I was wondering how the folks at Moebius decide which kits to make and what itmes will keep there company afloat so we can expect more great stuff from them?

There's this big dart board, see, and...:D

....then we get blindfolded....

...and have a drink--straight from the bottle. Someone spins them around three times...

I'm guessing part of the decision is based on all the begging we did to Polar Lights that they didn't get around to acting on.

It's actually a pretty hard choice. There are so many different ideas out there it's hard to grasp. Just think about the different fans out there that don't buy auto or military kits. Comic, figure, scifi, and how they all break down from there. Figures cover horror, tv/movie, historical. Some scifi subjects have a life of their own. Too many choices!

I have based the choices at this point on my years in the retail business, and my own likes and dislikes. Trying not to lean on my likes and dislikes much. I like to think of myself as an average fan, so most of what I think is cool has some relevance. Plus the ideas sent in to us! Always open to ideas, it's how we know what you guys want.

Some of it is what PL didn't do. Like Jekyll and Big Frankie. I think they would have sold well enough for them, given the requests we had for them back at Doll & Hobby. We don't have 40 employees, probably never will. Less overhead makes it a little easier.

Some of what we have planned I don't think PL ever gave thought to. Chariot and Pod are something I just have a gut feeling on. So far I seem to think we're on the right track.

Some of this has plenty to do with licensing. I have been shot down on as many projects as what we have going currently. There are many studios that really just don't care about things other than money. I won't name what we've been shot down on and why, but a few of them are things we have had many requests on. Other licensors have been great and have just let us go with what we want.

In the end, it's a blend of what we feel we like, what the fans have said they like, and what we think will sell enough pieces to make a few bucks. It's a little about fun as well, and making a product we are happy with ourselves. If it's something we can't do right, we won't do it. Hopefully we're on the right track!

You mean there is meaning to this madness?

You mean there is meaning to this madness?

A little, but some days I'm not too sure!

Frank, I think youve made some great choices so far. Keep up the good work!

I'm with Otto. I think Frank has made great choices so far. OK, I won't be buying a big Franky but there seems to be a quite few out there very excited about this kit, so I'm glad they're finally getting it. Otherwise, I plan to buy or have already bought everything that Moebius has offered.


Can't wait to see what they have offered for the 2nd half of 2008!

I always wonder if there were projects that PL had plan on making that just never got done.

Too many choices!

Two words: Moon Bus :wave:


Some of this has plenty to do with licensing. I have been shot down on as many projects as what we have going currently.

Two words: Moon Bus :cry:


It's just a guess, but I bet I'm right...

John O.

Well, if 2001 models are ever achieved, let me be the 12th to ask for a 1/72 Orion Shuttle (what's that, about 24"?)

Hey Moebius,

Since you have the LIS license, I'd really love to see a better J2 model come out. I much prefer a one piece upper hull instead of a removable cap like the PL model with a more accurate interior.

I can appreciate your methods of choosing kits. I cast my vote for more space vehicles from movies, TV shows.

I cast my votes for:

larger Spindrift
Fantastic Voyage Proteus with interior
Smaller C57D than PL's
Flying Sub

There's this big dart board, see, and...:D

How about adding both the vampire and the werewolf with interlocking bases from, "The Return of the Vampire" to that dart board?

Licensing would probably be inexpensive.

I'd be up for some figure kits from LiS too!
I'd prefer 1/6, but I'm aware most folks like them smaller.
And PLEASE, in interesting, dynamic poses, not just standing there. Possibley have the whole crew as individual kits that interlock into an exciting scene.

Oh yeah, and, a new more accurate biggerRobot kit! :D

old_mcdonald has some good ideas,although if any of these subjects are made into kits i'd like to see them released in this order.Bigger flying sub,Spindrift,jupiter two,Big lis robot,Moon bus,2001 Orion,Fantastic Voyage Proteus. And mabe some lis figure kits of the cast :dude:

Almost forgot,A bigger scale star trek classic Enterprise.

And PLEASE, in interesting, dynamic poses, not just standing there. Possibley have the whole crew as individual kits that interlock into an exciting scene.

:D

Why do I suspect that what JP has in mind are the Robot, Dr. Smith, Major West and John Robinson spelling out "Y..M..C..A"?

Maby a kit of major west and Smith.With west wringing the good doctors neck :p He always threatened to do that on the show.Jonathan harris,God bless him!

