Mark Weber
08-12-2004, 12:21 PM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding our Sports figures.
Q: What's the difference between a "chase figure" and a "variant?"
A chase figure is a different version (the differences usually involve paint application, but could also be sculpt or accessory changes) of a regular figure, intentionally produced and generally released in limited numbers. For example, Nomar Garciaparra in MLB 9 was painted in his road gray uniform, but there are a small number of the same figure painted in the home white uniform. Those white-uniform Nomar figures are chase figures. All four figures in Spawn Series 16: Nitro Riders were released in both pewter- and gold-washed chase versions in addition to the regular fully painted figures. Almost every sports figure -- and a lesser number of non-sports figures -- has a chase version.
A variant figure is a paint or accessory difference from the “normal” figure that is often unintentional. Sometimes, these are production errors or glitches that occur at the factory and might be released into distribution before the mistake is caught and corrected. An example would be the Redeemer figure from Spawn Series 25 with different gradations of green paint on his wings or the Anthony Thomas figure from NFL 5, some of which had different colored mouthguards.
Q: Is there ever going to be a young guns/rookies NHL Sports Picks line with guys like Marc Andre-Fleury, Sidney Crosby? AND Are we going to get a "2004 Draft Special" Sports Picks released sometime next year (with Eli, Philip, Robert Gallery, and Larry Fitzgerald) kind of like you did in NFL 3?
A: There are no current plans to incorporate a new “style” of NHL figures into our line beyond the “NHL Legends” that are debuting this fall. That doesn’t mean we won’t make a figure of a rookie star – NHL 9’s Andrew Raycroft is a great example. The same can be said of our NFL line – we will take a flier on a rookie from time to time (Eli Manning) but there are no plans for another “rookie line” at this point.
Q: Is there any chance you can make a memorial Pat Tillman figure in the future?
A: We are very sensitive to both the collector’s interest in a Tillman figure, and his family’s sure desire not to see his name and story exploited. I attended ASU the same time as Tillman, watched him play as a Sun Devil and a Cardinal and had the honor of attending his memorial ceremony in Tempe. I think Todd would be interested in making a Pat Tillman figure (with proceeds going to charity) if the family chose to approach us.
Q: Would there ever be a possibility of making a variant or retro NFL figures with their college uniforms? You know a Hurricanes Ray Lewis, TCU Tomlinson, Marshall Moss or Virginia Tech Vick?
A: I don’t think we could ever “cross-pollinate” the NFL line with NCAA jerseys, but I’ve long been a proponent of an NCAA Football line. I think several of our NFL figures could be realistically repainted in their college uniforms. Like USA Basketball though, we’ve never licensed with the NCAA, so it’s unknown what that deal would/could look like.
Q: How come we always see second figures in the original pose (eg: Sakic NHL3, Sakic NHL5/Chelios NHL7 - Chelios NHL 8). Why can't you just switch the head onto another pose (with the same handed shot/figure size) so at least we have another pose.
A: Your statement is only partially accurate. Some “sequel figures” in our NHL line have been totally new sculpts (Peter Forsberg and the upcoming Mats Sundin come to mind). When a hockey player’s “sequel figure” is in our summertime Canada-direct line, it will always be a “head-switch” or a repaint. The Canada-direct line is made in lesser quantities than our other hockey lines, so original sculpting isn’t fiscally possible for a shorter run. In addition, we need to save some bodies for “head-switches” in the regular line, especially given that we are utilizing several already for the other players in the summer line. Some of it is a time crunch, too - repainting the Messiers, Roys and Sakics help make the line possible because they take less time to create.
Q: Has the idea been further discussed concerning actual benefits to being a McFarlane Toy Club Member? Can we gain access to exclusive figures sold at special events without buying a plane ticket or paying twice as much on eBay? I believe even if you required a small fee to join, that many would pay it if they knew that entitled them to special deals or exclusive figures otherwise not offered to them.
A: I’d like to do some sort of “wrapper redemption/flag point” system but I need to come up with a way that both openers and MOC collectors can get “credit” for their purchases before I can bring the idea to Todd.
Q: Any chance for Sports Picks of athletes besides the NFL, NBA, MBL or NHL? How about creating one line for soccer, boxing, golf or Olympics sports?
A: We receive lots of requests for figures from sports we don't currently manufacture. Our sculpting and paint departments in New Jersey are so taxed right now that I don't foresee us debuting a new line dedicated to another sport any time soon. If we can somehow lighten the monstrous workload our Design Group manages to complete, I could see us making a "mixed" line with golfers, tennis players, cyclists, boxers and soccer players all mixed together.
