|
RUBEN PROCOPIO
Masked Avenger
 |
DragynWulf: How did you get the job of sculpting the Taskmaster mini-bust for Bowen Designs?
Rubén Procopio: Randy had asked me if I was available to do some sculpts for him while I was still at Disney's, was to busy then, but once I left i gave him a call and he set me up with the Taskmaster, actually it was one out of three choices and the Taskmaster seemed the most dynamic and interesting to me.
DragynWulf: What did you know about the Taskmaster character prior to getting the job?
Rubén Procopio: Nothing. Never heard of him, I actually was more of a DC guy growing up but collected Marvel here and there as well, then started discovering Kirby, Buscema, Romita etc... along the way. But to save face I was embarrassed to ask Randy who is he was so I asked my friend comic book artist George Pérez who I knew knows all the characters in both universes, so I sent him a image and to my surprise he wrote me back saying not only did he know who he was he also created him! A nice coincidence.
DragynWulf: What steps do you take in making a mini-bust? Did you use any different steps in making the Taskmaster mini-bust?
Rubén Procopio: First a lot of research, then the usual, make a armature etc... only in this case Taskmaster has all those weapons, so the shield, sword and quiver all had to be constructed separately, Randy an I had a good laugh after that fact because he told me, why did you think I offered you that character, i didn't want to do all those weapons, nice!
DragynWulf: I know there were problems with designing the cape with the quiver showing through it due to Randy Bowen asking for images of how it looked. Did you have any other difficulties in designing the mini- bust?
Rubén Procopio: Not sure of the problems you speak of, but The Taskmaster does have many in's and outs, it was just a matter of figuring out a way around it, I had done a bunch of sketches before I started of different poses, the one Randy picked had the cape flowing out, but in the end he changed it to be much longer and downward which turned out really nice.
DragynWulf: Your preliminary designs look different from the finished product. What changes were made by Randy Bowen?
Rubén Procopio: Randy redid the head and it looks much better and more like the character, he's got the Marvel look down pat. Just coming of my Disney run I think my version looked to cartoony and more like the Horned King from the Black Cauldron which I had animated on for that movie, so I guess it was unconscious. In the end I think the collaboration worked out well, the over all look turned out nice and "on model", that was what is of utmost importance and to make the fans happy.
DragynWulf: How long did it take to complete the work on the mini-bust?
Rubén Procopio: Well it was quite a while ago, I'd say it took anywhere from two weeks to a month, including the approval process and such.
DragynWulf: Was there anything that was changed that you wanted to keep in the design?
Rubén Procopio: No I think with the changes Randy made, which as I said earlier was a vast improvement, the piece turned out quite nice.
DragynWulf: What was the hardiest part in designing the mini-bust?
Rubén Procopio: Making sure that all the weapons didn't interfere with the pose or covered anything important and actually enhanced it.
DragynWulf: What part did you like the best in designing the mini-bust?
Rubén Procopio: There is always a moment when your roughing out the pose on any sculpt when it starts to take shape and come to life sorta speck, same with The Taskmaster, as soon as I got the twist and downward tilt of his head it felt right and i was there.
DragynWulf: What are your thoughts on a character like Taskmaster?
Rubén Procopio: In researching and getting to know a little more about him, and through George's explanation, I was fascinated by his power to imitate others powers and defenses, I wish i could do that with other sculptor, just to get better...
DragynWulf: What other mini-busts have you worked on in the past? Any future mini-busts in the works?
Rubén Procopio: For Randy I did Lockjaw and Union Jack, ...also did a Space Ghost, Batman, Shazam, and several Disney Characters.
DragynWulf: Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for TaskmasterSite.Com!
Rubén Procopio: Your welcome, my pleasure and thanks for asking, you have a awesome website! I'm amazed at the the following this cool character has. Keep up the great work.
|
