MASTER REPLICAS @ Toy Fair 08

[antonydavanzo]

http://tf08.figures.com/showgallery.php?cat=818

Here is a link to the Muppet stuff at the toy fair....why MR pose their Muppets in such a god awful way is beyond me, even Fozzie looks a little off.

[Luke]

Lol, i know, you wouldn't think they were trying to sell these things would you, and at the most important toy event of they year. I would have thought it'd pay them in the long run to employ a Muppet wrangler for shows and photo shoots. So many of those guys are freelance now and don't have heaps of work on.

[MWoO]

I think Kermit ends up all smooshed because so many people handle him. The others don't get messed up as much but they still get crunched up a lot. The photo shoots, however, have no reason to be messed up. I mean, if you are selling photo poser replicas you would think you'd make sure to photograph them well.

The EM figures do nothing for me. The proportions are all off and really there is nothing too great about them.

[MuppetCaper]

I don't think someone was hired to take these photo's like a pro would. I think the purpose was to show other companies there products and get to man handle them. This Toy Fair was not for the public, so there wasn't no reason to pose them if you cannot touch them, or handle them.For examply, remember when Kermit was in a glass case, back then, he wasn't meant to be handle by the public, so this time around people all over the floor get to touch them and pose them just for the fun of it. :o




I would have loved to be there just to see Fozzie up close!

[frogboy4]

I am not seeing a clear feasible mission for the figurines. The likenesses are okay, but were handled better by Palisades. These appear to be more expensive and less dynamic.

The opportunity with figurines is to capture a moment in time. Animal should have one stick beating a drum, the other arm in the air, his collar shifted to the side, his chain and his hair flying about showing weight and movement. There's no purpose creating another passable likeness of him with a pink cotton-ball head and cartoony lidless eyes except for cashing in on the Muppet's name brand. Palisades, Sideshow and Master Replicas themselves have raised the bar higher than this so I don’t get it unless these are still being tooled.

Janice is the figurine that the others should be modeled after in terms of form and movement. She really shines here in likeness, fluidity and personality. She is beautifully made, but the others are faded facsimiles of better works. I was stoked about the prospect of these, but I don't get the purpose after seeing these pictures (whomever the photographer this time). I do like the correct coloring of Zoot. I noticed and dig that. :flirt: :cool:

In how these products (including the posers and figurines) have been marketed and displayed so far shows a lack of direction. That’s how it appears to me. I really want to like these. I hope Travis has good news.

I have said before (if fluidly sculpted) various kitchen rats, a couple Muppet monsters, Kermit on a bike, Rowlf playing his upright piano, Fozzie ducking a tomato and Statler & Waldorf sculpted in their famous balcony make more sense than these and would work as stand alone figures or arranged together. This is what I was expecting. There’s much more that can be done with a sculpt when the artist doesn’t have to factor-in articulation. The pictured figurines (except for Janice) actually bring less life to the design.

Added note: Their Gonzo and Animal posers were positioned well this time out. People seem to have trouble with the frog.

[TimmyMonsterIL]

I would have loved to be there just to see Fozzie up close!


How is this?

http://toyfair08.asmzine.com/gallery/corgi-international/slides/IMG_0883.html

:o ;) :super:

[antonydavanzo]

somethings weird with his face.

[Ignohippo]

somethings weird with his face.

It's the lower jaw. His bottom lip is way outta wack.


Dude, I gotta say, those figurines are not so hot. I was hoping they'd look close to the quality and feel of the outstanding WDCC figurines. The sculpts on these really don't have much detail or crispness and are much too cartoony IMO.

[antonydavanzo]

It's the lower jaw. His bottom lip is way outta wack.


Dude, I gotta say, those figurines are not so hot. I was hoping they'd look close to the quality and feel of the outstanding WDCC figurines. The sculpts on these really don't have much detail or crispness and are much too cartoony IMO.
Agreed, the bottom jaw is off and the eyes are not sitting right for me but this will all change (we hope)
Ill pass on the sculps........I have my Palisades collection and I dont think MR will beat them

[MuppetCaper]

If I am correct, these are not produced by MR. I know that MR is getting more towards collector toys than replicas. I also believe that they don't actually make these. They might have some outside company make these like Sideshow does with there Medicom line.

