First, I would like to thank everyone for their feedback to our first prototypes that we displayed at Comic Con this past week.
Rizzo
This poser was based on the original patterns supplied to us. We actually made 2 prototypes. We were actually allowed to compare the first prototype to one of the original puppets! There were many tweaks that had to be made in order to capture the true “character” of Rizzo and thus made a second one. Many of you may have noticed that the color of his fur is different than the original puppet. They are updating Rizzo and some of the colors are not exactly the same as the previous puppets that we have all seen. Also, the technique to get the “ratty” look of the fur is going to take some development.
Also, due to the shortage of time, there are details on the jacket and T-shirt that need to completed.
Reporter Kermit
As many of you know, and as we had told people at Comic Con, the Kermit on display was actually my MR Kermit. Anyone who “knows” Kermit, like most of you, can identify a MR Kermit immediately. However, we were able to get a trench coat and prototype fedora done. The shirt and tie was actually purchased from Macy’s! (Kermit’s tie is actually burgundy with thin gold stripes) And, you may have also noticed that Kermit did not have pants! (No microphone, either!)
The trench coat was made from the actual patterns supplied to us, but we did not make any alterations to it, since this is not the actual Kermit in which it has to fit properly. We are working on having “our” Kermit ready to be displayed at D23 in September.
Miss Piggy
What we showed was simply the start of the sculpt of the head. It was not intended to show materials or anything else.
Pricing and Availability
We have not established the price or availability of Rizzo or Reporter Kermit, since we are still in the beginning stages of the development and have not submitted the full product specifications to the factory for costing and schedule. We are hoping to have this information by D23.
Choice of Materials and Construction
As all of you already know, making product one by one in a workshop is very different than in a production environment in both the construction and the materials. Unfortunately, ALL fabrics and components are custom made. There is no store or warehouse where you just go and purchase the materials. There are many factors that we must take into consideration. Most of them have already been discussed in this thread. Will there be compromises, of course, but we will evaluate the pro and cons of every option. But rest assured, we will do our best to deliver a product that you will be proud to own!
I hope this answers many of your question. So please do not read more into what you actually see in the many photos now floating around.
Thanks!
Bryan