The Vinyl Frontier

Countdown to the Con: One Year Later

danielzana@gmail.com — 2008-07-25T03:29:21-04:00

It was 364 days ago that I first wrote in this blog of mine and posted the 2007 Comic Con Trailer, which later got featured on Youtube's front page (don't ask me how- to this day it's a mystery). But as i pack my bags and get ready to go to San Diego, I look back at what an awesome year it's been for the film, and although it's coming along slower than i had originally hoped, I'm pretty sure the extra care and loving that i'm giving the film will be reflected. So In the meantime, be patient with me if you can, enjoy the tasty nuggets of information as i release them and be sure to say hi if you're at Comic Con! I'll be carrying some Vinyl Frontier postcards for everybody to enjoy. Keep an eye out for a new website coming soon as well as a new extended trailer featuring never before seen footage.

Oh before I forget, a while back I had the distinct pleasure to chat with Paola Antonelli, Design and Architecture Curator for the MOMA here in NY. She basically oversaw the acquisition of several Kidrobot toys into the permanent collection, so i wanted to talk to her and see what she thinks about the movement and more importantly whether she thinks vinyl is art for the masses or just a toy.

Ok off to San Diego!!!

The Vinyl Frontier Spotlight: Bill McMullen

danielzana@gmail.com — 2008-07-25T03:26:45-04:00

This is vol.10 of "The Vinyl Frontier" Spotlight, taking a brief look into the world of an artist featured in the upcoming documentary by Daniel Zana. This week we take a look at Bill McMullen, the creator of the AD-AT, Shuttlemax, and Dunnynaut. Hear Bill talk about his influences, the ideas behind his art, and what makes him create.

music by The Dandelion Council

The Vinyl Frontier Spotlight: Jamungo

danielzana@gmail.com — 2008-07-02T02:53:08-04:00

This is vol.9 of "The Vinyl Frontier" Spotlight, taking a brief look into the world of an artist featured in the upcoming documentary by Daniel Zana. This week we take a look at Jamungo, the creators of the Bud & Nade, Sqube, and Sqwert. Hear from Ferg and Van Beater about their ideas behind the toys they produce. More to come in later installments on:

The Vinyl Frontier

music by Lionel Cohen of DNA Productions

June Production Update

danielzana@gmail.com — 2008-06-13T17:05:42-04:00

Just a quick update on how the film's coming along. I recently got to interview Paul Budnitz, founder of Kidrobot, who produce vinyl toys, apparel and other lifestyle stuff. It was a real treat to get his perspective on things since they've been in the toy game for quite some time. I'm doing my final interview next week and after that it's a race to the finish line in Decemeber!

Paul Budnitz in the newly remodeled Kidrobot New York

Stay tuned for a new Vinyl Frontier Spotlight on Jamungo coming Monday!

Production Update

danielzana@gmail.com — 2008-05-21T01:43:56-04:00

Hey there,

Just a general update for you all hungry for new info on the film. In the past couple months, I've been conducting a few more interviews to try my best and paint a picture of the vinyl toy scene. In addition to introducing people to the scene in general and those out there, I'm also trying to best to stimulate questions from the audience about the toys themselves and whether they can be viewed as a legitimate art form; something more than an overpriced collectible.

That being said, I did a reshoot with the lovely Tara McPherson in her native Brooklyn studio and got a chance to ask her some more in depth questions about her art, her thoughts on vinyl toys, and where she see things going.

Tara Mcpherson

Next up was Mark Taylor, Adjunct Professor at Otis College who teaches among other things toys design. I mean the guy came up with He-Man, so he definetly had a bit to say about toys in general and in particular the vinyl toys that he has dealt with lately in his clases. He was certainly a blast to talk to about things and get an academic perspective on the toy scene in general.

Mark Taylor

Last and certainly not least, we have Dave Bondi, artist and sculptor who is best know for sculpting toys for Luke Chueh and Joe Ledbetter. I spoke to him because he's a behind the scenes kind of guy in the vinyl toy world and I wanted to see what his thoughts were on the way toys were viewed. How would he feel if people called something he worked on for several days, weeks, months, a toy rather than a piece of art? I asked him many questions and how did he react? Stay tuned and find out...

