SCOOP's INTERVIEW W/ REELART'S MICHAEL HUDSON

[ReelArt Studios]

http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/scoop_article.asp?ai=14196&si=124

This just came out today. I'm tooting my own horn. Hope you enjoy it!

M
RAS

[rafter]

http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/scoop_article.asp?ai=14196&si=124

This just came out today. I'm tooting my own horn. Hope you enjoy it!

M
RAS

Toot away Michael. The more people know about yourself and ReelArt the more we fans gain also.

[dfchang]

Hi Michael,

I've been noticing your company more and more. Initially I wasn't so interested in a lot of your licenses but as you have begun to branch out, you have begun to capture licenses that I will definitely spend money on.

I'm buying the Frazetta series without a doubt. It has LONG been a desire that I believe was shared by many to see more statues of Frazetta's work. Moore's Barbarian and Bowen's Death Dealer are the most well known but with your line you will be giving us Silver Warrior, Egyptian Queen, Snow Giants, etc.

I also bought Stout's Number One and will get Babe and Ape and these are examples of statues that I know NOTHING about but am buying purely because they present striking imagery and incredible sculpts.

As my collecting is forced to become more focused (as many can sympathesize there's just not enough space to keep all these things) I've narrowed down to Moore Studios, a few Sideshow licenses, and to my surprise your company.

Thanks for doing a fantastic job. Your interview was an entertaining and interesting read.

Dennis

[ReelArt Studios]

[quote=dfchang;949810]Hi Michael,

I also bought Stout's Number One and will get Babe and Ape and these are examples of statues that I know NOTHING about but am buying purely because they present striking imagery and incredible sculpts.

As my collecting is forced to become more focused (as many can sympathesize there's just not enough space to keep all these things) I've narrowed down to Moore Studios, a few Sideshow licenses, and to my surprise your company.

Thanks for doing a fantastic job. Your interview was an entertaining and interesting read.


Dennis, I thank you sincerely! You sure know how to humble a guy! I am honored for our products to be seen along side of Moore, Bowen and Sideshow. As for your mention of Cho's Babe & Ape, that piece will be in the May edition of PREVIEWS in the Dark Horse section. I just got the pro shots taken of the product today. I'll be sharing those with this forum as we get closer to the solicitation date.

best-

Michael
RAS

[Kirk Durfey]

Good interview, Michael! Are there more pics of the Paquet monster busts? The only one I've seen so far is the one at the end of the interview. I didn't see any on your site - Though I could be blind :)

[ReelArt Studios]

Good interview, Michael! Are there more pics of the Paquet monster busts? The only one I've seen so far is the one at the end of the interview. I didn't see any on your site - Though I could be blind :)

Yep..I'll get them posted a little later. I think we've got around six so far.
The line is called Paquet's Cabinet of Curiosities. It's a new take on the classic monsters.
Thanks for checking out hte interview Kirk!

Michael

[Bullseye]

Michael tell me this is getting done http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e130/rjbreslin/14196_41996_10.jpg and when is the Tarzan piece getting released along with The Ape/Girl piece?

[ReelArt Studios]

Michael tell me this is getting done

This is a Tim Buickner designed and sculpted licensed SHEENA piece. Tim is first doing a Buck Rogers piece for us and then moving on to this. So it probably won't be on the market until '08, maybe sooner if we do well on what we've got out now.. http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e130/rjbreslin/14196_41996_10.jpg and when is the Tarzan piece getting released along with The Ape/Girl piece?

The J. Allen St. John inspired and licensed with ERB, Inc, Tarzan and the Golden Lion piece will be solicited in the June edition of PREVIEWS in the Dark Horse section. I just got high res pro shots today and will be posting closer to the solictiation time. This piece is a beauty!!!

