Thursday, May 16, 2013

Beauty and the Beast Variants and Chaser

Isn't it nice when everyone can agree AND be right at the same time. Well today Disney make that magic happen by announcing the variants and chaser to the upcoming Beauty and the Beast series.

First, the Variants. Like everyone expected, we have the Red and Yellow version of the Triplets from Belle's hometown. Perfect.

Second the chaser, and while they didn't go outside the box for this one, it's the one most people expected. Adam. The beast in human form.

Are you looking forward to this set? Will you pick up the whole set including the variants? Were there any other ideas you had for the chaser that you wish you could have seen instead? Let us know!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Spotlight On: Millennium Middle School Vinylmation Project Series


The art portfolio students and teachers at the Millennium Middle School in Sanford, FL are back again to share their latest works of art. Over the past school year, students at Millennium Middle School lead by Visual Arts Teachers Melissa French and Brandon Specht, worked on a series of projects that used Disney's Vinylmation as the inspiration. Take look...

Vinylmation Series Poster Art
Students were asked to create the artwork for an entire Vinylmation series. Each student was asked to create a design for nine 3" figures and two 9" figures that represented their theme. In addition to each design representing their theme, every Vinylmation had to fit into a subcategory: 3 Disney designs, 3 Urban designs, 3 artist inspired designs, 1 Minimalist design, and 1 design of their choice.





Vinylmation Plush ( from series)
Students were asked to choose one design from their series poster that they would like to turn into an 9 " plush. Everyone now had to design a back for their plush, challenging them to think of how their two dimensional sketches would look in a three dimensional form. We designed these plushes using canvas and paint, sewed front and back together with fishing line, and stuffed them with fiber fill.



Vinylmation Painted Plaster Cast
To create these plaster casts, Mr. Specht filled our Vinylmation ice cube trays with plaster. Each student painted a design from their poster onto the plaster.

Vinylmation Class Set
Since Vinylmation is such a big part of our curriculum, we wanted a way to keep it in our classroom all year. We decided to create a class portrait. Each student had to create a 3" Vinylmation representing themselves while each teacher created a 9" of themselves. We display them mounted together as our "Class Portrait"!


Vinylmation Series Box
Each student created 5 unique designs incorporating the Vinylmation artwork from their series poster to decorate the sides and top of a self- created box. The box is meant to act as both a piece of art advertising their work and a portfolio for their Vinylmation creations.




Vinylmation Artist Trading Cards
Over the course of our Vinylmation unit, each student was assigned the task of creating three Vinylmation Artist Trading Cards. This project replaced our smaller trading card project (since Disney did away with trading cards- so did we) and allowed the students to explore other ideas they had that might not have fit into their poster series.

Custom Vinylmations and Boxes
(as seen in the last spotlight!)

Vinylmation Project Unboxing Video
To share their designs and incorporate technology into our curriculum, every student created an "Unboxing" video in which they explain their series and the projects they created. All 40+ videos can be seen on our YouTube channel- mmsartportfolio

We tried one other project.... We attempted to created carved Vinylmation clay slabs. Our slabs were too thin and, although some made it, most slabs ended up in pieces. We have reworked this for next year and hope for a much better outcome!

If you want to see more, we documented our way through these projects on Instagram! Follow us @mmsartportfolio.

Spotlight On: Roman's Jabba Custom

In this week leading up to Star Wars Weekends at DHS, artist Roman Rodriquez would like to share a new Star Wars inspired custom he has created!

"I want to take this opportunity to introduce my custom Jabba The Hunt 9” Claymation.  I was approached by Susan Ermish-Gunther to create a realistic and detailed 9” Vinylmation Jabba.  I wanted to give her a very realistic Jabba and I love the way it came out.  One of my favorite features of this custom is the way the clay captures the wrinkles and bumps in his body.  In addition,  I added glass eyes that provide a life like look. These eyes are so real that it seems like he is looking at you and following your every move.  I am available for commission work and I can be contacted at my page www.facebook.com/romanrodriguezart."

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

He was totally into Disney before you...

Looks like Disney is going hipster. Here's a pic of Hipster Mickey that will be part of a Hipster Cocktail Party on July 18th at Wonderground Gallery in Disneyland. Find out more here.

What do you think of this look?

Will it come to Vinylmation too?

Episode 120 DCL Lifeboat



Ep. 120 DCL Lifeboat

This week we talk about the Vinylmation in the Reflections of Evil catalog and review Park Starz 2. We also discuss how poorly the Reflections of Evil registration was handled by Disney.
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Monday, May 13, 2013

13: Reflections of Evil Explained

Event Registration Now Open
Click here to go to Registration Page

13: Reflections of Evil Trading Event
Where: Walt Disney World, EPCOT World Showplace
When: September 13-15, 2013 (Vinylmation day is 9/15/12 from 9:30a-7p)
Important Links:
Merchandise Catalog
Itinerary (tba)
Silent auction catalog (tba)
Registration: Separate admission is required for each day of the event. Friday will have Vinylmation and Pins. Saturday is the Pin day. Sunday is the Vinylmation day. Event admission does not include EPCOT admission which is required.
Click here for VINYLMATION REGISTRATION.
Click here for PIN REGISTRATION.
What: A ticketed trading event for pins and Vinylmation. The year's largest pin and Vinylmation event. The Vinylmation day will include trading games, a guest trading area, even specific vinyls for purchase, and event vinyl as a gift, artist signings, upcoming figures on display and a presentation announcing upcoming Vinylmation. This year's theme is Disney Villains. The Story Goes:
"In a far away land there lived a wicked and vain Queen who wanted more power. While pouring over ancient spell books, she discovered an incantation that, when performed on the darkest of days – Friday the 13th – could bring together thirteen of the most evil Disney villains known only as “The 13.” To cast this spell, the Queen must use a powerful, supernatural object – a magic mirror – to transport “The 13” from across time to the present day. As luck would have it, Friday the 13th will take place in September this year! The Queen decided this would be the perfect day to cast the spell. 
Let’s fast forward to September. As the newly assembled Villains are hashing out their nefarious plans, the Villains intentionally break the mirror and hide the thirteen shards. Now the mirror can never be used against them, as it is the only object that can send them home. Lucky for us, an imaginative purple dragon named Figment overheard their plotting and asks Mickey Mouse for help. Along with five of their trusted friends known as the “Lucky 7,” Mickey Mouse and Figment devise a plan to stop “The 13.” They must reassemble the broken shards to send the villains back to their rightful places in time." 

Vinylmation Event
Sunday, May 15, 2013
Cost: $65

ADMISSION INCLUDES:
  • Opportunity to purchase select themed merchandise designed for the event (Catalog items #21 – 55 only)
  • Vinylmation Trading Activities and Games
  • Silent Auction featuring a variety Vinylmation items
  • Opportunity to trade for specially designed Vinylmation produced for 13 Reflections of Evil Vinylmation Showcase
  • Random Selection Process (RSP) for Custom Vinylmation
  • Meet Disney Vinylmation Merchandiser
  • Artists Signings with Disney Design Group Artist
  • One (1) $15 Gift Card
  • Limited Edition Commemorative Gift
Villainous Vinylmation Breakfast Package
Epcot – World ShowPlace
Sunday, September 15, 2013
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast admission is $45 per Guest and includes the following:
  • Exclusive breakfast buffet with beverages
  • Exclusive trading time inside 13-Reflections of Evil venue from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • Exclusive 13- Reflections of Evil breakfast Vinylmation
In order to register for the Villainous Vinylmation Breakfast, Guests must also be registered for the Vinylmation Showcase. The Villainous Vinylmation Breakfast is not available to Guests who only register for the Pin Trading Showcase.

This year, there is also a Vinylmation/Pin day on Friday, May 13. Event services says this will be a special event date that is separate admission this year to allow both Pin and Vinylmation collectors to enjoy the festivities. It will also feature special Vinylmation only available this day.


Club 13 – Event Package
Epcot – World ShowPlace
Friday, September 13,2013
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Event admission for this limited package is $113 per Guest and includes the following:

  • Opportunity to pre-purchase themed merchandise designed for the event via Random Selection Process (RSP) – (All items in the catalog)*
  • Bewitched Bagged Lunch (stay tuned for menu items, which are still being brewed
  • Villains Meet and Scare
  • Trading activities and games
  • Triskaideka Phobia Silent Auction
  • First opportunity to trade for specially designed Disney pins and Vinylmation produced for 13 – Reflections of Evil
  • Meet Disney Merchandisers
  • Artists Signings with Disney Design Group Artists
  • Limited Edition Commemorative Gifts


EVENT VINYLMATION

I love the inclusion of the Beagle Brothers. They don't get on much merchandise. I'm a little surprise they do not have hats. I'm also a stickler when ears are not used well. But they are designed beautifully and are a must have.

Great idea for a combo set. Wonderful artwork on Dr. Facilier and I would expect no less from Ron Cohee. The hat looks great and I love the splash of color on the ears. The juniors are a nice companions, fit in with the story and are expertly designed on the 1.5 inch canvas.

This is also a great idea for a combo. You get Mim in her normal form and in one of her transformations. Great artwork.

This is the least impressive piece of the Reflections event bunch. The face and horns look good, but I just don't think Maleficent was the right choice for the Minnie platform. i do like how the bow gives the artist the chance to draw that straight line across, but it is an awful lot of yellow up there. For some reason the Minnie body comes across as a dress and not a robe and just looks odd.

An absolutely wonderful variant follow up to Sully's original Popcorns figure. I wish this one was the original design released.

The Monorails: Live at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort

Long before they made an appearance as our favorite 3″ Disney collectibles, The Monorails were a band that toured around the Walt Disney World Resort performing at the resorts on their grand openings. We recently dug up some of The Monorails old concert posters, CDs, Albums and publicity photos. On May 17, 2004, Disney opened the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. Situated on the former site of the Disney Institute, it is the largest Disney Vacation Club resort. The resort was inspired by the city of Saratoga Springs, New York. The Monorails, of course, were there to commemorate the event.

The Monorails Concert Poster
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CD Cover