Star Wars Celebration IV was an excellent source of news and excitement for Star Wars fans! A new Brian Wilk interview was spotted on Collider.com. You can check out the full interview here, but here is an interesting, and short, clip!
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interview. Show all posts
Friday, June 01, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
JoeAttacktix Exclusive Interview with Joe Allard of Design Devil
JoeAttacktix managed to snag an exclusive interview with the current cover artist for Attacktix. Be sure to check it out, and also check out Joe's site!
Q: I see you have a packed portfolio on DesignDevil.com, featuring a wide variety of projects. What are some of your favorite projects?
That's a tough question...I'm really enjoying the Attacktix artwork I've been doing for Hasbro, and I'm not just saying that because this is an Attacktix website!
Honestly, I get to draw some of my favorite characters and toys that I played with as a child, and that is just super cool.
Recently I've been enjoying working on a line of Busts and Action Figures for the new Battlestar Galactica series. I'm a big fan of the show, so it's been a blast.
As far as past projects, I'd have to say all of the Star Wars products I did for Applause during the Episode 1 madness.
That was a unique experience actually. After designing about 2/3 of the product line, I was promoted to Creative Manager, and was able to also direct the sculpting, painting and manufacturing side of things.
Usually after I hand off a design, I have no control over what comes next. Fortunately on the EP 1 products, I was able to stay in control during the entire production and make sure they turned out exactly how I imagined.
Q: Did you have any favorite comics/toy heroes growing up that you were excited to get a chance to add your own style to the latest incarnation?
Yes, for sure. Star Wars is probably at the top of the list.
With all of the Star Wars products I worked on in the past, everything was photo-realistic and had to be completely character correct.
Working on the Attacktix line however, Hasbro wanted a more stylized and animated look to the Artwork, so I have a bit more freedom to infuse some of my own energy and loosen up a bit. It's been really refreshing and a lot of fun.
I've also recently finished artwork for the next series of boosters... but we have to keep those under wraps for now... stay tuned.
Q: You designed the IG Showdown packaging. Now that Attacktix has Transformers versus Star Wars versus Marvel, who would you choose for a three characters battle royale (one from each license)?
Man, another tough one! I'd have to go Boba Fett vs. Iron Man vs. Starscream, or actually, how about Vader vs. Galactus vs. Unicron! That would be insane.
The IG Showdown was so much fun to work on. When I got the call for the project, and heard it was Star Wars vs. Transformers, I was pretty excited.
Hasbro told me which characters to illustrate for the package sides, but when it came to the background insert, they were open to ideas.
I thought the composition of the Death Star facing off against Cybertron would be really cool. For the foreground I went with a Tattooine like setting meeting a Cybertron like city. I think it came off pretty well. The toys looked cool displayed in front of it...and that is the most important thing as far as toy packaging goes.
I just want to clarify; I don't actually design the packaging itself. I am providing all of the character art that is used on the packaging.
Basically I'm illustrating the front or "cover" of the package. The images that hopefully convey some fun and excitement, and make you want to buy that toy!
The guys at Hasbro have done a killer job with the actual packaging design. Working with Rob and Kevin and everyone at Hasbro has been really great.
Q: I know you have had a few products in the toy and game aisles, does the excitement of seeing your own work sitting of the shelf ever get old?
Never. I still love to walk down the isle and see my work. I still take frequent trips to Toys R Us just to see what's on the shelf.
I mostly see the end result of the toys that I designed, and I love that, but it is especially cool to see my actual artwork on the front of the Attacktix packages.
Much of my toy design work goes unseen by the public, but with the packaging artwork, it's right there on the isle for everyone to see. Killer.
Q: Do you play Attacktix?
Is that a challenge!? You're on! Actually, I have not yet had a chance to play a real game, but I'm looking forward to it! Currently I just shoot at stuff on my shelves... and my cat.
Q: What line/license would you hope they choose to add on so you can draw the cover? If it happened, who would appear on the cover?
Now that's an easy one... Yo Joe!! G.I Joe is by far the one I am waiting for most. For the cover art, I'd have to go with Duke vs. Cobra Commander or Snake Eyes vs. Storm Shadow. Either of those would be killer to draw.
END.
Well, not really! This is only part one... be sure to check back for even more info from Joe about taking the package art from concept to finished product!
Q: I see you have a packed portfolio on DesignDevil.com, featuring a wide variety of projects. What are some of your favorite projects?
That's a tough question...I'm really enjoying the Attacktix artwork I've been doing for Hasbro, and I'm not just saying that because this is an Attacktix website!
