An Ethical Dilemma

A while back, I had purchased a mask from RealMaskMasters (RMM) in China, and that mask was terrible. (If you don't remember that abomination, click here for the review.)

Recently, I found out that RMM also engages in recasting.

"What's recasting??" you may ask?

Well, recasting takes an existing mask and builds a slightly larger and less detailed negative around it to produce a mold to create more masks.

This, of course, violates the intellectual property rights of the vendors who created the original mask - and own the original molds. And RMM then sells their version for considerably less than the genuine article. And brags about recasting.

So RMM is a wicked and unethical company that you should never, ever, ever patronize, right? A cancel-culture example at it's finest...

Well ... sort of.

RMM also makes other items. Items that no other company makes. One of these things is a muscle torso vest.

Now I had gotten into a major hoo-hah with one of the big US vendors about buying the vest and the conversation went something like this:

HIM: "You should never buy from them! They're thieves! They've stolen IP from myself and other vendors!"

ME: "You make a good point. What are you selling to compete? They're selling the vest between $180 and $350. You know I'd be willing to go the cost of a mask or a little more from a US-based or Canadian-based name brand with a good reputation."

HIM: "I don't have anything! But you shouldn't buy from them!!"

ME: "You have an ETA for a muscle vest?"

HIM: "No!!! And mine will cost thousands of dollars!"

I think the issue here is a matter of perspective. As a producer, the company I was speaking to is intent on creating a "Rolls Royce" version of a muscle torso that will cost thousands of dollars sometime in the indefinite future. But to myself - a consumer - I'm happy enough with a "Toyota" version that I can buy NOW. 

Another way to think of this ... Do you use Irish linen napkins for everything, or are paper towels okay for some jobs? 

This attitude prices consumers away from that company and in a sense, drives them right into the arms of RMM.

I then said to him, "Why don't you build a better mousetrap? Make a less-expensive version than the super-detailed one you're thinking of and even if it's more money than RMM, you have the name recognition and reputation?"

But of course, that resulted in more ranting to the effect that "You're missing the point!"

I think not.

This is exactly the scenario on how CFX developed their "Mac" mask. I had an SPFX Handsome Guy mask where the paint literally peeled off the cheekbone. I didn't want to send it back to Rusty (because at that point, it was hard getting anything back from him), so I sent it CFX for a touchup. 

Their response?  

"So THIS is what everyone is raving about? Hell, I can do much better!"


And they did.

 
So the argument boils down to this:

A company is making a product that you do not at the present time; you have no concrete plans to make a competing product; and your version - whenever you decide to release it - will cost orders of magnitude more ... but you're angry with me for wanting to buy from them? And you'd rather scream than do something to make your company competitive in this area?

Another company chimed in saying they'd be happy to do one as a commission. When I asked the price, I got the "Well, it will be kinda expensive since we'd have to do the initial design and sculpture and molding and blah, blah, blah..."

Of course, I will NOT purchase a mask from them because of their recasting and egregiously large eye holes; but that shouldn't stop me from buying their torso.

So I did it; (and it was on sale as well!) and I was able to get it done in their "Dark" skintone. I wanted something to work with my Studio135 "Knuckles" half-mask and it's an almost perfect color match. I will need to send it off to someone for a repaint to get a 100% color match. I did manage to tear a small chunk out of the neck, which will need to be repaired (and perhaps reinforced).

The chest and abs are really well developed and defined, with a good buildup of silicone, and the back is pretty well-designed too; not too muscular, but in proportion to the entire vest.

The front goes all the way down to your pubic area, so you can definitely leave your pants unbuttoned... and maybe a little unzipped. The flashing on the seams is about a 7/10, but they are really not noticeable when wearing a shirt. The vest itself is about 8 pounds in weight - a good amount of silicone, but movement and flexibility are excellent. 

And while we're talking about US manufacturers, I could definitely see CFX creating this using their Duraflex© technology - it would truly be amazing - and no doubt, a good seller.

Couple of things I discovered:

• You NEED lube to get this on. I tried it with baby powder, but a good water-based lube like Gun Oil H20 or Astroglide is a must. I didn't want to get anything on the shirt I was working with, and that's probably why I tore the piece off the neck. Since it is open at the bottom, top and sleeves, I don't think alcohol as lube would work as it does for gloves/sleeves.
  
