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Ask Ken at Palisades
- Thread starter Cindy
- Start date
Crazy Harry
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Ken
When I asked if the Chef's hat would be removable, you said no. Now I read that it in fact will be. What happened?
When I asked if the Chef's hat would be removable, you said no. Now I read that it in fact will be. What happened?
Crazy Harry
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Works for me.
ResidentLilly
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Wow, what a day on the boards.
You may want to get yourself a beverage. This will be a long one.
There have been a lot of questions, crits, props, concerns and theories, and I will try to answer as many as I can remember here in this thread, because frankly it will be easier to consolidate this stuff here. I do want to say something. First, thanks for the cool stuff you are saying. Second, thanks for being extra tough on the figures. I mean that and I am not jerking you around. I WANT you to nit-pick. I NEED you to nit-pick. The LINE needs you to nit-pick. Way I see it is this. YOU are the most hard of the hardcore. The real test of the success or failure is the overall reaction to the people who frequent this place. And I don't expect or want everyone to agree with me or the "Palisades" line or anything else. Yeah I know it can sometimes turn negative...and it does bug me sometimes...but I don't think I would want it any other way. So say your piece. Say it with conviction. Even if it seems to be pointing out something that seems nit-picky. You'd be suprised how many times these comments directly influence the product development of this line.
That's why I am here. Make no bones about it. Yeah I like it, and yeah I have made some friends I talk with off the board. And yeah I guess you could say I have started to really become much more a fan of The Muppets than I ever was because of it. But the main reason I came here in the first place was to interact with people here so it would make the line better. And it has. And I have you to thank for that. So in any case, sorry to beat a dead horse, but I appreciate the commentary, ESPECIALLY the nit-picks. Helps to be a little kind of course, no one, not even me, likes to hear "Hey this piece of **** looks like *** and I think it ******* sucks!" I guess if that's how you feel then yeah say it, but the crits that are designed to be constructive are constructive, and I appreciate them, listen to them and do what I can to make the figures better or to take that information where it needs to go.
Example. You guys all pretty much are in agreement that Miss Piggy from Series One had a Dexatrim addiction. Point was very well taken. First Mate Piggy has been eating some Ding Dongs and bulking up for her second appearance as a figure. I was in agreement on this. Henson folks agreed with it. Because it wasn't so much a blast of the figure but a statement of fact from people who know their source material quite well. And it had an impact, as I hope you will see and take note of on Series 4. Sometimes a figure can get away from you. Just look at the difference between Piggy Hair Up and Piggy Hair Down.
Same thing is happening here. I am jotting down notes, re-examining some pictures and asking myself some questions about what we might do on this or that to improve it. Some of the comments today are easily explained by photography. I can show you a pic of the Chef that blows. If I put that one out people here would have been asking for my resignation. Heck, look at the avatar and compare it to the shot on the site. They look different, make no bones about it. But overall there have been some great suggestions and things pointed out that I will address in the next post (there is a word limit after all that I may have reached already).
Anyway, thanks for the passion. And thanks for the support. And oh yeah...thanks for the fish.
You may want to get yourself a beverage. This will be a long one.
There have been a lot of questions, crits, props, concerns and theories, and I will try to answer as many as I can remember here in this thread, because frankly it will be easier to consolidate this stuff here. I do want to say something. First, thanks for the cool stuff you are saying. Second, thanks for being extra tough on the figures. I mean that and I am not jerking you around. I WANT you to nit-pick. I NEED you to nit-pick. The LINE needs you to nit-pick. Way I see it is this. YOU are the most hard of the hardcore. The real test of the success or failure is the overall reaction to the people who frequent this place. And I don't expect or want everyone to agree with me or the "Palisades" line or anything else. Yeah I know it can sometimes turn negative...and it does bug me sometimes...but I don't think I would want it any other way. So say your piece. Say it with conviction. Even if it seems to be pointing out something that seems nit-picky. You'd be suprised how many times these comments directly influence the product development of this line.
That's why I am here. Make no bones about it. Yeah I like it, and yeah I have made some friends I talk with off the board. And yeah I guess you could say I have started to really become much more a fan of The Muppets than I ever was because of it. But the main reason I came here in the first place was to interact with people here so it would make the line better. And it has. And I have you to thank for that. So in any case, sorry to beat a dead horse, but I appreciate the commentary, ESPECIALLY the nit-picks. Helps to be a little kind of course, no one, not even me, likes to hear "Hey this piece of **** looks like *** and I think it ******* sucks!" I guess if that's how you feel then yeah say it, but the crits that are designed to be constructive are constructive, and I appreciate them, listen to them and do what I can to make the figures better or to take that information where it needs to go.
