Original Power Rangers Helmet Prop!

**Exploring the Legacy of Power Rangers Helmets: An Interview with Brian Ono of bfx Collectibles**

At WonderCon 2017, Norm from Tested had the opportunity to sit down with Brian Ono of bfx Collectibles to discuss their latest venture into creating replicas of iconic Power Rangers helmets. The conversation provides a fascinating glimpse into the process of replicating these beloved props and the challenges involved in staying true to the original designs.

### Introduction to bfx Collectibles and Their New License

Norm began the interview by asking Brian about the variety of helmets and products on display at their booth. Brian explained that bfx Collectibles specializes in creating replicas of original helmets from various licenses, with Power Rangers being a particularly exciting new addition. They had recently acquired the rights to create replicas for both the original Power Rangers series and the upcoming film.

Norm expressed his personal connection to the original Power Rangers, which led him to visit Brian’s booth after spotting the green ranger helmet. Brian revealed that they were fortunate enough to obtain an authentic prop from the first TV series, which serves as their reference and master piece for creating replicas.

### The Source of the Green Ranger Helmet

When Norm asked about the origin of the helmet, Brian explained that it was believed to have been made in Japan by a company called Rainbow, which produced all the original props for the Power Rangers films. He also mentioned that while many of the scenes from the Japanese series were reused in the American version, the helmets worn by the actors were likely different. Specifically, he recalled seeing latches on the side of some helmets, which suggested they were custom-made for the U.S. production.

Brian noted that tracing the exact origin of these props can be challenging due to variations and recasts made over time. However, the presence of latches on certain helmets strongly indicates that they were produced in the United States.

### The Design and Functionality of the Original Helmet

Norm examined the helmet closely and commented on its unique design features, such as the hinge on the inside and elastic bands for a secure fit. Brian explained that these details were essential for TV production, ensuring the helmets could be easily put on and removed by actors. He also highlighted how lightweight and durable the helmet was, despite its age.

Brian emphasized the importance of replicating these functional aspects in their replicas, noting that cotter pins used in the original design would make it difficult for consumers to open and close the helmet. Instead, they plan to use a more user-friendly mechanism while staying true to the overall design.

### The Replication Process: Materials and Colors

When discussing the materials used in creating the replica, Brian mentioned that they are making every effort to match the original as closely as possible. This includes not only the physical construction of the helmet but also its iconic color scheme. He explained that achieving the exact shade of green, blue, and yellow seen on screen is crucial, even though post-production effects can alter how colors appear in the final product.

Brian shared an example of their attention to detail by replicating the blue lenses of the Star-Lord helmet, which were later changed to red in post-processing. This approach ensures that their replicas are as close as possible to the original props used in production.

### The New Power Rangers Film and Future Plans

In addition to the original series, bfx Collectibles also holds a license for the new Power Rangers film. Brian mentioned that they have been working closely with Sabon, the company handling props for the film, but access to the actual props is still pending due to their current tour schedule. Once the film’s promotional tour concludes, they hope to gain access to all the original props.

Brian expressed excitement about the unique design of the new film’s helmets, particularly their translucent appearance. He emphasized that this collaboration with Sabon and Lionsgate will allow them to create replicas that are faithful to both the original series and the upcoming movie.

### Conclusion: A Tribute to a Timeless Franchise

As the interview concluded, Norm praised Brian and bfx Collectibles for expanding beyond traditional superhero licenses and paying homage to the iconic Power Rangers franchise. Brian agreed, noting how proud they were to showcase the green ranger helmet at WonderCon and share their passion for these timeless characters.

