22 October 2020
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The Vine Lab has partnered with Aardman to design a highly detailed, limited-edition collectors’ model
This unique model is being made available along with exclusive behind-the-scenes content and the money-can’t-buy opportunity for collectors to receive an Aardman model of themselves.
Designed using rare production images from the making of the film, the intricately detailed, silver-effect model will depict the moment that Gromit flies into the air in his sidecar plane at the end of the sequence that ultimately leads to the demise of the film’s villain, Preston. The model will include a host of special features to add to its collectability, such as limited-edition numbering and a unique Aardman fingerprint signature.
In a nod the film’s original release date, there will be just 1,995 models available as part of the special edition release. However, in order to make the concept a reality, The Vine Lab is asking fans to pledge their interest in securing one of the unique models via Kickstarter, a crowd-funding platform that supports creative projects come to life.
The site will be live from 22 October and will remain open for just 35 days, or until all the models have been claimed. Pledgers will not only get one of the ultra-rare anniversary models but, in a first for Wallace & Gromit fans, will also be invited to become a vital part of the product development team. Throughout the project, fans who back the campaign will be able to see how the product develops as well as gain access to never-seen-before seen photos and videos from the original production.
Commenting on the opportunity, Merlin Crossingham, Creative Director of Wallace & Gromit said: “We are really excited to have teamed up with The Vine Lab to create a very special 25th anniversary collectable. It’s obvious to us that the team at The Vine Lab are huge fans of our work and they have crammed in all of the amazing detail we expect from our models into this collectable and the packaging. We are so pleased to offer something truly unique to our fans and know that they will value getting involved in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
There are a number of pledge packages available, across various price brackets, each offering the opportunity to access original sketches and unseen behind-the-scenes content from the making of the film. Early-bird prices for the model start at £225, and come with white handling gloves, a certificate of authenticity, a storyboard print, behind the scenes art cards and an acknowledgement in the end credits.
In addition, there are five deluxe packages available for £2,500, which include an illustration signed by Nick Park, The Making Of book signed by Merlin Crossingham, and the money-can’t-buy opportunity for pledgers to receive an Aardman model of themselves. Emma Beeson, Co-Founder of The Vine Lab, commented: “At The Vine Lab, we live and breathe pop culture and are huge fans of Aardman. We have worked painstakingly to recreate Gromit’s plane using hundreds of archived images and rare footage in order to guarantee an intricately detailed collectors’ model that we know will appeal to film fans, collectors and investors alike. We’re looking forward to working alongside our pledgers to create something truly unique.”
Pledges will be open until 26 November via: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thevinelab/wallace-and-gromit-a-close-shave-collectors-model