Example. You guys all pretty much are in agreement that Miss Piggy from Series One had a Dexatrim addiction. Point was very well taken. First Mate Piggy has been eating some Ding Dongs and bulking up for her second appearance as a figure. I was in agreement on this. Henson folks agreed with it. Because it wasn't so much a blast of the figure but a statement of fact from people who know their source material quite well. And it had an impact, as I hope you will see and take note of on Series 4. Sometimes a figure can get away from you. Just look at the difference between Piggy Hair Up and Piggy Hair Down.
Same thing is happening here. I am jotting down notes, re-examining some pictures and asking myself some questions about what we might do on this or that to improve it. Some of the comments today are easily explained by photography. I can show you a pic of the Chef that blows. If I put that one out people here would have been asking for my resignation. Heck, look at the avatar and compare it to the shot on the site. They look different, make no bones about it. But overall there have been some great suggestions and things pointed out that I will address in the next post (there is a word limit after all that I may have reached already).
Anyway, thanks for the passion. And thanks for the support. And oh yeah...thanks for the fish.
ResidentLilly
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
- Messages
- 1,259
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- 23
Now here I am trying to consolidate all the questions into on post or two. Bear with me here. This has been a tough thing to do.
Rowlf
Why was Rowlf nixed in favor of Tux Rowlf?
That seemed to throw everyone for a loop. This occurred for four reasons:
1. Because I wanted to hold the regular Rowlf back for a future release as a big gun anchor for a future assortment. Judgement call. Pure and simple. This is happening on two other figures in the next two waves. I can't tell you which ones yet. As soon as I can, I will.
2. Because I want to try to R and D a special interior joint that will enable him to have a wide range of movement with no joints showing on the torso. This will take some time.
3. Because it is different and unexpected and I think that helps the line rather than hurts it. Of ALL the figures he makes the most sense in a tux and I feel like him in a tux us a good figure to start with.
Some may be disappointed and pass, others may not. Totally up to you. I like the figure and think it's strong. Even stronger in some ways than Nekkid Rowlf. And that's part of the reason to hold that Nekkid one back...because if I can work out the interior thing it will be that much cooler.
What changes are taking place from this proto piece to actual figure like the changes on Series 1?
All the joints still have to be cut in.
What's the deal with the details on the Tux?
I like the details. They match Kermit's tux exactly, and this is the tux I made because that is the reference and tux style Henson wanted. It is possible that the photo is deceptive, because the details are a little flashed out on him. Photographing the three subtle grades of white that are on the sculpt were really tough.
They will probably all have white ties, which is a more formal attire than the black or colored vests. I think Rowlf looks even better than Kermit this way, as if he is getting ready to play an extremely groovy, formal concert. He is a pianist after all. Hee hee...he said pianist.
Why do his hands look funky?
That I can't answer. They look like the reference I had on his hands, which don't really have fingers but rather a mixture of hand and paw. I personally think they look weird on the puppet, and consequently weird on the toy. The hands here are no different than the Nekkid Rowlf preview pic, so if you have that check out the varying angles if you feel you need a second look. These are the same exact hands as that, just concealed under cuffs more.
Why is Rowlf wearing shoes?
Because aside from Kermit and Sam and probably Animal all the Muppet character reference I have in tuxes have shoes. I don't know why. I asked about this and eventually it was agreed he should have shoes on. I like it, others may not. Patrol Bear has shoes too, which is odd because Kermit in the Trenchcoat, which is completed, does not. There is no real answer here other than this is the way that Henson thinks it should be and I agree with them 100%.
Scooter
Why does it seem like there something wrong with his eyes?
Because there is something wrong with his eyes. They glasses are too far apart. That is being corrected. Props to Jamie, who took some time and found some really good supporting reference, front views of Scooter, to back that up. The glasses appear a little big in this pic as well, but in others aren't really so much so. None of you are wrong on this. Something was definitely in need of revision here. His hair looks flattened in this pic also because of the pic. Doesn't appear so much like that in a side view or alternate angles from the front. That's the problem with one pic. Hard to judge because of distortion and placement of the fig when you take the pic, the photo itself and all that.
His head looks too big. What happened?
His head IS big in proportion to his body. Again here I think it is a result of the photo. Doesn't appear as big when you see it in person.
Scooter looks stiff.