[Luke]

I don't think someone was hired to take these photo's like a pro would. I think the purpose was to show other companies there products and get to man handle them. This Toy Fair was not for the public, so there wasn't no reason to pose them if you cannot touch them, or handle them.For examply, remember when Kermit was in a glass case, back then, he wasn't meant to be handle by the public, so this time around people all over the floor get to touch them and pose them just for the fun of it. :o

I go to those shows all the time. The industry people don't bother touching stuff, its more they just look and people take photos for press. They would be better off having some kind of roped off themed display with some accessories because they'd look more attractive and the photos would look way better. Photos taken here end up in things like Toy News, License and other trade mags. Seriously, they need to hire a Muppet wrangler.

[antonydavanzo]

I go to those shows all the time. The industry people don't bother touching stuff, its more they just look and people take photos for press. They would be better off having some kind of roped off themed display with some accessories because they'd look more attractive and the photos would look way better. Photos taken here end up in things like Toy News, License and other trade mags. Seriously, they need to hire a Muppet wrangler.
Agreed with you on this Luke. If the pics are ending up in magazines then they should at least make the muppets look better, Animal looks like he just came out of the box:eek:

[MuppetCaper]

Agreed with you on this Luke. If the pics are ending up in magazines then they should at least make the muppets look better, Animal looks like he just came out of the box:eek:


But how many people out there other than us fans know how to pose a Muppet....not very many. So of course they are going to look odd or drunk like poor Fozzie. I wished I was there to help the poor bear. They could have at least put them together in a group and that would have made a world of difference.

[antonydavanzo]

But how many people out there other than us fans know how to pose a Muppet....not very many. So of course they are going to look odd or drunk like poor Fozzie. I wished I was there to help the poor bear. They could have at least put them together in a group and that would have made a world of difference.
hahahaha:) Fozzie does look like he ahs been on a all day bender!
Yeah a group shot would be nice.

[Luke]

But how many people out there other than us fans know how to pose a Muppet....not very many. So of course they are going to look odd or drunk like poor Fozzie.

In New York? There are loads of ex-Henson workshop puppet wranglers with little work. Some went to Puppet Heap, some are freelance or working with other companies. Probably wouldn't even be much money for an hours work setting up a display. Probably about $100 or less to get someone to come in and do it, but it could be worth so much more to them in sales or publicity from it. People generally don't touch stuff at these booths unless they ask first, and even then theyre really there more to discuss deals.

[Blinky_Fish]

I am not seeing a clear feasible mission for the figurines. The likenesses are okay, but were handled better by Palisades. These appear to be more expensive and less dynamic.

I agree - I think that MR needs to go one step further than Sideshow/WETA and make ultra qwality figures in a fun, larger scale and familiar settings. More appealing,more personal and finally really a collectible. And my idea for the rats in every scene is key I might add...



... how these products (including the posers and figurines) have been marketed and displayed so far shows a lack of direction. That’s how it appears to me. I really want to like these. I hope Travis has good news.

I think Travis will fight the good fight for us all - I believe in him and he IS the ultimate Muppet fan - Ed might argue that fact but I envy Travis for more than his collection, he is doing it. - But It's halftime now... I say that accountability on the last release - Gonzo - needs to be addressed accordingly - Weather by going easy on us in pricing for a future issue or some other effort.

I also agree - These need to be treated like the SW line. Accurate replicas or stop defining them as replicas. I really think the compromise with the nose will stick with the line. And in the end we will see how that effects it's future. It's not like a 4" plastic figure that you can rerelease in another line - this is it. end of the line. So - Buy 'em to keep the line going - keep the landfill blue weirdo free... Let's see the Bear (QWALITY PITCHA'S) and hear something soon about him.:wisdom:

[frogboy4]

I agree - I think that MR needs to go one step further than Sideshow/WETA and make ultra qwality figures in a fun, larger scale and familiar settings. More appealing,more personal and finally really a collectible. And my idea for the rats in every scene is key I might add...

I think Travis will fight the good fight for us all - I believe in him and he IS the ultimate Muppet fan - Ed might argue that fact but I envy Travis for more than his collection, he is doing it. - But It's halftime now... I say that accountability on the last release - Gonzo - needs to be addressed accordingly - Weather by going easy on us in pricing for a future issue or some other effort.

I also think Travis will help boost the Muppet's momentum at Master Replicas. Your rat idea is really cool. Might I one-up you and say that each figurine should include a rat, penguin or chicken somewhere in the design or seperately added in the package.

I just don't get the relevance of these EM figurines or what they really add by way of design. I guess they are considered high-end because of their materials and pricing? I don't understand the selling point. As pictured so far these are not designed for my kind of fan. The speakers in the EM designs seem to be having more fun than the characters.