Dave Bondi

Until next time,
D

Toycyte Feature Article on The Vinyl Frontier!!!

danielzana@gmail.com — 2008-05-14T23:00:00-04:00

Hey there, I just wanted to let all y'all know that I got featured on this nifty toy blog called Toycyte. They asked me a bunch of questions about myself as a film maker and the film. I did my best and gave em pretty decent answers but you tell me. Check it out Here.

The Vinyl Frontier Spotlight: MCA

danielzana@gmail.com — 2008-05-13T03:39:42-04:00

Sorry for being so out of touch blog-wise. I'll be doing many more of these videos not to fret. Here's a lovely midnight snack and if you're patient, i'll post some more photos for people i recently spoke to. Plus I got some killer news! Stay Tuned..

This is vol.8 of "The Vinyl Frontier" Spotlight, taking a brief look into the world of an artist featured in the upcoming documentary by Daniel Zana. This week we take a look at MCA's comic, his fine art and how he got started in vinyl toys. More to come in later installments on www.thevinylfrontiermovie.com

The Vinyl Frontier Spotlight: Derek Welch of Unkl Brand

danielzana@gmail.com — 2008-03-10T21:06:09-04:00

Here's Volume 7 of The Vinyl Frontier Spotlight featuring Derek Welch.

The Vinyl Frontier Spotlight: Joe Ledbetter

danielzana@gmail.com — 2008-02-07T21:20:02-05:00

Here's Vol.6 of The Vinyl Frontier Volume 6 featuring Joe Ledbetter

Bill McMullen Interview

danielzana@gmail.com — 2008-01-30T23:50:47-05:00

I got to interview Bill McMullen, toy designer, graphic designer, and all around cool guy recently so I wanted to share some photos from the shoot with ya'll. His most notorious piece in my humble opinion is the AD-AT from a couple years back.

AD-AT and Bill on Planet Hoth

The Man Himself

A small portion of the toy collection

R2-D2 maxin' and relaxin'

Still werking on the film not too worry and I've got some super cool things in store so sit tight and be patient i promise it will be worth it...

New Spotlight dropping next week, I promise.

over and out.

d

The Vinyl Frontier Spotlight: Jermaine Rogers

danielzana@gmail.com — 2008-01-16T02:34:49-05:00

I am proud to present the first VF spotlight of 2008 starring amazing poster artists and toy designer Jermaine Rogers. He talks about the dero and its origins in his commercial work as well as the esoteric history behind the deros.

enjoi.

Here are some photos from the shoot:

me looking goofy behind the camera

One of a kind resin cast deros

Life sized squire edition of 10. pretty cool in person

Seeya Soon

Happy New Years from The Vinyl Frontier

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-12-31T10:27:34-05:00

Hey everybody,

It's been a while since the last update but I've definitely been working hard to get this film out ASAP. I recently got to interview MCA from evil design, which was great and i got some photos to share with y'all. I got a couple things brewing but there will be a more steady flow of VF Spotlights in 08 on a much more regular basis. I Promise.

Have a great New Year,

Daniel

MCA deep in thought

MCA with his Evil Ape figures and a recent painting

Close up of the Evil Ape Figures and some older Qees

The Vinyl Frontier Spotlight: Ron English

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-11-30T00:48:46-05:00

Here's Vol. 4 of the spotlight series featuring Ron English.

Stay tuned for more goodies.

Minor Updates

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-11-20T00:28:10-05:00

Hey there,

i didnt forget about you guys reading the blog and i know you've been itching for some new content. I don't have much i can show right now other than cool pictures and promise that ill be doing the spotlights on a bit more regular basis trust me. By the way, I was curious, what kind of stuff do you guys collect? let me know; I'm curious to know what kind of collectors visit the site and what their favorite artists or pieces are.

Daniel

btw hint hint next edition of the spotlight will be one of these guys:

Jermaine Rogers

Jim Koch

Ron English

The Vinyl Frontier Spotlight: Thomas Han

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-11-05T22:51:23-05:00

Here's Vol. 3 of the spotlight series featuring Thomas Han.

Enjoy.

The Beast Within

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-10-29T22:27:43-04:00

So this entry is not really that exciting in that i'm not posting any cool videos or showcasing any new stuff for the film, but i wanted to let any New Yorkers about an awesome art show coming up on Halloween. Here's the flyer:

I also wanted to assure all the loyal readers that i'm definitely working on the film itself and trying my best to update the site and the blog as often as possible so y'all can be kept in the loop. Look out for a new video coming this week featuring one of the many artists featured in the film.

