Commission Pieces (1 Viewer)

[Isandlwana]

Has anyone gone to a specific manuafacturer and commissioned them to produce some figures for them? If so, to whom did you go and what sort of money are we talking for an individual figure. I've been pretty persisitent on here about a range I would like that isn't being produced and there may be some English Civil War enthusiasts that feel similarly.

I think the range I want will, in time, be done but what of those people that do not have much hope of seeing what they truly want?

I do understand some of the reasons why manufacturers would not want to produce unique figures but is it currently the case that we are only able to buy what is available or can anyone get what they want for the right money?

 

[marco55]

I don't know how much for a range but I checked to get some sculpts done and it was anywhere from $500-$1500 per sculpt.
Mark

 

[Isandlwana]

I don't know how much for a range but I checked to get some sculpts done and it was anywhere from $500-$1500 per sculpt.
Mark

Goodness that is quite something. I suppose if you commission something you also own the mould or it is destroyed - is that right?

 

[marco55]

I belive so.You can do it different ways.Some companies might go into partnership with you,some might get a a percentage of the profits.I think I read somewhere that it was $40,000 to start a range but I might be totally wrong on that.I'm sure the are some here that can help you much more.
mark

 

[Martin Tabony]

Has anyone gone to a specific manuafacturer and commissioned them to produce some figures for them? If so, to whom did you go and what sort of money are we talking for an individual figure. I've been pretty persisitent on here about a range I would like that isn't being produced and there may be some English Civil War enthusiasts that feel similarly.

I think the range I want will, in time, be done but what of those people that do not have much hope of seeing what they truly want?

I do understand some of the reasons why manufacturers would not want to produce unique figures but is it currently the case that we are only able to buy what is available or can anyone get what they want for the right money?

You can get anything you want for the right money!^&grin
For anything to be worth while a certain number of figures needs to sell, if you are willing to buy that amount of figures, then "he who pays the piper calls the tune".
You could commision a sculptor to make you the master figure, but then you've got to get moulds made, castings done, postage etc. It all adds up and before you know it you start to understand why your figures cost so much. I personaly, very rarely sell master figures but there are enough sculptors that will.

Martin

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Issy - and the answer to the question asked, is yes I have. However, what I do is paint my own Toy Soldiers from castings - so what I did was go to a supplier who already makes a similar range that I would like to have - and ask them if they would produce specific figures - and not just for me - but for any client.

For example - I went to Brian at Yeomanary Miniatures and asked him if he could produce a Household Cavalry Band for me. As he already produced many cavalry figures - he gave it some thought - and realised that the "horse" part was probably already sorted - so just needed to have the HC figures with arms instruments made up. He therefore made a commercial decision to go ahead and have a HC Band made - based on an assumtion that several other of his customers MIGHT want to purchase a similar set at some time in the future. Now, as Brian doesn't make an ECW range - I doubt that he would agree to start one up from scratch - so I'm not suggesting that you ask him, for what you are after. The cost to me, by the way, was the standard charge for the rest of his range - as HE was the commisioner of the sculpts from the sculptor - and I was just another of his clients,

I have also done similar things with Giles Brown at Dorset Soldiers - where he helped me achieve some figures that I wanted - by adapting some of his existing range. Again, the cost to me - was the normal price of a figure. I can and do, however, frequently adapt my castings , as purchased, before painting them to achieve EXACTLY what I want.

My suggestion, therefore, is to research WHO is already making a range of figures that is similar to those you would like to have ( which you seem to have already begun - and have received suggestions here already). THEN ask those providers if they would be prepared to make some more figures in those same ranges - in the poses that you want. Some figures they already provide may be easy to adapt, ( e.g head or arm swap).

They may say YES. It has worked out for me twice already - and the cost to me has been the same as to any other client.

Hope that helps - maybe give it a shot - the worst that can happen is that they say no. johnnybach

 

[Isandlwana]

Hi Martin

Looks like I just have to keep pestering for what I want!

 

[Isandlwana]

Hi Issy - and the answer to the question asked, is yes I have. However, what I do is paint my own Toy Soldiers from castings - so what I did was go to a supplier who already makes a similar range that I would like to have - and ask them if they would produce specific figures - and not just for me - but for any client.

