Are these good DVDs for learning Pro Modeling?

[Cylon-Knight]

Hello experts here at SSM!
I got the below link in a chat today with a friend and was interested in your thoughts on the "Introduction to Professional Model Making with Fon Davis 2 DVD Set."

It is from Fonco Creative Services here:
http://foncocreative.net/instruction.html

All the builds here at SSM are truly inspiring, and if these DVDs could help me be “less green” I’d like to try a quality SS build.

Any thoughts or other references any of you have used / learned from would be appreciated.
Thanks!


P.S. There is a "DIY Vacuum Former Project" on the Fonco site also. A very cool thing I want to try too. (I don't have much space for a larger vac former - looks like a good first baby-step to vac form for me).

[JAWS]

Niice.
That would be so kool to do a model building course.
Thanks for posting that.

I used to make military models.
My biggest insperations was Verlinden with his extreme detail & painting abilities.
Superdetailing 1/35 is where I started.
Once I saw studio scale that was it.....
The best reference to build these models is in the build threads.
Especially at http://www.therpf.com http://www.resinilluminati.com & http://www.eagletransporter.com
They are in my opinion the 2 best build thread sites for studio scale modelers.

[daverep]

I picked up the DVD set. Although I have only had time to get through most of the 1st DVD which covers design, kit-bashing, vacuum-forming, molding parts, casting, building (and that's all I've had the time to watch) I think it's VERY informative. I'm still new to this as well, so it's been a wealth of knowledge for me so far. I need to make the time to finish watching these.

It's also pretty inexpensive considering there's 2 DVDs with more than 4 hours of instruction on it. I'd say if you got the cash, pick it up!

[Cylon-Knight]

Thank you Jase for the links and your advice!
I am thinking I may try the DVDs... They are affordable and if I don't learn a lot I guess that learning something is better than nothing
I'd love to learn about casting and stuff they seem to cover.

Hobby stuff is just COOL!

[JAWS]

They do look like good courses.
I could definately do with a set.

[Cylon-Knight]

daverep - thank you for the info and first hand review.
It is awesome to know from a fellow forum member the DVDs are so informative and worth the money.

Thank you, thank you!

[daverep]

You are most welcome! I haven't had the chance in about a month to finish watching these...might try and continue this evening after work. If I make it to the second DVD, I'll report back on what's on that. He does a really good job teaching about how to create molds and then do resin casts. That's one of the reasons why I wanted to get it...that and painting techniques which I'm hoping is on the second DVD.

Of course, Jase could teach us all about casts after his perfect TOS Viper castings!



Dave

[Cylon-Knight]

I just ordered my set!
Thanks for the help guys. I hope to learn some cool skills soon so I can enjoy the hobby more. Thanks again.

[daverep]

Let me know what you think!

My apologies for not getting back about the DVD 2 content. Got really busy at work (2 jobs) and here at home. Every time I got home and had the time to settle down, I had some building to do or I was just too tired! So I STILL haven't had the chance to get to it! Ugh!!

--Dave

[Cylon-Knight]

I got my disks, and WOW, the shipping was faster than FAST!!!!

I've watched disk one my self, and now I'm ready to make half a Galactica ... lol ... just kidding. But really, I did learn A LOT. My fav thing so far is "pick points" I didn't know a ship had so many and how smootly they are all hidden! One thing I don't have / not sure if I'd get one anytime soon is a pressure pot for the casting stuff. A small vac former I'm very interested in making. Casting seems to be too much for me as of yet.

I am not totally sure about a direct pour vs the "spru" (spelling?) method of casting. The when/why one would be better or not. Direct pour seemed so much more easy. I guess spru is better for mostly hollow stuff?

I can't wait to watch DVD 2, will start it tonight!