http://www.figures.com/forums/news/15902-universal-monsters-1-1-frankenstein-vfx-maquette.html (http://www.figures.com/forums/news/15902-universal-monsters-1-1-frankenstein-vfx-maquette.html)
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The Cine Art version was better and only set you back $100. The Sideshow one was much better at the same price.And what's with all the new Frankenstein stuff having light up eyes?
Quote from: Mord on June 27, 2012, 02:01:14 PM
And what's with all the new Frankenstein stuff having light up eyes?
Well, when they go back and add CGI and digital effects to the Universal Monster films, they are going to make Karloff's eyes glow when he gets angry. This is just their way of preparing us. ;)
Wow, I never thought of that. Knowing Universal, it's not that far-fetched.
I know... That's the scary thing... :o
I don't like either of these either. That light up one looks like a campy radio.
Whoopie! It's the cine Art bust with lights in it......
I don't care what anyone says, the Cine Art bust was used to create this.
Accurate? I don't Think so, Frankenstein never had the stiches running across the scar on his forehead. Universal should have a board made up of Fans who make the final licensing Decisions.
Or at least people who have actually seen the films.
Seems way overpriced at 500 bones, and really, not that great nor worth that kind of dough to me. That buys a lotta vintage! The generic half-sized bust I bought at Kmart ten years ago is cooler, (and I think the eyes light) and cost like $10! ;D
I saw this pop up on Sideshow Collectibles website the other day. I couldn't get over the flat, muddy paint job and the goofy light up halloween eyes! I was shocked to even see Sideshow selling it. If I were them I would be embarrassed to have this one my site, especially at that price!
All of the above, plus .... on the side, decorative bolts? What is it with bolts? I curse the twit who first 'replaced' the electrodes with bolts or nails or anything else from a hardware store. He's a resuscitated composite corpse, not a robot.
And Factory Entertainment being one of the few to embrace the UMs .... you want to be supportive .... but this seems to be missing the target audience, which in turn promises to inhibit future projects.
I concentrate my collecting on Frankenstein items. I look forward to every new item, and I WANT to like them all. But I can't bring myself to begin to like this bust. If I received it as a gift, I would immediately list it on eBay for a tiny beginning bid, take whatever money it would bring and buy more desirable collectibles.
With all the negative feedback from UMA members when this was first talked about, I had hoped the makers would re-think, retool and try another prototype design. Instead, they have chosen to go ahead in spite of the feedback. I can't see this being a financial success.
It seems to me that only serious collectors are going to be willing to pay $500.00 plus shipping for a life-sized Frankenstein bust - or want to dedicate that large a space in their homes to a monster collectible. And it is the serious collectors who are giving this item such a cold reception.
I hope the makers at least recoup their investment in this endeavor.
I'm sorry to say, I cannot support this product.
Quote from: depressedlarrytalbot on June 28, 2012, 04:43:28 PM
All of the above, plus .... on the side, decorative bolts? What is it with bolts? I curse the twit who first 'replaced' the electrodes with bolts or nails or anything else from a hardware store. He's a resuscitated composite corpse, not a robot.
And Factory Entertainment being one of the few to embrace the UMs .... you want to be supportive .... but this seems to be missing the target audience, which in turn promises to inhibit future projects.
I think those are metal side panels, so the bolts are in the metal, not in the Monster.
Quote from: Count_Zirock on July 08, 2012, 12:31:26 AM
I think those are metal side panels, so the bolts are in the metal, not in the Monster.
Count, I thought he was referring to the actual metal objects in the monster's neck, preferring that they be called electrodes. But maybe I was mistaken. ???
I don't think it looks half bad, but I don't like the glowing eyes and the price is too high compared to comparable busts.
Errrrrrrrrrr.........NO.
If you want the folks at Factory to see (and perhaps even respond) to your comments, concerns, and critiques of the VFX 1:1 Frankenstein Maquette, there's a thread in Masks & Busts (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=18741.0) that they've been replying to.
Quote from: Count_Zirock on July 08, 2012, 05:33:40 PM
If you want the folks at Factory to see (and perhaps even respond) to your comments, concerns, and critiques of the VFX 1:1 Frankenstein Maquette, there's a thread in Masks & Busts (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=18741.0) that they've been replying to.
Been there, done that when they displayed this before production to gauge the UMAs reaction....... Which was a resounding "meh".
I did mean the bolts in the side panels not the electrodes, but the point being, bolts - why? What has Frankie got to do with bolts, nails and screws?
I blame GROOVIE GOOLIES. Every time Frankie got hit by lightning, instant x-ray .. robot .. cogs.. bam ! :laugh:
Quote from: depressedlarrytalbot on July 08, 2012, 07:47:20 PMI did mean the bolts in the side panels not the electrodes, but the point being, bolts - why? What has Frankie got to do with bolts, nails and screws?
I blame GROOVIE GOOLIES. Every time Frankie got hit by lightning, instant x-ray .. robot .. cogs.. bam ! :laugh:
I blame sculptor Douglas Hildebrandt for not coming up with more interesting side panels. He could've tied them into the front panel by having a few more switches, knobs, and other "greeblies."
I'm all for companies supporting the Uni monsters, but why is it always limited "Collectibles" of the same old crap. THE WORLD DOES NOT NEED ANOTHER 31 KARLOFF FRANK BUST thats looks like the one before it and the one before it etc...
IMO a super collector doesn't buy "Instant Collectible" garbage like this. They buy vintage, there is nothing impressive about a collection of easily obtainable , expensive collectibles. Realism is fun sometimes, but i think most serious collectors, the real serious collectors not folks who just buy big expensive modern collectibles, want TOYS!! And Fun stuff. Stuff we'd buy as a kid. With maybe a sprinkling of "Collectibles" that catch their eye.
I'm sick of PolyStone and Resin..Gimme Plastic and Vinyl!!
Personally, I'm sick of the retro-look kiddie stuff.What's the point of making modern toys that look like they're from another era? Kinda pretentious, if you ask me. The reason toys didn't look realistic in the past is because they lacked the technology that we have today. If Sideshow quality figures existed when I was a kid, that's all I would have bought.
I like a bit of both. To me it's all about balance. I totally agree with Dr. Terror, does the world need yet another Karloff and Frankenstein bust? Especially an overpriced pieced one that I wouldn't give you 5 bucks for! I love vintage monster toys, I have a pretty large collection of them, and they are some of my favorite things to hunt down and collect. At the same time, I am also a huge fan and collector of new products from companies like Sideshow. I also have to agree with Mord, vintage monster toys look the way they did because of lacking technology and care int he world of toys and collectibles. For as much as I love the vintage stuff, I would be pretty bummed if I couldn't also get a really nice, realistic looking Creature statue, or Frankenstein figure, etc. I have to give Diamond Select some credit just for giving us some new collectible that aren't overdone like this Frankenstein bust. Albeit, Diamond isn't perfect (their paint jobs lack at times, etc.) but at least they are giving us things like a Julie Adams figure, and a Metaluna Mutant with an interociter, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from the Abbott and Costello film. I'll definitely be passing on this Frankenstein bust, but not because it is a new collectible, but just because it sucks. IMO the perfect collection has a good balance of new and old!
Quote from: Dr. Blasko on July 08, 2012, 01:52:05 AM
I don't think it looks half bad, but I don't like the glowing eyes and the price is too high compared to comparable busts.
I don't either. I think it looks 3/4 bad.
JP
I agree with CreatureRevenge, I would much rather have DST's $20 bust bank than this monstrosity (at any price).
I love that bank! Can't wait to see it in person!
Quote from: Mord on July 16, 2012, 08:35:24 PM
I agree with CreatureRevenge, I would much rather have DST's $20 bust bank than this monstrosity (at any price).
Definitely! It looks just as good, if not better, and is WAAAAAAYYYYY cheaper
And no goofy light up eyes!
Quote from: Mord on July 16, 2012, 04:27:58 PM
Personally, I'm sick of the retro-look kiddie stuff.What's the point of making modern toys that look like they're from another era? Kinda pretentious, if you ask me. The reason toys didn't look realistic in the past is because they lacked the technology that we have today. If Sideshow quality figures existed when I was a kid, that's all I would have bought.
Sounds like you just don't get the juiciness of vintage items. The smell, the texture, and most of all the chaming crudeness. I think most folks have to grow up with monsters to truly appreciate the Kids stuff. 60's 70's and early 80's. I don't mean any of that style guide 90's 2000 poop.
Here here!
I was born in 1985, a number of years after the original monster kid craze and I know all about and appreciate vintage toys quite a bit! Frankly, I appreciate and get more excited over them BECAUSE they were before my time. I never got to experience them first hand as a kid which adds to my fascination with them. Some people like to collect vintage toys because they had them as a kid, I like to collect them because I didn't!
