So with the new MM.net catalog listing the mask as an “H1 Mask”, I figured I’d ask, what exactly is the “loop hole” here? A lot of people are calling this an “opening scene mask”, but I feel the need to remind, the H1 and H2 mask are literally the same mask (despite the matted hair and a little extra weathering/yellowing). The Psycho could be used as the H2 and Blood Tears mask as well (as I think it could and should be, especially with their recent quality releases, the H6-8 masks). The eye cuts are not different, the shape is not different. It’s just worn differently.
I am failing to see any kind of “loop hole” being utilized here. It is just as much a Clean H2 (as they advertise it) as it is an H1 clean (as people are perceiving it). Let’s not forget the H1 mask is also riddled with weathering.
We’ve seen clean Myers masks in stores for years now. The loophole I’d like to know about is why we are getting a Kirk based mask for the first time since the DP 85 The Mask.
I have no plans on buying it, just something I’ve been curious about.
It’s because the actual visage of Michael Myers as he appears in H1, the “Castle Stretch”, if you will, is not copyrighted by Universal NBC and therefore the shape of the mask, the unweathered look, are all owned by Trancas, except for the dual ownership through the opening scene which showed the H1 stretch and preweathered (all the skid marks, rubbed away paint, slightly yellowed color) look. You see, they’re the same mask, but there’s a few years worth of aging that makes them appear different, not to mention the different stretch that’s created by Warlock in H2 vs Castle in H1 as illustrated by the image below:
TOTS only has the technical copyrights to the image on the right, but because the opening scene of H2 (owned by both Univeral AND Trancas) shows the mask on the left TOTS is able to use a loophole to create an H1 mask from an H1 scene that appears in H2. So to recap: Trancas owns ALL of H1, which TOTS doesn’t have a license for, however Universal owns the ending to H1 and H2, and TOTS has a license to H2 masks. So, any mask that appears in H2 (H1 end scene, H2, Bloodtears, Tramer, H2 Burnt, etc) is fair game for TOTS.
Regardless of how they are worn, the Psycho is neither Castle nor Warlock. I think you’re missing my point.
The copyright (definitely) does not lie with which actor wore it. There has never been a mass produced mask of the Castle/Warlock stretch. I think this is a strange situation, and I don’t think a “loop hole” is being used. I think we’re just accustomed to calling a clean Myers mask “H1”, even though an H1 clean is the same as an H2 clean.
Why are you over analyzing a replica 60$ mask??? Its a PSYCHO for 60$…I hear everyone always complaining about TOTS…GET OVER IT…There making great masks for a great price…Chris and Justin are great guys…this post is useless by all means…sorry for sounding rude.
But the H2 isn’t “clean” in any sense. It’s got a hole in the side of the neck, there’s marks all over the face, and the paint on the neck is rubbed away and blotched. That’s the mask that TOTS has a license for. It doesn’t really matter if The Hulk wore the mask, so long as it appears in H2. They don’t have a license for H1, despite it being the same mask. As far as Kirk masks go, TOTS can only produce the likeness of the mask as it is seen in H2: stretched, blotched, and holed. TOTS figured a way around this via a loophole, a technicality, whatever you like to call it to produce a mask before it was like this because a section of H1 appears in H2. The Psycho mold was what was used because that’s what TOTS was given. They could have used a different mold --they could have used a Creep, a Closet Monster, a Shat, a NightmareMan, or even a new mold-- pretty much whichever Kirk-based mold Justin wanted them to use, but he gave them a Psycho, and that’s what they used. It’s not based on the end scene, and that’s where the technicality comes in because the various H1 mask sculpts out there based on different scenes are all just “one mask” as far as IP owners are concerned. Trancas nor Universal cares about the different little nuances between how the mask looks between one scene or another, to them there’s just two different looks to the masks: H1 and H2. TOTS doesn’t have the licensing to release a mask based on any scene but the end scene. In fact they probably should have used a Closet Monster since that’s the mask closest to the end scene, but they used a Psycho and I really doubt anybody at Trancas or Universal are really going to bother running through the movie to find the exact moments on which we see the mask looking as the Pyscho does. TOTS simply shoves an H1 mold out the door, slaps an “end scene” label in the sales page and they’re completely fine as far as IP owners are concerned. Only we, the diehard fans, will ever know any better.
The thread is pretty pointless, I was just frustrated seeing the word “loophole” being thrown around, like something clever and crafty is happening. I think Chris and the team are putting out cool products. I even pre-ordered the Skull.
As far as over analyzing a mass produced mask, let’s not forget the mask we all love was in fact a mass produced mask.
I always find it hysterical that the only reason these discussions can possibly happen is due to the shape of 2 men’s heads. Just imagine how much more intricate this hobby would be if there were more behind the scenes photos of the H1. Speaking of, I posted up a thread not long ago showing some pictures that are available. Someone said that Derek didn’t want such a thread because of a forthcoming book by an H1 crew member depicting various behind the scenes photos of the now-legendary mask. I can only hope it’s actually true and that we won’t be waiting forever for its announcement and release.
As for the technicalities and loopholes, man…copyright fever run amok is all I can say. It really does border on insanity. It was an interesting move on Justin’s part to have an actual H1 replica mass produced. He’ll always have the credit to be the first to do it after 35 years.
Has anyone noticed the H2 opening scene mask has disappeared from the store but the other masks are still available to preorder. I sent Derek a pm asking if they withdrew it due to copyright issues and currently awaiting his reply. I told him I hope not as I really would love a screen accurate clean michael myers mask.
Just imagine how much more intricate this hobby would be if there were more behind the scenes photos of the H1. Speaking of, I posted up a thread not long ago showing some pictures that are available. Someone said that Derek didn’t want such a thread because of a forthcoming book by an H1 crew member depicting various behind the scenes photos of the now-legendary mask. I can only hope it’s actually true and that we won’t be waiting forever for its announcement and release.