Master Replicas Gonzo Photo Puppet

[Ignohippo]

Due to the bad pics, I wasn't going to pre-order him. But my wife pre-ordered him for me as a Christmas present (which was very sweet of her).

Animal was my favorite character but I waited to get him until Antony's photos sold me. I have Kermit, but had pretty much decided to pass on Animal because of the terrible photos on the MR site.

I like Gonzo, but I don't HAVE to have him if he isn't spectacular, which is why I was going to wait. I think that's why I'm nervous as heck that he might not be up to snuff. On the other hand, if he's anything like Terry's proto, he'll be my favorite of the three.

These things are WAY too expensive for them not to be of the highest quality.

 

[muppetperson]

Strange pose

You are right, I just wasn't going to pre-order based on that terrible picture. Even if I am getting him either way. It would send the wrong message for publishing that crummy photo.

I think we're all in agreement that the Gonzo *photograph* is terrible.

I think that Gonzo is in such strange poses because it is probably to try and hide defects, such as his eye shell lugs.He isnt posed looking straight on.

 

[Mistersuperstar]

I think the idea of not posing these replicas face on is to make them look more like they are an item to purchase rather than a Muppet with personallity. As soon as you have one of these guys looking straight at you or straight into a camera lens, all the life and realism comes into them.
I don't think the Gonzo photos are posed to hide defects, the MR Animal photos are bad but only because whoever took them doesn't have experience posing and photographing Muppets. I also doubt we will see any update in the photos at this late stage unless someone very kind from MR posts them on here once they have reached their warehouse. Pretty please?

 

[frogboy4]

Gonzo Poses

I think it could be either of the mentioned possibilities or both or, as stated in my article, it is because the pictures were taken by an evil monkey.

I have noticed that Ebay rip-off artists are using the unsightly Animal poser image from the MR website to print on watch faces.

I don't see much of a good try with the photos. It's not like taking a picture of a toaster for an ad. They should think of it as taking a picture of a friend that wants to get a job or a date or something like that online.

I feel the recent hold on Piggy could have to do with Gonzo's appeal. That's just my personal assumption. The current pictures of Gonzo look like it could be some German Igel doll product when we know at the very least it's better than what that (usually high quality) company came up with years past.

 

[muppetguy]

Im not quiten sure...

Hey Frogboy, I'm not quite sure what you mean by:

"I feel the recent hold on Piggy could have to do with Gonzo's appeal. That's just my personal assumption."

Do you mean that you think they don't want to start on another poser because of how 'bad' Gonzo might be selling or lack there of? I hope they (MR) realize that just because one poser might not do so well, others can. I mean...Look at Fozzie (Terry's). He is absolutely stunning. I'm just getting nervous that my muppet gang and my Favorite muppet won't be made. I hope Miss Piggy gets the green light.

 

[frogboy4]

Hey Frogboy, I'm not quite sure what you mean by:

"I feel the recent hold on Piggy could have to do with Gonzo's appeal. That's just my personal assumption."

Do you mean that you think they don't want to start on another poser because of how 'bad' Gonzo might be selling or lack there of? I hope they (MR) realize that just because one poser might not do so well, others can. I mean...Look at Fozzie (Terry's). He is absolutely stunning. I'm just getting nervous that my muppet gang and my Favorite muppet won't be made. I hope Miss Piggy gets the green light.

That's what I'm thinking. I have absolutely no information on this, but 2,500 Gonzos were made and even the most avid fans seem to be holding back pre-ordering him. Also, I know from working in Muppet product that Piggy doesn't sell as well as the rest of the characters when pegged next to them. That's one of those weird little facts that you'd think went the opposite way.

I think Fozzie could make for a complete feel to the set, but everybody knows it would have something missing without Piggy. My guess is they'll end up making her, even if she is the last one.

Realistically, Animal just went out, Gonzo is shipping, Fozzie is almost ready for factory production so Piggy's kind of waiting there for what I believe to be several good reasons. I want the pig in my collection too - no matter her hairstyle.

 

[Bear Man]

Hey Frogboy, I'm not quite sure what you mean by:

"I feel the recent hold on Piggy could have to do with Gonzo's appeal. That's just my personal assumption."

Do you mean that you think they don't want to start on another poser because of how 'bad' Gonzo might be selling or lack there of? I hope they (MR) realize that just because one poser might not do so well, others can. I mean...Look at Fozzie (Terry's). He is absolutely stunning. I'm just getting nervous that my muppet gang and my Favorite muppet won't be made. I hope Miss Piggy gets the green light.

It may not just be Gonzo's presales, Animal's sales may also be less than anticipated, and Kermit may have been slower to sell than they were hoping. Like you, I'm nervous that my favorite muppet won't be made - although that nervousness is around Fozzie. As we saw with a bunch of the Palisades figures, a prototype does not mean a product will be made.

 

[Beauregard]

I think that the photos lightin could be half the problem...Gonzo's nose is always very specifically lit.

 

[Luke]

Do you mean that you think they don't want to start on another poser because of how 'bad' Gonzo might be selling or lack there of? I hope they (MR) realize that just because one poser might not do so well, others can.

It would be them holding back on Piggy to see how both Animal AND Gonzo replicas sold. It doesn't mean much they're making the prototypes of Fozzie and Piggy, thats pocket money to Master Replicas. The decision on Animal would have been made before they had Kermits full sales in which explains the smaller edition, but now they have both Kermit, Animal and Gonzo sales they can get a good feel of how these will go - not just about whether to do them or not but how many to make. I would gather Kermit sold very well for them to have made so many Gonzo's but if things were slowing down they'd go smaller on Fozzie and probably wait and see whether to do Piggy.

Personally i think Piggy is an poor choice for a Master Replicas poser, someone like Beaker or Scooter would be easier to make and sell better, but i also can see the point the line as a whole would be missing something without the Pig being included.

 

[frogboy4]

Posing a few questions about posers...

I don 't expect many, if any, of these to be answered really. Many are internal company practices and strategies that, by nature, should be kept from the public. I'm just wondering out loud.

How long can MR's company sit on stock before it has to be cleared? Some companies have the time and resources to wait for a product to sell-through. However even some big companies don't or simply choose not to sit on stock for long.

Is the profit margin big enough to keep making these? Are these products seen as a prestigious money-loss they're willing to take and let cheaper more popular products pick up the slack? Or do these actually turn a fairly healthy profit for a short-run production?

How long do they have the Muppets license for posers? And if it runs out are they willing to renew? Are they planning a transition to the planned statues?

How would one poor selling poser alter the future plans of the Muppets at MR? Who has more pull over there, the creative side or the bean-counters? You need both for a respected and healthy business. I'm impressed by their products, but they've only released two Muppet items so far. I don't know how they'll treat this particular license.

Will the marketing of the Muppets change or improve? Not just from MR, but Disney as well. I know that the MR product photos need to be better, but the Muppets also need to be in the minds of consumers to even seek out such a product. Disney has been doing okay lately, but will they keep it up?

Will MR try to get the price down and market some of these to non-die-hard-fans? Is that even possible? Would that be a good idea? Is that what the statues are supposed to do or are they a special extra for us Muppet fanatics?