I'm sorry, Dr. Terror, but I am an original sixties monster kid. I grew up reading Famous Monsters, building Aurora kits, wearing Don Post masks, and controlling my Marx Frankenstein. Retro toys are great for the memories we have of our childhood when times seemed simpler and carefree. I do appreciate vintage toys. Hell, I just paid $1,400 for a MIB Marx Frankenstein! What I think is silly and pretentious is to make current toys look crude and simple (as if 50 years of technology never existed). I love Marx , Aurora, Hasbro etc. but I would be blind not to include Sideshow, Billiken, and maybe even DST among the very best Universal monster toymakers. It's OK to live in the past, but, if you open your eyes and mind, the present isn't too bad either.
I was born in '92. I love the Retro stuff, its stuff I never had XD
Wow... thanks for all the feedback. We love to hear what you like and don't like and do listen.
But we should say this is not the response we are getting from customers , particularly face to face with people over the last 5 days at Comic Con where the finished product was on display and people loved it. People of all ages could not stop playing with it and many many people posed for pictures with it.
We wanted to address the eyes comments (hesitantly as we fully expect a raft of further vitriol) but here goes..
The Eyes. Yup they are stylized. But you can turn em off. They are not permanent and they are shut off with the flick of a switch, you can still play the sounds without the lights. When they are not lit up they are realistic 'glass' eyes in the correct hazel color to match Karloff's real eyes. As far as goofy they are inspired by artwork on the original posters where eyes do appear to glow, or one case actually have lightning out of them. Besides, put this in a darkened room like a home theater and turn em on and it looks brilliantly creepy. In all honesty you really cannot appreciate this item fully until you have seen it in the flesh.
Everything else is personal taste, you either like it or you don't. and that's fine. The base design is not something we just made up, it's inspired by the creations of the late great Mr Kenneth Strikfaden, which consisted largely of period scientific equipment, including wooden and metal panels with bolts nuts and rivets. There are no greeblies or detail on the sides or back as like a classical bust they are considered part of a 4th wall between the viewer and the piece,.
This product is aimed at new monsters fans and or people who don't have any of the previously produced pieces. There are no currently available officially licensed life sized bust products of this type on the market. Its not intended to replace or better anything that's been done before, merely add to the pantheon of cool monsters products.
The message, reading these posts is that no new people should get into monsters, its a closed shop for established fans only. Pitchforks and flaming torches await you if you dare! (only kidding stop planning our painful and drawn out deaths) But seriously... are you all saying if something has ever been done before you never want to see it again even in a different format or with a new twist?
We only have the license to produce replicas and replica type items... that's why we don't produce vinyl or figures. We would if we could believe us... but other people took those categories.
So no more life size busts of any kind is the feeling here then?
Barry
Quote from: Factory on July 17, 2012, 05:04:40 PM
Wow... thanks for all the feedback. We love to hear what you like and don't like and do listen.
But we should say this is not the response we are getting from customers , particularly face to face with people over the last 5 days at Comic Con where the finished product was on display and people loved it. People of all ages could not stop playing with it and many many people posed for pictures with it.
We wanted to address the eyes comments (hesitantly as we fully expect a raft of further vitriol) but here goes..
The Eyes. Yup they are stylized. But you can turn em off. They are not permanent and they are shut off with the flick of a switch, you can still play the sounds without the lights. When they are not lit up they are realistic 'glass' eyes in the correct hazel color to match Karloff's real eyes. As far as goofy they are inspired by artwork on the original posters where eyes do appear to glow, or one case actually have lightning out of them. Besides, put this in a darkened room like a home theater and turn em on and it looks brilliantly creepy. Give us the benefit of the doubt, until you have seen the item in person and played with it you cannot really appreciate it
Everything else is personal taste, you either like it or you don't. The base of the pieces is inspired by the creations of the late great Mr Kenneth Strikfaden, which consisted largely of period scientific equipment, including wooden and metal panels with bolts nuts and rivets. There are no greeblies or detail on the sides or back as like a classical bust they are considered part of a 4th wall between the viewer and the piece,.
This product is aimed at new monsters fans and or people who don't have any of the previously produced pieces. There are no currently available officially licensed life sized bust products of this type on the market. Its not intended to replace or better anything that's been done before, merely add to the pantheon of cool monsters products.
The message, reading these posts is that no new people should get into monsters, its a closed shop for established fans only. Pitchforks and flaming torches await you if you dare! (only kidding stop planning our painful and drawn out deaths) But seriously... you are saying if something has ever been done before you never want to see it again even in a different format or with a new twist?
We only have the license to produce replicas and replica type items... that's why we don't produce vinyl or figures. We would if we could believe us... but other people took those categories.
So no more life size busts of any kind is the feeling here then?
Barry
Quote from: Factory on July 17, 2012, 05:04:40 PM
Wow... thanks for all the feedback. We love to hear what you like and don't like and do listen.
But we should say this is not the response we are getting from customers , particularly face to face with people over the last 5 days at Comic Con where the finished product was on display and people loved it. People of all ages could not stop playing with it and many many people posed for pictures with it.
We wanted to address the eyes comments (hesitantly as we fully expect a raft of further vitriol) but here goes..
The Eyes. Yup they are stylized. But you can turn em off. They are not permanent and they are shut off with the flick of a switch, you can still play the sounds without the lights. When they are not lit up they are realistic 'glass' eyes in the correct hazel color to match Karloff's real eyes. As far as goofy they are inspired by artwork on the original posters where eyes do appear to glow, or one case actually have lightning out of them. Besides, put this in a darkened room like a home theater and turn em on and it looks brilliantly creepy. In all honesty you really cannot appreciate this item fully until you have seen it in the flesh.
Everything else is personal taste, you either like it or you don't. and that's fine. The base design is not something we just made up, it's inspired by the creations of the late great Mr Kenneth Strikfaden, which consisted largely of period scientific equipment, including wooden and metal panels with bolts nuts and rivets. There are no greeblies or detail on the sides or back as like a classical bust they are considered part of a 4th wall between the viewer and the piece,.
This product is aimed at new monsters fans and or people who don't have any of the previously produced pieces. There are no currently available officially licensed life sized bust products of this type on the market. Its not intended to replace or better anything that's been done before, merely add to the pantheon of cool monsters products.
The message, reading these posts is that no new people should get into monsters, its a closed shop for established fans only. Pitchforks and flaming torches await you if you dare! (only kidding stop planning our painful and drawn out deaths) But seriously... are you all saying if something has ever been done before you never want to see it again even in a different format or with a new twist?
We only have the license to produce replicas and replica type items... that's why we don't produce vinyl or figures. We would if we could believe us... but other people took those categories.
So no more life size busts of any kind is the feeling here then?
Barry
No, $500 for a product that isn't worth $500 is what the main issue is. Especially if you're catering towards new monster fans (such as myself), there is no way they would be willing to pay so much when there are much BETTER and CHEAPER options out there. I would MUCH rather spend $20 on the DST bank which has an alternate purpose then something that does not look that great, is about $400 over priced, and is from a company represented by someone with a very poor attitude when it comes to criticism as your post has indicated.
Our apologies you thought we had a poor attitude to your criticism. That was not intended. We value your opinion and are trying to engage in debate.
We were just a little perplexed at the comparison of something that stands almost 17" tall, weighs 20lbs and has electronics and complex paint effects with a small injection molded coin bank. The coin bank is a great product I saw it at SDCC and love it, but it hardly seems fair to compare it? Its like saying that nobody should buy Hot Toys 12" dolls because Hasbro makes 3 3/4 Inch action figures. Or am I missing something?
If you look at other life size busts , say Sideshow's current range I think its fair to say that our price point is pretty similar. Their cheapest life size bust is around $400 and the more expensive ones are over $1000. These products are complex to make and have a high cost we understand that. They are aimed at a certain kind of customer and are an informed purchase. Would be love to offer products like this at $100?... of course... but its just not possible. Nobody can make them at those prices.
Please let me know the other better cheaper versions of this that are available? I am not trying to be argumentative or confrontational, I would really like to know as its very important to us to be informed and I cannot find anything.
We are all big monsters fans, just trying to make cool products and this kind of fan feedback and debate is appreciated and very interesting
Regards
Barry
I Think Dr. Blasko hit the nail on the head. I don't think any monster fans here are completely opposed to repetitious items. If we were, we wouldn't even be discussing a lot of the new action figures, model kits, etc. I think the issue is the price. There have been other Karloff Frankenstein busts in the past that have been been a lot more reasonable, and thanks to sites like eBay, a number of the older pieces are still readily available. I think you are getting this kind of response here due to many people looking for something different. There are a LOT of different items and products that can be produced, I think a lot of us are really looking for something a little more outside the box. I'm sure some people are really liking this bust quite a bit, and at the end of the day it really does come down to a matter of opinion. But in a market that has a large number of people who have been exposed to other collectibles and model kits, if you are going to come out with a product like this and especially one you are asking $500 for it, you should really be prepared for a very high level of scrutiny on it.