1/350 TOS Enterprise designed for lighting
1/350 Klingon D7 designed for lighting
1/8 That cheapo dustbin robot from the serials that re-appeared on Trek Voyager's Captain Proton segments (may not need a licence?)
1/8 Bender from Futurama
Get the moulds for Robby from whoever has them now and reissue him
1/8 Spinner from Blade Runner with figures
1/8 Generic male and female figures for customising (maybe posable?)
1/8 Hellboy - Ron Pearlman
Firefly / Serenity
1/8 James Caan - Jonathon E - Rollerball
Taxi and Police Car 5th Element
Terminator Hunter Killer Tank and Aircraft
and so on...

hey , was that Frank i just saw running down the hall sceaming and pulling his hair out ?
hb

Frank, I think youve made some great choices so far. Keep up the good work!
I have to ditto otto's comments! All of the kits you have out & what is scheduled to come out are all very exciting!! I admit that I havn't had the chance to buy any kits yet (darn those bills!) but I do intend to, as you have a great lineup! Kits I'd like to see are:

Firefly/Serenity (ships & figures)
5th Element taxi, Leeloo & Mangalor figures
Spinner from Blade Runner
1/1000 Enterprise-A & C
Transformers (G-1 & even the new movie)
Futurama kits (Planet Express & figures)

I'm sure there's more, but I'm drawing a blank right now. :)

Why do I suspect that what JP has in mind are the Robot, Dr. Smith, Major West and John Robinson spelling out "Y..M..C..A"?

You, sir, are a mind reader!

Get painting, bub.

:lol:

I would suggest putting somthing in the test pics to show size, maybe a bottle of Budwieser......

How about this sub from Flipper? ok maybe not.

I'd be up for some figure kits from LiS too!
I'd prefer 1/6, but I'm aware most folks like them smaller.

How 'bout some vitage figure kits that have a new current context. When I was a kid, I loved the MPC Pirates of the Caribbean kits (as well as the Haunted Mansion series). If re-popped, I buy 'em all in a New York minute! Unless Disney can't be convinced to market yet another thing from Pirates, they seem like a natural.

John O.

Why do I suspect that what JP has in mind are the Robot, Dr. Smith, Major West and John Robinson spelling out "Y..M..C..A"?

Dunno, personally, I'd rather see Judy and Penny in their sunbathing outfits :p

I know that Frank mentioned that they have done many lists of topics, but since that hasn't stopped any of us...

Here's a slightly strange suggestion. It's a kit with strong connections for the Studio Scale community and has only been released once. I don't know if Revell/Monogram have this mold (let's not go down that road) but if they do it would be a great limited re-issue: The SeaLab kit. These things go for big dollars on eBay. Not suggesting that there would be a market for a huge stockpile of these, but a limited release, such as Big Frankie, might be worthwhile.

For an obscure selection, what about something from the 1950s "The Time Travellers" - you could do their Time Portal, one of the android figures, their rocketship. I know, limited appeal, but licensing might be rather simple.

^A tray full of eyes?

Yes, I'm the other guy who saw that film.

No, no. There was another.

No, no. There was another.

Leiah?

How about this sub from Flipper? ok maybe not.

That is I think the Perry Cubmarine. Being a lover of all things sub, and having grown up in the time when Jack Cousteau, Sealab, and the TimeLife books about life under the sea were going on, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have more kit subjects.. How about the Starfish House, Conshelf I or II (?) with an interior?

Real/future Space, and innerspace kits, both from the 60's and 70's: I'll buy them all. Bring it on!

People forget how much went on under the sea. Consider that the Aurora Sealab III is one of the most collectable of kits. Aside from Sealab, how about models of the Cousteau diving saucer, any of the other myriad deep sea subs including Alvin, and the undersea lab Tektite II.

Oh, and what about the Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea undersea lab bulding, with interior, diving moonpool, etc.?

Or the Newt Suit, the articulated deep sea self contained diving suit? Some of these could be kit bashed into the Big Daddy suits in the popular video game BioShock.

Some pics:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_diving_suit

http://www.divingheritage.com/armoredkern2.htm

http://www.aberdeenquest.com/Artwork/NewtSuit.asp

http://www.divingheritage.com/armored6.htm

http://www.divingheritage.com/armored5.htm

http://www.techdiving.com.br/biblioteca/artigos/viversobomar.htm

Super-best would be a complete Cousteau Conshelf playset kit with the Starship house, the saucer parking garage, the saucer, and a couple fish pens, on an ocean floor base.

I have a plethora of research materials on some of these.