The girl and ape pic I guess you are refering is the Spicy Mystery pulp cover. We debuted this piece in San Diego and it went over well. I plan to have it out later this year. It looks just like the cover and the back of the piece has an ad that was on the original pulp. The spine has the title name and date of the original pulp on the left and on the right it looks like pages from the pulp magazine. Real cool 3D relief piece. Ilost all iamges of this when we lsot our equip in July but I'll get some new shots up real soon!

Thanks
Michael
RAS

[Bullseye]

Thanks for the updates Mike. Looking forward to seeing Tims work on this.

[William Paquet]

Nice interview Michael.:thumbs2:

[ReelArt Studios]

Nice interview Michael.:thumbs2:

Thanks Sir William! I enjoyed yours here on the forum a while back.

Michael
RAS

[rafter]

Michael, I don't suppose any of those iconic pulp characters you discussed would happen to be Elric?

[ReelArt Studios]

Michael, I don't suppose any of those iconic pulp characters you discussed would happen to be Elric?

RAFTER...what am I gonna do with you? :) Moor**** has been contacted via e-mail but I really don't have any idea if he responds or not. I, like you, think Elric would make a perfect statue and is long overdue. Hopefully we can get something going but no promises. If you know Mr. Moor**** pass the word...please!


BTW, why does it block out the last part of his name. Is is because it could be considered a "dirty" word? I've wondered about that.

Michael
RAS

[dfchang]

Hi Michael,

Yep, the last part of his name is in fact a little dirty. :):)

The program isn't perfect when it comes to context.

Moorcoc*k can get you around it I suppose.

Dennis

[speedracer]

I am sorry to say that i currently have no pieces from reelart..But that is going to change soon..I plan to get tarzan and all the frazetta pieces..these are such beautiful pieces in pictures..I really can't wait to get my snow giants and silver warriors by tony..the sculpt of queen by nagle is simply beautiful..i would like to see the huntress also..with tony making silver warior i'm sure Reelart has another homerun on their hands..More power to Mike and reel art..=)

[ReelArt Studios]

I really can't wait to get my snow giants and silver warriors by tony..the sculpt of queen by nagle is simply beautiful..i would like to see the huntress also..with tony making silver warior i'm sure Reelart has another homerun on their hands..More power to Mike and reel art..=)

As Mr. Frazetta deosn't like to review by e-mail we have to go visit him to show our work once it is so far along, After that visit we can began posting images on various forums and such. We will be showing Silver Warrior and The Huntress to Frank in mid May so after that we can start showing you, the fans, where we are. Sorry for the delay but that's the way it is. He's boss!

Now according to Rick Cantu, the genius painter behind our Egyptian Queen piece, we should finally ahve some photos sometime in Feb. which he has promised to post here. I can't wait!!! We've been waiting a looooonnnng
time on this one.

Michael

[rafter]

As Mr. Frazetta deosn't like to review by e-mail we have to go visit him to show our work once it is so far along, After that visit we can began posting images on various forums and such. We will be showing Silver Warrior and The Huntress to Frank in mid May so after that we can start showing you, the fans, where we are. Sorry for the delay but that's the way it is. He's boss!

Now according to Rick Cantu, the genius painter behind our Egyptian Queen piece, we should finally ahve some photos sometime in Feb. which he has promised to post here. I can't wait!!! We've been waiting a looooonnnng
time on this one.

Michael

Good news indeed Michael.

[dfchang]

Honestly we NEED to support Reel Art on the Frazetta series and MAKE SURE it is a sell out.

There are SOOO many iconic covers that Frazetta has done over the years even if you only look at the Conan ones. There is a goldmine of art to translate into 3-D and if we're going to have any chance of seeing them, we need to make sure this batch of 4 succeeds.

Dennis

[StatueItis]

Honestly we NEED to support Reel Art on the Frazetta series and MAKE SURE it is a sell out.

There are SOOO many iconic covers that Frazetta has done over the years even if you only look at the Conan ones. There is a goldmine of art to translate into 3-D and if we're going to have any chance of seeing them, we need to make sure this batch of 4 succeeds.