Didn't Spirit Halloween do a full life sized Karloff Frankenstein with light up eyes last year for about 300? Albeit that one wasn't the best Karloff that I've seen, but it terms of cost, how can they do an full life size figure with light up eyes, moving head, and moving arms, and sounds for $200 less than a bust? I make a LOT of masks, busts, statues, models and toys myself with my own company, and I just can't see how you can say it's not possible for anyone to do it for less that $500. I'm not trying trying to call you out on it or anything, I just don't understand. ???
If you can sell this bust and make a hefty profit, I say, congratulations. I am not an expert, so I have no idea how many "new collectors" are going to spend $500 on an item when more established collectors won't bite, but if it work, it works.
I paid less than the asking price for a lifesize Frankenstein last year, though. And while it had issues, I still felt I was getting more bang for my buck. Its eyes lit up, it made sounds, it moved its head and its arms. It was cool. It required a repaint, but that wasn't out of the question. I was just happy to receive an animatronic Frankie. If I were going to buy a lifesize bust, I'd probably get one of the ones on eBay for $100 bucks or less. I won't pay these kinds of prices unless an item is exceptional in every way. Heck I even capped the new (and fantastic) Creature statue at a price less than this.
DST's bank is unique. It has a great sculpt, the proto paint looks fantastic (This could change), and it reaches a wide audience. I know I loved your Dracula ring. It was affordable and well done. If you want to aim for the latter day Sideshow types, feel free. But I know that I didn't support many of Sideshow's later efforts. But if that's the market you want, you can definitely try to go after it.
When you first came to this board, you asked us what we wanted to see. We told you. I know a lot of us were enthusiastic about your proposed dioramas, which you equated to a different take on "play sets." You say you can't do figures, but you knew you couldn't do figures then, but had figured out a way to make it work. Now, if they happened and were good enough, I may lay down a couple hundred on those. But we haven't seen them. But there's something new that we'd all love to see. So maybe fight a little harder to get those done. ;)
Price is the main reason I'm not interested (that and that awful base and light up eyes). Yes, your product is much more detailed than the DST $20 bank, but not $480 worth. People appreciate a break from over-the-top, "high end" items. Have you noticed the economy lately? I don't see why a low budget plastic or vinyl version can't be made for under $100 with no frills (light up eyes, base). I personally appreciate you guys taking the time and effort to make Universal Monster products, but you will have more success using Rubie's as a role model than current Sideshow or Hot Toys. You want an example of a good deal that everyone on this site loves? Try the Creature gravewalker ....$80 from Rubies. Near life-size quarter body piece. We can forgive them the eyes at that price. Please keep trying, we'll be watching.
It just seems rather odd to me to say "we're targeting new collectors" at the price point that only VERY dedicated long time fans would buy. People can SAY what they want about it, but that doesn't mean they will buy it. Even if I thought it was the most amazing piece I had ever seen, as a relatively new collector who is in college during this economy, there is no way I could justify the purchase. $100-200 I might, and others with full time jobs could certainly, perhaps even up to $300, but during these times, there is just no way. No the bank does not have as much detail, but it is priced accordingly and very reasonably.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on July 17, 2012, 06:28:35 PM
If you can sell this bust and make a hefty profit, I say, congratulations. I am not an expert, so I have no idea how many "new collectors" are going to spend $500 on an item when more established collectors won't bite, but if it work, it works.
I paid less than the asking price for a lifesize Frankenstein last year, though. And while it had issues, I still felt I was getting more bang for my buck. Its eyes lit up, it made sounds, it moved its head and its arms. It was cool. It required a repaint, but that wasn't out of the question. I was just happy to receive an animatronic Frankie. If I were going to buy a lifesize bust, I'd probably get one of the ones on eBay for $100 bucks or less. I won't pay these kinds of prices unless an item is exceptional in every way. Heck I even capped the new (and fantastic) Creature statue at a price less than this.
DST's bank is unique. It has a great sculpt, the proto paint looks fantastic (This could change), and it reaches a wide audience. I know I loved your Dracula ring. It was affordable and well done. If you want to aim for the latter day Sideshow types, feel free. But I know that I didn't support many of Sideshow's later efforts. But if that's the market you want, you can definitely try to go after it.
When you first came to this board, you asked us what we wanted to see. We told you. I know a lot of us were enthusiastic about your proposed dioramas, which you equated to a different take on "play sets." You say you can't do figures, but you knew you couldn't do figures then, but had figured out a way to make it work. Now, if they happened and were good enough, I may lay down a couple hundred on those. But we haven't seen them. But there's something new that we'd all love to see. So maybe fight a little harder to get those done. ;)
Thanks for the thoughts.
At the moment we have not been able to find any sculptors willing to take on the dioramas. The lack of reference is part of the issue. The other is the complexity in relation to cost. To get enough detail in we need to enlarge them to such a point where they become prohibitively expensive from a time and materials point of view. We can supply figures that compliment a diorama but they can only be included with the diorama. If there are any UMA reading sculptors out there who would be interested please get in touch with us.
Quote from: Mord on July 17, 2012, 06:29:22 PM
Price is the main reason I'm not interested (that and that awful base and light up eyes). Yes, your product is much more detailed than the DST $20 bank, but not $480 worth. People appreciate a break from over-the-top, "high end" items. Have you noticed the economy lately? I don't see why a low budget plastic or vinyl version can't be made for under $100 with no frills (light up eyes, base). I personally appreciate you guys taking the time and effort to make Universal Monster products, but you will have more success using Rubie's as a role model than current Sideshow or Hot Toys. You want an example of a good deal that everyone on this site loves? Try the Creature gravewalker ....$80 from Rubies. Near life-size quarter body piece. We can forgive them the eyes at that price. Please keep trying, we'll be watching.
This is very interesting thank you.
We are typically used to a much more demanding customer base who insists on a very high end execution, with our prop replicas for example. If I am understanding the feedback here correctly, price is the main concern. People are willing to forgive quality if the price is right? We are used to making a product for example that weighs 2lbs and getting 200 emails from people complaining that it should have been 2.3lbs or 2.4lbs, that's the level of specific requirement we are used to.
We are familiar with the Rubies item and the Spirit Halloween Store pieces. The Rubies piece is only made out of dense foam, its a Halloween yard decoration that will only be good for limited use. The foam will break down over time and is inherently fairly fragile. Its basically a latex mask filled with foam. But it looks good, no in fact it looks great. Is the general consensus of people here that this type of product execution is good.? Weaker less durable materials in exchange for a cheaper price.
The Spirit piece though looks terrible, its very thin vacu-formed plastic and looks nothing like any screen seen Universal Frankenstein I have ever seen, there is zero accuracy, (Its closer to Young Frankenstein, and that's an insult to Peter Boyle). It is a cheap Halloween decoration and was designed as such. What is the general consensus on screen accuracy over price?
How do people feel about limited editions and numbered plaques etc? These also add to the cost and in the end increase the price. Our Frank VFX bust for example is limited to only 400, that's all we will ever make, period. So all the tooling and development costs for it have to be recouped in that 400 piece batch as we will never get another chance as we will never produce any more. However if we made it open ended and kept making a few couple of hundred a year for years on end the price could come down significantly. Is the rarity and the limited chance to obtain one more appealing than a lower price?
Sorry to ask so many questions, its all very helpful/useful feedback....
Quote from: Factory on July 17, 2012, 07:44:34 PM
This is very interesting thank you.
We are typically used to a much more demanding customer base who insists on a very high end execution, with our prop replicas for example. If I am understanding the feedback here correctly, price is the main concern. People are willing to forgive quality if the price is right? We are used to making a product for example that weighs 2lbs and getting 200 emails from people complaining that it should have been 2.3lbs or 2.4lbs, that's the level of specific requirement we are used to.
We are familiar with the Rubies item and the Spirit Halloween Store pieces. The Rubies piece is only made out of dense foam, its a Halloween yard decoration that will only be good for limited use. The foam will break down over time and is inherently fairly fragile. Its basically a latex mask filled with foam. But it looks good, no in fact it looks great. Is the general consensus of people here that this type of product execution is good.? Weaker less durable materials in exchange for a cheaper price.
The Spirit piece though looks terrible, its very thin vacu-formed plastic and looks nothing like any screen seen Universal Frankenstein I have ever seen, there is zero accuracy, (Its closer to Young Frankenstein, and that's an insult to Peter Boyle). It is a cheap Halloween decoration and was designed as such. What is the general consensus on screen accuracy over price?
