Interview
with
Johnny Dominguez
Charlie: Welcome to Collector’s Mazes: here with another interview. Today I am interviewing Johnny Dominguez of JD Props Pros and cosplay.
How are you? Would you like to tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
Johnny: I’m doing good. Well I’m 56 years old and live in south central Texas. I’ve been a model maker since I was about 12-13 years old. Mostly model kits of airplanes. I now make semi life size models from scratch.
Charlie: What started your model making journey, and what was your favorite model to make as a child?
Johnny: I think what might have started it all was my love of military airplanes and of course seeing model kits at toy stores. I wasn’t all that good in constructing them but I got better over time. I continued building them into my 20s and then life changed when we had my daughter. My favorite was probably the navy’s F-14 Tomcat. I used to get real detailed with the pilots.
Charlie: A love of military airplanes turned to a love of Star Wars at some point. Your imperial scout walker is a work of art. Could you tell me a little about that building process? What sparked the idea?
Johnny: Oh yes my love of Star Wars. The scout walker was actually going to be a prop for my hometown’s Christmas parade back in 2018. I came up with the idea of making it in the summer of 2018. I discussed the idea with my friend Jesse Palomo. We then started brainstorming on how to build it. He and his uncle welded the leg frame out of 2” steel. From there I started construction of the walker. I actually used a old school wall projector to draw out the “blueprints “ and then transferred everything to styrene plastic and polar plywood. Slowly the walker took shape and got more detailed. It took 4 1/2 months to build. I would say about 500 hours.
Charlie: That’s alot of time and dedication. It is your largest build? What build would you say was the most difficult?
Johnny: This is my largest prop and by far the most difficult. Difficult because I wanted to be as screen accurate as I could. I had to construct a vacformer from scratch to vacuum form parts. I wanted it to be literally scratch built.
Charlie: I noticed on you also have built a few cosplays, your Bo-Katan caught my attention on your Facebook page. Do you prefer prop builds or cosplays?
Johnny: I do prefer props more than making costumes. I did make my daughter’s Bo-Katan from scratch including the helmet. For that I made molds and vacuum formed the armor she wears. I have made a few costumes for those wanting mandalorian armor.
Charlie: That would be my next question, are you ever open to commissions? If so how does someone reach you regrading them?
Johnny: I do a few commissions every now and then. I’m currently working on one. I’m also opened to building a scout walker for those who like one. I have a Facebook page called JD Props and Cosplay. There people can see my builds and also contact me. And of course Instagram under imperial_trooper_1.
Charlie: You are indeed a very talented crafter. Any future plans you’d like to share?
Johnny: Thank you. Not too sure what will be next.
Charlie: Well we wish you all the luck in your future endeavors and we’d like to thank you for taking the time to chat with me.
Johnny: You are so welcome. And thank you for chatting with me.