Things that excite me would be sets of bookends featuring Beauregard and George the Janitor, Kermit at his desk deep in thought or something of that sort. Just spit-balling here but the ideas really are endless! I really want to see stuff like that and hope this first round of figurines does well enough to bring such dynamic moments to us later.

[MuppetCaper]

Like I said though, I don't think MR is making these. I have a review coming up for there Nintendo products and I know that MR didn't make them. I believe that they are just carrying a lot of other companies products which is the Corgi side of MR.


But I am not really sure. MR seems to be going more toy collectables than replicas anymore. Which is sad to see happen.

[frogboy4]

Like I said though, I don't think MR is making these. I have a review coming up for there Nintendo products and I know that MR didn't make them. I believe that they are just carrying a lot of other companies products which is the Corgi side of MR.

But I am not really sure. MR seems to be going more toy collectables than replicas anymore. Which is sad to see happen.

If the MR name is on an item there's no passing the buck. They have say. To be honest, these seem like items that should be sold through the Disney.com store. After the initial sale of the Muppets to Disney the Mouse created a few products that directly reflected simplified versions of the Palisades designs. You can still find each of the EM Palisades action figures around online for twenty dollars or less. That's tapering off. Believe it or not the figures have never been more popular on the collector circuit. :eek:

[MuppetCaper]

If the MR name is on an item there's no passing the buck. They have say. To be honest, these seem like items that should be sold through the Disney.com store. After the initial sale of the Muppets to Disney the Mouse created a few products that directly reflected simplified versions of the Palisades designs. You can still find each of the EM Palisades action figures around online for twenty dollars or less. That's tapering off. Believe it or not the figures have never been more popular on the collector circuit. :eek:

I totally disagree. MR was selling Kotobukiya Star Wars Statues when they had there license, they did not have there name on them. Sideshow sells RAW figures from Hot Toys on there site and Sideshow make there own stuff as well. Other companies do sponser other companies products. It is very tipical for other companies to hold other product lines. It is not a matter of passing the buck, but they do get a certain percentage of the profit for carrying there line. I have worked for many companies that have done this in the past. It isn't suprising that MR would be any different.

[frogboy4]

I totally disagree. MR was selling Kotobukiya Star Wars Statues when they had there license, they did not have there name on them. Sideshow sells RAW figures from Hot Toys on there site and Sideshow make there own stuff as well. Other companies do sponser other companies products. It is very tipical for other companies to hold other product lines. It is not a matter of passing the buck, but they do get a certain percentage of the profit for carrying there line. I have worked for many companies that have done this in the past. It isn't suprising that MR would be any different.

These were advertised as being from MR in their newsletter. Pom-poms aside I still don't agree with the practice of any company passing the buck of responsibility and quality when their name is stamped on the product. Nonetheless we don’t know who proposed and designed the figures until Travis returns with news. I hope these are still in the working phase and that there’s good news for us! I’m always hopeful. I was surprised by these high-end valued Electric Mayhem sculpts after seeing Master Replicas' gorgeous work with the Disney property. :flirt:

[Blinky_Fish]

For Trav -

Hey - All of those 110% makkettes that were in Horn's office would make a nice collectible collection. Why not tackle that - Add a rat, chicken or pengiun and you have a top seller.:shifty:

[Rowlfharris]

Perhaps I'm just a pessimist, but these Toyfare pictures of Fozzie really worry me.

Its the mouth.

Not one single shot of Fozzie shows the mouth completely closed.

Terry's prototype from his original photos looked perfect, and it was partly because the mouth was closed with v slight overbite which holds one of Fozzie's common expressions.

We all remember Gonzo looked perfect in Terry's first shots as well.... Then came those shock pics from the Fair which for the first time showed the infamous sock nose. "Its just an early version, don't worry, more refinements will be made to that".....But weren't.

Kermit has a completely closable mouth and is perfect.

Animal did not, and it is a significant weakness.

Gonzo (I have read) also cannot completely close his mouth.

Somewhere along the development line, MR seems to have not made fully closing mouths a fundamental outcome for these replicas (or they decided to trade it off against over-thick tongues).

I just hope that Travis, or somebody at MR factory control, gets the message across before its too late for Fozzie.

Fozzie MUST HAVE a completely closeable mouth. It is an absolute necessity in order to capture his character.

I hope somebody on these boards can reassure us.

[Telly]

Maybe if they want to use such thick tongues, they could build a little indent in the top portion of the mouth?

[MuppetCaper]

According to Travis, Fozzies tongues is a lot thinner and this Fozzie IS Terry's first prototype. So mybe we will be lucky and have Fozzie's mouth to fully close.