How do people feel about limited editions and numbered plaques etc? These also add to the cost and in the end increase the price. Our Frank VFX bust for example is limited to only 400, that's all we will ever make, period. So all the tooling and development costs for it have to be recouped in that 400 piece batch as we will never get another chance as we will never produce any more. However if we made it open ended and kept making a few couple of hundred a year for years on end the price could come down significantly. Is the rarity and the limited chance to obtain one more appealing than a lower price?
Sorry to ask so many questions, its all very helpful/useful feedback....
I don't think you really understand it. The issue isn't price vs. screen accuracy or even quality. If its low quality with a low price tag, that's fine. If its high quality with a high price tag, that's fine. But when its low quality as we're seeing here with a price that belongs on a MUCH higher quality piece, there is an obvious disconnect.
Call me crazy, but I like it. I think it's cool. I'd love to see a Bride of Frankenstein companion piece. IMO (please don't hurt me for it) I think it looks like you'd get what you pay for. I'd love to have it.
Having said all that, I won't be buying it because I'm Po'.
Quote from: Universal_Adam on July 17, 2012, 08:29:48 PM
Call me crazy, but I like it. I think it's cool. I'd love to see a Bride of Frankenstein companion piece. IMO (please don't hurt me for it) I think it looks like you'd get what you pay for. I'd love to have it.
Having said all that, I won't be buying it because I'm Po'.
Its fair. Like I said before, I don't think its bad really, but to me, it doesn't seem to be worth $500 when there are other more affordable pieces available. Now, if it were $500 for the monster AND the Bride, I would be more than willing to admit it was a fair price.
Wow, I'm pretty amazed at some of the back-and-forth going on here. It's an interesting situation, for sure.
Regarding this particular piece, I'll just say it's not something I'd be interested in. I don't have the space to display it, it's too expensive for what I can afford right now, and the design just doesn't appeal to me. I'm not saying that I think it won't appeal to OTHER collectors, though. Especially if Factory is getting a positive response at shows and from emails.
That it doesn't appeal to a lot of collectors on the UMA seems obvious. Going back to when the piece was first announced, there was a lot of criticism of it. Some was constructive, some just seemed to be bashing for the sake of bashing.
I know that not every Universal Monsters piece Factory makes will be something I want to buy. They're allowed to make stuff I don't want or like. I didn't like or buy everything that Sideshow put out, either.
I don't believe Factory put out a piece they didn't think would appeal to anyone. But, not every piece is going to be a homerun. If they get stuck with unsold VFX Frankensteins, then they'll know it was a misfire. Honestly, I could see a similar bust of Karloff as Ardeth Bey in "The Mummy"-- complete with glowing eyes, as they did in the film-- doing quite well. So, we'll just have to see. Meanwhile, they have other pieces in the works that, I think, a lot of us will be more receptive to.
Quote from: Count_Zirock on July 17, 2012, 08:44:28 PM
Wow, I'm pretty amazed at some of the back-and-forth going on here. It's an interesting situation, for sure.
Regarding this particular piece, I'll just say it's not something I'd be interested in. I don't have the space to display it, it's too expensive for what I can afford right now, and the design just doesn't appeal to me. I'm not saying that I think it won't appeal to OTHER collectors, though. Especially if Factory is getting a positive response at shows and from emails.
That it doesn't appeal to a lot of collectors on the UMA seems obvious. Going back to when the piece was first announced, there was a lot of criticism of it. Some was constructive, some just seemed to be bashing for the sake of bashing.
I know that not every Universal Monsters piece Factory makes will be something I want to buy. They're allowed to make stuff I don't want or like. I didn't like or buy everything that Sideshow put out, either.
I don't believe Factory put out a piece they didn't think would appeal to anyone. But, not every piece is going to be a homerun. If they get stuck with unsold VFX Frankensteins, then they'll know it was a misfire. Honestly, I could see a similar bust of Karloff as Ardeth Bey in "The Mummy"-- complete with glowing eyes, as they did in the film-- doing quite well. So, we'll just have to see. Meanwhile, they have other pieces in the works that, I think, a lot of us will be more receptive to.
Ooh, now THAT would be cool, as long as the price is right.
The Creature piece from Rubies is actually considerably better then you are giving it credit for. None of it is latex and is a VERY durable piece. I own one and there is no doubt this thing will last for a LONG while. As I said, the Spirit Frankenstein is no winner either, but none the less, I just can't see the $500 in this piece. It has nothing to do with weight, or production material. I don't really care WHAT it's made of as long as it looks good. To me, this just doesn't look that good. It has a pretty basic paint job with a nice sculpt (no argument with the likeness, you got Karloff spot on sculpting wise!) but things like the stitches on the scar are kinda odd. I'm not saying that you have a terrible product, like was stated earlier, it's just hard to see $500 in it.
As far as sculpting on the diorama figures goes, have you ever considered going the 3D printing route? I have done projects with 3D models and 3D printing and for smaller scale items the level of detail and the cost effectiveness is MUCH better! Your ring replicas are beautiful and priced well. If you don't mind my asking, what is this Frankenstein bust made out of? Is it hand painted? Limited edition pieces never really do much for me, I don't really care how many there are, and if it makes it easier and more affordable, I would much rather it NOT be limited. Vintage collectibles weren't limited editions and they can be WORLDS more valuable than a lot of modern things that are limited editions. You can't force something to become valuable just by making fewer of them, there has to be a high demand for it first. If no one really wants it, you could make anywhere from 400 to 4,000 of them and the value won't change.
Quote from: Dr. Blasko on July 17, 2012, 08:35:42 PM
Its fair. Like I said before, I don't think its bad really, but to me, it doesn't seem to be worth $500 when there are other more affordable pieces available. Now, if it were $500 for the monster AND the Bride, I would be more than willing to admit it was a fair price.
In my opinion, I think the rep from Factory has a point. It's hard to "Get it" without seein it, live, in person..touching it.. etc. I could see how it could be worth that much. It's probably a fair price, but It's way out of my league. Especially since I'm about to be a poor college student. LOL
I think the Spirit Frankenstein is getting a bad rap. It's far from perfect, but it was the first time anyone had ever done anything like it. And a little bit of paint goes a long way...
(http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9626/dsc08208sz.jpg)
This why folks are having a problem. On just about any given day they can pick up this piece for 1/5th the price, and without the frills.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cineart-Frankenstein-Bust-1-1-/271019667660?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1a07f0cc (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cineart-Frankenstein-Bust-1-1-/271019667660?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1a07f0cc)
Hey I just sold one of those a few weeks ago for like 50.00 :laugh:
Quote from: Universal_Adam on July 18, 2012, 09:04:31 AM
Hey I just sold one of those a few weeks ago for like 50.00 :laugh:
It was a little longer than a few weeks ago, but I bought one for $60.00, delivered.
I was also tempted to buy a Frank & Phantom for $110.00 BIN - but I passed and let someone else get them.
I know some people list these Spencers Gifts 90% busts for much more, $500 - $600. I think they are confusing them with the original 900 pieces limited edition 1:1 unpainted model.
Shop around, they DO show up, and at bargain prices.
Yeah I had to research mine. The one I sold was the one from Spencers. It was really cool, and I liked it, but I don't plan on collecting busts, so I sold it and used the money to buy some figures.
For some people, I don't think the price is as much of an issue as the VFX features. Sure, they might be cool to watch and listen to the first dozen times or so, but after that? You've got a very expensive "novelty item" that, after all your friends and relatives have played with it a few times, the novelty has warn off. Also, as has been pointed out (repeatedly, ad nauseum), it's so very similar to the CineArts bust, which are still available on the aftermarket with some frequency. Perhaps if Factory had chosen the Monster's look from "Bride of Frankenstein"? Then, it would look different enough, and could have featured the Monster's actual spoken dialog as part of the VFX features.
Quote from: Dr.Terror on July 18, 2012, 08:33:34 AM
This why folks are having a problem. On just about any given day they can pick up this piece for 1/5th the price, and without the frills.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cineart-Frankenstein-Bust-1-1-/271019667660?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1a07f0cc (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cineart-Frankenstein-Bust-1-1-/271019667660?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1a07f0cc)
Bingo. This piece is the litmus test of similar Frankenstein busts. Keeping that in consideration, $500 is five times to much for a VERY-similar-but-inferior-looking Frankenstein head. Even then, I have never bought one of these.
Quote from: Monster Bob on July 18, 2012, 12:15:31 PMBingo. This piece is the litmus test of similar Frankenstein busts. Keeping that in consideration, $500 is five times too much for a VERY-similar-but-inferior-looking Frankenstein head. Even then, I have never bought one of these.
