Interview: Shaping up with Mellow Poppy of /edit/

Your shape in SL is like a reflection of your digital DNA. In the real waking world this would be attributed to your genes. However, in SL your shape is one of the most basic controlled elements that mirrors one’s values and level of visual astuteness. On the newbjunk-strewn lawns of SL’s various Orientation Islands avatar physique (along with the meshy system hair) is one of the first visual problems every resident tackles (though, some just walk away, doomed to wear the default City Chic or Club shapes forever). Through this act one establishes their individuality and finds a comfort level and emotional attachment with a personal virtual identity. Whatever we do to our avatars is an expression of our deepest selves and ultimately influences how we initially fit into a given community.

For those who can swallow their pride and admit their skills in creating a properly proportioned avatar are seriously lacking there are options. For those who can’t, all I can say is keep hanging around the Ahern Welcome Area shouting, ‘Who want fuck?!’ without any return on your efforts (why stop now? – you’re so good at what you do). Style consultants and shape makers – some of whom suffer from Shape Apnea themselves – are a dime a dozen. Those with an eye for detail and an opinionated take on the industry are a much rarer fruit.

I know of four individuals who are great shape makers, one of whom is Mellow Poppy, world class clapper and proprietor of /edit/ shapes in Bali Hai. She’s curvy, she’s spunky and she’s been creating shapes with personality for quite some time. Miss Poppy creates shapes to desired specifications or can model them after a real life photograph (like she did for Aden Christensen). One of the things I like about Mellow’s creations is the non-modelesque quality. The quirky shapes are regular guys and gals with unique features that make them stand out in a crowd of Barbie and Ken look-alikes with zero body fat.

Y ME: How did you get started making shapes (and for how long)? What’s your take on the biz?
Mellow: Well I started with my own … I’ve come a long way from Ruth. I’m creeping up on 2 years, so what’s that in SL years? 24 years? But as far as creating someone else’s shape would probably be my first couple months in.

There was this wacky guy I was hoping to pixelate, however couldn’t bare the thought of humping a mongoloid! Later he ended up ball banging a friend and logging off, never to return!

I couldn’t help but notice the compliments I got on my own shape … how realistic and well-proportioned it was. (Also … bring back ratings!) I had always aimed for shaping Mellow like the real me, which is flawed, btw, and it seemed others wanted the same!

Take on Biz. Seems there’s plenty of room for shape creators and good ones are few and far between. When I first started selling shapes back in Oct ‘06 there weren’t many shapes sold modifiable, but it seems now many of them are, which is a great thing (claps)! It’s great to see more and more ‘rl’istic shapes popping up. People have been super supportive of what I’m doing … so thanks!

Y ME: Do you do one-of-a-kind customs?
Mellow: Yes, and it’s my most favorite thing to do! I especially enjoy creating a shape from a RL picture whether it’s their RL pic or a pic of say a celebrity – even SL celebs. Wanna look like Catero Revolution?! Contact me [Note to Readers: I will sue]. I also enjoy styling and shopping … helping in every way create the av they wanna be! I’ve worked with a few musicians and thats been loads of fun! Please IM Mellow Poppy regarding pricing ‘n stuff. Also I would never resell your custom shape because that would make me an ass and, well, that’s just wrong.

Y ME: In your opinion what are the top (three) shape proportion violations?
Mellow: Oh just 3?

1. Body thickness and fat for starters! Nothing worse than Slider Anorexia … like gag me with a spoon;
2. And the other end of the spectrum … sliders hogs who must max out every one on the body;
3. Extra small heads, although that could be due to the fact their shoulders are 100 broad (rolls eyes);

And im putting in a 4th …

4. HEIGHT! No, I’m not that short, you just so happen to be 8′3″ so yeah 5′4″ will look short to you, foolio. (I use the height detector thingy) I measure the height of all my shapes. If you want a Height Detector you can pick one up at my store or most freebie locations.

Y ME: In your experience making and selling shapes what are some reasons (potential) customers give for wanting to buy their shape as opposed to making it themselves?
Mellow: Probably time, patience and experience. I spend a good 70%+ of the time cammed in on myself or the shape im creating. Okay, so I’m vain, but really, though, it helps to edit appearance over time. I wear a shape for a good few days sometimes more. Many would prefer someone else do that (especially males). People want instant gratification with most things and even more so in SL. Sometimes I can satisfy them, sometimes I can’t. At the very least my shapes make a better start than say the all popular LL City Chic Male.