Dennis

Got my order in for Snow Giants and am anxiously awaiting it's February release. This will be my first statue from ReelArt Studios and if it turns out as good as the pictures look....not the last! I sure wish somebody would do some stuff from John Carter though (hint, hint).

[ReelArt Studios]

Got my order in for Snow Giants and am anxiously awaiting it's February release. This will be my first statue from ReelArt Studios and if it turns out as good as the pictures look....not the last! I sure wish somebody would do some stuff from John Carter though (hint, hint).


Hey dude...didn't you look at the pics following the interview? :stick: :)We've got licensing with ERB, Inc. and our plans are to follow our Tarzan piece with JCoM. Think Cipriano!!! I agree with you wholeheartedly!

Michael

[rafter]

Hey dude...didn't you look at the pics following the interview? :stick: :)We've got licensing with ERB, Inc. and our plans are to follow our Tarzan piece with JCoM. Think Cipriano!!! I agree with you wholeheartedly!

Michael

Hey Michael, I took a look at Michael Kaluta's web site today hoping to see some prelim's of the work he's doing with Mr. Moorc0ck. Unfortunately he hasn't posted any thing yet. Please let me know how things work out.

[ReelArt Studios]

Hey Michael, I took a look at Michael Kaluta's web site today hoping to see some prelim's of the work he's doing with Mr. Moorc0ck. Unfortunately he hasn't posted any thing yet. Please let me know how things work out.

Thanks...I'll probably give Mike a shout this week and see what's up.

M
RAS

[StatueItis]

Hey dude...didn't you look at the pics following the interview? :stick: :)We've got licensing with ERB, Inc. and our plans are to follow our Tarzan piece with JCoM. Think Cipriano!!! I agree with you wholeheartedly!

Michael

I read the article and didn't pay any attention to the pictures. Good grief, Dejah looks darn good already! Tars, Dejah and John...spectacular!

ReelArt is such a breath of fresh air when the other companies seem to do the same characters over, and over and over.....

NICE!

[dfchang]

Michael,

Don't know if you are aware but Clayburn Moore's studio has been given rights to sculpt more pieces from Frazetta's Conan covers.

I know your rights are for the inital 4 scenes: Snow Giants, Egyptian Queen, Silver Warrior, and Huntress.

How does the license granted to Moore impact your situation if you wanted to get more opportunities? Would you now ONLY be able to get licenses base on Frazetta's NON-Conan work?

Also, there is a bit of confusion anyway on which exactly counts as a Conan cover. I mean Snow Giants is clearly from the Howard Conan short story: The Frost Giant's Daughter but is it counted as such or just as an unnamed barbarian fighting two big guys?

Thanks for any info you might have.

Dennis

[kaza5555]

Great interview, Michael. Looking forward to some great pieces, especially The Spider and John Carter of Mars. Hoping to see E-Man sometime soon too!

[popeye]

....

[ReelArt Studios]

[quote=dfchang;955894]Michael,

Don't know if you are aware but Clayburn Moore's studio has been given rights to sculpt more pieces from Frazetta's Conan covers.

Yep, I'm fully aware of it and that's okay. I am a fan of Clay's work and am following the blog as his Kull sculpt moves along. Hope he doesn't block me now...:banghead:

I know your rights are for the inital 4 scenes: Snow Giants, Egyptian Queen, Silver Warrior, and Huntress.

Only one of those is realted to Conan but you are correct in that those are the first four we've licensed with the Frazetta family. We want to encompass the entire range of Frazetta art and not just focus on Conan.

How does the license granted to Moore impact your situation if you wanted to get more opportunities?