Yes he does. Since we were cutting in 16 points of articulation, I wanted to be sure it would all work and look good at the same time so an engineer worked that out in the tooling prototype, which you will see later in a Daily Bit. This figure had to be sculpted in the Renaissance Guy position so that there would be no conflict when cutting in the joints.
Lew
Ok, who pooped this Lew figure on my lawn?
Some have said it's the weakest sculpt or that it looks like it was sculpted in Super Sculpey by a customizer. A bit harsh, but the fact is that is an accurate statement if you really look at the figure. This figure is most in need of tweaks, and it is getting them even before today, almost all of which involves sharpening of DETAIL. The hair on the proto is mushy, and a bunch of other things just look hinky. But I have seen revisions and it looks like it should. The mouth is uneven intentionally though, which does help me understand why Henson is skeptical about a scrunched face Kermit. We made the mouth crooked since the puppet often had a very crooked mouth and that was noticed on the figure. But, FYI...it is supposed to be that way.
Why is his skin color so off?
We have a Bunsen situation here. All the reference I have supports the statement that he should be a little more orangy. The PMS spec supports the slightly more yellowish tone. Working on this one. And will continue to push for a color change till I can push no longer. We'll see where it goes. I agree 100% with this take.
To Be Continued...
Rowlf
Why was Rowlf nixed in favor of Tux Rowlf?
That seemed to throw everyone for a loop. This occurred for four reasons:
1. Because I wanted to hold the regular Rowlf back for a future release as a big gun anchor for a future assortment. Judgement call. Pure and simple. This is happening on two other figures in the next two waves. I can't tell you which ones yet. As soon as I can, I will.
2. Because I want to try to R and D a special interior joint that will enable him to have a wide range of movement with no joints showing on the torso. This will take some time.
3. Because it is different and unexpected and I think that helps the line rather than hurts it. Of ALL the figures he makes the most sense in a tux and I feel like him in a tux us a good figure to start with.
Some may be disappointed and pass, others may not. Totally up to you. I like the figure and think it's strong. Even stronger in some ways than Nekkid Rowlf. And that's part of the reason to hold that Nekkid one back...because if I can work out the interior thing it will be that much cooler.
What changes are taking place from this proto piece to actual figure like the changes on Series 1?
All the joints still have to be cut in.
What's the deal with the details on the Tux?
I like the details. They match Kermit's tux exactly, and this is the tux I made because that is the reference and tux style Henson wanted. It is possible that the photo is deceptive, because the details are a little flashed out on him. Photographing the three subtle grades of white that are on the sculpt were really tough.
They will probably all have white ties, which is a more formal attire than the black or colored vests. I think Rowlf looks even better than Kermit this way, as if he is getting ready to play an extremely groovy, formal concert. He is a pianist after all. Hee hee...he said pianist.
Why do his hands look funky?
That I can't answer. They look like the reference I had on his hands, which don't really have fingers but rather a mixture of hand and paw. I personally think they look weird on the puppet, and consequently weird on the toy. The hands here are no different than the Nekkid Rowlf preview pic, so if you have that check out the varying angles if you feel you need a second look. These are the same exact hands as that, just concealed under cuffs more.
Why is Rowlf wearing shoes?
Because aside from Kermit and Sam and probably Animal all the Muppet character reference I have in tuxes have shoes. I don't know why. I asked about this and eventually it was agreed he should have shoes on. I like it, others may not. Patrol Bear has shoes too, which is odd because Kermit in the Trenchcoat, which is completed, does not. There is no real answer here other than this is the way that Henson thinks it should be and I agree with them 100%.
Scooter
Why does it seem like there something wrong with his eyes?
Because there is something wrong with his eyes. They glasses are too far apart. That is being corrected. Props to Jamie, who took some time and found some really good supporting reference, front views of Scooter, to back that up. The glasses appear a little big in this pic as well, but in others aren't really so much so. None of you are wrong on this. Something was definitely in need of revision here. His hair looks flattened in this pic also because of the pic. Doesn't appear so much like that in a side view or alternate angles from the front. That's the problem with one pic. Hard to judge because of distortion and placement of the fig when you take the pic, the photo itself and all that.
His head looks too big. What happened?
His head IS big in proportion to his body. Again here I think it is a result of the photo. Doesn't appear as big when you see it in person.
Scooter looks stiff.
Yes he does. Since we were cutting in 16 points of articulation, I wanted to be sure it would all work and look good at the same time so an engineer worked that out in the tooling prototype, which you will see later in a Daily Bit. This figure had to be sculpted in the Renaissance Guy position so that there would be no conflict when cutting in the joints.
Lew
Ok, who pooped this Lew figure on my lawn?
