Spotlight On: Custom Artist “The Model Maker”

WDWNT on May 26, 2011

The first Thursday without a Big Bang Theory for the summer got us feeling down, so we tracked down a custom artist whose work caught our attention to ask him about his Big Bang Theory related custom project he’s recently completed. Straight from Ireland, here’s “themodelmaker”…

MC: What got you into art?
themodelmaker: I think it started with a fascination with comic books and animation from early age. I always wanted to draw my own comic book, but my skills were not at that level yet. However, they were good enough to pass the drawing exams for architecture, where I was still influenced by art, but with emphasize on buildings. After a few years working as architect, I got into painting figures and sculpting in my free time. That way I can put my hands on projects and shape it as I want without waiting for open-minded investor with cash.

MC: Very cool. What’s your artistic background, training/education?
TMM: I studied architecture in Wroclaw in Poland. Apart from few obligatory drawing, painting, and sculpting courses; most of my skills are self-taught. Making custom toys is a great way to improve in the areas I like.

MC: How long have you been creating custom Vinyls?
TMM: I am fresh in this scene, it will be exactly year and the half. Before that I played with resin, I made few buildings from scratch, sculpted little figurines, and engagement ring boxes based on Disney characters.

MC: How long have you worked with the Disney Vinylmation specifically?
TMM: I only made 2 customs on vinylmations to this moment and there will be more. First one was Walt Disney’s portrait few months ago.
MC: How many other custom pieces have you made?
TMM: I’ve made about 30 customs on vinyl platforms, plus few more made from scratch.

MC: What’s your favorite piece you’ve made?
TMM: Einstein munny.
MC: Do you collect the Vinylmation created by Disney artists?
TMM: No I don’t. I can’t buy it here in Ireland, but even if I did I would probably repaint them because I am more interested in making things than buying stuff. If I will start collecting, I will limit it to one that are unique and handmade by other customizers, and not the mass printed designs.

MC: What is your favorite Disney Vinylmation design?
TMM: My favourite design is blank. It saves lot of time on cleaning the paint, it leads to some action and creativity on consumers end and it is the reason why I am interested in this toy, but if ever got the Trade City USA from commemorative events 2010 series, I would keep him as he is.

MC: How did you come up with the idea of the Sheldon piece?
TMM: I watch at least one episode a day of the The Big Bang Theory on DVD. It always makes me laugh, even if I watch the same episode for third time. It is my favorite series ever and I wanted to show it somehow. I only realized they will make a good series of customs, when I put vinylmation next to the dunnys. His shape, hands, head and smile worked for me only this way, plus he is taller and completes the set well.
MC: Can you describe this figure? The inspiration. What detail went into it?
TMM: In one episode he came from Disneyworld with his Mickey ears on, that probably left the first mark in my brain, but I didn’t do anything more about it then. Later, I decided that I want to practice portrait painting and looked for the subject. I want my customs to show the things I like, so Big Bang was a must. I painted Sheldon and was happy with the results. Then I painted Wolowitz and was even happier, so I decided to finish the whole cast. Sheldon was quick, just two days. With this series I wanted to limit myself to painting only. That is why I didn’t add any noses or change anything in original figure. I only filled with filler few lines on vinylmation’s head and line of trousers and removed Mickeys buttons.
MC: I really like the Lantern What is your favourite aspect of it?
TMM: That I didn’t need to sculpt and sand much this time.

MC: What was the hardest part in creating this figure?
TMM: The hardest part was to keep the likeness with the character/actor. It is challenging enough to achieve it on flat surface, a bit more complicated when the figure itself dictates position of nose or mouth.

MC: I like the whole Big Bang theory crew, and the show. What did you find so fascinating about both that made you want to put it into vinyl form?
TMM: Their passions, lifestyle, and strong fascination with subjects remind me my own life and friends. Of course I am not as smart or as socially awkward as they are 🙂

MC: In your words where can people go to find out more about your pieces and see your work?
TMM: I post all my works on my blog: themodelmaker.net, on a deviant art gallery and recently on flicker. I keep updating about new finished projects on my twitter and facebook page.

MC: I’d like to thank you for joining us, and please keep up the great vinyl work! Your pieces are extraordinary and the faces are some of the best ones I’ve ever seen on a custom!

All photos from themodelmaker.net

Journey Into Imagination with Figment Gets Some Upgrades? Really?