[Luke]

I totally disagree. MR was selling Kotobukiya Star Wars Statues when they had there license, they did not have there name on them. Sideshow sells RAW figures from Hot Toys on there site and Sideshow make there own stuff as well. Other companies do sponser other companies products. It is very tipical for other companies to hold other product lines. It is not a matter of passing the buck, but they do get a certain percentage of the profit for carrying there line. I have worked for many companies that have done this in the past. It isn't suprising that MR would be any different.

It's Master Replicas who have the license, and they have announced them under their name so whether they outsourced the manufacture to another company is neither here nor there, these do seem to be Master Replicas products, it was even in their press information at Toy Fair as part of their Muppet range. I think if it was a case that the other company had the license and they were just distributing them they would have named the company when we heard about them.

[MWoO]

But how many people out there other than us fans know how to pose a Muppet....not very many. So of course they are going to look odd or drunk like poor Fozzie. I wished I was there to help the poor bear. They could have at least put them together in a group and that would have made a world of difference.

Well if the company that makes them can't pose them right then it sends the wrong message.

[Was Once Ernie]

Terry came on the board himself to tell us that this was his first prototype, which I saw at Comic-Con. At that time, his mouth closed perfectly, overbite and all.

As I said in another thread, if he looks thrashed now, or his mouth won't close, it's because he's been beaten up. I'm not concerned about it. I will be more concerned if we see the first factory prototype and his mouth won't close. THEN there will be a problem, not now.

:p

[Rowlfharris]

Terry came on the board himself to tell us that this was his first prototype, which I saw at Comic-Con. At that time, his mouth closed perfectly, overbite and all.

As I said in another thread, if he looks thrashed now, or his mouth won't close, it's because he's been beaten up. I'm not concerned about it. I will be more concerned if we see the first factory prototype and his mouth won't close. THEN there will be a problem, not now.

:p

OK Thanks.....as you say we won't really know 'til later when we see factory samples, but it worries me that by then might be too late down the track for substantial fixes to the design/shaping of the mouth plate/jaw area.

I'm just trying to flag this now as a very important outcome before it gets too late and the assembly line has already begun.

It seems to be a heavy compromise when 'posers' are being produced with limited mouth adjustment, when that's where the real puppets get a lot of their expression and character from.

Not being able to adjust the facial expression really limits their potential. eg. Animal is fixed in a permanent excited gape and cannot capture a quieter mood.

[Ignohippo]

I highly doubt we'll ever see factory samples. Proto 2 and 3 are being disected in China now. Once costs are ironed out at MR, I imagine they'll probably put him up for pre-order using this one as their sample. Just like Gonzo, we won't know for sure until we actually get him.

Knowing how beat up Trav has been on these boards, I'm sure he'll iron out every possible problem there may be with Fozzie.

[MuppetCaper]

I highly doubt we'll ever see factory samples. Proto 2 and 3 are being disected in China now. Once costs are ironed out at MR, I imagine they'll probably put him up for pre-order using this one as their sample. Just like Gonzo, we won't know for sure until we actually get him.

Knowing how beat up Trav has been on these boards, I'm sure he'll iron out every possible problem there may be with Fozzie.


MR has to show Disney a factory prototype for approval before anything goes up for preorder. MR has never used one of Terry's prototype as far as I know to sell a product. If that was possible, then Gonzo would have been sold out in a week. I am sure that when MR gets there final product out for preorder, it will be from the factory, and that will be the version we will be seeing being made. ;)

[Rowlfharris]

MR has to show Disney a factory prototype for approval before anything goes up for preorder. MR has never used one of Terry's prototype as far as I know to sell a product. If that was possible, then Gonzo would have been sold out in a week. I am sure that when MR gets there final product out for preorder, it will be from the factory, and that will be the version we will be seeing being made. ;)

Yes, that’s why I'm bringing the point up now at this early stage. Because there seems to be this jump from really nice Terry proto's, to Disney-approved factory product with flaws, at which stage it goes up for sale and the factory churns that version out.

It basically means that Disney, being the ones deciding what gets the green light, is not discerning enough to appreciate what should or shouldn't get approval. I'm sure MR and Travis would be as fussy as we are, but Disney seems to be clueless on details about the Muppets.

That’s not trying to bash Disney, its just what happens in a Mega-Corporation of that size. The people signing off on things are more likely to be executives or accountants than artists or fans.