Q: Any chance TMP will ever come out with a traded or rookie series for Sports Picks? Lots of big-name players usually get dealt and signed each year, could be a good idea…
A: This summer's MLB 13 is our first line consisting of "traded" players and we are ramping up the production of Collector’s Club Exclusive figures, too. That’s an excellent way to get some previously sculpted figures updated to reflect a notable trade.
Q: Why has TMP made multiple figures of the same player (Tomlinson 4, Iverson 3,Pujols 3) when there are still a lot of other great players out there that don't have their own figure yet?
A: Keep in perspective that the majority of figure sales go to casual collectors. Has Dwight Freeney done enough for the Colts to earn a Sports Picks figure? Probably – but it’s a new version of Peyton Manning that’s going to catch the eye (and the wallet) of the average collector/sports fan. It’s similar to how the leagues market themselves – the stars sell. It’s the Mannings and A-Rods that allow us to make the Prince Fielders and Brian Westbrooks.
Q: What things are considered when selecting a player to be made into a figure?
A: Several things are taken into consideration when choosing a Sports Picks lineup. The most important aspect is the athlete’s current (and career, to an extent) level of production. Anyone can play their way into a lineup (see Jean-Sebastien Giguere). Other contributing factors are the team’s national marketability, the time that’s passed since we’ve made either that athlete or one of his teammates, the geographical breakdown of the rest of the lineup and much more. A group of people (including myself) give Todd recommendations about upcoming lineups and he makes the final decisions.
Q: What advice can you give to those looking to work in the field, namely the design aspect? Educational background? Portfolio? Work experience?
A: I can only give you advice from my personal history. I graduated with a Broadcasting degree and worked for seven years in the sports radio field. I answered a posting on www.monster.com for an open position with Todd McFarlane Productions. Nearly all our job openings get posted on www.monster.com. I think having experience in whatever portion of our company you want to help with is vital, as well as a clean and presentable cover letter and resume (that’s good advice anywhere).
Q: How can you call your retired MLB line the "Cooperstown Collection" when it has players in it (Don Mattingly, Bo Jackson, Roger Maris) who aren't in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York?
A: The term "Cooperstown Collection" is an umbrella licensing term that covers all uniforms more than two seasons old. Our contract is to represent the "Cooperstown Collection" with our line of retired MLB players. Though the line is populated chiefly by members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, you don't have to be a Hall of Fame member to be included in the Sports Picks' Cooperstown Collection.
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding our Sports figures.
Q: What's the difference between a "chase figure" and a "variant?"
A chase figure is a different version (the differences usually involve paint application, but could also be sculpt or accessory changes) of a regular figure, intentionally produced and generally released in limited numbers. For example, Nomar Garciaparra in MLB 9 was painted in his road gray uniform, but there are a small number of the same figure painted in the home white uniform. Those white-uniform Nomar figures are chase figures. All four figures in Spawn Series 16: Nitro Riders were released in both pewter- and gold-washed chase versions in addition to the regular fully painted figures. Almost every sports figure -- and a lesser number of non-sports figures -- has a chase version.
A variant figure is a paint or accessory difference from the “normal” figure that is often unintentional. Sometimes, these are production errors or glitches that occur at the factory and might be released into distribution before the mistake is caught and corrected. An example would be the Redeemer figure from Spawn Series 25 with different gradations of green paint on his wings or the Anthony Thomas figure from NFL 5, some of which had different colored mouthguards.
Q: Is there ever going to be a young guns/rookies NHL Sports Picks line with guys like Marc Andre-Fleury, Sidney Crosby? AND Are we going to get a "2004 Draft Special" Sports Picks released sometime next year (with Eli, Philip, Robert Gallery, and Larry Fitzgerald) kind of like you did in NFL 3?
A: There are no current plans to incorporate a new “style” of NHL figures into our line beyond the “NHL Legends” that are debuting this fall. That doesn’t mean we won’t make a figure of a rookie star – NHL 9’s Andrew Raycroft is a great example. The same can be said of our NFL line – we will take a flier on a rookie from time to time (Eli Manning) but there are no plans for another “rookie line” at this point.
Q: Is there any chance you can make a memorial Pat Tillman figure in the future?
A: We are very sensitive to both the collector’s interest in a Tillman figure, and his family’s sure desire not to see his name and story exploited. I attended ASU the same time as Tillman, watched him play as a Sun Devil and a Cardinal and had the honor of attending his memorial ceremony in Tempe. I think Todd would be interested in making a Pat Tillman figure (with proceeds going to charity) if the family chose to approach us.
Q: Would there ever be a possibility of making a variant or retro NFL figures with their college uniforms? You know a Hurricanes Ray Lewis, TCU Tomlinson, Marshall Moss or Virginia Tech Vick?
