20 Questions with Joe Allard

In this age of information there are very few surprises in the "Toy World." There are countless websites and toy magazines, comic conventions and Toy Fair. Usually by the time something hits the store shelves someone "in the know" has seen it, or at least mentioned it as a rumor. The original Disney Theme Park Exclusive Indiana Jones figure was one of those surprises. It snuck out with little to no fan-fair and everyone was scrambling to find out who made it and who knew about it. Joe Allard knew a little something about it, because he designed it. Joe is a toy designer and has worked for places like Mattel, Toy Biz, Gentle Giant and Applause as well as in the Comic Book industry. His resume includes everything from action figures to busts to cake toppers and a lot of other fun stuff in between.
You can see an impressive display of his work at the official "Sideshow Joe" website.
For now let's hear a little more back ground from the man himself as he faces "The Mighty Twenty."

1. What is your current title?
Freelance Designer / Inventor

2. How would you describe your job?
I work with Toy and Promotional Companies Designing Retail Toys, Action Figures, Collectibles, and Kids Meal Toys. I do everything from Concept Art, to Control Drawings to Product Development. I also do Digital Paintings for style guides and packaging.

3. Where is your current base of operations?
South Bay, California. USA.

4. How long have you worked for this company?
It's been 10 months since I made the leap to Un...I mean Self Employment. Prior to that I worked full time in the Toy and Comic Book industry for over nine years.

5. How did you get into this field?
I was coloring comic books for Marvel in the mid 1990's. A serious decline in the industry led me to look into other opportunities. A friend told me that Applause was looking for a designer to work on their Star Wars and Marvel Comics Product Lines. My experience at Marvel, and my drawing skills landed me that first job in the Toy Industry.

6. How many figures have you helped to create/design/produce/market...?
Wow... just figures...I'd guess around 35-40 or so, including many rotocast vinyl figures as well as some action figures. I've also worked on dozens of kids meal premiums, as and numerous other toys and collectibles.

7. Of those figures/toys, what was your favorite?
Actually, some of the stuff I'm working on now is pretty cool, but since I can't talk about those right now...I'd have to say the Episode I Mega Collectibles that I designed and directed for Applause. They were three "Jumbo" vinyl figures of Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Darth Maul, all with sabers that light up when you twist them at the waist. You could pose all three together to re-enact the final duel from Episode I. The figures stood about 15" tall and came out great, thanks in no small part to the amazing sculpting job by Patrick Pigott.

8. What would you say is the hardest part of your job?
Honestly, I am getting paid to work at home (in my underwear if I choose!) on stuff that I love, not too many complaints going on here. Though I will admit it is tough to let go of the work sometimes. As most artists are, I am my own worst critic, and nothing is ever good enough. So it's hard to "finish" a job. I always think it could be better in some way or another. But tight deadlines and budgets usually take care of that problem pretty quick!

9. What would you say has been the biggest or most significant change in the industry while you have been a part of it?
I'd have to agree with every one else and say the increased attention to details, authenticity and overall quality. I'm tired of hearing it too, but McFarlane started a revolution in the action figure industry a few years ago (just like he did to comics before hand). He helped raise the bar for both industries. Now, there are companies raising the bar even farther. Some are taking that great sculpting and painting and adding it to "playable" toys. It's nice if a figure looks cool, but if it looks cool AND you can play with it, sweet. I definitely think there is room for "static" collectibles, (believe me, I've designed plenty of them!) but they should be exactly that. If it's considered a "toy" then you should be able to play with it.

10. What do you predict as the biggest break through for the future of the industry?
I'd have to say Artists getting full credit for their work in the Toy / Collectibles Industry would be nice. Thanks to cats like Digger @ Art Asylum; Sculptors, Designers and Painters are starting to get the credit they disserve. Hopefully that current trend will grow into an industry standard.

11. What is your favorite toy/figure/line from ANOTHER company?
I'm a huge fan of Stickfas. They are just a butt load of fun. Some friends and I found out about them over a year ago when they were just a small Singapore company, and you had to order them online. We just loved 'em and knew they would be huge, and then 6 months later Hasbro picks them up. As far as Action Figures - anything Art Asylum puts out rocks, and the newer figures from Toy Biz are pretty sweet. Mattel's new He-man and Batman lines are looking great too. I'm also into the rotocast "urban vinyl" stuff that's coming out from Asia. That stuff is (or was!) so original and creative, it is really blurring the line between Toys and Art.

12. What's the silliest statement/suggestion you've ever heard or made in a meeting?
Man, have I heard some whoppers! Once a former boss wanted us to like "roto-vacuume-ize" something. Say what?! That's not even a real process! He tended to pull terms out of his butt to try and sound intelligent...but he didn'

t. 13. If you could pick any toy/figure from early in your career to re-do what would it be?
Hum...there are a few...I guess I'd pick the Princess Leia in Slave Outfit Collectible Figure I designed for applause. What cooler project could a fanboy ask for?! I got to design the figure, but engineering and production got it the way. Let's just say she didn't come out exactly as I planned. Not to mention the fact that she falls over on her face all the time.

14. What is your favorite toy from childhood?
GI Joe and Star Wars figures, Old Skool 3 3/4 inch. Definitely. I played with that stuff non-stop. If I wasn't drawing, I was playing with my action figures. Atari got boring, and Nintendo didn't come around till I was older. At that point I traded all my G.I. Joes for Super Mario Bros. and Legend of Zelda on the NES.... what an idiot

! 15. What is the worst job you ever had (pre-toy industry)?
I didn't have too many bad jobs before I got into Comics...Shipping/ Receiving, Retail Sales...But I can recall the BEST job I had (pre-toy industry) at a local Comic Book Store, Brave New World. That job rocked. Wade the owner use to tell me to sit on my ass and read comics all day so I could answer the customer's questions. Of course I had to oblige. I was able to study up on my favorite artists, and even work on my own stuff, while getting paid! That job rocked.

16. What is your proudest achievement to date?
First, that I have a marketable talent, and that I continue to get paid to work on stuff that I love. Second, that I have been able to use that talent as a freelancer and still make a living. Freelancing was a goal back when I wanted to Pencil Comic Books, and to achieve it now, as a toy designer is awesome. Being able to work for myself, yet still do work for companies like Mattel and Toy Biz is amazing.

17. What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to Pencil Comic Books and Direct Movies. As a matter of fact, I still do!

18. What's the last movie you saw?
HULK! Good movie. I enjoyed it, though the beginning was a tad slow. I also thought, Hulk was too green in some scenes. They should have added some gray tones to make him a bit more realistic. But that's just my opinion, puny humans

. 19. What one word would you use to describe yourself?
Opinionated.

20. Would you rather hang out with a guy named "Chuck" or a guy named "Stu?"
Well, I've been trying to think of something clever to say here...but I've got nothing. I've known guys named Chuck and Stu, and they were both cool dudes.
Thanks to Joe for his participation in "20 Questions." Don't forget to check out his site.