From the Disney Vinylmation blog:
March 8, 2011
Lots of downloadable goodness to share today!
We've added pictures of all of the Vinylmation™ figures in the Vinylmation™ Park #6, Urban #6 and the Tron open edition series.
We've also added a Cutesters #2 Downloads page with icons, avatars and original concept art from this cute! collection.
March 11, 2011
As a follow up to yesterday's announcement of the two upcoming Vinylmationâ„¢ Ear Hats, here is a look at the 9-inch figures that inspired them.
Both figures will be released in April. The 9-inch plus 3-inch set made to look like a gumball machine will be a Disney Parks On-Line Store Exclusive.
March 12, 2011
Greetings, Programs! We have exciting news for fans of Tron. The Vinylmationâ„¢ Series featuring characters from Tron: Legacy arrives at the D-Street locations on March 25. These figures will also be released on the Disney Parks On-Line Store on the same day!
Each figure will be presented in an individual open window box as pictured below.
CLICK HERE in case you missed the Disney Parks Blog article about this series.
Bonus points for those who sport their best Tron attire at D-Street on March 25.
End of line.
March 14, 2011
Wow! We just passed 8,900 fans on our official Facebook page. Woohoo! As promised, here are a few things (related to Disney's Hollywood Studiosâ„¢. Next stop, 9,800 fans!
We start with a new wallpaper image (something we haven't done in a while). This one is the original mock up artwork for the Fantasmic! Figure from Park #5. You can see the silhouette of the figure in the background. This was used by the manufacturer to ensure the artwork lined up correctly. We just loved the colors.
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Up next, a look at an upcoming 9-inch figure inspired by Toy Story Midway Mania! The artwork was created by Lin Shih.
We also have a look at artwork from Jason Zucker featuring the Earful Tower.
We also have some exciting news to share regarding our Facebook page. Do you dabble in the custom figures? You can now share your Vinylmation custom creations by posting a photo to our wall. Visit the page and become a fan! We can't wait to see what you have done.
And before we forget ... Happy Pi Day!
March 15, 2011
Here's a sneak peek at one of the figures for the Florida Project event which will take place in September:
Looks retrotastic doesn't it?
And we've heard several questions regarding the release dates remaining 9" Vinylmationâ„¢ Figures for Animation #1. We decided that this set was just too awesome to be released all at the same time and will be scattered throughout the year. Currently, the Willie the Whale and Hycacinth Hippo figures are scheduled to be released in late spring, and Bolt and Merlin are scheduled for fall. Look for more details on these releases in upcoming blogs.
March 28, 2011
SPOILER ALERT!
We have posted pictures of the variant Vinylmationâ„¢ Figures for Park #6. Click here to get a look at the four variants that can be discovered in the collection.
April 5, 2011
Registration for the Florida Project Vinylmation Showcase Event will begin tomorrow at 2:00 pm EST. We have one final preview of a design that will be featured at this event:
More information about the event is available here. We hope to see you all there!
April 6, 2011
Registration for the Florida Project Vinylmation Showcase Event is now open! Click here for more information on how to register for this exciting event taking place including a preview catalog of the Vinylmationâ„¢ product that will be available.
We've also added a full preview of the figures for Muppets #2. Look for this Muppetational collection to be released on April 15 at D-Street at Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort.
April 8, 2011
Today, we are excited to announce the release of Vinylmationâ„¢ - Sea Creatures on Friday, April 22. This new open window box series will be released at the D-Street locations in California and Florida. Here are a few previews of some figures and packaging for the series.
Three figures from the Sea Creatures series.
The front of the Sea Creatures box.
The left and right sides of the Sea Creatures box.
We love the use of a clear head for the Jellyfish figure. Awesome!
In other news, in case you missed the preview yesterday on the Disney Parks Blog, here is a link to an article about Duffy The Disney Bear. Included in the article is a first look at the packaging for the open window box figure. As mentioned in the comments, the Duffy Vinylmation figure will be a unique form. It is NOT replacing the Mickey Mouse shaped canvas which we currently use. The figure will arrive in Spring 2012.
For fans attending The Florida Project event on September 9-11, 2011, we have an update regarding the 9-inch plus 3-inch set. We unfortunately had to make a change to the 3-inch figure. The Hula Girl inspired figure was replaced with a rather colorful Dumbo. We asked Donald Ferro, developer for Vinylmation, about the change. Basically, he said that when the sample of the 3-inch figure arrived today, he did not like how the art was applied to the figure. He was quite happy with the 9-inch figure (as are we - see photograph below). Due to production timelines, the changes needed to the Hula Girl would have delayed the set (and he didn't want that to happen - whew!).