Now, I JUST MIGHT break down and spend $450 if they were to do a similar bust of Lugosi as Dracula. The glowing eyes would at least make sense (as they would on a Karloff as Ardeth Bey bust), and the lines of dialog and sound effects (wolves howling, bats flapping and squeaking, strains of "Swan Lake") would probably sway me. I have no idea where I'd PUT such a piece, but that's not a concern right now. After all, how likely is that to happen? It means Lugosi Jr would have to work out a deal with Universal, which he seems hell-bent on NOT doing at the present time.
The Cine-art busts are a perfect example of what I'm talking about. They offered at least 3 (maybe 4) versions of the Frankenstein bust. There was an unpainted resin kit for $500, a painted resin piece for $900, and the roto-cast vinyl one for $100. Same piece adjusted to the needs and budgets of the individuals. To answer Factory's previous questions a.) yes, accurate likeness is very important (you can produce a wellsculpted piece for the same price as a badly sculpted one b.) no, edition size is NOT important (sell as many as you want, as long as I get mine) and c.) certificates of authenticity double as toilet paper for most of us. I hope that was helpful. I'm sorry you guys took a bit of a bashing, but I really appreciate you communicating with us. I look forward to buying many of your products in the future. Hint: when in doubt, go with The Creature (no actor's estates and always the most popular in any Uni Monster line).
Quote from: Count_Zirock on July 18, 2012, 12:27:17 PM
Now, I JUST MIGHT break down and spend $450 if they were to do a similar bust of Lugosi as Dracula. The glowing eyes would at least make sense (as they would on a Karloff as Ardeth Bey bust), and the lines of dialog and sound effects (wolves howling, bats flapping and squeaking, strains of "Swan Lake") would probably sway me. I have no idea where I'd PUT such a piece, but that's not a concern right now. After all, how likely is that to happen? It means Lugosi Jr would have to work out a deal with Universal, which he seems hell-bent on NOT doing at the present time.
What is Lugosi Jr's Deal by the way? I mean..I know bits and pieces, but he seems very stingy with his father's likeness, and even sued Universal because of it?
Maybe I'm just different, but if MY Dad was famous, I'd be excited that people are still making figures of him several years later. I think it would be a good way of keeping his memory alive.
Quote from: Universal_Adam on July 18, 2012, 12:41:42 PM
What is Lugosi Jr's Deal by the way? I mean..I know bits and pieces, but he seems very stingy with his father's likeness, and even sued Universal because of it?
Maybe I'm just different, but if MY Dad was famous, I'd be excited that people are still making figures of him several years later. I think it would be a good way of keeping his memory alive.
It's all about the Benjamins.
Lugosi v. Universal Pictures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugosi_v._Universal_Pictures)
California Celebrities Rights Act (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Celebrities_Rights_Act)
Quote from: creaturerevenge on July 17, 2012, 09:28:24 PM
The Creature piece from Rubies is actually considerably better then you are giving it credit for. None of it is latex and is a VERY durable piece. I own one and there is no doubt this thing will last for a LONG while. As I said, the Spirit Frankenstein is no winner either, but none the less, I just can't see the $500 in this piece. It has nothing to do with weight, or production material. I don't really care WHAT it's made of as long as it looks good. To me, this just doesn't look that good. It has a pretty basic paint job with a nice sculpt (no argument with the likeness, you got Karloff spot on sculpting wise!) but things like the stitches on the scar are kinda odd. I'm not saying that you have a terrible product, like was stated earlier, it's just hard to see $500 in it.
As far as sculpting on the diorama figures goes, have you ever considered going the 3D printing route? I have done projects with 3D models and 3D printing and for smaller scale items the level of detail and the cost effectiveness is MUCH better! Your ring replicas are beautiful and priced well. If you don't mind my asking, what is this Frankenstein bust made out of? Is it hand painted? Limited edition pieces never really do much for me, I don't really care how many there are, and if it makes it easier and more affordable, I would much rather it NOT be limited. Vintage collectibles weren't limited editions and they can be WORLDS more valuable than a lot of modern things that are limited editions. You can't force something to become valuable just by making fewer of them, there has to be a high demand for it first. If no one really wants it, you could make anywhere from 400 to 4,000 of them and the value won't change.
Most of our prototypes are 3D printed, they have been for some time now.Its just so much faster and more efficient. Particularly when 99% of the sculpting is done digitally. But its not yet practical for mass production, the materials cost and clean up alone would be horrific. A diorama measuring 12" x 18" x 6" with several different components would cost $1000's, that's without any paint. The dioramas we are talking about are 'scene replicas', accurate representations of sets and key scenes from the films. They are complex and detailed. In order to get the scale right and have figures and components that are of a decent size to retain some level of detail they need to be around that size. The issue initially is the cost of hiring a sculptor to create the pieces, its a lot of work and the feedback from retail so far is that they are a niche product that will not appeal to a wide audience. So it comes down to economics, if you spend $1,000 to develop something that you only make and sell 500 pieces of that adds $2 straight away to the unit cost. If you make and sell 1000 that cost comes down by half. The second issue is that because there is little or no good reference it will take a sculptor many weeks of research and investigation to come up with everything they need, they will also have to create some parts where no reference exists, or where the angle is not seen on screen. This is a long complicated process and takes time. Time is money!
So dioramas are something we are still working on right now.
Quote from: Universal_Adam on July 17, 2012, 08:29:48 PM
Call me crazy, but I like it. I think it's cool. I'd love to see a Bride of Frankenstein companion piece. IMO (please don't hurt me for it) I think it looks like you'd get what you pay for. I'd love to have it.
Having said all that, I won't be buying it because I'm Po'.
Ha... if Frank is successful The Bride will likely be the next release. (pending approvals etc) We have done prelim work on a number of VFX Monster busts and have a line planned that will run for some time if they are something that sells.
Quote from: Dr. Blasko on July 17, 2012, 07:53:55 PM
I don't think you really understand it. The issue isn't price vs. screen accuracy or even quality. If its low quality with a low price tag, that's fine. If its high quality with a high price tag, that's fine. But when its low quality as we're seeing here with a price that belongs on a MUCH higher quality piece, there is an obvious disconnect.
What makes you say its low quality? Have you seen the actual piece?
Its the heaviest weight poly-resin material available, with an incredible level of detail in the sculpt and paint. It has real fake eyes. It has a very accurate sculpt. Its a genuine numbered limited edition , with a numbered plaque ( there are only 400 in the world, ever, when they are gone they are gone.) It has a velvet lined base, it has both battery and outlet power. It comes in a full color collector box. Its actually licensed, and official. I could go on an on. What things are you expecting that would make you feel its a higher quality? We are very interested to know as there seems to be a failure of communication here.
We get you don't like it, that's absolutely fine and you are 100% entitled to your opinion, its like art, its subject. Not everybody likes everything.
But to say its low quality? What is the basis of that?
Quote from: Mord on July 18, 2012, 12:27:29 PM
The Cine-art busts are a perfect example of what I'm talking about. They offered at least 3 (maybe 4) versions of the Frankenstein bust. There was an unpainted resin kit for $500, a painted resin piece for $900, and the roto-cast vinyl one for $100. Same piece adjusted to the needs and budgets of the individuals. To answer Factory's previous questions a.) yes, accurate likeness is very important (you can produce a wellsculpted piece for the same price as a badly sculpted one b.) no, edition size is NOT important (sell as many as you want, as long as I get mine) and c.) certificates of authenticity double as toilet paper for most of us. I hope that was helpful. I'm sorry you guys took a bit of a bashing, but I really appreciate you communicating with us. I look forward to buying many of your products in the future. Hint: when in doubt, go with The Creature (no actor's estates and always the most popular in any Uni Monster line).
Thank you this was very helpful. We except and welcome the bashing... we are big boys and can take it (we just cry alone at night in the dark ) :-)
The Creature will make an excellent VFX bust and its on our list, but a decision was made to hold off for a while as there is a fantastic Creature Maquette coming out from Toynami and a market overloaded with Creature product is a bad thing. Plus its huge and too many big items out at the same time is going to cause space problems, we have to give people a little time to excavate additions to their monster dungeons!
Quote from: Factory on July 18, 2012, 01:23:51 PM
Ha... if Frank is successful The Bride will likely be the next release. (pending approvals etc) We have done prelim work on a number of VFX Monster busts and have a line planned that will run for some time if they are something that sells.
I'd love to see some of the Prelim work. I'll bet they look really cool!
Quote from: Factory on July 18, 2012, 01:34:33 PM
What makes you say its low quality? Have you seen the actual piece?