For example - I went to Brian at Yeomanary Miniatures and asked him if he could produce a Household Cavalry Band for me. As he already produced many cavalry figures - he gave it some thought - and realised that the "horse" part was probably already sorted - so just needed to have the HC figures with arms instruments made up. He therefore made a commercial decision to go ahead and have a HC Band made - based on an assumtion that several other of his customers MIGHT want to purchase a similar set at some time in the future. Now, as Brian doesn't make an ECW range - I doubt that he would agree to start one up from scratch - so I'm not suggesting that you ask him, for what you are after. The cost to me, by the way, was the standard charge for the rest of his range - as HE was the commisioner of the sculpts from the sculptor - and I was just another of his clients,

I have also done similar things with Giles Brown at Dorset Soldiers - where he helped me achieve some figures that I wanted - by adapting some of his existing range. Again, the cost to me - was the normal price of a figure. I can and do, however, frequently adapt my castings , as purchased, before painting them to achieve EXACTLY what I want.

My suggestion, therefore, is to research WHO is already making a range of figures that is similar to those you would like to have ( which you seem to have already begun - and have received suggestions here already). THEN ask those providers if they would be prepared to make some more figures in those same ranges - in the poses that you want. Some figures they already provide may be easy to adapt, ( e.g head or arm swap).

They may say YES. It has worked out for me twice already - and the cost to me has been the same as to any other client.

Hope that helps - maybe give it a shot - the worst that can happen is that they say no. johnnybach

Thanks for the response JB.

I suspect you may be a very skilled painter. The finished article would be way beyond my capabilities. I want an ANZAC in matte for thirty quid please!!

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hello there,
Mark is pretty much spot on as far as the price range for figure patterns in 1/35th to 1/28th scale at the moment. If a specific piece would be commissioned this would be a 'work for hire' and the copy write for the design would pass from the artist or studio to the person or persons commissioning the piece once the work is paid for. This is the most typical arrangement although there can be other variations of the agreement including licensing.

There are indeed other associated costs to consider...
Duplication for masters to use for quoting and sampling, paint or decoration masters, package design, minimum runs, shipping and other associated costs just to get the production run in your hands.
These are just a few of the costs to get the first figure and does not factor in warehousing, shipping and handling or advertising.

This would be for one figure only and in most cases not practical for a personal collection.
A range might also require, horses, vehicles, heavy weapons and scenics so the initial investment can add up very quickly.
In the end this is why all of the manufacturers think long and hard before they develop a product line.

Perhaps one of the hardest things to do when you are involved in this industry is to be very critical of your own wants and interests. There are plenty of things I would like in my own collection that I may never see developed by the mainstream companies operating at any given time. At least not the way I envision them, and I am sure that many other collectors may feel the same way about subjects they are passionate about.

One other option is to approach a manufacturer and ask for a quote to do an 'exclusive' for you, a club or a store. This usually will require buying a minimum number of figures but may allow you to get exactly what you want in a style you are already familiar with. I am often involved with these kind of projects for W. Britain and I am sure other manufactures would entertain special commissions too.

I hope this helps a bit,
Ken Osen

 

[Isandlwana]

Hello there,
Mark is pretty much spot on as far as the price range for figure patterns in 1/35th to 1/28th scale at the moment. If a specific piece would be commissioned this would be a 'work for hire' and the copy write for the design would pass from the artist or studio to the person or persons commissioning the piece once the work is paid for. This is the most typical arrangement although there can be other variations of the agreement including licensing.

There are indeed other associated costs to consider...
Duplication for masters to use for quoting and sampling, paint or decoration masters, package design, minimum runs, shipping and other associated costs just to get the production run in your hands.
These are just a few of the costs to get the first figure and does not factor in warehousing, shipping and handling or advertising.

This would be for one figure only and in most cases not practical for a personal collection.
A range might also require, horses, vehicles, heavy weapons and scenics so the initial investment can add up very quickly.
In the end this is why all of the manufacturers think long and hard before they develop a product line.