A similar thing happened with the 9-inch Moai figure that was sold at auction at last year's Vinylmation Showcase event at Epcot®. After seeing the first sample of that figure, it returned to the drawing board (yet there was no timeline tied to that figure ... little different for The Florida Project event).
So, he added Dumbo, which is perfect as who doesn't love Dumbo?
April 9, 2011
Tomorrow, a new 9-inch figure will be released at the Disney Store in Times Square. Designed by Marcella Lau, this figure has an edition size of 1,540 and a retail of $49.95. It will be individually numbered and found only at the Times Square location.
As a follow up to our post yesterday about The Florida Project, we also received the box for the 3-inch, Winnie The Pooh figure designed by Casey Jones. We heart the box and all of its retro-awesomeness!
April 11, 2011
On Friday, we shared some images from the upcoming Sea Creatures series that is being released on April 22, 2011 at the D-Street locations in California and Florida. This will be an open window box series featuring 12 different creatures from the sea. The figures were designed by Florida-based illustrator Billy Davis. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog in the coming weeks as Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager, has an interview with Billy about the new series.
Today, however, we wanted to discuss one thing that some of you may have noticed about the figures. They are the first series to use a slightly modified Mickey Mouse shaped canvas. For example, see the Blacktip Reef Shark image below.
We spoke with Donald Ferro, developer for Vinylmation, and Thomas Scott and Eric Caszatt, lead designers for Vinylmation, about the form.
"We are always striving to make the best possible figures," explained Donald. "The first form was introduced in November 2008. As the artwork has become more complex, there were elements of the first form which made it challenging from a manufacturing perspective."
The team showed us the Hawksbill Sea Turtle figure as an example of how this form allows for improved art application. The colors and design really pop when applied to this form.
"We have learned much since the introduction of Vinylmation," said Thomas Scott. "We can draw anything, but the art has to translate into printing pads and spray masks, so there are limitations. And since we are not present at the manufacturing facilities, we can't always predict how they will choose to execute our designs. This revised form addresses a few of those more challenging areas to apply artwork. One challenging area was the space where the underside of the belly and top of the feet meet. The feet are now removable which leaves the door open for improved artwork and future accessory opportunities."
We disassembled the Maine Lobster figure to give you an idea of what to expect.
Eric Caszatt shared with us a look at an upcoming figure that also illustrates the reason the form evolved.
"Continuous improvements are part of our Disney philosophy," explained Eric Caszatt. "We are excited to use this form as it combines the root of Vinylmation - the Mickey Mouse shaped canvas - with design enhancements that will make future figures look even better than today."
The team shared with us a look at an upcoming 3-inch figure designed by Casey Jones. It features that classic pirate from the Pirates of the Caribbean® Attraction - the dirty foot pirate. The thing we noticed the most is how the details on the figure really shine - the facial expression, the clean lines, the colors and more. We wants this figure!
Finally, the team explained that you will begin to see this form used for future series. Yet there may be a combination of the original form and the newer form over the next year (based on where the figures were in development process).
In other news, an article about the Muppets #2 series was posted on the Disney Parks Blog.
We also learned that Doug Strayer (Nerds Rock!) will also be attending the artist session on Friday, April 15 in Florida from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.
April 18, 2011
Thanks for joining us last weekend for our special events! It was great to see all of our Vinylmationâ„¢ collectors!
We've added artwork for three figures in the Pirates of the Caribbean Vinylmationâ„¢ collection. You may have noticed a reoccuring pattern of a night sky in the Vinylmationâ„¢ ears, which we think creates the perfect backdrop for this unique series.
April 20, 2011
We thought you would enjoy seeing this preview of the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean® Series by Casey Jones. We just received the final production samples and had some fun opening all of the boxes yesterday. The photo above shows a few figures including Jack Sparrow (which looks awesome - especially his facial details on the Mickey Mouse shaped canvas).
While the new Pirates of the Caribbean motion picture will be released one month from today, this series won't be seen until the beginning of July.
Can we get a collective, "Arrrgh?"
April 21, 2011
We just learned that a new 9-inch plus 3-inch set will be released tomorrow via the Disney Parks On-Line Store. Part of the Urban #6 Series, this figure features a Gumball Machine and a boy blowing a bubble. We spoke with Caley Hicks about her work on designing the nine-inch gumball machine figure.
"The original design for the machine called for way more colors than what was produced," explained Caley. "I had to limit the colors and shading due to the manufacturing process. Yet, I'm happy how the final piece turned out as the simplified graphics look better than I imagined."
The figure compliements the recently released Disney Ear Hat that resembles a Gumball Machine.
The Vinylmationâ„¢ - Sea Creatures series and the Muppets #2 Series will also be released via the on-line store.
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