Work Bench Update (1 Viewer)

[FirstLegion]

Hi Guys,
Can anybody tell me what happened to this thread It seems it has been censored I must have missed something offensive , I can't figure out what happened ,as the post have just disappeared . Thanks Gebhard

It would appear that it's apparently acceptable for our sculpts to be the inspiration of other sculpts, but it's just not acceptable to say so. A very strange thing indeed...

No worries, it wasn't really relevant to the conversation anyway except to provide an example of why our workbench hasn't seen anything new on it in awhile.

 

[Peter Reuss]

No worries, it wasn't really relevant to the conversation anyway except to provide an example of why our workbench hasn't seen anything new on it in awhile.

Well noted...which is why a scalpel was used and not an axe!

 

[Gebhard]

It would appear that it's apparently acceptable for our sculpts to be the inspiration of other sculpts, but it's just not acceptable to say so. A very strange thing indeed...

No worries, it wasn't really relevant to the conversation anyway except to provide an example of why our workbench hasn't seen anything new on it in awhile.

I did see your post yesterday and to say that your sculpt was an " inspiration " is a pretty big understatement . I really don't see why posting a picture of the comparison would be cause for deletion

I thought the work bench was a good idea while it lasted . What would be interesting IMO would be say if you took a figure in a standard pose say one standing and firing and showed the development process from start to finish.

It seems First legion is becoming an inspiration to some in more ways then one , with all the talk of the Russian front and all the new found interest in a theater that does not sell . I guess it just goes to show that if done well enough just about any topic can create its own audience and will draw new interest and build a fan base . I'm almost getting pulled into learning about the Samurai period just because of First Legion's line . I'll be the first to admit I previously had zero interest in the topic, and that was fine as that meant more money for books, Militaria , movies , and Figures etc......... from periods that I do love. Darn you I sure hope the new line(s) are from periods in time I can't stand ...

May the workbench rest in peace I for one will miss it All the best Gebhard

 

[Gebhard]

Well noted...which is why a scalpel was used and not an axe!

Hey now ! that's my line you can't use it without paying a royalty

 

[Spitfrnd]

Well noted...which is why a scalpel was used and not an ax!

Another old saying has it that a scalpel wielded by a demolition crew is still an ax. Seems like it must be that phase of the moon or perhaps I am just frequently in the wrong place at the right time. And all I did was make a complimentary remark; Mary Poppins you'd better watch your six.

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

I am on the other side of this argument... I don't see why manufacturers won't release news of upcoming releases sooner... It would give collectors a chance to view and choose from which company they wish to collect before they start a new range. I think most collectors once having started a range from a certain company will continue along that path rather than switch once they are already committed... This can only hurt the business of a manufacturer waiting to the last minute to introduce a new range. Only collectors with unlimited funds can choose to collect the same range from different manufacturers. I for one would like to get news as soon as possible, so I can make my choice and conserve funds for it...

 

[Spitfrnd]

I am on the other side of this argument... I don't see why manufacturers won't release news of upcoming releases sooner... It would give collectors a chance to view and choose from which company they wish to collect before they start a new range. I think most collectors once having started a range from a certain company will continue along that path rather than switch once they are already committed... This can only hurt the business of a manufacturer waiting to the last minute to introduce a new range. Only collectors with unlimited funds can choose to collect the same range from different manufacturers. I for one would like to get news as soon as possible, so I can make my choice and conserve funds for it...

I empathize mate; all collectors would like that but the more advanced notice, the more potential for a competitive intrusion. It is all perfectly legal but the best protection of an idea is not copyright but secrecy. So the trick is to balance your potential for hurt.

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

I still think it's pretty silly... I have a recent example of a manufacturer offering a new range that I was considering and then another manufacturer announcing the same range within a week showing some samples. I opted to wait for the second manufacturer's figures in this range, since they appealed to me more. I think the secrecy thing may only work for particular pieces in an established range, but for new ranges, it would be better to lay out the plans way in advance...

 

[Spitfrnd]

I still think it's pretty silly... I have a recent example of a manufacturer offering a new range that I was considering and then another manufacturer announcing the same range within a week showing some samples. I opted to wait for the second manufacturer's figures in this range, since they appealed to me more. I think the secrecy thing may only work for particular pieces in an established range, but for new ranges, it would be better to lay out the plans way in advance...

In all fairness I think taking measures to protect one's market share are not silly, the question is whether they are necessary or cost effective since as you note, every such action has a positive and negative result. I am hardly an expert but with a market as thin as this one, I would think that providing advance information on any figure that could be easily duplicated is a potential risk that is not worth the benefit. If it is a pose of an existing range that appears popular, it can be readily scooped by another; if it is a new range that appears popular the same is true, albeit with more difficulty given the investment involved. Either way, if I were a smaller manufacturer, especially one with longer production lead times, I would keep my new and exciting ideas close to the vest until they were near fruition.

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

Yes, I see your point with smaller manufacturers... they may need to hold back on new range announcements but, the bigger, established manufacturers have only to gain announcing a new range sooner so that collectors can make their choices, before they embark to satisfy their collecting desires. A particular type of unique pose or scene in an established range may well need to be revealed just before the release date, that too, I can agree with.

 

[Gebhard]

I think the point that First Legion is trying to make or at least my take on it is that they are presenting something new to the Market . One only has to look at say the Prussians and see that First Legion are not just regurgitating the same poses out over and over . I can understand why Matt has pulled the plug on the workbench . Why should First Legion pay for some other Manufactures lack of creativity by handing them over creative and innovative sculpts to use as their (own) inspiration for new products . Since you can find just about every period being produced by some manufacture or another what good could FL gain by showing their hand early ? I'm content when it comes to new FL lines to taking the put a little on the side and just wait and see what it will be approach . Whatever it or they may be I'm sure they will win over new fans by just doing what they do . You have to remember why First legion came about in the first place , Its because a couple of Collectors were not being presented with products they wanted to collect, so they got together and started to produce what they wanted for their own collections . IMO they are producing what I had been hoping for Figures close to Aeroart quality at a fraction of the price . IMO they are pulling farther and farther away from the pack with every new release .All the best Gebhard

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

All that you say is perfectly valid. I am not referring to the FL workbench issue at all. Even though this was a novel idea and well-appreciated by collectors and more likely by their competition , I would just like manufacturers to reveal a new upcoming range within a reasonable lead time, so collectors can make choices with their budgets and collecting interests. Something as simple as posting "Rome versus Carthage" as a new range coming would make me perfectly happy...