WDWNT on May 26, 2011

It may be very hard to believe, but Walt Disney World poured some money into Epcot’s long troubled Journey into Imagination with Figment attraction. The ride has been so well known for malfunctions over the last few years that some guests started making a game of counting them (OK, that was us). In the following video, you’ll see short explanations of what’s new or fixed in the attraction. It may be hard to believe, but nearly every effect in the ride is back in working order, or dare I say, looking better than ever:

If this was not enough, the temporary walls blocking guests from now closed Kodak exhibits in Imageworks have been made a little more permanent. A “Simon” type game has been installed on these walls for guests to play:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

With rumors having circulated for years that this attraction was in for a major overhaul, we have to wonder if these upgrades mean than this attraction will be with us for a little while longer. While the attraction does look the best it ever has, it still is only drawing small crowds and it probably still not going to be a guest favorite. Only time will tell what is in the future for this attraction, so stay tuned to WDW News Today as more becomes available on this breaking story.

Combo Contest #2

WDWNT on May 26, 2011

Update: 5/26/11 The contest is over! Lots of great entries. We’ll be looking them all over this weekend and announcing our winners then. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest, and everyone who retweeted and followed us so they could win that prize as well!!

Update: 5/19/11 Less then a week left in the competition. On our last podcast we announced a prize for the “Best in Show” award. That prize is this…
A Kidada 9″. (There are only 500 of these, and it’s been sold out since the day they started selling them.) So keep those contest entries coming in, and don’t forget the RT contest too!

Update: 5/9/11 Lots of entries pouring in. Everything is incredible! We can’t wait til this is over so we can share all of them with you. Look for the announcement of the “Best in Show” prize coming soon! Only two weeks left. (And don’t forget about the retweet contest as part of this.)

For those of you who don’t listen to our podcast, we announced our next Combo Contest*! Today we are announcing the contest to everyone else, and providing an end date! If you have questions email us at (we already have several good ones submited!)
Combo Contest 2

The Rules:
1: Take vinylmations and form a new one by changing around the parts (the easiest way is to put a new head on another one’s body) See the example below.
2: Email the photo to . In the email name the new figure and explain which parts you used to make your figure.
3: You can use any 3″ Vinylmation (nothing self-painted) or official “accessory” to help create your figure. You can use a “make your own” piece, but only if it hasn’t been painted. The more interesting and better themed, the more likely to win.
4: Enter as many different combos are you want!

The Prize:
The winner will receive a Vinylmation (from a list we will supply).
Once the winner is chosen, they will receive an email with a list of Vinylmation that we can send out. The winner then chooses which they want and they get it!
There will most likely be several winners (the last contest had two, even though we only said their would be one!)

The Due Date:
The contest will end at midnight EST on May 25th. The winner will be announced on the next podcast following that date.
Ice-T

Head: Ice Cube Tray 3″
Body: Urban 5 Cuppa Tea

Both our examples this time are Music themed, but that isn’t required as part of this contest.

*Re-tweet Contest

This part of the contest starts with the very first tweet about this contest and ends with the last tweet about this contest on May 25th. Each contest tweet will be numbered.

To win, first “follow” @vinylmationnews. Then, for each newly numbered tweet that you re-tweets for us, you will get one entry into a drawing for a vinylmation. Only one entry per unique tweet per person.
Fine Print: The winner will be named by Destination Vinylmation. All decisions are final. All photos may be published in a gallery for Destination Vinylmation. Feel free to add a watermark to your photos, but all photos will be credited to the person emails us them. If two people send in the same combo, only the one to arrive first shall be considered. The list of vinylmation to win is subject to change, but we promise NO CLEARS!

Cutesters Like You Vinylmation Explained

WDWNT on May 25, 2011

Update: 5/25/11 Disney today updated their page with official names for these vinyls. It’s kinda out of the routine for them, should we be expecting this more often? We also heard that several stores have released them early, so check out your local Disney Store!

Coming exclusively to Disney Stores on June 6th will be the limited release blind box Cutesters Like You series. This series will be priced at $9.95 and is designed by Dan Beltran (9″ Jumba and other Villains). It is a bit surprising, looking at the figures, this isn’t a Maria Clapsis or Lisa Badeen project. What do you think of the set?

