Yavin Luke 12"

[Captain Faramir]

I do want to say that Rebelscum is one of the websites I respect the most. I am always amazed at how careful they are not to post things inappropriately, and I marvel at the refined level of discretion they always maintain. Dave, Rebelscum is a wonderful website, and I commend all the work that goes into it. Really, I do.

 

[D. Martin]

I just hope no one get in trouble for leaking the pic.

I wasn't going to comment about this, but I can't get it off my mind (and i should be editing Planet of The Apes pictures for tomorrow and not thinking about this), so I want to get something off my chest. i know that my opinion on this topic won't be popular, but I'm so far beyond the point where I would ever hope to win any popularity contests, so here goes:


I kind of hope they do find the leak. I hope the person who originated this leak does get reprimanded. Not because of why they did it (heck, we're all happy to see this image early), but because when people break the trust given to them by the smaller companies it hurts everyone in the long run.

In this case it hurts

a: SSC because it messes with their plans. Think about it. It takes about 6-12 months from concept to completion for them to make a figure, and beyond the sculpting of the portrait and accessories, there is the graphics work, all the back in forth with LFL for approvals, trips to China to get everything right, and more than anything else a lot of money invested in it. By all means, they have the right to be able to trust the people they provide early images to. They should be allowed to control the information on their products.

b: the media sources. Every time an image leaks, SSC (or any other company) needs to reassess the situation. This often leads to a newer level of distrust in the people they should be able to be open with. If media sources don't have access to information early, it is almost impossible to provide quality coverage (though, as Jason stated earlier, most "media sources" out there are simply cutting and pasting as opposed to legitimately covering something, and where I come from that's plagiarism. (if you are going to cut and paste, you MUST state your source. Simple as that. Anything less is not journalism and doesn't deserve the audience it gets)

c: the buyers. You and me. We get hurt by it because we are cheated the proper preview hype these pieces deserve. Remember the Luke teaser? That was exciting! Remember the Anakin preview image? That was --at that point-- the coolest moment in modern Star Wars collecting. Then what about Obi-Wan? who didn't crap their proverbial pants with that teaser? This leaked image robbed us of the thrill we, as Sideshow Freaks, should be able to have.


All that said, I enjoyed seeing this image as much as all of you, but I still wish we got to see it as SSC had spent months planning it to be seen. So yeah, I hope they find the leak. This year we were robbed of Bubo, PF Maul, and now Yavin Luke. Thank god we got to enjoy ANH Leia the way we were supposed to.

 

[Captain Faramir]

Amen, Dave. Amen.

 

[nash]

lol typical.

 

[dekadentdave]

Dave, how do you know that the leak wasn't intentional by SS marketing themselves? I've seen companies do this sort of thing to gauge interest and reaction to certain products. Even LucasFilm itself has leaked images to the public during production, some of them were controlled I'll admit but others were leaked under the guise that they were not to be leaked in order to gauge fan reactions. The fact is that you cannot be certain and if Sideshow does not want certain things revealed it is up to them to contact the system administrators to remove said images. So far they seem to have no objections or else Darklord Dave would have received a "friendly" e-mail asking to remove them. Of course, now that the cat's out of the bag, the lid's been blown off so they probably don't care anymore since most of the newsletter subscribers will see them for the first time in the newsletter.

 

[Darklord Dave]

I'll start off with - "nothing is ever leaked on purpose". But IF something was leaked on purpose - there would be a PURPOSE to it. This kind of thing does far more damage than it could possibly help them.

And I would agree with Dave@RS that it's far more interesting to see things unfold as planned.

I'm just a little curious - what retailers got this image early? Isn't this an exclusive to be sold only to attendees and newsletter subscribers?

 

[dekadentdave]

what retailers got this image early? Isn't this an exclusive to be sold only to attendees and newsletter subscribers?

Exactly. It had to be internal. And believe me, I know how sneaky marketing tactics can be. They like to generate buzz and hype around a product and revealing something like this, before it's official, only helps to generate enthusiasm and interest in their product. It only helps them to generate more sales and that is the intent and purpose.

 

[jedibear]

here, here Dave.

Frankly I'm surprised ANYTHING can stay secret anymore with the ole' internet...
...and while I agree with what you're saying, one thing Sideshow could do is just totally hold off images until they are ready to make them available...from everyone (vendors, news outlets, etc) or at least watermark them better or give each party a specific image (different background/pose/etc) to more easily track a leak...