(sorry OT) Speaking of Disney, why have they decided to make www.muppets.com (http://www.muppets.com) (Disney XD) locked out for non-USA IP addresses? Nobody outside the US is permitted to access the site; Why not?

[Luke]

It basically means that Disney, being the ones deciding what gets the green light, is not discerning enough to appreciate what should or shouldn't get approval. I'm sure MR and Travis would be as fussy as we are, but Disney seems to be clueless on details about the Muppets.

This i've heard is true, they don't seem to have much of an idea (as yet), although i bet they have (or will have) some Henson people who can consult, but they do seem to be passing stuff easily likeness wise but not material (as obviously they know about that stuff, just not Muppets). Not to say that Henson didn't pass some awful stuff too, but they were VERY picky about the higher end collectors stuff. I think Ken put some of the notes for the figures up on his site and they were so detailed.

As for Disney XD being locked out, its the same for all Disney brands. Its for copyright/country release schedule reasons - some countries have their own versions of XD.

[Muppet Loverr]

They need to start making PUPPETS!

[frogboy4]

They need to start making PUPPETS!

I have a hard time with the idea of anyone fronting a few hundred bucks owning an official Muppet puppet. I kind of draw the line there. I know that most of us around here would treat it respectfully, but I don't think others would do so. It's fine doing a smarmy parody with a half-a**ed or home crafted puppet, but not with one that looks so real. As a Muppet fan I'd want them, but feel that Muppet puppets would fall into the wrong hands. The YouTube garbage alone would sadden me. :sympathy:

And it could weaken the brand. I think Disney has it right on this. Wasn't the original idea for Kermit to be a puppet? I heard that he appeared that way at one of the ToyFares years ago. :)

[MuppetCaper]

I totally agree. I just think it is too risky and taboo. I mean, I would not want my creations (if I was Henson) to be original copies all over the world. As a artist and craftsman, if I knew that I created something that was my own, and another company comes in and makes copies of my original work, I would be really mad. There are just some things that should be the artist own work and personal. I am happy with just owning the photo puppets in all respect to Mr. Henson. :)

[Was Once Ernie]

I totally agree. I just think it is too risky and taboo. I mean, I would not want my creations (if I was Henson) to be original copies all over the world. As a artist and craftsman, if I knew that I created something that was my own, and another company comes in and makes copies of my original work, I would be really mad. There are just some things that should be the artist own work and personal. I am happy with just owning the photo puppets in all respect to Mr. Henson. :)

So, are you saying we shouldn't own Picasso prints or lithographs, or recordings of songs, because those are both copies of original artistic works.

If the owner of the property makes or authorizes to be made copies of said property, well, that's commerce. That's one of the ways that artists or property owners make money.

To me, it's silly to worry about what a few rotten apples are going to do. If someone really wanted to make a horrible video using Muppets, the resources are already out there. Look at that guy that sells his replicas on e-Bay and Amazon. I wish they'd license real puppets just to shut that guy down.

:p

[beaker]

Im not sure what in the world is up with creating an expensive high end market Electric Mayhem figurine set out of polystone...a set that will probably be like 100 dollars. Why not just make a version of the prototyped Electric Mayhem muppet minis?

And this is going to upset a lot of people, but I'll say it...

I've been an avid Muppet fan since the early Reagan era.
Ive seen virtually every image that JHC used the posable Muppet photos in, from 70's posters to 1990's paraody calendars to Milk ads.

And uh...those replicas dont look anything like what we see in photo posable Muppets. They look like stuffed toys.

Which leads me to wonder: Maybe JHC or Disney or whomever didnt want *exact* likenesses, and so there was a point to not make the faces look like real real Muppet likenesses.

Master Replicas has been wonderful in helping to re-excite the Muppet community where Palisades had to bail...

But upon looking at photos of these four Muppet replicas close up and from all angles...I just dont see the resemblence to the what we see in the calendars, posters, ads, Muppet Magazine covers, trading cards, etc

[MWoO]

You really can't call these stuffed toys. If you had one in hand you'd know.

Some people take bad pictures and it makes them look bad, but look at some of the better pics and you'll see these are replicas. Some people on here made Animal look spot on and Kermit as well and yes even Gonzo, despite the nose.

[Was Once Ernie]

I've been an avid Muppet fan since the early Reagan era. Ive seen virtually every image that JHC used the posable Muppet photos in, from 70's posters to 1990's paraody calendars to Milk ads.

And uh...those replicas dont look anything like what we see in photo posable Muppets. They look like stuffed toys.

