End of the PF dream?

[FlyAndFight]

The fact of the matter is that there is more profit for SS from the maquette line, period.

A fully sculpted statue requires considerably less R&D, staff involvement and materials aquisitions.

Sculptor sculpts - molds are made - statue is cast - painted by Chinese worker at factory. No need to hunt down different fabrics, designing of outfits, engineering of electronics, etc... It's simply good business sense.

What can be mind-boggling to me are the designs and/or the characters being selected. The whole premise of "spreading out the central characters in order to give the line longer legs" is a huge FAIL. These are way too expensive to expect the customers to simply continue purchasing pieces IN THE HOPES of FINALLY completing The Fellowship Nine, for example. It's fustrating to the point that people are losing interest and/or trust with any new line.

My interest in the maquette line is simply one of obtaining "particular" pieces here and there. I won't fall into the "Fellowship Nine" trap yet again. I have a feeling that Osgiliath Boromir (which looks amazing so far, by the way) will unfortunately be the Gondorian Pippin of this line. I don't see Fellowship Boromir being released.

 

[IrishJedi]

The whole premise of "spreading out the central characters in order to give the line longer legs" is a huge FAIL.

Agreed. I've always hated that approach in general. And in the case of Sideshow, it's resulted in every single line ending before all of the core characters were offered (SW 1:6 might wind up being the sole exception).

 

[JosephCPR]

The fact of the matter is that there is more profit for SS from the maquette line, period.

A fully sculpted statue requires considerably less R&D, staff involvement and materials aquisitions.

Sculptor sculpts - molds are made - statue is cast - painted by Chinese worker at factory. No need to hunt down different fabrics, designing of outfits, engineering of electronics, etc... It's simply good business sense.
... .

I was going to say something very similar when I read your post.

Moreover, don't forget they are charging for these maquettes almost as much as for PF...so it is all profit for them...

Very bad move IMO. The LOTR licence IS the one that fits the most in PF, and as someone has already mentioned, I foresee people losing interest in this line (which will eventually become more costly).

PS No Gimli in PF?!?: FAIL!!!

 

[LOTRFan]

Agreed. I've always hated that approach in general. And in the case of Sideshow, it's resulted in every single line ending before all of the core characters were offered (SW 1:6 might wind up being the sole exception).

Yep, and many of us have been around long enough to know the writing on the wall when we see it.

 

[FrodoEyes]

I have a feeling that Osgiliath Boromir (which looks amazing so far, by the way) will unfortunately be the Gondorian Pippin of this line. I don't see Fellowship Boromir being released.

I agree, i don't think we'll see Legolas or Aragorn in 'fellowship' clothing either, and Merry might come in Rohan armour (i'd buy that) and would Frodo and Sam be in Fellowship garb either?

Anyway, i agree with Josh that they're a member of the fellowship no matter what colour underwear they choose to wear

 

[The Josh]

My interest in the maquette line is simply one of obtaining "particular" pieces here and there. I won't fall into the "Fellowship Nine" trap yet again. I have a feeling that Osgiliath Boromir (which looks amazing so far, by the way) will unfortunately be the Gondorian Pippin of this line. I don't see Fellowship Boromir being released.

Sure another crack out Boromir in his traveling outfit might be cool. As some have complained about already there is one of those out there. So this new version is just fine by me and I still consider him a member of the Fellowship either way.

 

[Entropy]

The fact of the matter is that there is more profit for SS from the maquette line, period.

A fully sculpted statue requires considerably less R&D, staff involvement and materials aquisitions.

Sculptor sculpts - molds are made - statue is cast - painted by Chinese worker at factory. No need to hunt down different fabrics, designing of outfits, engineering of electronics, etc... It's simply good business sense.

What can be mind-boggling to me are the designs and/or the characters being selected. The whole premise of "spreading out the central characters in order to give the line longer legs" is a huge FAIL. These are way too expensive to expect the customers to simply continue purchasing pieces IN THE HOPES of FINALLY completing The Fellowship Nine, for example. It's fustrating to the point that people are losing interest and/or trust with any new line.

My interest in the maquette line is simply one of obtaining "particular" pieces here and there. I won't fall into the "Fellowship Nine" trap yet again. I have a feeling that Osgiliath Boromir (which looks amazing so far, by the way) will unfortunately be the Gondorian Pippin of this line. I don't see Fellowship Boromir being released.

If you go into any Sideshow LotR line at this point expecting it to be complete one day or even just the 9 in fellowship garb, then you are likely to experience C.M.S., crying monkey syndrome.

 

[furystorm]

Personally, and I know many don't agree or feel this same way, but for me, I don't mind if they don't look as they appear while members of the fellowship. I'm also inclined to appreciate Sideshow's take of the "ultimate representation" of each of these characters as this line will be the only portrayal of each in my own collection. I like that Gandalf is a bit superheroic, since for me the figure seems to spawn memories of the entire epic in my mind. I'm hoping to be surrounded by awesome representations of each one day in a reading room enjoying the novels once again in a big comfy armchair. So far, the two we have seen look stunning to my eyes. Likewise for all of the sneak previews, sketches, etc. I only hope SS does not flounder on a likeness here or there.

Cheers!