And now your moment (s) of zen....

-Daniel

Vinyl Frontier Spotlight On Attaboy

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-10-20T21:54:11-04:00

So Volume 2 is up and this time around it features none other than Attaboy.
check it out.

-d

Basemania!

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-10-15T20:47:29-04:00

I just got back from Los Angeles where I had the pleasure of visiting the studio of Gary Baseman, artist and vinyl toy creator. He sat down with me for a bit and was interviewed for the documentary, touching on subjects ranging from toys, art, love, life, etc.
It definetly was a great experience and it's always a treat to hear from someone who has worked in many different fields of art (TV, commercial illustration, fine art, toy creation, etc.) and get their opinion on the vinyl toy phenomenon.
I've posted some photos of the studio and look forward to some possible Baseman videos in the near future.

The desk of Gary Baseman- complete with in progress painting

A few in progress pieces in the studio.

Mark Ryden's Interpretation Of Venison

Some Baseman pieces among mannequin hands

Chou Chou paintings among mannequin hands

Hot Cha Cha Chas among a proto for the new Venison figure and other goodies...

Maquettes used during the production of "Teacher's Pet"

The Vinyl Frontier Spotlight: Luke Chueh

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-10-09T22:25:36-04:00

This week i'm gonna start a new feature here on the vf blog. every week (roughly) i'll try and put out a short video about one of the artists featured in the film with some info about their work. so the first ep is on Luke Chueh, the artist whose work is behind The Possessed figure.

enjoi
d.

Youtube Madness

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-09-30T09:23:20-04:00

So, somehow (i'm not sure how don't ask) the trailer for the doc made it to the front page of youtube. That's really crazy and unbelievable for me but it's great to know that there's an audience for the subject and its certainly giving me fuel to tread on and get this film done asap.

I apologize for the lack of updates but I've just recently gotten internet at home after moving to a new apartment and things have been a bit hectic between moving and work. But fear not, loyal readers (all two of you) I will be updating this blog at least once a week with short excerpts from the film to show what sorta progress is going down.

be patient and thanks for reading.

-d

Postcardpalooza

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-08-07T06:03:00-04:00

Here's a treat for everyone who did'nt get to go to Comic Con and see these awesome postcards being handed out by yours truly and my minion of trained animals.

For those who did go to comic con and everyone else as well i got some goodies in the works to put on the website so be patient.

-Daniel

SDCC Day Three

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-08-01T21:38:00-04:00

The final day of comic con was really chilled out and i managed to get the last of the interviews done which was really awesome. With a little time to spare, I managed to do some actual shopping and picked up a DIY Qee and a brown Steven The Bat by Bwana Spoons, which i've been dying to get for some time.

Sorry for the short entry, I'm pooped.

-d

Joe Ledbetter

Brian McCarty

Attaboy

Ferg & Van Beater (Jamungo)

SDCC Day Two

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-07-31T19:12:00-04:00

New Website Layout: I put some minor changes on the website and added a photos section. More stuff on the site coming soon...

Day two of Comic Con was no less insane for me than day one, but it was certainly much more crowded. I did manage to squeeze in some more interviews with these guys:

Derek Welch (UNKL)

Thomas Han

Huck Gee

Luke Chueh

I feel really great having gone to San Diego Comic Con and finally met the artist whose work I have been admiring for some time. They were all awesome to interview and each provided a different perspective on vinyl toys and the scene in general. I'm really stoked to see how the footage came out and start editing comic con stuff.

-d

SDCC Day One

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-07-30T17:59:14-04:00

I'm a little behind on the entries but i'd to keep everyone up to speed with what ive been doing. Here's a look some peoples i got to speak to on Friday at SD Comic Con for the documentary:

Jermaine Rogers

Bwana Spoons

Jim Crawford (StrangeCo)

El Maz

Stay tuned tomorrow as I post more photos from San Diego Comic Con and if you're nice i just might throw down some videos from my interviews thus far...

Countdown To The Con

danielzana@gmail.com — 2007-07-26T22:11:02-04:00

Twas the night before comic con and none were prepared in the house not even that mouse. Ok sorry for the lame ass rhyme. I just posted the trailer for the film on youtube (check below). I arrive at 1030 am in SD and ill be around for just a few days so i better make this visit count. I also made out some postcards to pass out which should be fun. well sunny weather awaits. Now back to work i go!