Video, Film, and Television

How Great Toys Are Made – And Not Made

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It probably sounds like paradise to design toys and merch for media tie-ins; the problem is that you have odd deadlines, rejected ideas, and things that seemed cool at the time that embarrass you. Oh, and then there’s having to relocate because people need to get ears right.

Four years ago Action Figure Insider had an article on rejected toys by Jason Geyer, who was hip- deep in star wars merch design. He’s updated this with additional information on the crazy ideas that came out. Jabba the Hutt beanbags, laval lamps, and more are all here.

This is a great insight into merch/toy design, what it’s like, and what it’s like to work in that area – as well as how crazy your imagination can get or has to get. I enjoyed such gems as:

  • The manufacturing constraints and why design has to be done so early.
  • Why Jar-Jar’s ears required the writer to live in China for awhile.
  • The influence of Disney.
  • Darth Vader potato chip clip. No I’m not kidding.

MUST READ here. Also I need to interview this guy . . .

– Steven Savage

And It Continues: Verizon Teams Up With Redbox

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Fusing FIOS streaming with Redbox?  Sounds like a plan.

So here's another major entrant in the video wars.  FIOS has barely been on my radar as it seemed to be another effort, so maybe I better start paying attention.

Mostly this seems to be a useful joint venture to do more for Redbox and give Verizon more options.  However I don't see this remaining joint forever – I see it being adsorbed into Verizon or spun off somehow.  It's still a bit experimental.

So my take?

  • This makes perfect sense as Verizon clearly wants to be far more than a carrier, and Redbox probably wants the insurance.
  • I don't see this yielding many employment opportunities short-term.  It has to gear up, it feels like an experiment, so I'm not seeing any significant opportunities.
  • Much as it seemed to be de rigeur to create a music service awhile ago, now it seems everyone wants a video service.  As companies with properties are probably not too fussy about allowing content out (for a price), at least short term it may make sense.
  • I actually think this competition is good right now – it shakes things up and forces others to rethink things.  What else might be inspired by this should be watched.

– Steven Savage

Netflix Is Back?

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OK they may be still playing juggle-the-rights, but Netflix did pretty well for Q4 (beating expectations), and numbers suggest they might be over that hump of sort of annoying everyone.

They're also abandoning their video game rental plans, which makes total sense.

Frankly this is a bit better than I expected, but as a Netflix booster who got disappointed in some of their activities, I'm not sure I can say "they're back," even though I love the service.  It's a positive sign definitely – and it looks like they're aware that Amazon is coming for them.

Oh, and again, where's OnLive in all of this . . .

– Steven Savage