  
• While RMM claims that the torso vest will stretch six times its original dimensions, it won't. I'm a fairly trim guy and it was comfortably snug on me. I think the largest you can go is about a 40-inch chest.

So here are the pics (pre paint match) - I'll post more when I get it back.

And here's a Photoshopped version with the skintone darkened a bit:

Do I feel bad giving RMM money for the vest? Not really. I'm purchasing an original product, not one involved in IP theft.

Holiday Wishes

Well another year has rolled around, and again, I want to thank ALL my readers for their continued interest and viewership. 2019 had seen a lot more "review" type entries and videos as opposed to more fictional stories - I will definitely try to address that balance in 2020!

So... on behalf of independent angels, handsome-as-fuck cops  (who may or may not be latinos or muscle-bruthas at the moment), functionally immortal soldiers and all the other characters in my maskerverse, a very Merry Holiday Season to all and a Happy, Healthy (and Horny) New Year!

Video Study #11: Cruise Control

Most realistic masks are generally designed as thirty-somethings or older; I was excited to hear that Yves Gravelle of Metamorphose Masks was in going to come out with a "younger guy" mask and even more eager to try one when the basis of the mask was going to be Tom Cruise.  

Wearing  it, there is not only a young Tom Cruise influence, but definitely a young Tommy Lee Jones one as well.

The "Secret Agent" is a revolutionary mask from him and I'll go over the various aspects and how they rate on the Silva scale (for those of you unfamiliar with that term, Bryan Silva of Studio135 really has set the gold standard for realistic masks).

The fabrication techniques have changed and the interior of the mask is silky smooth, on par with the best of CFX, Realflesh, Studio135 and Immortal here and another leap forward from the Clark v2.0. This is in addition to his new core. Definitely a 10/10.

Eye fitment is excellent. The holes are very close to the lower lids, but in no way feel tight, itchy or uncomfortable. Spacing between the eyes is perfect, and the adjustable nose bridge makes for a 100% customizable fit. 9.6/10.

Nose is perfect and holes are just the right size for breathing and maintaining the illusion of reality – 10/10.

Ears are beautifully sculpted and are perfectly proportioned in relation to the mask itself. The only thing I would like to see here is the inclusion of ear holes, even though I don't really notice any discernable change in the ability to hear.  I give it a 9.9/10 on this aspect of the mask. 

Bib is excellent. Well-sculpted, well-detailed and well-painted. I believe it is a slightly shorter than the Clark, however. 10/10.

Fit, finish and comfort – all 10/10. Yves does a beautiful and thorough job on all of his masks, and this is no exception. There is enough extremely subtle color differences to make the silicone look like real skin and the inclusion of slight imperfections only serves to amplify the reality.

The subjective feel of the mask is excellent. It feels noticeably lighter than the Superhero or the Soul Man, and slightly lighter than the Clark. The silicone is both very grippy to the face and cool to wear. Also, it seems the longer you wear it, the better it fits. 10/10.

The only small (and really negligible) issue with the mask is the detailing/density on the neck area. I always like to see this area of a mask a little thicker and more built-up to assist in preventing wrinkling and giving the overall mask a more heroic feel. 9.6/10. 

  
Hair was punched by Yves as well - the cut, color and density of the head hair is exceptional, and the shape and detailing on the eyebrows is beautiful as well. 10/10.

And the biggest surprise here is ... lip fitment. 

Yves has achieved a solid 9.9 on the Silva scale for lip fitment. 

Why is this so important?

Bryan's masks actually feel as if you are being kissed; Yves' design is suprisingly and amazingly close. 

Alone with the Studio135 masks, the “Secret Agent” mask is the only mask from any vendor that you can actually SMILE in and it moves with your lips.

Overall, this is one of the most amazing masks I've worn in a long time. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a younger realistic mask.
 

Video Study #10: Immortality (and an update)

When Immortal Masks came out with the "Jake" mask, I knew I had to get it. One, this would be my first Immortal full mask and two, it would be the first full mask equipped with complete mesh reinforcement.