Honestly, I get to draw some of my favorite characters and toys that I played with as a child, and that is just super cool.
Recently I've been enjoying working on a line of Busts and Action Figures for the new Battlestar Galactica series. I'm a big fan of the show, so it's been a blast.
As far as past projects, I'd have to say all of the Star Wars products I did for Applause during the Episode 1 madness.
That was a unique experience actually. After designing about 2/3 of the product line, I was promoted to Creative Manager, and was able to also direct the sculpting, painting and manufacturing side of things.
Usually after I hand off a design, I have no control over what comes next. Fortunately on the EP 1 products, I was able to stay in control during the entire production and make sure they turned out exactly how I imagined.
Q: Did you have any favorite comics/toy heroes growing up that you were excited to get a chance to add your own style to the latest incarnation?
Yes, for sure. Star Wars is probably at the top of the list.
With all of the Star Wars products I worked on in the past, everything was photo-realistic and had to be completely character correct.
Working on the Attacktix line however, Hasbro wanted a more stylized and animated look to the Artwork, so I have a bit more freedom to infuse some of my own energy and loosen up a bit. It's been really refreshing and a lot of fun.
I've also recently finished artwork for the next series of boosters... but we have to keep those under wraps for now... stay tuned.
Q: You designed the IG Showdown packaging. Now that Attacktix has Transformers versus Star Wars versus Marvel, who would you choose for a three characters battle royale (one from each license)?
Man, another tough one! I'd have to go Boba Fett vs. Iron Man vs. Starscream, or actually, how about Vader vs. Galactus vs. Unicron! That would be insane.
The IG Showdown was so much fun to work on. When I got the call for the project, and heard it was Star Wars vs. Transformers, I was pretty excited.
Hasbro told me which characters to illustrate for the package sides, but when it came to the background insert, they were open to ideas.
I thought the composition of the Death Star facing off against Cybertron would be really cool. For the foreground I went with a Tattooine like setting meeting a Cybertron like city. I think it came off pretty well. The toys looked cool displayed in front of it...and that is the most important thing as far as toy packaging goes.
I just want to clarify; I don't actually design the packaging itself. I am providing all of the character art that is used on the packaging.
Basically I'm illustrating the front or "cover" of the package. The images that hopefully convey some fun and excitement, and make you want to buy that toy!
The guys at Hasbro have done a killer job with the actual packaging design. Working with Rob and Kevin and everyone at Hasbro has been really great.
Q: I know you have had a few products in the toy and game aisles, does the excitement of seeing your own work sitting of the shelf ever get old?
Never. I still love to walk down the isle and see my work. I still take frequent trips to Toys R Us just to see what's on the shelf.
I mostly see the end result of the toys that I designed, and I love that, but it is especially cool to see my actual artwork on the front of the Attacktix packages.
Much of my toy design work goes unseen by the public, but with the packaging artwork, it's right there on the isle for everyone to see. Killer.
Q: Do you play Attacktix?
Is that a challenge!? You're on! Actually, I have not yet had a chance to play a real game, but I'm looking forward to it! Currently I just shoot at stuff on my shelves... and my cat.
Q: What line/license would you hope they choose to add on so you can draw the cover? If it happened, who would appear on the cover?
Now that's an easy one... Yo Joe!! G.I Joe is by far the one I am waiting for most. For the cover art, I'd have to go with Duke vs. Cobra Commander or Snake Eyes vs. Storm Shadow. Either of those would be killer to draw.
END.
Well, not really! This is only part one... be sure to check back for even more info from Joe about taking the package art from concept to finished product!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Brian Wilk Interview in Lee's Toy Review Magazine #171
One of the biggest things in the trading games right now is Hasbro's Attacktix brand of collectible gaming figures. It all started with the Star Wars figures, and has expanded to include Transformers and Marvel. It looks like a natural for the GI Joe brand, though we haven't seen anything hail from that sector yet. We caught up with the brand's head cheerleader, Brian Wilk, of Hasbro, and chatted with him about the line. Here's what he had to say.
Tell us a little about how the Attacktix concept came about.
There are a lot of us here at Hasbro that are longtime fans of trading card games and miniature games. Honestly, we were fooling around one week about four or five years ago and said, "wouldn't it be great if..." we could have them both in one game.
The idea just grew from that. We knew we could make great kinetic based action figures and we started to explore cool ways to move the figures around. Right from the start, our motto was no dice, no board, no rulers. We wanted an easy, straight forward, out-of-the-box, play experience. No matter how many figures you had, you could battle a friend and have a great time. But we also wanted a game with multiple layers of depth that could be as complicated as you allowed it to be.