Its the heaviest weight poly-resin material available, with an incredible level of detail in the sculpt and paint. It has real fake eyes. It has a very accurate sculpt. Its a genuine numbered limited edition , with a numbered plaque ( there are only 400 in the world, ever, when they are gone they are gone.) It has a velvet lined base, it has both battery and outlet power. It comes in a full color collector box. Its actually licensed, and official. I could go on an on. What things are you expecting that would make you feel its a higher quality? We are very interested to know as there seems to be a failure of communication here.
We get you don't like it, that's absolutely fine and you are 100% entitled to your opinion, its like art, its subject. Not everybody likes everything.
But to say its low quality? What is the basis of that?
You can make something out of the highest materials, if it still looks bad, it looks bad. Now, I'm not saying this looks bad necesarrily, but there is no possible way its worth $500. You claim there's no alternative, but I can go on eBay and get what quite frankly is a much better looking (which is really what is most important, I don't care what its made out of) for $400 less. It being numbered and made of lots of fancy materials doesn't make it high quality. Just because there are few of them, doesn't make it good.
Quote from: Dr. Blasko on July 18, 2012, 02:15:49 PM
You can make something out of the highest materials, if it still looks bad, it looks bad. Now, I'm not saying this looks bad necesarrily, but there is no possible way its worth $500. You claim there's no alternative, but I can go on eBay and get what quite frankly is a much better looking (which is really what is most important, I don't care what its made out of) for $400 less. It being numbered and made of lots of fancy materials doesn't make it high quality. Just because there are few of them, doesn't make it good.
I think his point was that these aren't cheaply made busts. Also, the fact that there aren't many of them isn't what makes it good, it's what makes it rare..and I guess more valuable? While 500.00 is a lot for a bust, I would be curious about how much it cost to make vs/ retail to get an idea of what the profit is for these people. I'm not going to hold making profit against anyone, because after all, they are in this business to make money. If I remember correctly, the rep did say that this is geared toward a specific kind of collector that is willing to spend that much. IDK. That's what I got out of it. I may be mistaken. Not trying to have my nose up anyones butt either. lol
Quote from: Universal_Adam on July 18, 2012, 02:25:14 PM
I think his point was that these aren't cheaply made busts. Also, the fact that there aren't many of them isn't what makes it good, it's what makes it rare..and I guess more valuable? While 500.00 is a lot for a bust, I would be curious about how much it cost to make vs/ retail to get an idea of what the profit is for these people. I'm not going to hold making profit against anyone, because after all, they are in this business to make money. If I remember correctly, the rep did say that this is geared toward a specific kind of collector that is willing to spend that much. IDK. That's what I got out of it. I may be mistaken. Not trying to have my nose up anyones butt either. lol
They said its for new collectors. And frankly, I couldn't see a new collector starting out with something so expensive. If you want new collectors, you release something "entry level", and that's hardly what this is.
Quote from: Factory on July 18, 2012, 01:20:18 PM
Most of our prototypes are 3D printed, they have been for some time now.Its just so much faster and more efficient. Particularly when 99% of the sculpting is done digitally. But its not yet practical for mass production, the materials cost and clean up alone would be horrific. A diorama measuring 12" x 18" x 6" with several different components would cost $1000's, that's without any paint. The dioramas we are talking about are 'scene replicas', accurate representations of sets and key scenes from the films. They are complex and detailed. In order to get the scale right and have figures and components that are of a decent size to retain some level of detail they need to be around that size. The issue initially is the cost of hiring a sculptor to create the pieces, its a lot of work and the feedback from retail so far is that they are a niche product that will not appeal to a wide audience. So it comes down to economics, if you spend $1,000 to develop something that you only make and sell 500 pieces of that adds $2 straight away to the unit cost. If you make and sell 1000 that cost comes down by half. The second issue is that because there is little or no good reference it will take a sculptor many weeks of research and investigation to come up with everything they need, they will also have to create some parts where no reference exists, or where the angle is not seen on screen. This is a long complicated process and takes time. Time is money!
So dioramas are something we are still working on right now.
Obviously you don't print each individual one that you sell. That would be insane. Not only would each print cost a fortune but it would take forever to get enough of them done to go to market with! The project I am working on now is a statue based on a painting, that single painting from that one angle is all my digital sculptor had to work with. he had the piece 100% finished in about 2 weeks time and it went to printing. After that I pulled my master mold from it and cast each piece in a high quality resin. All told, the finished statue will retail for about 90 bucks. My initial costs weren't cheap, but by keeping it affordable I can easily cover my costs and turn a good profit in volume. Unless you have a piece that is a guaranteed success, limiting yourself to a limited edition run is pretty risky for the reasons that have come up on this board so far. I don't want to tell you how to do your job, but it sounds like you could use some more creative sculptors and designers. There is more than enough reference out there to be able to pull together some amazing diorama pieces for a reasonable price. I know Department 56 did some really small scale diorama scenes a few years back that were pretty decent considering the scale and the technology at the time. Even if you went bigger than those a bit and did it in the 3 3/4 inch scale like the latest line of Star Wars figures (which are pretty darn nice and detailed!) I think there would be a pretty good number of people lining up to buy those! I think it goes back to earlier about looking for more products that are a little more outside the box.
Quote from: Dr. Blasko on July 18, 2012, 02:36:13 PM
They said its for new collectors. And frankly, I couldn't see a new collector starting out with something so expensive. If you want new collectors, you release something "entry level", and that's hardly what this is.
Good point. Or maybe they want RICH new collectors. HAHA.
Quote from: Mord on July 18, 2012, 12:27:29 PMHint: when in doubt, go with The Creature (no actor's estates and always the most popular in any Uni Monster line).
No actors' estates with Karloff, either. His daughter sold the rights to his likeness in all of Universal's films to Universal. That's why he's on the "Universal Monsters" logo now.
Quote from: Count_Zirock on July 18, 2012, 03:50:50 PM
No actors' estates with Karloff, either. His daughter sold the rights to his likeness in all of Universal's films to Universal. That's why he's on the "Universal Monsters" logo now.
Interesting! I didn't know that. Too bad Lugosi Jr didn't do that. Haha
Quote from: Universal_Adam on July 18, 2012, 04:28:11 PM
Interesting! I didn't know that. Too bad Lugosi Jr didn't do that. Haha
He really has no reason to, now that he has found a way to make money off of Dracula without Universal. Still, it would be nice... for the fans. THE FANS, Mr. Lugosi. The people who give you money.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on July 18, 2012, 04:49:20 PM
He really has no reason to, now that he has found a way to make money off of Dracula without Universal. Still, it would be nice... for the fans. THE FANS, Mr. Lugosi. The people who give you money.
You think at the very least he could negotiate with the manufacturers. Ultimate Warrior and WWE are on pretty terrible terms, yet he still had several Classic Superstars and Legends figures made because he was signed directly with Jakks and Mattel, respectively. Too bad he won't do something like that and cut out Universal if they bother him so much.
Quote from: Dr. Blasko on July 18, 2012, 04:55:46 PM
You think at the very least he could negotiate with the manufacturers. Ultimate Warrior and WWE are on pretty terrible terms, yet he still had several Classic Superstars and Legends figures made because he was signed directly with Jakks and Mattel, respectively. Too bad he won't do something like that and cut out Universal if they bother him so much.
He does. That's how we ended up with BROADWAY'S DRACULA model kits, T-shirts, etc, and DST Dracula figures that look like crap! For some reason, he dealt with Sideshow and Universal. Once that license expired, all bets were off. He's only got another 12 years to milk his father's likeness, anyway, under the current laws.
Quote from: Count_Zirock on July 18, 2012, 05:16:10 PM
He does. That's how we ended up with BROADWAY'S DRACULA model kits, T-shirts, etc, and DST Dracula figures that look like crap! For some reason, he dealt with Sideshow and Universal. Once that license expired, all bets were off. He's only got another 12 years to milk his father's likeness, anyway, under the current laws.
Ugh. I really want an accurate DST Dracula :/
Honestly, as I don't collect much made after 1973, it would take something really over the top to get me to bite, and another Frankenstein bust just wouldn't do it, esp. at 500 bones. There are so many other monster characters that have never been done or done as a bust, esp. at a friendly price point; why not do them? [BTW, I love my Creature and Frankenstein Gravewalkers (good example of low price for the bang), and they are durable as hell. They are not the type of foam that just disintegrates.]
Again, so many characters that have never been done professionally- the manimals from Lost Souls, Mexican horror classic monsters (like The Brainiac, the Robles vampire, and the Aztec Mummy), Kolchak, Rod Serling, Zombo, Count Yorga, the Columbia Werwolf, and on and on. You can only own *yawn* so many '31 Karloff Frankenstein busts.