I've been a Muppet fan since long before you were born. I think Master Replicas' Kermit is BETTER than some of the overstuffed posers that Henson Co. used. I've always hated those. And that Fozzie poser from Muppets Take Manhattan is horrible. I can't stand to look at it.

So, I take issue with your very premise. The real posers are all over the map as to likeness. I think these measure up and surpass some of them.

Even Gonzo, who I've been very vocal about disliking, is certainly no stuffed toy. Expensive toy, maybe, but I wouldn't call it a stuffed toy. It's lightyears ahead of any other Gonzo product ever made.

If you've seen any of Anthony's (KermieBaby47) pictures, I don't see how you can claim they don't measure up.

:p

[MuppetCaper]

I've been a Muppet fan since long before you were born. I think Master Replicas' Kermit is BETTER than some of the overstuffed posers that Henson Co. used. I've always hated those. And that Fozzie poser from Muppets Take Manhattan is horrible. I can't stand to look at it.

So, I take issue with your very premise. The real posers are all over the map as to likeness. I think these measure up and surpass some of them.

Even Gonzo, who I've been very vocal about disliking, is certainly no stuffed toy. Expensive toy, maybe, but I wouldn't call it a stuffed toy. It's lightyears ahead of any other Gonzo product ever made.

If you've seen any of Anthony's (KermieBaby47) pictures, I don't see how you can claim they don't measure up.

:p


I think that if you look at anyones pictures on here about any of the posers, it would make others change there minds! ;)

[MuppetCaper]

So, are you saying we shouldn't own Picasso prints or lithographs, or recordings of songs, because those are both copies of original artistic works.

If the owner of the property makes or authorizes to be made copies of said property, well, that's commerce. That's one of the ways that artists or property owners make money.

To me, it's silly to worry about what a few rotten apples are going to do. If someone really wanted to make a horrible video using Muppets, the resources are already out there. Look at that guy that sells his replicas on e-Bay and Amazon. I wish they'd license real puppets just to shut that guy down.

:p


....and I think you where missing the point on this one.

[frogboy4]

Im not sure what in the world is up with creating an expensive high end market Electric Mayhem figurine set out of polystone...a set that will probably be like 100 dollars. Why not just make a version of the prototyped Electric Mayhem muppet minis?

I agree with you on this point. I think there was a market for this stuff before Sideshow and Palisades, but these don't bring much new to the table but added expense. They are fair to good looking (except the Animal figurine). The items could get enough takers, but not as many as the other offerings you mentioned.


And this is going to upset a lot of people, but I'll say it...I've been an avid Muppet fan since the early Reagan era.
Ive seen virtually every image that JHC used the posable Muppet photos in, from 70's posters to 1990's paraody calendars to Milk ads. And uh...those replicas dont look anything like what we see in photo posable Muppets. They look like stuffed toys.

Which leads me to wonder: Maybe JHC or Disney or whomever didnt want *exact* likenesses, and so there was a point to not make the faces look like real real Muppet likenesses.

Master Replicas has been wonderful in helping to re-excite the Muppet community where Palisades had to bail...But upon looking at photos of these four Muppet replicas close up and from all angles...I just dont see the resemblence to the what we see in the calendars, posters, ads, Muppet Magazine covers, trading cards, etc

Woa! Eeek! Most of the images online are terrible pictures taken by staff photograpers treating each poser like a box of Cornflakes instead of an actual Muppet character with personality. The official photography flat out sucks! I wish it weren't so, but that is the correct term. I have to say that in all honesty and there's no reason for it. I wouldn't have bought Animal or Gonzo based on the snapshots up on MR's site even if I had Bill Gates kind of money.

That being said, mass production of a completely authentic Muppet is impossible, but I deem these as "limited edition commercial posers" that incorporate authentic or similar materials as production posers. There are some alterations that had to be made before bringing these to market - some I agree with, others I don't, and I assure you none were made to withold a level of accuracy. In any case, these really are not dolls.

:search: I thought Gonzo was "dollish" from the original photographs, but nope. He is a poser and a beautiful art piece. I get what you are saying and felt similar, but I don't think it can be best explained in words or even most pictures. You gotta actually hold one to get the full scope!

This is as honest as I can be on the matter. I do agree with how these companies (Palisades especially and now Master Replicas) have reignited the Muppet property in many areas. I see Henson trying to replicate that with MINDstyle and not quite hitting the mark. We fans don't need anything too elaborate - just simple products commercially available at reasonable prices. Heck, I'd go for some Muppet, Fraggle, Dark Crystal and Labyrinth PVC minis. There's some easy money there that keeps getting overlooked! :scary:

Here is a photo I just snapped of how my Muppets look at this very moment (http://wijitworld.com/stock_images/mupsandfigs.jpg). If you ever wanted an actual Muppet and have the opportunity to snag any of these I highly recommend that. :)

[doc hopper]

I've been an avid Muppet fan since the early Reagan era.