Release Date: June 6
Price: $9.95
Artist: Dan Beltran

 Dreamy (Disney)


It’s a little read haired girl in her PJ’s. Look at the details… Bunny slippers on her feet and what must be one of the last sheep jumping in her ear as she is already asleep by the closed eyes and the Z’s.
Schooly (Disney)


A girl in pigtails with a blue skirt and red bow. The colors look reminiscent of a sailor.
Frenchy (Disney)


This girl has a very artsy, Parisian look to her. The red scarf and beret are the perfect touch. And she has a heart in her right ear. And Je t’aime, I Love You, in her left ear.
Hippie (Disney)


A very 60’s look to this girl. She sports the bear feet look or has sandals and you can see the painted toenails. The colors are perfect, and I like the purple tinted glasses. A nice little guitar and the added touch of flowers in her ears of course!
Smarty (Disney)


Continuing the wonderful color pallet used in this set, this figure has bright purple hair, dark purple pants and a light purple tie. She is dressed in a striped shirt with a bracelet on her left wrist and glasses painted on. She must be a good student, getting A+ grades and with schoolwork on her mind.
Tuney (Disney)


She is ready for the band! A very happy look to the green haired girl. She is wearing headphones, has a record on her shirt and music notes in her ears. She also has an MP3 player strapped to her side.
Glammy (Disney)


It appears to be a celebrity dressed up for a movie premier under the stars. A camera in one ear is snapping pictures. She has a fashionable pink dress on with elbow length pink gloves. She has hair sitting on her shoulders and a diamond necklace and earrings as well.
Excercisey (Disney)


She is about to hit the track and exercise. She is wearing sneakers with wrist and head bands. Here ears read “No pain, No gain.” Game on!
Hero-y (Disney)


She appears ready to fit crime and make the world a better place for girls everywhere. She has a masked face and big purple star on her costume’s front. Purple gloves, shoes and eye wear.
Pandy (Disney)


This reminds us of the Squirrel and Tiger kids from Cutesters Too. This time it’s a panda costume with a little blonde girl peaking out.
Rocky (Disney)


She looks a bit on the tough side. Dark purple hair and ponytails. Lightning bolt on her shirt. She is wearing a studded belt and bracelet.
Cutesters Like You box design

June 10th Vinylmation Releases

WDWNT on May 25, 2011

Disney announced a slew of information today, and one of the big things was the information of several vinylmation being released on June 10th.
First up: Goof Troop will be available online only from the disneystore.com The artist is Chris Chapman and the set has a LE of 1000.


The 9″ Urban 6 Moai Statue by Casey Jones will be in D-Streets and Online. It’s by Casey Jones and has a LE of 800.

Also available in both D-Streets and online that day, the Angel Devil 9″/3″ Urban 6 set by Thomas Scott. There will be only 1000 of these.

What do you think of these pieces? Will you be ready for Goof Troop?? (Don’t forget that Rescue Rangers is this Friday!

Star Wars restocked and ready to be signed

WDWNT on May 25, 2011

Disney announced today, that they have restocked the Star Wars Series in the stores in Hollywood Studios.

They also announced a signing event with the artist, Mike Sullivan, for May 27 and May 28 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Jabba’s Hut. Be sure to drop by then to get your things signed, as well as talk to Mike.

For everyone in California, remember that he’s coming to your coast on June 4th.

Stormtrooper of the Week #17

WDWNT on May 25, 2011

Late late at night. Near the equatorial trench. On the side farthest from the super laser’s focus lens. That’s where the troopers go to get their rave on at the hidden death-cotech.

NYC Times Square Exclusive Liberty 9″

WDWNT on May 25, 2011

Update: 5/28/11 The Playwright sent us some pictures from the NYC Times Square Disney Store, vinyl displays and the new 9″ Liberty NYC figure. Check them out below. He also said there are no markings on the box that say Limited Edition. So this may be another Statue of Liberty Minnie that is around for awhile.
Disney just announced that this amazing, and patriotic, 9″ will be released on May 27th at the Disney Store in NYC Times Square. It’s designed by Jim Valeri who also has done the exclusive NYC TImes Square “Hey, Taxi!” figure. No word yet on if it’s a limited edition or not.

Artist: Jim Valeri
Price: unknown
Released at: Disney Store Times Square
Release Date: May 27th 2011
LE ?

“I really like the flag as the background. Also, the statue of libery looks great (in this picture). I hope it looks that good in person. Although, as a non-fan of 9″s, I don’t think I’ll be getting this one” -MC

What do you think of this piece?

Pictures from The Playwright:

Front of package
Vinylmation Store Display
Disney Pop Vinylmation. For those of you who haven’t seen these yet, we will be posting a story soon.