Erick Sosa
is regarded by many as one of the most gifted sculptors of our days. He dared
to pursue the dream of having his own company, PrototypeZ Studio. Let’s learn
about this venture.
1 – Hello, Erick, when I interviewed you around
a year ago, you were battling to turn PrototypeZ Studio into reality. Now it
is. What changed in your life?
Erick Sosa:
Well mainly, I have less stress as I don't have to deal with many clients
anymore.
2 – Is PrototypeZ Studio a customs venture or
are the products it offers licensed?
ES: All products are 100% licensed.
3 – I saw you launched a Street Fighter Ryu. In
several formats if I’m not mistaken. What were the formats/variants, their
prices and are there anymore available for purchase?
ES: There’s
a few left but stock is low. We mainly work in 1/6th and 1/4th scales.
4 – What’s coming next if you can say? And when
will it be released?
Akuma has been released and we will let people
decide between Chun Li and Ken…
5 – Do you have any wild dream regarding
PrototypeZ Studio? Like an authorial series of figures? If any, in which
category (horror, fantasy, heroes etc.) it would be focused?
ES: Yes, my
hope is to begin creating an original series of PVC heroes and monsters…
6 – Any other wild dream regarding PrototypeZ
Studio? Besides become Sideshow rich? Lol.
ES: Nah, no
desire to grow that big at all… just the desire to do my own creations and to
be able to grow from that.
7 – This is a short question with a big answer
I guess: could you name and describe every process from PrototypeZ Studio from
conceptual design to delivering of the figure to the buyer? I’m very curious to
know every step a given piece comes across until reaching the final buyer.
ES: We
start with a 2D sketch, then we get that approved by Capcom and we move on to
the 3D modeling, once that is approved we print and mold cast and paint. Then
we submit photographs and then once approved we send the prototypes to our
factory in China in order to begin production.
8 – Of this whole process what do you like the
most and what do you dislike the most?
ES: I
dislike leaving my family behind to go to China, as much as I love China.
However it is a great time to be able to do quality control and make sure
people get the best product we can give them.
9 – Can PrototypeZ Studio products be bought in
stores? How to acquire a PrototypeZ piece?
ES: You can
but via retailers like big bad toy store, or our website www.prototypezstudios.com
10 – Besides PrototypeZ Studio you still work
in other places/projects? Could you name it?
ES: I only
work for Kotobukiya and Banpresto but not many projects as my focus is
Prototypez and Semic-Protoypez…. more on that soon. All I can say is we got a
Marvel license and we are doing quite a bit of product for it.
11 – It worth both financially and let’s say
psychologically to create your own enterprise?
ES:
Absolutely!
12 – What are the big differences of being the
boss?
ES: More
responsibility but also more benefits such as being able to create what I want
instead of being told how to go about it.
13 – What do you like the most about PrototypeZ
Studio?
ES: The
freedom it comes with being able to dictate what gets done and how.
14 – What needs improvement in PrototypeZ
Studio in your opinion?
ES: A lot,
we are working on a new system for our consumer service, preparing a new
quality control team, and working on a new product not just Polystone statues.
16 – Which franchise you really wanted to bring
to PrototypeZ Studio?
ES:
Honestly after Street Fighter I may just focus on King of Fighters but still
working out a deal with SNK for that. The truth is my focus is original product
and toys.
17 – Is there any character you sculpted so
much you got tired of it?
ES: Not
tired but yeah I would say the minions from Despicable me…. Ugh
18 – Is hand sculpting a dying art in the
industry since digital sculpting seems to be an easier, faster sculpting tool?
ES: It is,
all companies are working with digital tech, I hardly no anyone doing traditional
sculpt besides Neca maybe, and they are also using 3D assets.
19 – Do you still do hand sculpting? In which
circumstances?
ES: Once or
twice a year I do my own monsters and sell them in japan as resin kits at Winter Wonderfestival.
20 – Why do you think prices are increasing so
fast in the industry? Do you believe there’s a practical reason (or reasons)
besides pure greed? How much of it is just greed?
ES: There’s
many variables, but greed is usually part of what drives any industry…. A lot
of it is greed. A lot of it is…yeah greed too… lol
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| Right in the face of big companies! |
21 – What are the variables taken into account
to determine the price of a piece?
ES: License
cost, production cost, territory limitations….
22 – Did your previous experiences on the
market help you developing PrototypeZ Studio? If so, in which manner?
ES: In
every aspect, I wouldn’t have been able to start the company without the
knowledge I gained from rubbing shoulders with people that know so much about
the industry.
23 – Define PrototypeZ Studio with one word. Or
phrase if a word is too short of an answer.
ES: “Freedom to create “
Thank you Erick, wish you the best in your life
and work. I hope this interview bring some light about your company and about
the market as whole.
ES: Thank you, sir!
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| That's all folks. Hope you enjoyed it! |
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