 

[FrodoEyes]

Personally, and I know many don't agree or feel this same way, but for me, I don't mind if they don't look as they appear while members of the fellowship. I'm also inclined to appreciate Sideshow's take of the "ultimate representation" of each of these characters as this line will be the only portrayal of each in my own collection. I like that Gandalf is a bit superheroic, since for me the figure seems to spawn memories of the entire epic in my mind. I'm hoping to be surrounded by awesome representations of each one day in a reading room enjoying the novels once again in a big comfy armchair. So far, the two we have seen look stunning to my eyes. Likewise for all of the sneak previews, sketches, etc. I only hope SS does not flounder on a likeness here or there.

Cheers!

You should really look at some of the Sideshow/Weta statues. Alot are very affordable and can be got for cheaper than retail from Sideshow. The GTG statue is very iconic in particular.

 

[DaveMac]

I'm pretty sure on more than one occasion in chats and such they've talked about how hard the costumes are to make and that any item in this line is difficult to make.



Again, I think in Q&A and other items they've talked about how they want to do these figures.



That's still not a good enough reason really. Its a start but people collect other things and other factors come into play. Say they make 500 of each hobbit because thats what the polls say. However, crap happens and 150 people have to cancel. That leaves that many sitting around for a while. Thats not a good thing. and also the Hobbit 1:6th scale figures which are really damn good figures didn't sell well. The original statues sold slow the hobbit ones did.

Its a fact The Hobbits just don't go quickly.



Cause the PF line is one that screams for something like LOTR. I don't know if anyone thought some of these costumes would be this hard to make or getting the materials be this hard.

They have consistantly dodged the question 'Will we get a Fellowship in PF?'. I know you will defend them to the hilt, but you really can't say the constant 'we would love to do that' or 'It has been discussed' and other such vague reponses are answers to a simple question do you?

They WILL do it in this new line I don't doubt, but there is no way I would defend there reluctance to be upfront about the PF range and consider them collector friendly. It's a top of the range line and the reasons given for delay/ not viable Gimli is poor at best .

 

[DaveMac]

Personally, and I know many don't agree or feel this same way, but for me, I don't mind if they don't look as they appear while members of the fellowship. I'm also inclined to appreciate Sideshow's take of the "ultimate representation" of each of these characters as this line will be the only portrayal of each in my own collection. I like that Gandalf is a bit superheroic, since for me the figure seems to spawn memories of the entire epic in my mind. I'm hoping to be surrounded by awesome representations of each one day in a reading room enjoying the novels once again in a big comfy armchair. So far, the two we have seen look stunning to my eyes. Likewise for all of the sneak previews, sketches, etc. I only hope SS does not flounder on a likeness here or there.

Cheers!

You will get them all in this range. But the point of this thread is that SS may finally be giving an answer to the PF question

 

[Agent23]

Why do so many people claim that the p.f. is the "frontline" and "premiere" line of collectibles? Really? I never thought Frodo, Galadriel, or GTW were anything special (and yes, I owned all 3).

And let's face it. The LOTR p.f. line has never been on SS top priority list, maybe at first...but not now. I think this year alone there has been almost as many Marvel p.f.'s announced as there have been LOTR p.f.'s since the beginning.

 

[The Josh]

They have consistantly dodged the question 'Will we get a Fellowship in PF?'. I know you will defend them to the hilt, but you really can't say the constant 'we would love to do that' or 'It has been discussed' and other such vague reponses are answers to a simple question do you?

They haven't dodged anything. Those are the answers they can give though. They may for whatever reason not be in a spot to say we will do them for sure. Things happen and may cause them to not be able to come out and say YES or NO. They don't do really do that with any line.

They WILL do it in this new line I don't doubt, but there is no way I would defend there reluctance to be upfront about the PF range and consider them collector friendly. It's a top of the range line and the reasons given for delay/ not viable Gimli is poor at best .

I have zero doubts about this line seeing all 9 members of the Fellowship. Like I said they may not be able to come out and say yay or nay. Also they screw themselves if they come out and say one way or the other. No company is gonna do that. As far as not being collector friendly. Well, that shows you don't know what you're talking about in that regard.

 

[LOTRFan]

Why do so many people claim that the p.f. is the "frontline" and "premiere" line of collectibles? Really? I never thought Frodo, Galadriel, or GTW were anything special (and yes, I owned all 3).

Because that is how Sideshow describes them.

 

[jbinny]

Sculpt > Cloth

Maquette > PF

 

[Agent23]

Because that is how Sideshow describes them.

Well I just gave you three reasons I'd like to argue you with. Not to mention the Moria Orc debacle and the jaundice eye color of Aragorn (which they changed from the prototype).

 

[Agent23]

Sculpt > Cloth

Maquette > PF

 

[furystorm]

I'm in the sculpt camp, but can see the appeal of the premium format figures as well. For me, space is a major concern, and I always wondered about the longevity of the fabrics with regard to cleaning them, dusting them, and possible wear from light exposure.

 

[LOTRFan]

Well I just gave you three reasons I'd like to argue you with. Not to mention the Moria Orc debacle and the jaundice eye color of Aragorn (which they changed from the prototype).

I didn't say that they always come out of production like they are supposed to (they don't), I only said that Sideshow considered them to be their flagship line and has used comments like "pull out all the stops," etc.

 

[Blu Falcon]

I hear 'Taps' playing off in the distance...