So after seeking advice regarding which TOTS mask would work best for converting to an H1, I went ahead and bought the Elrod. This is the 5th Michael Myers I’ve bought over the years, and while it is an excellent sculpt, I have some concerns/doubts about the product as a whole. Firstly, the hair is bizarre, reminiscent of the hair in H20 (one of my least favorite masks apart from H5). While I appreciate the lack of bald spots, the hair is very short, jet black, and not adhered to the mask in sections of mohair like every other Myers I’ve ever seen.
I’m curious what the deal is with this hair choice and why this is considered an especially H1 look? I’ve watched H1 and H2 dozens and dozens of times, 5 times just in the past month and I see no difference between the mask I. The Elrod Scene vs. the rest of the film, apart from the awkward moments when we can see Michael’s eyes. Can someone enlighten me? What are your thoughts on the Elrod and why is it better than the H2 Deluxe or Hospital or Tramer?
-related questions/comments:
Any advice on making the cheek bones seem more prominent?
Why doesn’t TOTS have the H1 license?
I LOVED the new 2018 “sequel” to H1. It’s excellent. But am I the only one who thinks the original H2 was a brilliantly written, expertly acted masterpiece?
As someone who recently picked up an Elrod mask to convert to an H1 Myers mask, I can tell you what convinced me to purchase this mask over other TOTS H2 versions for my project. It was the sculpt! As you pointed out, that’s probably the major draw for others as well. To me, it looks the closest to the forms and detail level of the Don Post Kirk.
I have a thread going right now where I’m converting one (I just started) and I pointed out similar concerns as you. However, I think if you look at it as just the starting point for a project mask, you could eventually get past the initial shock of the Elrod as manufactured. I hope mine ends up decent after I’m done.
Speculation is that TOTS may have acquired, or is in the process of acquiring licensing rights for H1, H4, and H5, but time will tell. It’s all legally complicated.
But they do have a license to sell H2 masks. They main sculpts (i.e., the H2, the Hospital, and the Elrod) all come from pre-existing sculpts by Justin Mabry when he was an independent mask seller (the Lunatic, the Maniac, and the Psycho respectively). The Psycho was always meant to be an H1 mask, but was mass produced under the name Elrod name in order to legally fall within the scope of the H2 license. Plus there are examples in the gallery of people converting older Psychos into H2 masks. The Tramer is essentially the Elrod with a different paint and hair scheme.
The hair on the mask is terrible and inaccurate. They use dark hair to reflect the color from H1, but it is basically carpet shag and hard to style. To give the mask a good H1 look, consider rehairing it. You can use crepe wool instead of mohair or camel. It can be done in either H1 or H2 style as it is an excellent sculpt underneath (the Psycho is still considered a top notch mask). The Lunatic and the Maniac (H2 and Hospital Mask) were meant to more closely resemble certain scenes from H2 and/or the H4 cover mask, and thus don’t make as effective H1s as the Elrod. It’s all subject to personal opinion though.
By way of example, here is my Elrod that I just did up H2 style. Feel free to PM with questions.
I also got an Elrod recently and was really disappointed with the ‘as finished’ mask that I received. I’m so glad that some of you guys have been able to show me what’s possible with this mask - the rehauls look amazing, and show the potential of the mold.
Now all I need to do is lose an inch off my head diameter !
Excellent thoughts guys. I just wish they’d haired it like the other H2 masks. Easier to fix. Related question - do any of you recommend painting in shading, such as darker lips, cheek bones, the front of the chin, etc.?
Some believe the issue with the Elrod is the cancellation of the H2 Clean which was to have the Psycho sculpt, zero flesh weathering, and the H2 deluxe hair but a darker color. That version was cancelled due to the ‘future of the franchise’ but they never explained it better. They also got the H6, H20, Resurrection rights etc. And released them all near the same time. If you look, the hair for the Elrod is now very similar to the H6 and H20 hair.
See the original H2 Clean mask. Later called the Elrod. As you can see the sculpt is nearly the same but they added just a giant glob of flesh tone directly under the chin on yours and the hair is very different to what was shown.
The H1 mask is the same mask used in H2. The reason it looked different in H2 is because a different wore the mask, stretching it out wider, whereas the actor in H1 stretched it vertically. Also, in H2 the hair was lighter colored, and matted down whereas in H1 it was dark and poofy. And finally, a lot of the white paint came off the mask in H2, so you see the kirk flesh tones on the neck especially, and the rest of the mask got dirty, whereas in H1 the mask was pretty much stark white and clean. So, with all that in mind, the TOTS Elrod is sculpted to look like the mask did in H1, though I definitely agree that the hair they used on it is terrible and totally inaccurate for H1. I would suggest getting it rehaired to be more accurate. As for your question on the cheek bones, the best way is to add a light amount of “shading” to them with some paint, but I am no expert on that. For your final question on TOTS not making a H1 mask, there is a rumor going around that they will be getting the H1, H4, and H5 licences next year. Guess we’ll have to wait and see…
The H2 clean is what I saw on websites when I ordered the Elrod, and was really disappointed when I actually received one. Seeing what’s possible with the mask with some patience and a bit of skill is giving me the courage to try and rehaul mine.