I've been a Muppet fan since long before you were born.

it begins.

[frogboy4]

Quote:
Originally Posted by beaker
I've been an avid Muppet fan since the early Reagan era.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Was Once Ernie
I've been a Muppet fan since long before you were born.

Quote:
Originally Posted by doc hopper
it begins.

:eek: I lived in DC down the street from half of Reagan's cabinet in the 81-82 Muppet era! WhaddaIwinnn? :confused:

[Telly]

I'd rather have the photo props rather than actual puppets

[Was Once Ernie]

Here is a photo I just snapped of how my Muppets look at this very moment (http://wijitworld.com/stock_images/mupsandfigs.jpg). If you ever wanted an actual Muppet and have the opportunity to snag any of these I highly recommend that. :)

I don't see how anyone could look at that picture, if they just came across it online, and not think those are the real deal.

:p

[frogboy4]

So, are you saying we shouldn't own Picasso prints or lithographs, or recordings of songs, because those are both copies of original artistic works.

If the owner of the property makes or authorizes to be made copies of said property, well, that's commerce. That's one of the ways that artists or property owners make money.

To me, it's silly to worry about what a few rotten apples are going to do. If someone really wanted to make a horrible video using Muppets, the resources are already out there. Look at that guy that sells his replicas on e-Bay and Amazon. I wish they'd license real puppets just to shut that guy down.

:p

I'm tempted to agree with that point. That guy is talented, but his sales bother me too. I just think that it's the difference in owning a film and television star or owning a life-size replica of him. I feel the painting expample is "apples and oranges" compared to this.

I can understand owning a Kermit poser, but I don't want just anybody to have one of "the" Kermits on their hand to do with whatever they please. You Tube videos aside, I do feel it weakens the Muppet brand to do so and takes something special away from the actual Kermit. Not that anyone could do what Jim did or Steve does with Kermit. When Disney bought the Muppet brand that's is largely the puppets themselves. It makes sense for them to protect that by not issuing authentic puppets for public use.

I'm surprised that more hasn't been done with the posers on You Tube. Don't want to tempt fate so I'll stop mentioning that now.

I don't see how anyone could look at that picture, if they just came across it online, and not think those are the real deal.

Thanks. I like the expression Bowie's Goblin King is giving Gonzo. :concern:

[Luke]

I don't see how anyone could look at that picture, if they just came across it online, and not think those are the real deal.

:p

I agree. Well done Jamie. Really hot pictures, as always! :zany:

[Bear Man]

Here is a photo I just snapped of how my Muppets look at this very moment (http://wijitworld.com/stock_images/mupsandfigs.jpg). If you ever wanted an actual Muppet and have the opportunity to snag any of these I highly recommend that. :)

Very awesome. Every time I see something like this I go to the MR site and have to remind myself I don't know yet if I'll have a tax return or tax bill!

That said, two pieces of (I hope) constructive criticism: first, try to have them all focusing on the one point rather than three different places (I know this is just random posig, but...) and second, have you tried seeing what the Frog looks like with his body more at a 45 degree angle, pushing his head forward?

[Was Once Ernie]

I'm tempted to agree with that point. That guy is talented, but his sales bother me too. I just think that it's the difference in owning a film and television star or owning a life-size replica of him. I feel the painting example is "apples and oranges" compared to this.

I have to disagree with you on this. As much as we think of them as film and television stars, they are actually only pieces of cloth sewed together very artistically. They are works of art in the same sense as a painting.

Not that anyone could do what Jim did or Steve does with Kermit.

This is the real relevant point. I have replicas of other famous puppets, but I can't do what their creators did, so I don't think it damages the brand. However, whatever their reasons are, Disney has no current plans to put out puppet replicas anyway, so we can hold off this discussion until, or if, they do.

:p

[beaker]

I've been a Muppet fan since long before you were born. I think Master Replicas' Kermit is BETTER than some of the overstuffed posers that Henson Co. used. I've always hated those. And that Fozzie poser from Muppets Take Manhattan is horrible. I can't stand to look at it.

So, I take issue with your very premise. The real posers are all over the map as to likeness. I think these measure up and surpass some of them.