Y ME: What are the most common features women and men want to see in their store-bought shapes?
Mellow: They want the shape to appear the same as the pic in the display. I try my best but due to the fact that shapes look different with skins other than ones modeled in the shape display. It won’t look the same. Hence why with shape purchase a notecard is given with LM’s to the skin/hair shop. I’d like to think /edit/ shapes are very versatile and will look more than decent with most well done skins. I encourage people to try my shapes with different skins and different wigs. That’s what will set them apart and make them uniquely them. Play with yerself!

Another common occurrence is they want to be good looking (duh) and, although a good half of my shapes are, the other half are for the people who appreciate a quirky, flawed av – and to those people, I love you.

Y ME: Which shapes sell the best in your shop?
Mellow: Best Sellers Female: Toni and Lola. Male: Max, Ernie and Luke.

Y ME: What are the worst shapes you’ve ever seen in world – whether indivudal or commercial?
Mellow: Okay, I won’t name names in fear of upsetting the creator of Made Men. Also, I don’t know the creator’s name [Note to Readers: It's Rockwell Maltz. And FYI, I feel the same way]. But it has to be said! Hands down the most unrealistic shapes in SL! Are they even modifiable? Horrible. MM has great skins, good clothes, but shapes are not MM’s forte.

Seems “shape only” shops spend a lot more time on the details of a shape. To me it’s quite obvious who slaps shapes together in a short time. Would you go to the grocery store to buy shoes? Or even the 7/11 to get a haircut? Go to a skin shop for skins. Go to a Hair shop for hair. Go to a shoe shop for shoes. Go to a shape shop for shapes. Get It?

Y ME: Any tips on creating an aesthetically proportionate shape?
Mellow: Well …

• Start with a good quality skin.
• Get naked!
• I start shaping from the bottom up, for whatever reason. I work on the face last, seems I spend more time there.
• Think realistically … you dont want your legs 100 long and your hips 15 short.
• I don’t ever have a slider maxed out.
• Men it’s ok to have hips! Really I’m saying this now … add some hip width!
• And, okay, I know you’re well hung (wink) but no need to make your coin purse protrude much past your belly. lol.
• Look at your shape from all angles! I often find myself looking at the shape from the side.
• I rarely , if ever, have a head smaller than 50 even on woman.
• For the love of God don’t be afraid of the double chin slider. Helps to make a great profile!
• I seem to have a thing for over and under bites … gives shape a unique feel and changes the look of lips.
• Make a copy of the shape.
• Don’t be scared!

I’m keen on the sliders most are afraid to touch.

Also, everything is everything. So, say you make your head a little forehead heavy, well that not only changes the forehead it changes the chin and jaw. Say you add some fat – that changes hips, shoulder width and so on.

I still tweak my shape from time to time. I’m getting older so my breasts are starting to sag and now my av’s have a bit too. lol. I know for me personally, making my realistic shape, I stood up and took a hard look at myself in mirror. I have shorter arms so my wrist hit just at my hips … so do Mellow’s.

Most of all be patient! A great shape will come gradually. You wouldn’t jump on a treadmill for 15 mins. and expect to loose 50 lbs.!

Y ME: I’m giving you some free rant space.
Mellow: I’ve mentioned being flawed. What I mean is not Barbie or Ken-like. So, my belly is a bit big and my hips far to wide to fit in most skirts and poses. Which leads me to animations. When are animators gonna catch on to the shorter realistic people fad?! I mean, I get a set of bj balls and I end up sucking on his knee. I try a model pose and my hand is right up my @#%$*. I suppose what I’m saying is with well proportioned shapes come some cons. You might have to adjust things like belts, guns, wigs, poseballs and even your penis! I’m sure you’ll have no problem playing with that!

Lastly, change can be hard as in RL. It can be even be shocking! Especially changes in appearance. /edit/ is not for the faint of heart or ones content in their cookie cutter shapes. In most cases a new shape is going to be a lot different from the stock av you’re used to, but give it time and an open mind. Please, if you’re unsatisfied with a shape you purchased from me please tell me! I really do want to help and hate the thought of you being disappointed and frustrated.

A friend once said If you’re happy with how you look I can’t help you.

Thanks.

Note: Mellow offers a 1L “New Noob” male package in her store that comes complete with shape (no mod), skin, eyes and hair. If you’re not afraid to send her and IM she’ll kindly send you a mod verion.

» /edit/ Shapes, Bali Hai (160, 209, 27)

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