Describe the play action inherent in the concept.
The play action is completely kinetic based. There are visual and audio representations that make this game different than any other game on the market. I like to joke that once you fire your first missile, you are hooked.
What is it about the brand that you think makes it collectible?
Obviously, it's because the figures are so well designed! It's a game that incorporates the trading card game concept with action figure features - two great collectibles on their own. Look at the essence of a Trading Card Game (TCG), you get powers and abilities that can help you in battle, but there's that fun collectible rarity model; not all characters are equal - some are powerful and tough to get. Hunting for that certain figure is all part of the fun collectible 'thrill of the chase' play pattern. We tested the blind pack concept with kids in our Funlab, and they loved it! So, add that onto an easy to learn and hard to master game, and you've got Attacktix.
And, as the game expands in tot different "universes," it is one of the first times where you can finally settle the score between different brands and licenses to see who would win in the ultimate showdown. Oh, and then there are the chrome based figures, which are also fun to collect.
How's the brand doing in the marketplace right now (going into the 2006 Christmas shopping season)?
The brand has a lot of momentum right now. We look forward to the launch of the new Marvel series as they get introduced into the mix.
What's next for Star Wars Attacktix? What should fans of the Star Wars franchise be looking for in the year ahead?
There will be a few more waves of fan favorites as well as some exciting EU characters in the upcoming year.
Do you have an all-time favorite Star Wars Attacktix figure?
Absolutely. My favorite character is Wicket, and of course there is a story behind it. We were leaving Celebration 3 and we ran into Warrick Davis in the airport. He was with his family and it came up that his kids were fans of Attacktix. We got to talking and they asked if Wicket was going to be made. I told them that not only was he going to be made but he will have a fantastic power and be an integral part of the Ewok army.
If you were a Star Wars Attacktix figure, which other figure would you most loathe to square off against?
I would never want to face off against SW-16 Darth Vader. He is just the man. I fear him when he is on the opposite side of the table.
Pick up a copy of Lee's Toy Review today!
Tell us a little about how the Attacktix concept came about.
There are a lot of us here at Hasbro that are longtime fans of trading card games and miniature games. Honestly, we were fooling around one week about four or five years ago and said, "wouldn't it be great if..." we could have them both in one game.
The idea just grew from that. We knew we could make great kinetic based action figures and we started to explore cool ways to move the figures around. Right from the start, our motto was no dice, no board, no rulers. We wanted an easy, straight forward, out-of-the-box, play experience. No matter how many figures you had, you could battle a friend and have a great time. But we also wanted a game with multiple layers of depth that could be as complicated as you allowed it to be.
Describe the play action inherent in the concept.
The play action is completely kinetic based. There are visual and audio representations that make this game different than any other game on the market. I like to joke that once you fire your first missile, you are hooked.
What is it about the brand that you think makes it collectible?
Obviously, it's because the figures are so well designed! It's a game that incorporates the trading card game concept with action figure features - two great collectibles on their own. Look at the essence of a Trading Card Game (TCG), you get powers and abilities that can help you in battle, but there's that fun collectible rarity model; not all characters are equal - some are powerful and tough to get. Hunting for that certain figure is all part of the fun collectible 'thrill of the chase' play pattern. We tested the blind pack concept with kids in our Funlab, and they loved it! So, add that onto an easy to learn and hard to master game, and you've got Attacktix.
And, as the game expands in tot different "universes," it is one of the first times where you can finally settle the score between different brands and licenses to see who would win in the ultimate showdown. Oh, and then there are the chrome based figures, which are also fun to collect.
How's the brand doing in the marketplace right now (going into the 2006 Christmas shopping season)?
The brand has a lot of momentum right now. We look forward to the launch of the new Marvel series as they get introduced into the mix.
What's next for Star Wars Attacktix? What should fans of the Star Wars franchise be looking for in the year ahead?
There will be a few more waves of fan favorites as well as some exciting EU characters in the upcoming year.
Do you have an all-time favorite Star Wars Attacktix figure?
Absolutely. My favorite character is Wicket, and of course there is a story behind it. We were leaving Celebration 3 and we ran into Warrick Davis in the airport. He was with his family and it came up that his kids were fans of Attacktix. We got to talking and they asked if Wicket was going to be made. I told them that not only was he going to be made but he will have a fantastic power and be an integral part of the Ewok army.
If you were a Star Wars Attacktix figure, which other figure would you most loathe to square off against?
I would never want to face off against SW-16 Darth Vader. He is just the man. I fear him when he is on the opposite side of the table.
Pick up a copy of Lee's Toy Review today!
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