Clay is licensed with Conan Properties to my knowledge and not with the Frazetta family. Right after I licensed Snow Giants with the Frazattas they sold and/or gave the rights to all Conan related images to Paradox Entertainment/Conan Properties. I don't know any details of said transaction. My situation at the time of licensing Snow Giants was that I was told by my Licensor not to co-license the property with any other party. (I'll leave it at that) I did as I was told. I did speak with Paradox in San Diego prior to our production of the piece and was told as long as we didn't market the statue as Conan (which we haven't) then all would be okay. That proved not to be the case but again, I won't and shouldn't get into that here. My understanding is Clay had a similar experience with Paradox some years ago but you'd have to ask him about that.


Would you now ONLY be able to get licenses base on Frazetta's NON-Conan work?

Not sure. Paradox wasn't really happy about the situation with Snow Giants but I had to do what my Licensor said or lose the license because at that time the Frazettas had not given Paradox the rights to all of Frank's Conan related art. I'm not sure if they (Paradox) would work with me now or not.
I would hope so. I mean what it all boils down to is money, right? I'd love to do more Howard properties and I have nothing against Paradox/Conan Properties although I do wish they would have treated me differently.When all this was taking place I was also in negotiations with the REH Estate trying to secure Solomon Kane rights. Next thing I knew Paradox had gained the rights over all of Howard's properties. Needless to say i was a bit cretstfallen because I felt that it would end my chance to do any more Howard material and I love REH. I hope that fences can be mended perhaqps through my association with Dark Horse and their association with Conan Properties and that we would eventually be able to sculpt more of Howard's characters, although that doesn't necessarily mean Conan. I'd like to do a lot of REH stuff...Corm Mak Morn, Kull, Solomon Kane, Brekinridge Elkins, etc...

Also, there is a bit of confusion anyway on which exactly counts as a Conan cover. I mean Snow Giants is clearly from the Howard Conan short story: The Frost Giant's Daughter but is it counted as such or just as an unnamed barbarian fighting two big guys?

You are getting technical but it is a good question. What makes a barbarian Conan? Conan doesn't wear a cape like Superman or a cowl like Batman. In the art you don't see even see the barbarian's face in Frazetta's Snow Giants. Conan's face has been rendered so many different ways from Windsor Smith to Buscema to Cary Nord (all geat btw) So who can tell me exactly what Conan looks like? Why couldn't the barbarian in Snow Giants be named Gak Guk? :) I know baaaaddd name ! :) Unless Frank Frazetta sold "all" the usage rights to the art to Lancer back in the 1960's and then someone bought those rights from Lancer then I don't see anybody else being able to come in and claim rights to "all" uses of Frank's art unless he
(Frank) wants for some reason (monetary or other) to give it to them as he has recently done with Paradox/Conan Properties. I mean Frank hasn't used the "Conan" in "his" title for "his" art, has he? He calls the painting Frazetta's Snow giants not The Frost Giant's Daughter. Maybe close but it is a big technical big difference when it comes to the legal issue.

At any rate, it is a moot point now because if we were to attempt to license Snow Giants today we would have to go through Paradox/Conan Properties and not the Frazetta family. We were just in time and our Frazetta's Snow Giants statue was the last Conan related property to be licensed by the Frazetta family. that alone should make it a real cool bonus to any collector of the statue!

Thanks for any info you might have.

Super great and deep questions Dennis! You woulkd make a great reporter!!!! I appreciate it!

In closing I would like to say that we (RAS) probably wouldn't want to produce any more of Frazetta's Conan related works at this time because I personally feel that the best of the bunch have now been done by Randy, Clay and now hopefully us. I'm setting my eyes on the wealth of other Frazetta art that I'd like to see in 3D and that includes Death Dealer! I hope you agree.

Michael
ReelArt Studios
[quote]

[ReelArt Studios]

Great interview, Michael. Looking forward to some great pieces, especially The Spider and John Carter of Mars. Hoping to see E-Man sometime soon too!


ha...JCoM...ME TOO!!!!! Thanks man

[ReelArt Studios]

Hey now!