For an obscure selection, what about something from the 1950s "The Time Travellers" - you could do their Time Portal, one of the android figures, their rocketship.http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=52442&stc=1[/IMG-LEFT]

If you're thinking of this one, it's from 1964. From the writing-producing-directing team of Ib Melchior and Sid Pink, who also gave us the classics [I]Reptilicus, Journey to the Seventh Planet and The Angry Red Planet.

Don't think that one has enough of a market for Moebius, but the "spa room" with the half-naked ladies might be a good subject for a resin garage kit.

I`ld like to see the Moon Bus, too.

And a large Discovery would be nice, also...

uhm, 2001 space station, maybe?

Did I mention the Moon Bus?

Greetings from Germany
Marco

question for frank:
is the crossover market (people other that we die-hards) a consideration or has the model kit market diminished so much that they are now a moot point?

how about models of the Cousteau diving saucer

This is actually the best idea I've heard. I think we all identify with Cousteau's 60's shows. I pored over Natl Geo's of his saucer and newer one man subs.

I think there was a kit of Calypso, but it was the subs that did it for me.

Did you know when they were testing a pressure hull for the saucer it got away from them? Somewhere on the seafloor is a saucer pressure hull waiting to be discovered by some future archeologist.

Love to see models of the saucer and one man subs. I think the saucer is more interesting from a kit viewpoint.

link (http://www.hospitalshipbritannic.com/equipment.htm) (scroll down)

http://www.hospitalshipbritannic.com/images/Equipment_Saucer.jpg

Now, a model kit of the Cousteau diving saucer -- THAT sounds like an excellent idea! So far, I believe the only diving saucer models are the tiny ones that came with the Revell Calypso kit.

Being such a compact craft (only about 9 feet across), it could easily be modeled in 1/16 or even 1/12 scale, with a detailed interior.

Diving Saucer cutaway view -- sorry about the Italian (http://free.imd.it/Colapesce/Cola-Pelle/soucoupe.htm)

And the kit would have crossover appeal -- for modeling geeks, science geeks and Cousteau geeks!

And the Life Aquatic geeks (with Steve Zizou)

Honestly, I'd rather they concentrate on sci fi and fantasy.

Honestly, I'd rather they concentrate on sci fi and fantasy.

Yeah, me, too. Besides which, Jacques is DEAD! :freak:

I'd like to see a 1/6th scale space suit from LIS, or from Apollo, or from . . . well, I'd buy just about any spacesuit model kit in a heartbeat.

yeahbut think of the kitbashing possiblities!

Steve Zissou lives!

http://www.gothamist.com/images/2004_11_conteststeve.jpg

yeah but think of the kitbashing possiblities!

Steve Zissou lives!

http://www.gothamist.com/images/2004_11_conteststeve.jpg

Hmmm.... Harry Dean Stanton?

I like the idea of the Cousteau mini sub, it would fit nicely with a reissue of the SeaLab kit. In fact, IIRC, the plan was for Aurora to do such a series until the SeaLab didn't take off. Since the SeaLab is very collectible now it might make a good launch pad for the other kits. The Voyage underwater lab might make a good kit, you could scale it with the Flying Sub that will come with the Seaview. It also would be good to get the Aquadozer produced, either in scale with the Seaview Flying Sub, or better, the original Aurora Flying Sub.

Frank, can you tell us whether the Irwin Allen license would include "City Beneath the Sea" ?

As for "The Time Travellers" I'm glad a few others have seen it. Its a really enjoyable movie, although rather dated at times. What I thought might fit in nicely with the Monster Movie line was the time portal itself. It would seem to lend itself nicely to the Accessories line of kits that Aurora produced, again IIRC "Monster Scenes".

yeahbut think of the kitbashing possiblities!

Steve Zissou lives!

http://www.gothamist.com/images/2004_11_conteststeve.jpg


He reminds me too much of my father. :freak:

Frank, can you tell us whether the Irwin Allen license would include "City Beneath the Sea" ?

It isn't covered. From what I can tell, it's owned by another studio outside of the control of Irwin Allen Productions.

Frank:

Any chance you can get the model kit license to Dark Shadows before the new movie hits the screens?

It isn't covered. From what I can tell, it's owned by another studio outside of the control of Irwin Allen Productions.

Thanks for the quick reply Frank, too bad it isn't included as I would guess that means the Aquadozer wouldn't be produced. Interesting, though as some of Irwin's other projects do pop-up in that production, including a canabalized Jupiter II as one of the underwater buildings.

I was hoping for a more afordable launch gantry that fits the PL saucer. one I can screw up and not go balistic.