Today’s Guest: Lou Aguilera, VP/GM of legendary scale model maker Revell, Inc., which has a license to manufacturer exclusive Star Wars toys from Episode VII The Force Awakens.
INTERVIEW Star Wars The Force Awakens, Revell… by andelman
Watch this exclusive Mr. Media interview with LOU AGUILERA of Revell, Inc. by clicking on the video player above!
Mr. Media is recorded live before a studio audience full of devoted model making enthusiasts who can’t wait for me to stop talking and for the man from Revell to start showing… in the NEW new media capital of the world… St. Petersburg, Florida!
When it comes to Star Wars, only America’s nuclear codes are held to a higher standard of secrecy.
But today we’re tearing the seal off one top secret corner in the universe: the one where scale models of the new Revell toys from the upcoming film, Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens have been hidden away.
The plot of the eagerly anticipated movie, which opens in theaters on December 18, 2015, is still under wraps. But today – “Force Friday” – is the start of the long, slow reveal of images, likenesses, toys and other Force Awakens-related merchandise.
LOU AGUILERA podcast excerpt: “The scale model design process for Star Wars toys start with Disney and the company that designs the props for the movie. We work directly with them to get access to CAD (computer aided design) data they use to design the actual props for the movie. We give those files and photos to our engineers. Then we decided how to break each model up and into how many pieces: ‘Are we designing a product for a 6-year-old? Or for an adult? There are lots of decisions we make along the way. As we do that, we think, ‘What’s the assembly process going to be for the user?’ For a 6-year-old, bigger pieces for smaller hands. For an adult, we can get into more intricate detail and smaller pieces.”
I am excited to have Lou Aguilera, vice president and general manager of Revell, Inc., joining me today to give us our first look at the exciting new scale models the company has designed based on The Force Awakens. If this were a movie, TV show or book, I would know what is ahead of us. But because of the great secrecy surrounding every new Star Wars project, you and I will see whatever he has to show for the first time together.
What I do know is that these are hyper-realistic, scale plastic models kits of multiple vehicles from the new movie that include lights and sounds that simulating battle action. – I’m told this is a first for this kind of product – along with retractable landing gear, open/close cockpit hatches, wings that open into attack mode, and more.
The kits are on store shelves as of today, offering an easy, snap-together design for ages 6-8 that is also a great introduction to modeling.
LOU AGUILERA podcast excerpt: “Disney will have a Star Wars spinoff movie next year called Rogue One. We have already started to go through the design and selection process of the types of models and/or droids we may be doing. We have plans in place for the entire trilogy as well as the three spinoff movies.”
As for Revell, it is probably best known among young men of a certain age for its line of race cars, aircraft and military vehicles. It is an enduring company that can trace its inspiration back to Charles Lindberg’s 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
In other words, from “The Spirit of St. Louis” to the Millenium Falcon in less than a century!
Key interview moments:
• 10:01 An explanation of the initial design process for Star Wars scale models;
• 40:14 Revell’s plans for toys through the next trilogy of Star Wars films as well as three spinoffs, including Rogue One;
• 43:45 Learn what surprising toy is Revell’s most enduring model.
Revell Inc. Website • Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • Pinterest
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