Quote from: Monster Bob on July 18, 2012, 08:39:35 PM
Honestly, as I don't collect much made after 1973, it would take something really over the top to get me to bite, and another Frankenstein bust just wouldn't do it, esp. at 500 bones. There are so many other monster characters that have never been done or done as a bust, esp. at a friendly price point; why not do them? [BTW, I love my Creature and Frankenstein Gravewalkers (good example of low price for the bang), and they are durable as hell. They are not the type of foam that just disintegrates.]
Again, so many characters that have never been done professionally- the manimals from Lost Souls, Mexican horror classic monsters (like The Brainiac, the Robles vampire, and the Aztec Mummy), Kolchak, Rod Serling, Zombo, Count Yorga, the Columbia Werwolf, and on and on. You can only own *yawn* so many '31 Karloff Frankenstein busts.
I would love something with Serling, but his widow won't let it happen :/
Lugosi also dealt with Universal for the Neca Headknocker, the Jakks Pacific figure/dio, the Forever Collectibles bobble head, and the American Greetings talking ornament to name a few non-Sideshow items. Some were only a couple of years ago. Also, why does someone go on the "Modern Toys" section of this site to constantly state how they prefer the good old toys? After all, there is a "Vintage Toys" section.
Quote from: Mord on July 19, 2012, 01:41:17 PM
Lugosi also dealt with Universal for the Neca Headknocker, the Jakks Pacific figure/dio, the Forever Collectibles bobble head, and the American Greetings talking ornament to name a few non-Sideshow items. Some were only a couple of years ago. Also, why does someone go on the "Modern Toys" section of this site to constantly state how they prefer the good old toys. After all, there is a "Vintage Toys" section.
That's... a really good question actually lol Who knows? :P
Quote from: Mord on July 19, 2012, 01:41:17 PM
Also, why does someone go on the "Modern Toys" section of this site to constantly state how they prefer the good old toys? After all, there is a "Vintage Toys" section.
I suppose for the same reason someone goes to the Modern Toys section with no intention of buying anything.
Because it's there.
You could buy this bust and put KISS makeup on it. That'd be cool right?
Quote from: Universal_Adam on July 19, 2012, 02:10:07 PM
You could buy this bust and put KISS makeup on it. That'd be cool right?
FRANKISSTEIN LIVES!!!
I don't understand the comment about going on the "Modern Toys" section with no intention of buying. Seriously, what are you referring to.
Quote from: Mord on July 19, 2012, 02:31:30 PM
I don't understand the comment about going on the "Modern Toys" section with no intention of buying. Seriously, what are you referring to.
I intend on buying stuff, but not EVERYTHING, so I don't get it either.
Yeah, I think it was intended as an insult but I don't understand. For an insult to work, it has to be understood by the insultee. Try again.
Quote from: Mord on July 19, 2012, 02:42:27 PM
Yeah, I think it was intended as an insult but I don't understand. For an insult to work, it has to be understood by the insultee. Try again.
You smell funny.
Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha! /mandark laugh
Now, that works.
Quote from: Mord on July 19, 2012, 01:41:17 PM
Lugosi also dealt with Universal for the Neca Headknocker, the Jakks Pacific figure/dio, the Forever Collectibles bobble head, and the American Greetings talking ornament to name a few non-Sideshow items. Some were only a couple of years ago. Also, why does someone go on the "Modern Toys" section of this site to constantly state how they prefer the good old toys? After all, there is a "Vintage Toys" section.
That was during a time of relative peace between Lugosi and Universal. They even managed to create a great looking image of Lugosi as Dracula for paper goods. Then, as soon as Sideshow disappeared, that good relationship went away. I don't know the reason, I just know it happened. I guess the deal he brokered with them timed out, and he decided not to renew the relationship.
Quote from: Mord on July 19, 2012, 02:55:28 PM
Now, that works.Dude are we the only two on this site? I feel like I've been here all day. Remember the Wizard of Ed?
lol certainly seems so!
It's odd, it's only been a few years since Lugosi & Universal would at least deal with one another. Now, I guess we can expect 14 years of Broadway Dracula merch vs. Universal-licensed generic Dracula merch. I'd much rather see (and buy) a Carradine Dracula figure, or, in a pinch, Chaney Jr, than something that's SUPPOSED to be Lugosi, yet ISN'T.
Quote from: Count_Zirock on July 19, 2012, 04:07:26 PM
It's odd, it's only been a few years since Lugosi & Universal would at least deal with one another. Now, I guess we can expect 14 years of Broadway Dracula merch vs. Universal-licensed generic Dracula merch. I'd much rather see (and buy) a Carradine Dracula figure, or, in a pinch, Chaney Jr, than something that's SUPPOSED to be Lugosi, yet ISN'T.
Hm, now that would be interesting, and quite acceptable. I think the issue though is that even a generic Dracula still has a semblance of Lugosi, and that is what the mass market is aware of. Business wise, I get why they do it, but I would like to see at least one Carradine and Chaney Jr.
I totally agree. If they do a generic Dracula because younger kids don't know the difference, then why not an evil-looking Carradine Dracula. Collectors will know the difference (and the kids wont mind). DST did say they were trying to release the most screen-accurate Universal monster figures to date. That's a bold statement considering most of us have those beautiful Sideshow pieces. I do give them a lot of credit for the next two waves of figures (go Mr. Hyde!!!).
Quote from: Mord on July 19, 2012, 04:19:14 PM
I totally agree. If they do a generic Dracula because younger kids don't know the difference, then why not an evil-looking Carradine Dracula. Collectors will know the difference (and the kids wont mind). DST did say they were trying to release the most screen-accurate Universal monster figures to date. That's a bold statement considering most of us have those beautiful Sideshow pieces. I do give them a lot of credit for the next two waves of figures (go Mr. Hyde!!!).
Yeah, the next waves are looking amazing for sure!
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g107/backlotcharlie/DSCN4258.jpg)
I thought this was about the DST figures. Oh, oh...that's right. Oops!
Quote from: Dr. Blasko on July 19, 2012, 04:14:57 PMI would like to see at least one Carradine and Chaney Jr.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4174T1P%2BqGL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Quote from: Count_Zirock on July 19, 2012, 04:33:56 PM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4174T1P%2BqGL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
I meant from DST lol
That bust... yeah... still doesn't look that great.
*looks down*
FRANKISSTEIN LIVES!
Yeah, I still don't see Chaney.
Quote from: Mord on July 19, 2012, 04:41:12 PM
Yeah, I still don't see Chaney.
That's because you're not using...
(http://www.gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs/240029_o.gif)
IMAGGGGGGINATION
I'd need to be REALLY stoned for that to look like Chaney Jr.
Quote from: Mord on July 19, 2012, 04:53:20 PM
I'd need to be REALLY stoned for that to look like Chaney Jr.
How stoned for it to look like John Carradine? :P
Why modern collectible companies make limited editions? Besides to light a fire under collectors butt to buy it faster.
400 of something isn't rare or hard to get, or all that limited really. 400 is enough for almost every Uni monster collector to get one, if they wanted it. The Don Post Calendar re-issues were around 150 for the most popular characters, far less for others. IMO for something to be rare the known copies should be around 10.
Just a catch phrase(!), as isn't everything a limited edition? (like the "vintage" argument)
You can make ten copies of something only two people want and still have a surplus. It's all relative, subject to change according to the fickle tastes of the collecting community. There are quite a few people on this site dying to find a color DST Wolfman figure. Thousands were made less than two years ago, but you would think we were talking about an AHI Creature the way the demand is now. In a few months, they will probably be glutting Ebay with no takers.
Quote from: Mord on July 20, 2012, 11:48:25 AM
You can make ten copies of something only two people want and still have a surplus. It's all relative, subject to change according to the fickle tastes of the collecting community. There are quite a few people on this site dying to find a color DST Wolfman figure. Thousands were made less than two years ago, but you would think we were talking about an AHI Creature the way the demand is now. In a few months, they will probably be glutting Ebay with no takers.
If only I were so lucky :P
Quote from: Mord on July 20, 2012, 11:48:25 AM
You can make ten copies of something only two people want and still have a surplus. It's all relative, subject to change according to the fickle tastes of the collecting community. There are quite a few people on this site dying to find a color DST Wolfman figure. Thousands were made less than two years ago, but you would think we were talking about an AHI Creature the way the demand is now. In a few months, they will probably be glutting Ebay with no takers.
I have a color Wolfman. It's so pretty!
Quote from: Universal_Adam on July 20, 2012, 03:46:25 PM
I have a color Wolfman. It's so pretty!
I WILL END YOU!!!!
Hey, Blasko, I have one too. You're not cool anymore. You're banned from this site until you get one. Sorry, but we do have standards here.
Is the color Wolfman really that hard to come by? I had no idea he had become a rarity. Does anyone know why? I have all the Diamon Select figures in both color and black and white (which ones were done in black and white so far...) and I had no idea they were that rare.