Perhaps one of the hardest things to do when you are involved in this industry is to be very critical of your own wants and interests. There are plenty of things I would like in my own collection that I may never see developed by the mainstream companies operating at any given time. At least not the way I envision them, and I am sure that many other collectors may feel the same way about subjects they are passionate about.

One other option is to approach a manufacturer and ask for a quote to do an 'exclusive' for you, a club or a store. This usually will require buying a minimum number of figures but may allow you to get exactly what you want in a style you are already familiar with. I am often involved with these kind of projects for W. Britain and I am sure other manufactures would entertain special commissions too.

I hope this helps a bit,
Ken Osen

Hi Ken

Love your work.

Just out of interest what is the process for bringing out a new range i.e. what sort of market research is done beforehand? Apologies if this isn't for you to answer but it's great to have some insight into how new products are decided.

Michael

 

[johnnybach]

Thanks for the response JB.

I suspect you may be a very skilled painter. The finished article would be way beyond my capabilities. I want an ANZAC in matte for thirty quid please!!

Hi again Issy - Yes I'm a painter - not exactly very skilled - but the ones I do suit me. I don't paint for anyone else though.

My point, however, is - try to get someone to make what you want as a casting first - THEN worry about who paints it afterwards. There are suppliers who will sell them to you either as castings OR painted. If you can get someone to agree to make it - you are much more than half-way there. Both examples of suppliers I gave you - will sell you them painted or unpainted, once they are on their books.

There are also painters "out there" who will paint castings for you. Some advertise their services on this forum - or suppliers can advise of painters they know and give you an idea of cost per figure - which is often around the same cost as a bare casting.

BUT - the start of the process is for you to approach an existing supplier of a range that you are after - AND ASK. You never know - you might just be one of many who has asked before - and be the one who finally decides the supplier to make it!

Best of luck - johnnybach

 

[TomB]

Has anyone gone to a specific manuafacturer and commissioned them to produce some figures for them? If so, to whom did you go and what sort of money are we talking for an individual figure. I've been pretty persisitent on here about a range I would like that isn't being produced and there may be some English Civil War enthusiasts that feel similarly.

I think the range I want will, in time, be done but what of those people that do not have much hope of seeing what they truly want?

I do understand some of the reasons why manufacturers would not want to produce unique figures but is it currently the case that we are only able to buy what is available or can anyone get what they want for the right money?

Have been following your post ......looks like an expensive business for one figure..or maybe a couple.....I would be happy to do a figure for you to get you started...No cost...but...you would need to find a fellow Treefrog member who can cast and is willing to do it for you at a reasonable cost....My figure would not be up to K&C standard but you would have something to start with......the rest would be up to you...TomB

 

[larso]

"I want an ANZAC in matte for thirty quid please!!"

Several years ago I did a range of Anzacs. There are a few pictures here -

http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/showthread.php?26585-Larsen-Toys

I had about 12 all up, half charging and the other half in a Lone Pine type trench fight. My box art featured the picture you posted earlier in the thread!

I still have a few if they are of interest to you.

John

 

[Isandlwana]

Thanks for your responses Tom & John and that is a very charitable offer Tom and I may well pm you both.

Those figures are very good.

I would like to stick a poll on here to find out who would join me in collecting such a range but I think people are a bit tired of polls, plus I would dread a poor result!

The Australian market does seem extremely buoyant given the amount of members from Oz on here. We must rise as one!!

 

[TomB]

Thanks for your responses Tom & John and that is a very charitable offer Tom and I may well pm you both.

Those figures are very good.

I would like to stick a poll on here to find out who would join me in collecting such a range but I think people are a bit tired of polls, plus I would dread a poor result!

The Australian market does seem extremely buoyant given the amount of members from Oz on here. We must rise as one!!

There are a lot of Aussie's on "Tree"...I am surprised by the number......thought the forum would be mostly Brit and Yank....I am in the middle of making a plasticine castle at the moment but when that is finished I aint got nuthing to do...(except weeding the garden)..supply the detail and I will have a go at doing the figure for you ....nothing ventured...nothing gained...give it a go......cheers TomB