what I say on the matter.

 

As far as I can see, given that the size is comparable to the MJ picture, I would say it's a very nice find with the buckle and I do agree with you that a functioning buckle would be the more authentic choice.

[LeMaxim]

 

Please refer to my Drop Box photos as I've reached the board attachemt limit

 

 

I would recommend you look into Photobucket (http://photobucket.com) or something similar to be able to share pictures in your posts without counting towards your board attachment limit.

 

As I wrote earlier. I think TFE would be happy to add your pictures to the Costume gallery here. That's another way to circumvent the attachment limits.

[mara_jade]

So I've now got Photo Bucket with a few albums;

Hopefully I've copied the correct links

 

Supporting artwork from official publications can be found here;

http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/library/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build

There is also a timeline showing Mara Jades Life and various important events

 

Proposed costume parts are located here, this includes some already approved CRL components from the existing Mara Jade;

http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/library/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build/CRL%20Support%20Photos

 

Other supporting artworks showing Mara Jade in a full sleeve bodysuit,;

http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/library/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build/Mara%20Jade%20Full%20Sleeve%20Suit%20Drawings

 

I should have all the other supporting aretwork in the next couple of weeks, so I'll be looking for some sort of idea if I'm headed in the right direction with getting this costume approved.

The supporting justification document is also coming along nicely.

 

Thanks

Sallie

 

 

[/url]

 

Please refer to my Drop Box photos as I've reached the board attachemt limit

 

 

I would recommend you look into Photobucket (http://photobucket.com) or something similar to be able to share pictures in your posts without counting towards your board attachment limit.

 

As I wrote earlier. I think TFE would be happy to add your pictures to the Costume gallery here. That's another way to circumvent the attachment limits.

[LeMaxim]

The links to your PB galleries work nicely. If you want to publish a picture in-line in or of your posts (easier for the reader) you can do so by copy-pasting the IMG link of that picture. Photobucket supplies it.

 

It will look like this:

[mara_jade]

Hi Everyone,

 

Latest update on my build;

- Gloves on the way,

- Shin guards on the way,

- Resin kit for Holdout blaster on the way,

- Belt parts on the way,

- Looking at material selection for suit in the next two weeks.

 

 

I'm getting very excited now.

 

Thanks

Sallie

[mara_jade]

Well things are starting to arrive in the mail now.

Shin pads/knee guards;

http://

 

And the parts I ordered from http://www.hudson4supplies.com which I thought matched the reference drawing very well indeed. Now I just have to assemble the belt system.

http://

 

 

Tonight I will be viewing and selecting the the body suit material.

 

So excited now.

Sallie

[mara_jade]

Just about ready to build the belt for my costume.

 

I've drawn up a plan on how this will go together below, The belt is from 2" black webbing, and will be stitched with black thread.

 

Buckle attached at one end and adjustable at other. Belt fold backs for stitching will be 1.5 times width at fixed end, and .25 width at adjustable end. I'll be using Triglide slides to retain the adjusted ends of the belt.

 

Holdout blaster holster will attach to top belt section in the small of my back, optional hip holster for DL-44 blaster to attach on lower belt section over my right thigh/leg.

 

Thoughts/comments anyone?

 

Thanks

Sallie

 

 

 

 

http://URL=http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/Andrew_Sallie/media/Mara%20Jade%20Costume%20Build/CRL%20Support%20Photos/BeltPlan_zps9d857ccb.jpg.html][/url

[mara_jade]

Here is a photo of the belt tacked up with White cotton, which will be replaced with black machine stitching. The female buckles will be removeable, and live at the ends that are adjustable.

 

I tacked the belt together with some white cotton, and did this at least 6 times to get the angle and the hang just right. Although difficult to get the lower loop sitting flush against my thigh without too much gape at the top, I was able to get it down to about a 5mm gap.

 

Sallie

 

http://

[mara_jade]

Got my blaster kit the other day too.

I did forget to get a photo of it before I glued it together and painted it.

 

Sallie

 

http://

[en-zozallow]

awesome work .. cant wait to see the end result.

[mara_jade]

Thank-you so much,

 

The belt is being stitched up at the moment

I'm up to having the bodysuit measured up next Monday.

My Mara Jade Lightsabre from Park Sabers should arrive in the next 2 weeks.

The shoulder pads, Elbow pads and Gauntlets are being crafted at the moment using EVA foam to ensure the detail is maintained with the artwork.

 

I'm really hoping to have the costume ready for a road test in November at the Supa Nova Pop Culture festival in Brisbane Queensland.

 

I'm hoping for guidance from people such as yourself and any other TFE costume judges as to bringing this costume to life.

 

My main concerns are for it's 'Approvability", being a 'First in Legion' what other things will I need to have?

I have had correspondence fro The Clone Emperor and he has indicated that he could tentatively support the approval of the unit based on the placement of the story in the timeline of Mara’s career.

 

If there is anything you can help me with I'd really appreciate it.

I've also engaged members of the costume review committee within the Redback Garrison, which I am part of, as I understand they approved the costume first before it comes to the detachment for approval.

 

So I will be updating my build threads here and on Redback Garrison in the coming weeks with my current progress.

 

Thanks

Sallie

 

awesome work .. cant wait to see the end result.