Some have said it's the weakest sculpt or that it looks like it was sculpted in Super Sculpey by a customizer. A bit harsh, but the fact is that is an accurate statement if you really look at the figure. This figure is most in need of tweaks, and it is getting them even before today, almost all of which involves sharpening of DETAIL. The hair on the proto is mushy, and a bunch of other things just look hinky. But I have seen revisions and it looks like it should. The mouth is uneven intentionally though, which does help me understand why Henson is skeptical about a scrunched face Kermit. We made the mouth crooked since the puppet often had a very crooked mouth and that was noticed on the figure. But, FYI...it is supposed to be that way.
Why is his skin color so off?
We have a Bunsen situation here. All the reference I have supports the statement that he should be a little more orangy. The PMS spec supports the slightly more yellowish tone. Working on this one. And will continue to push for a color change till I can push no longer. We'll see where it goes. I agree 100% with this take.
To Be Continued...
ResidentLilly
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
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- 1,259
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- 23
Fingers...sore...must...complete...post...
Zoot
What is the deal with his glasses?
His glasses, in the show, are supposed to have clear frames. We had no clear resin so it was painted white to simulate that effect. Not too good is it Chief? Next time, you just ask me what line to pull right? Sorry...anyway, yeah, so the glasses on regular Zoot will be clear in production and appear darker than this white.
Why does his face look so strange/thin?
Zoot has gone through several different looks. We went with the thinner, less rounded head. Probably why it looks thin. That and the fact that I wanted a good movement range and his NECK is really what appears thinner and a little longer than you might be used to seeing it. But I've played with the tooling model...and the compromise for playability is worth it to me.
The Saxophone is a mock-up, but thanks for digging it.
Not a question but a statement. If you like this one...you'll LOVE the real one. Looks like Bunsen took a shrink ray to the real thing, and it will be electroplated in production and be all shiny.
Why the music stand? Are you smoking something?
Some don't agree with this call, suggesting that he wouldn't need music. There is no music. Just a music stand with no music. Sorry I could not resist. But if you don't dig on him with the stand that's cool...give it to Rowlf like someone suggested. I dig it...looks cool next to the fig.
Chef
What kind of hands does the Chef really have?
He has the Muppety hands. That is what Henson wanted. I agree with that call too...I think the human hands would have looked too weird. The stand alone Muppets with armatures had the hands that these were based on.
Kitchen
Why does this not look like anything at all like the TV show?
During this whole process a decision was made not to duplicate the show sets. Conscious choice (at the Gas 'N Sip) to just have sets "inspired" by the show so that we could up the detail level ante and not be locked in to the sets they had. Basing the playsets on the sets created in a weekly, fairly low budget TV show just didn't, in our opinion, have the OOMPH it would take to put these sets over the top. With the exception of course of the SwineTrek, which already had built in a certain level of detail. And besides, if we did the Labs with the red computer panels someone would be cheesed we did that and not the other labs version with the window. If we did one version of the Kitchen, which changed a lot, someone might be cheesed we didn't do the version they wanted. That's fine, I like cheese, but I think the decision to deviate on these helps the line overall and doesn't hurt it.
What is the deal with the smokes in the pic?
Sorry. These were taken in the painters studio, and I was so exited to get them up (I got them in the morning, we originally were not going to have painted pics) that I didn't really look at anything other than the kitchen, like the surrounding debris. So I went in after I saw a post on it and removed them from the image. This was not cowardice. This was an attempt to not have a pack of cigarettes in an image promoting the Muppets.
When will we see the Lobster Banditos?
Soon. The factory is still working out some bugs. We hope to show all the accessories in a few weeks.
Overall
What if the line gets canceled before I get my favorite figure version made?
This was brought up a lot, especially when it comes to the Rowlf switch. What can I say to that? I have to go to work every day believing that this line will keep going, or otherwise why am I going in at all? If I adopt the philosophy of getting some things out as quickly as I can before the line tanks then the line will tank. Murphy's Law. Besides, it is smart marketing to do it this way. It gets Series 3 linked with the Series One tux version which is still on the shelf an available for purchase, and it helps to show people that we ARE committed to the line, by holding some of the sweeter figures back some for a future release. You might not agree with that take and that's cool, but I HAVE to believe it will go on and must structure my plans and my own investment of the line to reflect that. I have to think big picture, this is a big picture call, and I think it is the right one.
Will there be more Muppets released in tuxedos?