We should start a club of people who have the Color Wolfman and not let Blasko in. Neener neener :P
How about people who don't have the DST color Wolf Man because they didn't want it to begin with?
Quote from: Count_Zirock on July 20, 2012, 10:23:30 PM
How about people who don't have the DST color Wolf Man because they didn't want it to begin with?
That can be a club too.
Quote from: creaturerevenge on July 20, 2012, 09:08:18 PM
Is the color Wolfman really that hard to come by? I had no idea he had become a rarity. Does anyone know why? I have all the Diamon Select figures in both color and black and white (which ones were done in black and white so far...) and I had no idea they were that rare.
In a few months, they won't be.
Quote from: aura of foreboding on July 20, 2012, 10:48:06 PM
In a few months, they won't be.
My God I hope you're right. It really is the strangest thing, because I don't understand why its just THAT figure everyone is having trouble finding. Everything else I have had ZERO issues with. Minimates, retros, all the other selects, but this ONE friggin' figure.... ARGH!
Quote from: Mord on July 20, 2012, 11:48:25 AM
You can make ten copies of something only two people want and still have a surplus. It's all relative, subject to change according to the fickle tastes of the collecting community. There are quite a few people on this site dying to find a color DST Wolfman figure. Thousands were made less than two years ago, but you would think we were talking about an AHI Creature the way the demand is now. In a few months, they will probably be glutting Ebay with no takers.
I've noticed this happening with alot of modern toys. For instance I was getting into the GI joe sized Marvel Universe and could not find Vision. I saw on ebay how crazy the prices were for such a mass produced item. I went so for as contacting Hasbro and they said the same amount were produced as much as any other MU figure for the most part. And he's required to make a classic Avengers set, So I can see how not finding a Wolfman is frustrating when I'll bet a bunch are sitting in a TRU warehouse somewhere.
Some dealers do horde a specific figure to artificially create demand. They then start showing up at ridiculous prices on E-bay. At first, people (like our poor, frustrated Blasko) will pay up. A few months later, a glut of said figure will start to appear, automatically lowering prices. I don't know how or why this happens, but it does.
Quote from: Mord on July 21, 2012, 01:24:38 PM
Some dealers do horde a specific figure to artificially create demand. They then start showing up at ridiculous prices on E-bay. At first, people (like our poor, frustrated Blasko) will pay up. A few months later, a glut of said figure will start to appear, automatically lowering prices. I don't know how or why this happens, but it does.
Don't make me sound so desperate!
Now, if anyone has a color Wolf Man, I'll be in that back alley behind the dumpster. No cops.
Quote from: Dr. Blasko on July 21, 2012, 02:21:23 PM
Don't make me sound so desperate!
Now, if anyone has a color Wolf Man, I'll be in that back alley behind the dumpster. No cops.
I am thinking about selling my collection of my DST figures and just keeping the retros and MM. I'll let you know first if I do.
Quote from: Dr.Terror on July 21, 2012, 11:14:36 PM
I am thinking about selling my collection of my DST figures and just keeping the retros and MM. I'll let you know first if I do.
Thanks, it would be greatly appreciated :)
Just be sure to bring...
(http://i.qkme.me/35ze3t.jpg)
Wow, that's all?
Is my body not enough for you?!
A whole work day later... and that still pretty much killed the thread. ;)
Quote from: aura of foreboding on July 23, 2012, 10:52:18 PM
A whole work day later... and that still pretty much killed the thread. ;)
prrrrretty much lol
We didn't want to point out it's only worth about $27 in base chemicals. Since you're in college, it's a given that your organs are too far gone from alcohol toxicity for black market transplants.
Quote from: Count_Zirock on July 24, 2012, 12:16:57 AM
We didn't want to point out it's only worth about $27 in base chemicals. Since you're in college, it's a given that your organs are too far gone from alcohol toxicity for black market transplants.
Oh, cause see, I was just going to offer up my body for freaky sex, due to said alcoholism :P
And there goes another thread killing post.
I always wondered at what point the UMA would go all Craig's List. And now, we know.
Didn't this thread use to be about a head or something like that?
Quote from: Monsters For Sale on July 24, 2012, 01:23:41 AM
Didn't this thread use to be about a head or something like that?
I think it still is >_>
This doesn't have anything to do DIRECTLY with the Franky head, but just some observations on some other new Factory products. I am a big Beatles fan (in fact, me and my fiance are having a Yellow Submarine themed wedding in September) and I just go their new Yellow Submarine "Premium Motion Figures" which are basically bobble heads, but only 1 have a head which bobbles. At first glance they were pretty nice, but the more I looked at them the more something irked me about them. Then I started to notice things like the submarine only have 3 periscopes (there should be 4), and on the Dreaded Flying Glove they made his striped base square when it has always seemed more round (arm shaped!), and all the bases on them have the Sea of Holes, but they never bothered to paint any of the holes black. None of these should be big deals, but what bugs me about them is that they are all things that could have been discovered by a 2 second Google search, let alone if they bothered to actually WATCH the movie. Albeit, in comparison to Franky here, they were only about $15 a pop, but none the less, is it really that hard to get something accurate? The majority of people buying these pieces are most likely pretty big fans of the film, and like myself are going to notice details with it (just like a lot of us on here notice details about monster stuff!). S little research goes a long way, and it just seems like Factory isn't really big on doing much research for some reason. Maybe it's just me, but it seems that if a company in the late '90s doing $10 toys can get it right, it can't be THAT hard to do.
Just become an Elvis fan.
Quote from: Scatter on July 24, 2012, 06:47:42 PM
Just become an Elvis fan.
If he had more than 2 worthwhile song I might :P :)
I hear they're gonna do polystone replicas of Elvis' fried banana sandwich.
It's going to be $600, the wrong kind of bread, and the banana is gonna light up! But act now because they are only making 500 of them!!! ;)
Quote from: creaturerevenge on July 24, 2012, 06:51:05 PM
If he had more than 2 worthwhile song I might :P :)
HARSH!! Hell, even the Beatles worshiped Elvis. ;D
Quote from: Mord on July 24, 2012, 06:52:18 PM
I hear they're gonna do polystone replicas of Elvis' fried banana sandwich.
Do yourself a favor and shell out the few extra bucks for the scratch-n-sniff version.
Quote from: creaturerevenge on July 24, 2012, 06:58:23 PM
It's going to be $600, the wrong kind of bread, and the banana is gonna light up! But act now because they are only making 500 of them!!! ;)
Sounds about right :P
Quote from: Scatter on July 24, 2012, 07:01:49 PM
HARSH!! Hell, even the Beatles worshiped Elvis. ;D
No argument there... Just not my cup o' tea... He does have a FEW cuts that I like...
Quote from: creaturerevenge on July 24, 2012, 07:09:04 PM
No argument there... Just not my cup o' tea... He does have a FEW cuts that I like...
Yeah, that's me and the Beatles. Mostly yawnworthy, but I like a few cuts.
Scatter, I'm saving up for the scratch'n'sniff, GLOW IN THE DARK, Sideshow exclusive, so there.
The Super Deluxe version comes with a replica prescription bottle.
I want a banana sandwich now... sigh...
Quote from: creaturerevenge on July 24, 2012, 06:42:00 PM
... Then I started to notice things like the submarine only have 3 periscopes (there should be 4),
Funny, the Olympics balloons of the sub only have 3 too...
(http://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/daily/intel/2012/07/27/27-weird-brittain.o.jpg/a_610x408.jpg)
It's really odd. There seems to be a trend to only put 3 on 3D physical representations, while the 2D versions always have 4. I wonder if it just looks funny and that is why they leave the fourth off?
The originally plastic model kit from '68 had 4 and the original McFarline toy had 4 also. That is weird though. i wonder where these companies are getting their reference from???
I have seen a number of recent 3D reps with 3, though. Perhaps they are just copying each other? :o
Probably they are just copying each others' mistakes, but where are the LICENSOR APPROVALS coming from? They must be as clueless as Universal is to the color of the Monster's jacket!
Actually, I just wrote a long post about licensing:
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=19222.0;topicseen (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=19222.0;topicseen)
Here's a review of the B&W version of this bust:
http://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_081512a.htm (http://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_081512a.htm)
George
Interesting read.
P.S. This thread will never die lol
I'm doing my share, let's keep it going.
"It's Alive!!!" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xos2MnVxe-c#)
IT'S ALIVE, ITS ALIVE, ITS ALIVE!
Lots of big photos of the color version on this site (Cool Toy Review):
http://www.cooltoyreview.com/Frankenstein_Monster_Bust_Factory_Entertainment.asp (http://www.cooltoyreview.com/Frankenstein_Monster_Bust_Factory_Entertainment.asp)