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What Constitutes an Acceptable Reference for New Costumes?


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With the unlimited sources for characters and costumes that are available in the Star Wars Universe, it might be a bit overwhelming to understand what actually constitutes a reference source that is acceptable for 501st approval. I'll try to make it as easy to understand here.

 

The current 501st requirements for references to be used to support new to Legion costumes states that it MUST be from an OFFICIAL source. Multiple official references can be combined to add up to a complete, 360° view of the character/costume so long as the references are all of the same version of the costume/character, and details that are present in the multiple references used do not change between one another. This means that if it has been released by LFL, is licensed by LFL, or has the approval of LFL, it can be used. If you can find a single source that shows a 360° view (a single comic, screenshots of an NPC in a video game, a highly detailed, full body statue, etc), then it is fine to use so log as it is an official release. Examples of these sorts of references include:

-comics/graphic novels 

-phone/video games

-toys/figures

-full statues

-official "concept" sketches by approved artists

-animated show screenshots

-posters/marketing materials (great as supportive references but generally will not be able to be used as a single source)

 

Just remember that the less detailed a reference is, the more references you want to use in order to support the 360° view requirement. Book covers are generally not a good idea unless they are combined with other references that match the character/costume version you want to make. If two references of the same version have inconsistencies in details, use the higher quality reference of the two so there is as little interpretation needed to explain the details. Absolutely NO fan art is acceptable for references, but we do not discourage the building of them for personal wearing! This includes sketches, paintings, custom figures, custom statues, etc. Descriptions of characters in books are also not acceptable as they offer no visual clarification, often change (even under the same author), and are too open to interpretation.

 

The  "consistency in references" point gets a bit tricky with sources like comics and graphic novels where different artists can create different details from issue to issue, with even the same artist creating variations from panel to panel within the same comic. In this case, it is a good idea to gather all of the references you can for the version you want to do, and create a "majority" list of details that are consistent across the references. If there is a pocket in 8 out of 10 reference images and 2 references do not have it, it is safe to assume by the "majority" rule that there should be a pocket. If it is an even balance of pockets and no pockets, it can be put to your discretion on if you want to have the pocket or not, so long as you can support your reasoning in the approval process.

 

Cover art is a great way to manage this issue as they are, for the most part, far more detailed and thorough in their portrayal of characters and costumes since more time is places on them than any single panel within the comic. The same goes for statues and figures. 

 

I hope this is helpful in getting an idea about references!

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Fantastic post!

If in doubt and members need advice before breaking out bucks to make a 'New to the legion costume' (it's a lengthy, costly and time consuming process) I highly encourage members to contact DL or the LMO. We are always happy to help.

LMO@501st.com

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as of 2023 while we are getting new characters that will go to our detachment, would these rules of "what constitutes a acceptable reference source" still apply today? or have changes been made?

i ask so that as we get more and more members who want to build costumes they have all the info needed and know our process, thank you.

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