Mr. Hudson getting a lot of ink these days...and deservedly so. One of the nicest Southern gentlemen in the business....A class act & a sheer joy to work for/with. Between Mike and the folks at Dark Horse distributing the stuff , these Frazetta statues are a dream come true for any sculptor. I hope & pray sales are good and the actual pieces are well recieved by Frazetta's fans.

Super cool interview, Mike... & thanks for the props.

Long live ReelArt Studios. Here's hoping we get to do as many Frazetta paintings as time permits. We're not kids anymore, you know. My arthritis has been acting up lately....:thumbs2:

John Carter...Flash Gordon...Doc Savage.....bring 'em on brotha.

Cheers,
Tony


Ahhhh, Tony Cipriano everyone, the man with X ray vision and the hands of a surgeon. Thanks T, none of this would have been possible without you my friend! I look forward to our May trip!

M
RAS

[warhead]

So now the Barbarian can officially or legally be called Conan, hope this Frazetta sell off works out for them and for the Conan [REH] fans.

[msw313]

http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/scoop_article.asp?ai=14196&si=124

This just came out today. I'm tooting my own horn. Hope you enjoy it!

M
RAS
Michael,
I just wanted to take the opportunity to publicly thank you for the great interview. It was interesting and informative, and you are probably one of the most enthusiastic and accomodating "victims" I've interviewed over the years.

While our mission at Scoop is to cover all things pop-culture (with emphasis on comics- and character-driven subjects), some of us here derive particular pleasure in supporting companies and individuals who (to use multiple cliches) "dare to be different" and "take the road less travelled."

In the vast sea of over-licensed, over-exposed, and over-produced character products, it's refreshing to find someone in the collectibles-producing business who whole-heartedly embraces diversity and provides collectors with exciting alternatives to the commonplace.

Thanks,
Mike Wilbur

[ReelArt Studios]

Michael,
I just wanted to take the opportunity to publicly thank you for the great interview. It was interesting and informative, and you are probably one of the most enthusiastic and accomodating "victims" I've interviewed over the years.

While our mission at Scoop is to cover all things pop-culture (with emphasis on comics- and character-driven subjects), some of us here derive particular pleasure in supporting companies and individuals who (to use multiple cliches) "dare to be different" and "take the road less travelled."

In the vast sea of over-licensed, over-exposed, and over-produced character products, it's refreshing to find someone in the collectibles-producing business who whole-heartedly embraces diversity and provides collectors with exciting alternatives to the commonplace.

Thanks,
Mike Wilbur


Thank you Mike for the interview and more importantly for your friendship!
Now if I could just make a few bucks...LOL

Michael
RAS

[Danno]

Great interview Michael, that was some good reading!!!!:thumbs2:

[Kdawg59]

Michael... you guys are doing some fanatastic work over there. You have carved out a great niche and are running with these licenses...

you have become one that we are all starting to talk about...

Just keep up the fantastic work...

[rafter]

I'm really excited about this company. Not only what they are currently doing, but also what might lie in there future. (You know what I'm talking about Michael:). I HOPE this works out.)

[ReelArt Studios]

I'm really excited about this company. Not only what they are currently doing, but also what might lie in there future. (You know what I'm talking about Michael:). I HOPE this works out.)


Thanks Dan!

[msw313]

Just a bump for those who haven't seen this yet, buried way down on page 6.

Interesting and informative interview with Michael, and some sneak peek pix at the end.

ReelArt's doing some killer stuff, and it's a welcome breath of fresh air from all the Marvel oversaturation.

:thumbs2:

[batman1180]

That tarzan and the golden lion is awesome. Ill get that for sure.

['Nuff]

Just a bump for those who haven't seen this yet, buried way down on page 6.

Interesting and informative interview with Michael, and some sneak peek pix at the end.

ReelArt's doing some killer stuff, and it's a welcome breath of fresh air from all the Marvel oversaturation.

:thumbs2:

Thanks for bumping it...I missed this the 1st time around...:thumbs2: