I started to make the helmets and sold around 19 of them to Star Wars fans in the US.". Nick was approached by the Star Wars 'buyer' to make various helmets and ancillary items for the film. He'd prepared a red clay mock-up of a Stormtrooper head plus ideas for the Tuscan Raider mask, Jawa mask, belt and holster. It wrapped around the body as if it had grown. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class. Product price : Additional options total: Order total: Add to cart. The word `prop` means property. Pinewood Studios Group. My brother was a member of the 501st: UK Garrison, and being made by Shepperton Studios by the legendary Andrew Ainsworth (the original builder of the storm trooper armour), I had very high expectations. Andrew made about 27 of the helmets in HDPE (21. His large 15ft long vacuum forming machine punched out plastic kayaks and fish ponds on a regular basis, and surprisingly enough it was located in the front of his Victorian sweet shop on the Green at Twickenham. Armour. Based on the original Stormtrooper Stunt helmet, this Battle spec helmet is made using modern production processes but retains the feel and soul of the original. You can see how the armour was made in our video, right. As Elstree Studios Art Dept struggles, Andrew is called in to make the Stormtrooper armour in time for the first shoot in Tunisia - less than a month away. $ 389.99. Even to this day, some Lucas followers try and suggest that the red clay was sculpted at the film studio. With the disorientated vision through the acrylic eyes, the actors kept falling over and bumping into things, and so a plain sheet of green acetate was used instead. © Copyright 2015-2021 Sporting Composites Ltd All rights reserved. Shepperton Design Studios is a manufacturer of Star Wars props and memorabilia, based in England. The trick was to get them to a near state of fitting and continually vacuum form material over them, adjusting the sculpt each time until a satisfactory fit was achieved. The Studios operate a free shuttle bus service to local underground and mainline stations for all Pinewood and Shepperton staff, Studio tenants, production staff and visitors. Invest in our helmets and armour and you acquire a piece of movie history.". His first attempt was to make 'blister' eyes, by sucking cast acrylic sheet through a frame the shape of the Stormtrooper's eyes, resulting in a menacing eye that could also - just about - be seen through by the actors. We also host TV shows which are recorded with a live studio audience. Section through the helmet showing the large undercuts in the design. Our skilled craftsmen use the same materials and techniques used in 1976 to make todays replica. 0. Lucasfilm sued Andrew in the United States and a California court awarded $20 million in damages against him. Mens Star Wars Stormtrooper Christmas socks shepperton studios size 11-14. Original Armour. Shepperton Design Studios Stormtrooper Helmets and Armour: SDS Stunt Helmet: in 2004, the first helmet Andrew Ainsworth made from his newly-reformed Shepperton Design Studio's company was the Stunt helmet, which was the most commonly seen helmet in ANH (50 Stunts as against just 6 Hero's). 25 Feb 1976: Nick's diary records one word against Star Wars: "PANIC". I made no sketches, no models, no engineering drawings.I sculpted the production moulds directly, using my own blends of resins, fillers and metal dusts. Shepperton Design Studios [ A. AINSWORTH FILM PORTFOLIO ] prev / next. Learn More, Service Status: All in stock orders shipping normally, Happy New Year #Staysafe. Andrew continues "We mean exactly what we say 'The Original Maker, The Original Moulds'. The two moulds had to produce finished plastic mouldings that could overlap to facilitate a fixing of the complete helmet. Following Mr Richardson's dramatic statement, the case before Mr Justice Mann continued the following day, 15 April 2008. 0. This opinion is supported by Ralph McQuarrie`s (ANH Concept Artist) statement in an interview referring to the challenges of making the film when he said that 'they would have the biggest problems making the Stormtroopers.' Lucas chose Nick’s red clay Stormtrooper mock-up... Free delivery for many products! John Barry (Art Director) told Nick that they were at a bit of a loss as to how to make the armour. To cut to the chase, the case went to appeal where Lucasfilm failed to enforce its US copyright in Britain and Lucasfilm's appeal was dismissed in December 2009. Shepperton Design Studios Original Stormtrooper E11 Blaster [ A. AINSWORTH FILM PORTFOLIO ] Menu. In the end, Andrew made 50 of the Stunt helmets and everyone would have been slightly different, so it's only helmets made from the original moulds that will conform to the original screen-used helmets. Shepperton Design Studios is an England-based manufacturer of Star Wars replica props and memorabilia that was sued by Lucasfilm for copyright infringement.. Similar to the effect of a lion's mane, the helmet had now become more menacing and suitable for the threatening, military position the concept drawings had depicted. Ref #0231. The helmet would, therefore, be able to filter noxious gases and the armour be so flexible that it could have actually grown on the character that way - much the same as an armadillo has natural armour. This worked okay