The conversation highlights the meticulous care and attention that goes into creating accurate replicas of beloved props, ensuring that fans can own a piece of Power Rangers history. With plans to release these replicas in the future, bfx Collectibles is set to make a lasting impact on the collectible prop market.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enhey everybody Norm from tested here at WonderCon 2017 I had to check in with Brian Ono bfx Collectibles how you doing good good uh you got a lot of helmets here you got a lot of products replicas of the original helmets for bunch of different licenses but new this year is Power Rangers right uh we just got the license writes to do uh both the original Power Rangers and for the new film as well and original Power Rangers is what I'm interested in CU it's what I grew up with and I was drawn here cuz I saw the green ranger helmet this is Tommy's helmet yes uh through the courtesy of sabon they allowed us to use the original helmet from the first TV series to uh use as our reference and our Master to make our our version of it I'm holding an actual prop from Power Ranger History TV history now when you said the first series there was of course the Japanese series and then the American series what's the source of this helmet we believe that this was made in Japan from a prop making company called rainbow so they made all the original props for the original Power Rangers films and when the US show started I mean a lot of the scenes were from that Japanese show the fight scenes but when you had the American actors wear the helmets and the costumes I don't think they were those same Japanese helmets right those were the the stunt helmets I remember seeing like a a latch on the side well from what I understood was there's different variations taken from the original helmet recast recast and things like that so it's really hard to trace back exactly where it's come but definitely the ones with the latches As I understood it as well are the ones that were us made right and so without the latches the original Japanese green ranger it's so cool cuz up closed you see like this is definitely made for a TV production for easy fit um it has a a uh hinge on the inside then two pins two cter pins two cter pins hold together pull out and then it pops up in the back I see some elastic bands on the inside so it would be tight and it's very light weight right yeah and durable it survived time pretty well yeah so we're really excited to be to have been able to get the original prop in order to make our prop so in making your replica now what you have here this seems to be like your first casting of it uh how is your replica going to be the same or different in terms of materials in terms of functionality as as original well the materials were going to be were going to be true to the original prop uh as much as we can um as far as the attachment goes cotter pins make don't really make a whole lot of sense so it'll make it easier for the consumer to open and close and to put on if they wanted to or whatever okay and then the painting finish there's an iconic look to the color matching is so important right we have the very distinct green blue yellow rangers and the way it looks on screen so have you started the research for that as well uh yeah actually we're going to replicate the color exactly now what always throws a lot of people off the exact color it's painted doesn't necessarily come off as the same color on screen yes okay but we always stay true to the original prop okay okay so a lot of our props on other things for example some of them may have LEDs or something like that that that are never used in Productions so many times we'll put the LEDs in they're nonfunctional a good example is a Star-Lord helmet if you look at our starlord helmet it actually has blue lenses cuz the original prop had blue lenses but in post they actually cged in the red glow right so so and then the way they film Power Rangers for example and filmed it with film and put or tape and post process it that would that affected how color on your screen on your CRT back then exactly so we will match this screen exactly to the original prop and prop makers don't necessarily do use PMS colors they make the own mix something like that so we'll do exactly the same as well and same with the shiny finish this this look now you said you also have the license for the new Power Rangers film at a w a workshop made those helmets and they have a very cool translucent look to it and have you talked with them to get a hold of their process um actually sabon is still working with Lionsgate in order to have for us to have access to those props but because the film is still open a lot of the props are kind of on tour so that theaters can show it like that and after they all come back they we'll have access to all of them as well very very cool I love that you guys are branching out Beyond just the superheroes these are original superheroes to be honest come on the Japanese TV shows Power Rangers the green ranger helmet it's so cool that that you guys have it on display at WonderCon and can't wait for you guys actually put this out as a product thank you Brian thank youhey everybody Norm from tested here at WonderCon 2017 I had to check in with Brian Ono bfx Collectibles how you doing good good uh you got a lot of helmets here you got a lot of products replicas of the original helmets for bunch of different licenses but new this year is Power Rangers right uh we just got the license writes to do uh both the original Power Rangers and for the new film as well and original Power Rangers is what I'm interested in CU it's what I grew up with and I was drawn here cuz I saw the green ranger helmet this is Tommy's helmet yes uh through the courtesy of sabon they allowed us to use the original helmet from the first TV series to uh use as our reference and our Master to make our our version of it I'm holding an actual prop from Power Ranger History TV history now when you said the first series there was of course the Japanese series and then the American series what's the source of this helmet we believe that this was made in Japan from a prop making company called rainbow so they made all the original props for the original Power Rangers films and when the US show started I mean a lot of the scenes were from that Japanese show the fight scenes but when you had the American actors wear the helmets and the costumes I don't think they were those same Japanese helmets right those were the the stunt helmets I remember seeing like a a latch on the side well from what I understood was there's different variations taken from the original helmet recast recast and things like that so it's really hard to trace back exactly where it's come but definitely the ones with the latches As I understood it as well are the ones that were us made right and so without the latches the original Japanese green ranger it's so cool cuz up closed you see like this is definitely made for a TV production for easy fit um it has a a uh hinge on the inside then two pins two cter pins two cter pins hold together pull out and then it pops up in the back I see some elastic bands on the inside so it would be tight and it's very light weight right yeah and durable it survived time pretty well yeah so we're really excited to be to have been able to get the original prop in order to make our prop so in making your replica now what you have here this seems to be like your first casting of it uh how is your replica going to be the same or different in terms of materials in terms of functionality as as original well the materials were going to be were going to be true to the original prop uh as much as we can um as far as the attachment goes cotter pins make don't really make a whole lot of sense so it'll make it easier for the consumer to open and close and to put on if they wanted to or whatever okay and then the painting finish there's an iconic look to the color matching is so important right we have the very distinct green blue yellow rangers and the way it looks on screen so have you started the research for that as well uh yeah actually we're going to replicate the color exactly now what always throws a lot of people off the exact color it's painted doesn't necessarily come off as the same color on screen yes okay but we always stay true to the original prop okay okay so a lot of our props on other things for example some of them may have LEDs or something like that that that are never used in Productions so many times we'll put the LEDs in they're nonfunctional a good example is a Star-Lord helmet if you look at our starlord helmet it actually has blue lenses cuz the original prop had blue lenses but in post they actually cged in the red glow right so so and then the way they film Power Rangers for example and filmed it with film and put or tape and post process it that would that affected how color on your screen on your CRT back then exactly so we will match this screen exactly to the original prop and prop makers don't necessarily do use PMS colors they make the own mix something like that so we'll do exactly the same as well and same with the shiny finish this this look now you said you also have the license for the new Power Rangers film at a w a workshop made those helmets and they have a very cool translucent look to it and have you talked with them to get a hold of their process um actually sabon is still working with Lionsgate in order to have for us to have access to those props but because the film is still open a lot of the props are kind of on tour so that theaters can show it like that and after they all come back they we'll have access to all of them as well very very cool I love that you guys are branching out Beyond just the superheroes these are original superheroes to be honest come on the Japanese TV shows Power Rangers the green ranger helmet it's so cool that that you guys have it on display at WonderCon and can't wait for you guys actually put this out as a product thank you Brian thank you\n"