A: I don’t think we could ever “cross-pollinate” the NFL line with NCAA jerseys, but I’ve long been a proponent of an NCAA Football line. I think several of our NFL figures could be realistically repainted in their college uniforms. Like USA Basketball though, we’ve never licensed with the NCAA, so it’s unknown what that deal would/could look like.
Q: How come we always see second figures in the original pose (eg: Sakic NHL3, Sakic NHL5/Chelios NHL7 - Chelios NHL 8). Why can't you just switch the head onto another pose (with the same handed shot/figure size) so at least we have another pose.
A: Your statement is only partially accurate. Some “sequel figures” in our NHL line have been totally new sculpts (Peter Forsberg and the upcoming Mats Sundin come to mind). When a hockey player’s “sequel figure” is in our summertime Canada-direct line, it will always be a “head-switch” or a repaint. The Canada-direct line is made in lesser quantities than our other hockey lines, so original sculpting isn’t fiscally possible for a shorter run. In addition, we need to save some bodies for “head-switches” in the regular line, especially given that we are utilizing several already for the other players in the summer line. Some of it is a time crunch, too - repainting the Messiers, Roys and Sakics help make the line possible because they take less time to create.
Q: Has the idea been further discussed concerning actual benefits to being a McFarlane Toy Club Member? Can we gain access to exclusive figures sold at special events without buying a plane ticket or paying twice as much on eBay? I believe even if you required a small fee to join, that many would pay it if they knew that entitled them to special deals or exclusive figures otherwise not offered to them.
A: I’d like to do some sort of “wrapper redemption/flag point” system but I need to come up with a way that both openers and MOC collectors can get “credit” for their purchases before I can bring the idea to Todd.
Q: Any chance for Sports Picks of athletes besides the NFL, NBA, MBL or NHL? How about creating one line for soccer, boxing, golf or Olympics sports?
A: We receive lots of requests for figures from sports we don't currently manufacture. Our sculpting and paint departments in New Jersey are so taxed right now that I don't foresee us debuting a new line dedicated to another sport any time soon. If we can somehow lighten the monstrous workload our Design Group manages to complete, I could see us making a "mixed" line with golfers, tennis players, cyclists, boxers and soccer players all mixed together.
Q: Any chance TMP will ever come out with a traded or rookie series for Sports Picks? Lots of big-name players usually get dealt and signed each year, could be a good idea…
A: This summer's MLB 13 is our first line consisting of "traded" players and we are ramping up the production of Collector’s Club Exclusive figures, too. That’s an excellent way to get some previously sculpted figures updated to reflect a notable trade.
Q: Why has TMP made multiple figures of the same player (Tomlinson 4, Iverson 3,Pujols 3) when there are still a lot of other great players out there that don't have their own figure yet?
A: Keep in perspective that the majority of figure sales go to casual collectors. Has Dwight Freeney done enough for the Colts to earn a Sports Picks figure? Probably – but it’s a new version of Peyton Manning that’s going to catch the eye (and the wallet) of the average collector/sports fan. It’s similar to how the leagues market themselves – the stars sell. It’s the Mannings and A-Rods that allow us to make the Prince Fielders and Brian Westbrooks.
Q: What things are considered when selecting a player to be made into a figure?
A: Several things are taken into consideration when choosing a Sports Picks lineup. The most important aspect is the athlete’s current (and career, to an extent) level of production. Anyone can play their way into a lineup (see Jean-Sebastien Giguere). Other contributing factors are the team’s national marketability, the time that’s passed since we’ve made either that athlete or one of his teammates, the geographical breakdown of the rest of the lineup and much more. A group of people (including myself) give Todd recommendations about upcoming lineups and he makes the final decisions.
Q: What advice can you give to those looking to work in the field, namely the design aspect? Educational background? Portfolio? Work experience?
A: I can only give you advice from my personal history. I graduated with a Broadcasting degree and worked for seven years in the sports radio field. I answered a posting on www.monster.com for an open position with Todd McFarlane Productions. Nearly all our job openings get posted on www.monster.com. I think having experience in whatever portion of our company you want to help with is vital, as well as a clean and presentable cover letter and resume (that’s good advice anywhere).
Q: How can you call your retired MLB line the "Cooperstown Collection" when it has players in it (Don Mattingly, Bo Jackson, Roger Maris) who aren't in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York?
A: The term "Cooperstown Collection" is an umbrella licensing term that covers all uniforms more than two seasons old. Our contract is to represent the "Cooperstown Collection" with our line of retired MLB players. Though the line is populated chiefly by members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, you don't have to be a Hall of Fame member to be included in the Sports Picks' Cooperstown Collection.