Hi World, Gunjap Interviews today with Gianpaolo Paparo aka Gianshopao !!!
Hi World, Gunjap Interviews today with Gianpaolo Paparo aka Gianshopao. Let’s Start!
[G: Gunjap]
[GP: Gianpaolo Paparo]
G – Who is Gianpaolo Paparo in the Gunpla Modelers World? And where do you come from?
GP – Ciao, Gunjap. In the Gunpla world I’m known as “Gianshopao”. I’m from the Manila, Philippines. I’m 21 years old and I love Gundam and Gunpla Modelling so much. This 2014 would probably be the 6th year of doing this hobby. Some of you may be familiar with my works though I’m not really known in the Gunpla community since I only get to finish one to two kits a year. I’m honored, Gunjap, to be part of your series of interviews.
G – When did you start building Gunpla?
And when did you made your first Custom?
GP – I started building Gunpla when I was a kid, I would probably more or less 5-7 years old. I always loved robots and I felt assembling one was way better than buying one already built. The earliest Gunpla I remember ever having was a Wing Gundam because Gudam Wing was the first Gundam series I ever watched.
It was 2008 when I was browsing through the internet and saw custom Gunpla (which I didn’t know existed back then) that I started to ask myself if such Gunpla existed or how did that person change the look of his Gunpla. It was then when my curiosity rekindled my interest in Gunpla. I was introduced to the hobby of scale modeling and got into the hobby.
So to answer your question, my first custom was back in 2009, an MG Strike Freedom.
G – Do you have some inspiration for your creations?
GP – Japanese modeler Kieta was one of my first inspirations. Another who would be mentioned often is Toymaker. I love his design. I incorporated some of his style in detailing in my earlier works and maybe in my recent ones too. Eday was one of my inspirations too in terms of his very mechanical design. I have been very much inspired with many Japanese modelers recently. Shunneige, the GBWC 2014 World Champion is probably in the top of my list of Japanese inspirations. Overall I get inspired with the “Clean Very Detailed Japanese” style of Gunpla modelling.
G – After you have finished snap-fitting a model, from where do you start to mod it?
GP – I usually start with the body. Detailing or modifying the body gives me a good feel of how the overall look of the kit will be. I could go anywhere after that Before modifications I usually sketch the design on paper or on the kit with a pencil. Regret is one the things I hate most when working on my kit because I would end up not being happy or having my precious time consumed by reworking on the piece.
G – What do you think about Gunpla in all the World? modelers, attitude, modelers behavior etc..
GP – Gunpla is a really fun hobby. I am so thankful that this hobby exists. I don’t think this is simply a hobby, when your skills become that of a professional level and you are able to make such beautiful works, this becomes an art form. To be able to show such craft and beauty in this hobby is in a way making art.
If you were to ask me about the modelers I would say that they are mostly friendly people. Many are always eager to help, share and to inspire others.
G – What do you think about GBWC Event?
GP – I think GBWC is a fun way for modelers to share their works and get to see each other face to face even if it is only for once a year. I really believe that GBWC could improve in terms of judging… a lot. It would be really nice if the judges were very experienced modelers. I’m not sure but I think Malaysia’s GBWC had a judge who was a fellow professional modeler in the country which I hope would be the same case for Philippines in the future. At least let two judges should be professional modelers so at least they know what works are actually good from works that only seem good. Honestly, I believe that the GBWC 2014 Champion would win 1st place if he joined here in the Philippines. Besides my complaints, GBWC is something that I’m always looking forward to every year.
G – Please some advices for modelers that wanna start building a gunpla for the very first time!
GP – Start slow. Master the basics. A modeler who masters the basics of scale modeling can make nice works even if it’s an OOTB build. Get the right tools. Experiment on new techniques. Learn from the experts. Do not be intimidated by what you want to achieve but at the same time, know your limitations. Most of the time learning the hard and painful way which is by making mistakes, is the best way to improve. Going back, basics of modeling are the key to your craft. The next advice I have to give may or may not be helpful to most modelers. Have a high standard. High enough so that even a little mistake that only you will notice is something that you will be reminded of every time you look at your work making you wish that you could turn back time and prevent it from happening. Get inspired and lastly be passionate about this hobby.
G – Have you a Website/Blog to show your Works?
GP – I currently do not have a website or blog. I do hope to have one soon. I have a Facebook page just in case anybody reading this wants to contact me. https://www.facebook.com/gianpaoloitaliano
The three Gunpla posted here are Sinanju Stein Obelisk, Delta Kai II, Deathscythe DII. Just search “Gianshopao [Name of Gundam]” in google if you want to see them. I have more works but those are the latest three that I have posted.
G – Future Projects?
GP – I will be doing an OOTB build for the local Mid Year competition here. I have some pending kits to work on such as an MG Wing Gundam Proto Zero, MG Rx-78-2 ver.3.0 and a MG Sazabi ver.Ka. I do have some big plans and ideas for GBWC 2014 or way bigger for 2015 if I won’t be able to join this year.
Again, thank you Gunjap for this interview. It was fun answering your questions. Ciao, Grazie!
G – Many Thanks to Gianpaolo Paparo aka Gianshopao for this Interview 
See You soon for the next!