but it was slow and required complicated tooling. The moulds were hewed out of the resin/metal composite that Andrew had developed for just that purpose, much the same as a sculpture is hewed out of solid marble. The service is part of a Green Travel Plan currently being implemented at the Studios. Ref #0231. A super-accurate E11 Blaster, with a superb level of originality, detail and quality. ...Nick could now ask me to make the Stormtrooper a reality. Moulded sheets of plastic cooling on the pavement. With precise details and a real price, Made of flexible white ABS perfect for costume wear … Picture insert), but had to shot blast and spray them to get them white. The Pinewood Studios Group is home to over 250 independent businesses globally, providing expertise, equipment and support to the film, television, video games, advertising and photographic industries.. More information Stormtrooper-costumes.com - On Sale Now - Shepperton Design Studios It was obvious that the film was to be made on a shoestring, as John Mollo states in an interview with Charles Lippincott on 6 April 1978: 'It was a live fashion show, and George said, "I don't like that" or "I don't like this". John Barry (Production Designer) told Nick that they were at a bit of loss as to how to make the armour. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Stormtrooper Gin was designed. In 1976 prop maker Andrew Ainsworth of Shepperton Design Studios created the Original Stormtrooper helmets and armour for the first movie and the Stormtrooper became one of the most popular characters in global popular culture. FAQs. In court, in a short dramatic court statement by Liz Moore's boyfriend (John Richardson), it was established that Liz Moore only ever used grey clay. This Battle spec Full Armour set by Shepperton is expertly made and the most authentic set available. Sporting Composites LTD T/A Shepperton Design Studios, 76 The Green, Twickenham, Middx, TW2 5AG. As it was also a little hot, moulded sheets of plastic were turfed out on the front pavement to cool down. Established in 1974 by Andrew Ainsworth, the company was asked in January 1976 to produce first the helmets, then the body armors for the Imperial stormtroopers in the classic Star Wars films. With accurate detailing and a down-to-earth price, it’s perfect for the wear and tear of Trooper events. ", While at Shepperton Studios Andrew meticulously kept all moulds on racks in an organised manner and all with protective skins moulded and left on them until further use. Pinewood Studios Group. After working in the movie props business during the late '70s, Andrew Ainsworth spends the next 25 years successfully designing and producing watersports products. As well as the helmets, Lucas also initially questioned the authenticity of SDS armour and supplied Laela French from the Lucas archives to act as an expert witness. Andrew’s first effort was to incorporate a flexible split hose around the neck of the helmet, suck the hot plastic over to form an undercut, leaving the hose back in the job every time (see left). Andrew's plastic kayaks incorporate a cunning feature that formed an undercut for the cockpit combing by leaving behind in the moulded part a pre-made insert. Glimmer Armour . As Andrew had now been introduced to Mollo, it was agreed that if there was any future work, Andrew would deal directly with the Studios and maybe just give Nick 'a drink' for the contact. However, the old Sweet Shop in which it was housed was a bit tight for space to say the least. The items we retained from film productions were our property and it was our business to reinvent them or sell them again for the production of lesser movies or maybe ads.". The Hero helmet was used by the leading actors and incorporates a number of distinct facial characteristics. Original Stormtrooper / Shepperton Design Studios Our Story One day a good friend of mine had an enquiry for a futuristic military character. They both worked from their premises which were Victorian shops with out-buildings at the rear. Learn More, Service Status: All in stock orders shipping normally, Happy New Year #Staysafe. John was an excellent communicator. This could not possibly be conceived from a clay sculpting. Shepperton Design Studios Original Stormtrooper Original E11 Blaster 0 out of 5 ( There are no reviews yet. ) Every product we make is overseen by Andrew Ainsworth, the original creator. In 1976 prop maker Andrew Ainsworth of Shepperton Design Studios created the original Stormtrooper helmets and armour for the first movie. 32 years on, the source of the initial clay helmet mock-ups was a key piece of evidence in the Court of Appeal, London when Lucasfilm brought (and lost) a case of copyright infringement against Andrew. Yours faithfully... Andrew Ainsworth notes "I rest my case. Almost without my knowledge, they were dispatched to Christie's for a Christmas auction. Nick returned home with the go-ahead from Lucas, even though he had no form of contract or order. Andrew had established himself as an Industrial Designer, designing and manufacturing his own products. Surely any futuristic, finely tuned, the military character would have significantly enhanced vision. He asked Andrew if he could make the armour in time for the first shoot in Tunisia, less than a month away. Invoicing straightaway was a standard tactic for Nick. This Andrew did and they remain good friends to this day. Small Frown [Hand Painted] In an ideal world, the finished product should be manufactured without any seams or joins, and so rotational moulding process would probably be most suited. Work Experience. Andrew recalls "The concept drawings from Ralph McQuarrie suggested that the Stormtrooper was a futuristic being that had evolved through continuous genetic modification, and perhaps able to operate in adverse pungent climatic conditions. Stock controlled website, all products in stock and available for next working day dispatch unless otherwise stated. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Nick suggested that he knew someone who might be able to help...Andrew Ainsworth at Shepperton Design Studios was who he had in mind. Condition is New. Everything is a compromise in manufacturing and so Andrew decided that the characteristics of HDPE that would allow the mouldings to spring off undercuts would outweigh the shrinkage and painting problems - after all, it was only a prototype. I hope the exposure of the court evidence dispels this myth once and for all. Yep, the very same studio that produced and created the originals for the very first Star Wars film back in 1976. This manufacturer made authentic Star Wars replica props and memorabilia, based in England.The company was founded by Andrew Ainsworth, who was asked in January 1976 to manufacture first the helmets, then the body armour for … Mollo agreed on white as no silver plastic was available at that time. Andrew constructed an ear moulding that not only suggested a radio-type communication facility but also covered the nasty joint and enhanced the balance of the helmet by increasing the overall bulk of it. Shepperton Studios, the original creators of the Star Wars Stormtrooper helmets for the first Star Wars film have designed the bottles, modelled on the original, authentic designs, for these officially-licensed gins. SHEPPERTON DESIGN STUDIOS WE PRODUCE THE MOST AUTHENTIC REPLICA HELMETS + ARMOUR FROM STARWARS [A NEW HOPE 1976]. Finally, 50 helmets were delivered to the Studios along with 40 X wing helmets and Andrew invoiced Nick for the work, still without any form of order or contract. I was being hassled for school fees (how life changes). Find out more. After an appeal in The Times (read online here), Andrew received offers from leading barristers to represent him in the case. John Mollo came on board about the same time. Read on below... On 20 January 1976, Nick Pemberton, local scenic artist and colleague of Andrew Ainsworth, went to the Studios and presented Lucas with a red clay helmet mock-up. The surface of the character was to be hard and protective, but flexible with a smooth, slick finish. Sporting Composites LTD T/A Shepperton Design Studios, 76 The Green, Twickenham, Middx, TW2 5AG. The character now had a super multidirectional vision, the ability to function in noxious atmospheres, a super slick appearance. We are writing to confirm what was said by Mr Bloch QC to Mr Wilson QC this evening, namely that we will not be seeking to establish for the purpose of these proceedings that the dimensions and design features of the replica props being produced by the Defendants differ in any material respects from the props which Mr Ainsworth produced for Star Wars: a New Hope, and that consequently, we will not be calling Ms French. In any event, John Barry gave Andrew a further sketch which portrayed a Stormtrooper with canvas type ammo pouches as per a soldier from the Vietnam war. After finishing with the film business and requiring valuable space, Andrew decided one day in the early eighties to have a clear out. Shepperton Studios was built on the grounds of Littleton Park, which was built in the 17th century by local nobleman Thomas Wood. Nick's diary records that on 29 Jan 1976 - less than a week later - Mollo was back again to check over the work so far. Andrew recalls "We were back in the house in Twickenham which we'd rebuilt after the fire. Optional Extras E11 Holster + $ 89.00. Head of Health, Safety, Sustainability and Compliance. The night before the hearing, both sides laid out their respective sets of armour in court and both barristers Mr Bloch QC (Lucas) and Mr Wilson QC (Ainsworth/SDS) inspected the respective sets of armour. Andrew sculpted the moulds to take into consideration the post trimming and assembly. My brother was a member of the 501st: UK Garrison, and being made by Shepperton Studios by the legendary Andrew Ainsworth (the original builder of the storm trooper armour), I had very high expectations. Shepperton Design Studios . Shadow Armour. Please register your interest here. Battle Spec. Sporting Composites LTD T/A Shepperton Design Studios, 76 The Green, Twickenham, Middx, TW2 5AG. Lucas chose the direction of Nick's effort and the Studios effort was abandoned. Original Stormtrooper Ultimate Combo Deal, Original Stormtrooper Battle Spec MK3 Helmet, Original Stormtrooper Armour - Battle Spec MK3 - The Pay As You Go Saga Edition, Original Stormtrooper Armour Battle Spec MK3 Combo Deal, Original Stormtrooper Armour Battle Spec MK3 Mega Combo Deal. Tips were initially quite a crude moulding and so these were tweaked a little.... 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