Yes. I hope to one day have most of the big guns in tuxes. It fits the Muppets for some reason. Fits their characters, because they are all, if anything else, a class act. Always have been. They have their moments but they do have that elegance at times especially symbolized by the variety of classy and unusual and yes sometimes formal types of entertainment they had on the show.
A group of 5 or 6 tux Muppets would "suit" me just fine.
Zoot
What is the deal with his glasses?
His glasses, in the show, are supposed to have clear frames. We had no clear resin so it was painted white to simulate that effect. Not too good is it Chief? Next time, you just ask me what line to pull right? Sorry...anyway, yeah, so the glasses on regular Zoot will be clear in production and appear darker than this white.
Why does his face look so strange/thin?
Zoot has gone through several different looks. We went with the thinner, less rounded head. Probably why it looks thin. That and the fact that I wanted a good movement range and his NECK is really what appears thinner and a little longer than you might be used to seeing it. But I've played with the tooling model...and the compromise for playability is worth it to me.
The Saxophone is a mock-up, but thanks for digging it.
Not a question but a statement. If you like this one...you'll LOVE the real one. Looks like Bunsen took a shrink ray to the real thing, and it will be electroplated in production and be all shiny.
Why the music stand? Are you smoking something?
Some don't agree with this call, suggesting that he wouldn't need music. There is no music. Just a music stand with no music. Sorry I could not resist. But if you don't dig on him with the stand that's cool...give it to Rowlf like someone suggested. I dig it...looks cool next to the fig.
Chef
What kind of hands does the Chef really have?
He has the Muppety hands. That is what Henson wanted. I agree with that call too...I think the human hands would have looked too weird. The stand alone Muppets with armatures had the hands that these were based on.
Kitchen
Why does this not look like anything at all like the TV show?
During this whole process a decision was made not to duplicate the show sets. Conscious choice (at the Gas 'N Sip) to just have sets "inspired" by the show so that we could up the detail level ante and not be locked in to the sets they had. Basing the playsets on the sets created in a weekly, fairly low budget TV show just didn't, in our opinion, have the OOMPH it would take to put these sets over the top. With the exception of course of the SwineTrek, which already had built in a certain level of detail. And besides, if we did the Labs with the red computer panels someone would be cheesed we did that and not the other labs version with the window. If we did one version of the Kitchen, which changed a lot, someone might be cheesed we didn't do the version they wanted. That's fine, I like cheese, but I think the decision to deviate on these helps the line overall and doesn't hurt it.
What is the deal with the smokes in the pic?
Sorry. These were taken in the painters studio, and I was so exited to get them up (I got them in the morning, we originally were not going to have painted pics) that I didn't really look at anything other than the kitchen, like the surrounding debris. So I went in after I saw a post on it and removed them from the image. This was not cowardice. This was an attempt to not have a pack of cigarettes in an image promoting the Muppets.
When will we see the Lobster Banditos?
Soon. The factory is still working out some bugs. We hope to show all the accessories in a few weeks.
Overall
What if the line gets canceled before I get my favorite figure version made?
This was brought up a lot, especially when it comes to the Rowlf switch. What can I say to that? I have to go to work every day believing that this line will keep going, or otherwise why am I going in at all? If I adopt the philosophy of getting some things out as quickly as I can before the line tanks then the line will tank. Murphy's Law. Besides, it is smart marketing to do it this way. It gets Series 3 linked with the Series One tux version which is still on the shelf an available for purchase, and it helps to show people that we ARE committed to the line, by holding some of the sweeter figures back some for a future release. You might not agree with that take and that's cool, but I HAVE to believe it will go on and must structure my plans and my own investment of the line to reflect that. I have to think big picture, this is a big picture call, and I think it is the right one.
Will there be more Muppets released in tuxedos?
Yes. I hope to one day have most of the big guns in tuxes. It fits the Muppets for some reason. Fits their characters, because they are all, if anything else, a class act. Always have been. They have their moments but they do have that elegance at times especially symbolized by the variety of classy and unusual and yes sometimes formal types of entertainment they had on the show.
A group of 5 or 6 tux Muppets would "suit" me just fine.
Louis Kazagger
Well-Known Member
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- Apr 22, 2002
- Messages
- 302
- Reaction score
- 0
I totally agree with your marketing strategy on Rowlf. I'm glad to see that you are saving the big guns to seed throughout each wave of the line for longevity. Also if you released the naked Rowlf first, many people would have an easier time passing on the tux version, but this way, folks will pick up the tux version for fear that the line's going to tank. But that ain't gonna happen. Toyfare will make sure of that even if we don't. 
They even named me the Muppet News Man! Now if Muppet figures would just fall on me. 