Who knows? Perhaps one of the reasons they held onto this is that Lucasfilm could be trying to coordinate a news blitz of announcements and images to go with the 30 anniversary and/or the summer cons...and Sideshow, along with other license holders are along for the mandated ride...

Is is a drag to have the "fun" kinda ruined (but hey,,,I was right there in line for all those spoilers during the prequels' production years so...I'm not complaining so much as seeing the other side here)...it was a blast seeing that preview shot of the figure.

It really is a double-edged issue for Sideshow. One the one hand, it must be really great knowing there is so much fervor and interest in what you're doing...on the other hand, it's can be aggravating to have your carefully planned "moment" stolen from you...and that's not fun....

As for Lucasfilm getting peeved over this? I don't know...I'd think they of all parties involved, know how fervent and overzealous SW fans can be and will cut Sideshow a little slack for the leak, if it indeed is an issue at all.
I think if I were in Sideshow's shoes, I would have held off on the announcements of what the con exclusives were until they were ready to include images (even one of their infamous "teasers") with the announcement.

All the fuss aside....the figure looks great! Maybe Sideshow will share some of their own images with it in thursday's newsletter, now that the nexu's out of the bag...

 

[D. Martin]

Exactly. It had to be internal. And believe me, I know how sneaky marketing tactics can be. They like to generate buzz and hype around a product and revealing something like this, before it's official, only helps to generate enthusiasm and interest in their product. It only helps them to generate more sales and that is the intent and purpose.

I make toy commercials so I know what you are saying, and to a degree I agree with you, but there is one thing you forgot: Star Wars collectibles don't need leaked images, event mentality, or any form of marketing in order to sell. SSC knows that as much as anyone else with the SW license (though I think it took them a while to realize it), so there is no need. This image was far more damaging to their plans than anything else. (Imagine if the reaction was negative?).

if we were discussing anything besides Star Wars collectibles, I would agree with you 100%, but saving the debacle that was Ep1 merchandise, Star Wars has always proven to be able to sell itself.

 

[dekadentdave]

Yippeee!!! This is my very favorite Luke, next to Dagobah Luke. I love the whole medal ceremony scene - the music, the joy, everyone lined up, and Luke looked adorable I am DEFINITELY buying this one, and coming from me, that means a lot (I only have 2 other 12-inchers: Anakin and Obi-Wan)... I can't wait for you guys to see the sculpt, it friggin' rocks! :chew

Hmmm...

Plant?

 

[D. Martin]

All conspiracy theories ever got Mulder was a confusing movie, a platonic relationship, and an office in a basement...

 

[dekadentdave]

I live in a Tree House!

 

[D. Martin]

lol!

 

[darthCipan]

Amid all the furore of the leaked image, Luke is able to maintain his calmness, through guidance of the force, ready for the rush to get him comes Celebration Event.

 

[Sachiel]

here, here Dave.

Who knows? Perhaps one of the reasons they held onto this is that Lucasfilm could be trying to coordinate a news blitz of announcements and images to go with the 30 anniversary and/or the summer cons...and Sideshow, along with other license holders are along for the mandated ride...

There's supposed to be something on the C4 exclusives on starwars.com some time. From what Hasbro said.

 

[Darren Carnall]

I think this is a great figure. Even if it was a full release, precisely for the reason that it gives you the chance to make the very overlooked medal ceremony setup for your figures (you could make the steps, and have a Jabba like setup)............

or even something more simple like this......

If I had the money I'd definitely be getting this, because I think the above would be a VERY cool display to have, especially if someone made the steps.

 

[metaphorge]

And yes, there are nude photos of Bea Arthur out there.

They can't be any worse than the naked pictures of Dr.Laura....:emperor :emperor :emperor :emperor :emperor

 

[EVILFACE]

Was the gun always that big?

This is gonna be one sweet Celebration!

No joke. The monkey would be dead long before he could get it out of the holster.

 

[jason2885]

All that said, I enjoyed seeing this image as much as all of you, but I still wish we got to see it as SSC had spent months planning it to be seen. So yeah, I hope they find the leak. This year we were robbed of Bubo, PF Maul, and now Yavin Luke. Thank god we got to enjoy ANH Leia the way we were supposed to.

I agree with you about Sideshow has probably had to change their plans with all these images coming out when they arent suppose too. Not only for the ones you have mentioned but also for 12" Maul, Endor Troopers, and the chess table as well. Thats like 6 announcements that have got out before or pictures of them got out before Sideshow intended them to be.

 

[metaphorge]

The only way to keep a secret between two people is if one of them is dead. Or something like that.