Welcome to another round of Ask Sideshow. We've pulled a few questions, submitted by your fellow collectors, from our Ask Sideshow form, which we have established as another way to include the fans in the fun of collecting! If you are interested in submitting a question, please read about what questions we can and cannot answer at the bottom of this page. [Suggestions for Submitting a Question]

Your Questions Answered - 07/12/07

Jeff S. - Are there going to be any Hoth (from Empire Strikes Back) oriented figures in the works? Like Luke, Leia, and Han?

Sideshow Collectibles: How could we ignore Hoth?! Our design, creative, and fabrication teams are very much attracted to the Hoth costume designs. Keep an eye on www.SideshowCollectibles.com and our weekly newsletter, but don't start holding your breath just yet (good things come to those who wait).

Chris S. - I would very much like to try my hand at painting a pre-cast bust of the Alien, but have been unable to find anyone that supplies these "ready to paint". Are you able to supply these, or advise on other sources?

Sideshow Collectibles: Many of the artists at Sideshow developed their talents by building and painting 'garage kits,' essentially model kits but intended for the more artistic collectors. In the 50's through 90's, many licensed kits were available for all sorts of characters, but there seem to be fewer and fewer official kits produced these days. Sideshow prefers to release fully painted, ready-to-display collectibles, saving you the time and effort of building and painting, but if that's your preference, eBay is a great source, as is Monsters in Motion.

Ed B. - Why do some of your figures have large heads, out of proportion to their bodies?

Sideshow Collectibles: There are many variables involved in the production process, and sometimes things don't go exactly as we'd like them to. There is a semi-constant rate of shrinkage from the original sculpture to the final production size, which we generally can account for and control. On rare occasions, the shrinkage rate is more or less than expected, resulting in odd-sized heads. The temperature of the melting/casting process can also impact the final size, especially in plastic production, resulting in large head size. We're always looking for ways to improve upon our production process, and head size is something we monitor with extra scrutiny.

Dave C. - I was wondering if your sculptors carefully study reference materials when designing each figure for accuracy and authenticity? I am perplexed at how some minor but important details can sometimes be overlooked. For example, the Legacy James Bond Connery 12-inch figure is missing his red carnation on the lapel of his white tux jacket. I know it may seem like such a trivial detail but it is one that really adds to the representation of his appearance in the film. I don't understand how obvious details such as this could be so easily overlooked or intentionally omitted. Can you explain this?

Sideshow Collectibles: Our goal is to reproduce as many of the details as possible, and we do dedicate a tremendous amount of time to research and reference gathering. The team at Sideshow feels similarly disappointed when small things are omitted, which can happen for a variety of reasons (usually attributed to time or budget constraints). We don't regard any detail as 'too trivial,' and for proof, take a look at the extra nipple painted on Scaramanga, or the tattoo on the 12-inch Angel figure. Every decision is carefully weighed, and sometimes painfully made, but always with the intention of releasing the most complete, accurate, and detailed product possible, which captures the overall essence of the character.

Shawn D. - Once you obtain a license, are you free to make any characters from said license? For example, I always thought there should be a line of "victims" from Chainsaw, Halloween, Friday 13th, etc. (pre or post mortem!)

Sideshow Collectibles: It's different for every license, and depends on the view of the licensor and any rights that the relevant extra or actor may have. Not all licensors are crazy about products that celebrate the gorier aspects of the property (ie post mortem). We will pass the suggestion back to the development team!

Thank you all for submitting such intriguing questions. Keep watching our Production Blog and listening to our Podcasts as we continue to answer more Ask Sideshow questions in the future!

Suggestions for Submitting a Question

Do you have a question for our Production Team? [Ask Sideshow!]

Please Note: If you would like to submit a question using the form, please remember that Ask Sideshow should NOT be used as a way to solicit for a job, contact Customer Service, ask about a shipping date, or register a complaint. Most of those questions, comments, and solicitations can be most efficiently sent to us by filling out our online Customer Service Request Form.

Also, a fair warning: Questions that ask, "Will you be doing/Why don't you do [insert license or character name]?" will probably never be answered. We're happy to drop hints when we can, but we cannot answer any direct questions about what we're planning in the future for a variety of reasons, which include (but are not limited to) licensing, production, artistic contracts, and ever-changing schedules and projected release dates. Please feel free to use the form for all these sorts of questions or quasi-suggestions, BUT don't be offended when we don't answer to your full satisfaction... or don't answer at all - it's not personal, we promise!