Overall, the mask is good, but it definitely needs some work to become PERFECT. Immortal has a very long and very successful history in the haunt industry, and some of that experience is carried over to it's hyper-realistic line, but should not. I would say that the mask looks better in photos (and I'd like your opinion in videos) than it does up close and personal without some assistance in terms of padding and eye makeup.

I definitely get an younger Anthony LaPaglia and/or Ed Harris impression when wearing the mask.

First off, let's discuss the positives - and they are legion:

• Paintjob and finishing (flashing, edges, etc) - there are slight (and deliberate) imperfections in the paintjob that really make it appear completely and perfectly human. 10/10

• Fitment (nose bridge) - I am a huge proponent of flexible metal nosebridges - these allow you adjust the fitment across the nose to make the eyeholes fit as best as possible on your own face. Immortal's use of an intrinsic silicone nosebridge is an amazing technical feat and it drapes perfectly across the bridge of the nose and under the eyes. 10/10

• Fitment (nose) - excellently shaped and feels great. Nose holes could be a tad smaller. Again, I think this may be a holdover from the company's haunt influence. 9/10

• Fitment (lips) - extremely good cupping, on par with Metamorphose, but not QUITE at the level of Studio135. The size of the mouth opening is a little on the small side, which may put a little additional stress on the edges and may lead to a higher tendency to tear. Please note I am saying "MAY" - I am in no way stating this is a fact, I am making an observation and I don't have ANY experience to say anything absolutely. 9/10

• Fitment (overall) - "Jake" is cut a bit larger than the Metamorphoses Clark and Soulman, and a bit larger than the Studio135 Chiseled, Hard Time, Brawler or Knuckles. I have a 22.5" circumference noggin, and it's just a bit loose. The silicone is very clingy and molds extremely well to the face. Ecoflex 0020 is used throughout. 9/10

• Ears - one of the things that can really make or break the illusion of reality of a mask is the sculpting of the ears. The CreaFX "Frank" for example, is an amazing mask, but the ears look like some well-squeezed lumps of clay. Ears on the Jake are beautifully sculpted. 10/10
  
  
  
  
  

• Bib - Extremely well done, with perhaps a little less smooth musculature than a Studio135 or Metamorphose. Think a shredded/ripped physique vs. a bulked one. Bib width is on par with a Studio135, and is narrower than a Metamorphose or Realflesh. 10/10
  
  
  
  
  
  

 And the negative:

EYEHOLES - in a word, "ouch."

This is THE number one thing that destroys a mask's illusion of reality. Looking in the mirror, I was not very happy with the design, but they did look better in photographs, and even better when Photoshopped. The actual shape of the eyeholes is not condusive to suspending one's belief that the person is not wearing a mask.

Let's put it this way - if you are wearing darker glasses, the impression of a real human is unmistakeable; when you take off the glasses, you KNOW it's a mask.

Eyeholes touched up using PhotoShop's "Healing Brush" tool

Thanks to the intrinsic nose bridge, the drape of the eyeholes is excellent, but they are also a little too close together.

They are also a bit short on the horizontal axis. The right eye in particular is hitting me in the wrong spot and is a bit uncomfortable. Similarly, the eyeholes on the vertical axis are too big. I did ask to have the eyeholes reduced, but even with that, they are about 2mm too wide. 

I'm guessing that this is perhaps yet another holdover from the haunt side of the business - there, actors are wearing a mask for 6 to 8 hours at a time, or longer, and a larger eyehole is more comfortable in the long term - also, since those masks are not necessarily hyperrealistic, good makeup hides the transition between skin and silicone with ease. Lighting is not "normal" and in a haunt environment, you are not talking or interacting up close and personal with the actor - you've probably taken one look and started running.

Sad to say, eyehole design and fitment gets a 6.5/10 - there has to be improvement in the shape and size to really be a perfect mask.

I believe that this is definitely something that is easily fixable, and I'm sure the folks at Immortal can address this quickly. Now if they want to fix it is another story altogether.

I had been planning on getting an "Android" from them as well as a "Death" - but until I see some acknowledgement of the shortcomings here - and steps to correct them - I am holding off further purchases from Immortal.

UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 28

After talking with my buddy Jerry, he gave me some excellent advice on how to make the mask fit better; I'm really not used to having to work to get a mask to fit. With his guidance, I am much happier with Jake and I am upgrading the eye fitment score from 6.5 to 8.5.