Pre-production items include test shots, prototypes,
etc. etc. etc. Since there's so much confusion
over what is what, I thought I'd start out with an
explanation of various pre-production stages and
definitions. If you have other definitions, or
other thoughts, let me know! The term 'prototype' is thrown around a lot, and even in the industry, tends to mean any piece that's not final production. This includes initial sculpting models, first, second, third, etc. shots, tour samples, two ups, test shots, 105% Gypsums, final engineering prototypes, sculpt patterns, paint masters, etc.
Let's go through the general process as I understand it. This process actually varies to some degree from company to company, manufacturing plant to manufacturing plant, but I'll try to hit the important highlights and steps.
First of course, there's the sculpting model. This is what a lot of people assume a prototype is - the
initial model actually created by the sculptor. These are sent to Asia to create the initial castings, and are usually destroyed in the process. Those that aren't end up held pretty closely by sculptors, product managers, etc. It's very rare that you see one of these available.
The plant will make initial castings, often called sculpt patterns. These sculpt patterns are created in a resin material, with few, if any, joints. They are normally not the size that the finished product will be, and can be smaller or larger. The well known 2 ups fall into this category, specifically called that because they are twice the size of the final version. Sculpt models can also be used for paint masters, tour samples, and are also used as the patterns to create the actual molds. Sculpt models aren't necessarily the next rarest version though, since multiples may have been produced for these many different needs. The next round, the 105's, are often rarer, but again, it depends on the company and the manufacturing plant. These castings might be unpainted or painted - it depends on the intended use.
Next up come the 105% Gypsum tooling models. These are the actual factory interpretation of the sculpting models. In other words, while the sculpt patterns are castings of the actual sculpting models, the 105's are what the factory is saying the actual figure they manufacture based on those patterns will look like. Again, these can be painted or unpainted. If they are 'unpainted', they are still usually dusted in some flat color like gray.
Again, the 105's aren't plastic, but resin or gypsum. They do have the joints cut in though, and any changes prior to the tooling are done at this point. They are often
referred to as 105's, because they are 5% bigger than the actual figure will be, to adjust for shrinkage that occurs when creating the actual molds. Some companies also refer to these as 'tooling models', 'resin models' or 'factory tooling patterns'.
The 105's are usually the rarest of the pre-production pieces, since the factory destroys their copy in the tooling process and usually only 1 is produced for review in the U.S. The one sent here is usually sent back as well, so these are pretty uncommon.
Up to this point, the major area of interest for the company has been the sculpt itself, since the decisions after this point about tooling will cost them an arm and a leg. Changes to sculpts after this point are much rarer, but not unheard of.
The next series of pre-production figures are the test shots. These are first, second, third, fourth shots, etc, depending on how many revisions in paint, joints and other details are required. Obviously, the first shots are the most different from the final product, but even later ones can have obvious differences. These can be painted, but they are often cast in whatever plastic is available at the time, to make sure the molded sculpt and joints are working just right. There are usually several of each of these, and are less rare than the previous steps.
Sometimes these test shots also come in test packaging. This is usually the earliest that you'll see text bubbles, cardbacks and boxes, and some companies wait until the next step in the process.
That step is the Final Engineering Prototype. This is the last chance, usually done just before they are ready to rock and roll. Packaging at this stage is more common, to get sign off on the inserts, trays, accessory layout, etc. Even these can be unpainted at times, as the paint application is usually finalized and set prior.
If you're in the industry and want to correct my rather basic descriptions or have something to add, please feel free to drop me a line. Now on to the various pre-production items in my collection!
In most cases, I've photographed the production
piece on the left, with the prototype(s) on the
right. In some cases, I don't yet have the
production figures, because they aren't released
yet.
|
