Trade Secrets in Tailmaking

[Luna Dreamtide]

I'm not quite sure how to phrase this question, so we'll see how I go...

I've been doing my own research and experiments towards making a silicone tail. I have an idea for making a translucent blended waist somewhat like the ones Raven is doing for the Merbellas tails. But I'm worried by doing that, especially if I sold a tail, that I could be stepping on fins or accidentally revealing trade secrets that tailmaker a would prefer kept.

What do you Mers think? Is it okay for me to use the translucent blended waist if I can make it work using a technique I am going to try? I'm really trying to figure this out in preparation for creating my own silicone tail in a few months.
Thanks :)

[Saren]

If it's something you've figured out on your own, then I think it would be fine. I too have thought of a blended waist style technique, but I never plan on making a tail and plan on applying this technique on future silicone prosthetics (once I get to that stage of course).

[Mermaid Lily_Pad]

If this is a technique you have come up with, and it is not breaking a patent of some sort, then I don't see why you can't do it as well. Every tail is a piece of artwork. Every tail maker is an artist, some artists make similar things, but just because they make similar things does not mean they are the same, or that what you do will hurt other peoples designs. In other words, People are not getting Merbella's for the blended tail alone, they are getting them because they are stunning. Same as Finfolk, or Mernation which offers a blended tail as well. While I think it is honorable that you are worried about hurting the tail makers...um, tail making. I don't think it should stop you from experimenting and implementing your own ideas as well. I would love to see what you come up with. Any new knowledge, and new tailmakers gives more people chances of fulfilling this dream of ours, so keep on sculpting! Can't wait to see your work!

[Theobromine]

Unless you're specifically stealing Raven's method, I don't think it's a problem. It's not like she's the only one to come up with the blended waist idea. I thought of doing something extremely similar long before I ever saw hers, and I'm guessing I'm not alone. Of course when I saw that Raven offered one I was worried about doing it myself because I didn't want people to think I was stealing her idea :P

[Luna Dreamtide]

Thank you all for your feedback. And thank you Mermaid LilyPad, I hope to get started soon.
Given how people feel about copying, it's a fine line to swim if you have a similar idea. But my designs will be my own and hopefully cause no issues. :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

It is iffy. If you looked at merbellas blended waist and set out to make one just like it, that's not really cool to sell. For yourself? Find, but if the only reason you would do it is raven, that's a bit eeeeeeeeeeee
In my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Kelda]

I think it's one of those things where no one should really have any claim on it. It's not exactly a novel idea, it's just more difficult to do. Raven being the first to do it does not give her claim. If you're figuring out your own method and not dissecting a Merbellas tail to do it, I see no problem.

[Luna Dreamtide]

That is a good point, Welsey, and something to be careful of. Like Theobromine this was something I set out to achieve before I'd seen Merbellas do it. And that being said, I've never even seen a silicone tail by any tailmaker in person, so this is purely my own research for an idea I haven't even been able to trial yet. Realism is something I really want to achieve but but I am also aware of not wanting to copy fellow artists.

[Keiris]

Leina that's very gracious of you as an artist to not want to copy anyone's work. The idea of a blended waist has been around for a long long time and current tailmakers all have different ways to achieve the look depending on the medium they are working in. We all are striving for a more realistic fade from skin into the tail. Some people paint it into the tail like MVD Fliptails & Finfolk, some like Raven, build it into the tail, I make a silicone blended waist belt that is separate. All are to achieve a similar result. Artists have always built on artists' work then branched out onto their own by experimenting. It just gets tricky when you want to sell a product. Don't feel guilty about wanting to create something for yourself. Good luck!

[Luna Dreamtide]

Thanks, Keiris, you explained that well. And yes, for now this will only be for myself and close friends that I am making tails for. A tailmaking business is but a distant dream :)

[Mermaid Lorelei]

One thing to keep in mind here is that silicone and latex techniques have been in practice for a VERY long time. We tend to think as a community that we are innovating everything we do (and yes, a lot of what we make and do is new) but many of our techniques come from long standing traditions in the SPFX world. Blending the edges of prosthetic (such as a tail's waist) is common practice and good form in most SPFX settings. We've simply adopted the idea for use on mermaid tails.
Just something to remember the next time someone yells 'COPIER'.

[Theobromine]

One thing to keep in mind here is that silicone and latex techniques have been in practice for a VERY long time. We tend to think as a community that we are innovating everything we do (and yes, a lot of what we make and do is new) but many of our techniques come from long standing traditions in the SPFX world. Blending the edges of prosthetic (such as a tail's waist) is common practice and good form in most SPFX settings. We've simply adopted the idea for use on mermaid tails.
Just something to remember the next time someone yells 'COPIER'.

:clap:

[Luna Dreamtide]

One thing to keep in mind here is that silicone and latex techniques have been in practice for a VERY long time. We tend to think as a community that we are innovating everything we do (and yes, a lot of what we make and do is new) but many of our techniques come from long standing traditions in the SPFX world. Blending the edges of prosthetic (such as a tail's waist) is common practice and good form in most SPFX settings. We've simply adopted the idea for use on mermaid tails.
Just something to remember the next time someone yells 'COPIER'.
Well said Lorelei. Thank you. A very good point.

[sculptor]

I make a silicone blended waist belt that is separate. All are to achieve a similar result. Artists have always built on artists' work then branched out onto their own by experimenting.

The tails made for Sabrina Down Under, used a similar belt technique. There was a foam Latex appliance belt the would be glued down to the actor's waist and blended into skin. The belt would stay on all day, but the performers could get in and out of the tails at will. This was a significant departure the Splash technique in which Darryl Hannah was glued into her tail for the whole day.

Creative minds often come to the same or similar conclusions on how to solve a challenge.