Even Gonzo, who I've been very vocal about disliking, is certainly no stuffed toy. Expensive toy, maybe, but I wouldn't call it a stuffed toy. It's lightyears ahead of any other Gonzo product ever made.

If you've seen any of Anthony's (KermieBaby47) pictures, I don't see how you can claim they don't measure up.

:p

They are meticulously detailed, just facial wise they don't strike me as looking like the real deal. Hey just my opinion(and I have seen some of these up close)
Either way Im happy they've been made and have added to the muppet excitement.

[frogboy4]

Very awesome. Every time I see something like this I go to the MR site and have to remind myself I don't know yet if I'll have a tax return or tax bill!

That said, two pieces of (I hope) constructive criticism: first, try to have them all focusing on the one point rather than three different places (I know this is just random posig, but...) and second, have you tried seeing what the Frog looks like with his body more at a 45 degree angle, pushing his head forward?

That's the first thing I did when I took Kermit out of the box last year was to pull his head and neck forward and it still is. There's a comic shop in the city that has him posed so stiffly with his neck perfectly upright (like how Jim Henson demonstrated as incorrect in that video on YouTube). I see no issue with my Kermit's positioning. Maybe it's just the angle of the snapshot, but I very much like how I have the frog now and view the neck placement on my poser to be fairly accurate from the front and side views.

The body is another issue. I worry that pulling his body out at a complete 45 degrees could prove to put more wear on the poser over time with little real visual improvement. I have tried it and prefer not doing that. He usually doesn't look that way in full body poses anyway. The one thing I haven't tried with Kermit is posing him with a scrunchy face. I really don't want to tax the material any more than I have. Have you had any attempts at this? I am quite concerned about longevity. :)

I do like the idea of having the characters focus on one spot. That's my cellphone screensaver, but the image quality isn't the greatest. I'll snap a photo of that later. ;)

[Bear Man]

The one thing I haven't tried with Kermit is posing him with a scrunchy face. I really don't want to tax the material any more than I have. Have you had any attempts at this? I am quite concerned about longevity. :)

I do like the idea of having the characters focus on one spot. That's my cellphone screensaver, but the image quality isn't the greatest. I'll snap a photo of that later. ;)

I've scrunched his face a couple of times maybe, I don't know that it would impact on the longevity of the material that much, but I find that it takes so long for me to get the hape of his face right that I really don't like repositioning it very often. I'll play around with his arms and legs, but that face can be so temperamental that once I have him in a classic frog-like smile, I tend to leave him that way.

Can't wait to see more photos - really like what you do with these guys!

[Was Once Ernie]

That's the first thing I did when I took Kermit out of the box last year was to pull his head and neck forward and it still is. There's a comic shop in the city that has him posed so stiffly with his neck perfectly upright (like how Jim Henson demonstrated as incorrect in that video on YouTube).

I'm not sure that's as much of a problem on the poser as it is on the puppet. On the puppet, if you hold him upright, his head flattens out making him look like Kermit the Duck. But on the poser, his head doesn't flatten that way.

The one thing I haven't tried with Kermit is posing him with a scrunchy face. I really don't want to tax the material any more than I have. Have you had any attempts at this? I am quite concerned about longevity. :)

I've been afraid to do this, too. While you can get his mouth back to being flat, from the pictures I've seen, it looks like the red material on the inside of his mouth is never the same after it's been stretched that way.

:p

[Luke]

I think that if you look at anyones pictures on here about any of the posers, it would make others change there minds! ;)

I disagree, i think theres been a lot of fan pictures of these replicas that have been almost as bad as Master Replicas. There are a couple of people on here though who do understand how to pose a Muppet, how to position them, how to re-do eye focus, how to light them and yes, their pictures look fantastic, even near real Muppet poser quality. It isn't easy to do and takes a lot of skill - which is why i think people take issue with the work to be done on these. You see the pictures and think "i want that" and then you get it home and it never looks like it.

[frogboy4]

My attempt (http://wijitworld.com/stock_images/mupsandfozfig.jpg) at creating a poser common focal point. Not the best picture I've snapped, but fun. :o

[Telly]

haha I like how you have incorporated the Palisades figures with the replicas! I did that too. I had Kermit playing with the backstage playset. :cool:

[Blinky_Fish]

haha I like how you have incorporated the Palisades figures with the replicas! I did that too. I had Kermit playing with the backstage playset. :cool:

Phew!... I though you were going to say that you made a leather hood and chaps... That's Travis' thing:rolleyes:

[Telly]

:shifty: Haha Blinky! Well, I'd do that if that's what it takes to get Travis to get Rizzo into my house!