Aloha! Welcome to the first Vinylmation Chat!! I'm so glad everyone could join me. Let's get started.
Lara:
How did Disney discover you for Vinylmation? Did you have to have any special experience? Was it an amazing feeling after they asked?
Steven Miller:
I actually volunteered for the role. Last July, I approached my director with the idea of changing my title from Project Manager for Disney Pin Trading to Project Manager for Disney Trading. I have been involved with Disney Pins since November 2003. I felt like I could add some value and share some key learnings (especially related to trading) with the Vinylmation team. I wrote a job description and my leadership approved. Now I get to work with even more of the most talented individuals at Disney.
To me, it's not about what we trade but that we trade. If we were trading shoes, I would think that would be the best thing ever. Trading is more than just the physical exchange of items - it is about the lasting relationships one creates with someone. I can't tell you how many friendships have been made all because of Disney Pin Trading. And now that Vinylmation Trading has been introduced, I hope that spirit of friendship will continue for even more Guests. That is why I volunteered for the additional duties.
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Marilyn:
Could you make an edible one?
Steven Miller:
We did! We made a puffed rice treat that looked like Vinylmation, and we sold it for short period of time.
But we are going to be releasing a functional ice cube tray that you could make chocolate molds if you wanted to.
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Courtney:
What was the first Vinylmation figure created?
Steven Miller:
The first Vinylmation figure that was released was the blank, white Create-Your-Own figure. That was sold at the Festival of the Masters in November 2008. Funny story is that the first Vinylmation introduced was actually a Disney Pin Mystery Set featuring Vinylmation which was released in July 2008 several months before the first figures from Park #1 were introduced. In a way, Vinylmation started with a pin.
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John:
Are there any plans to spread Vinylmation to the International Disney Resorts? Also, where did the term Vinylmation come from?
Steven Miller:
Disneyland Paris has had Vinylmation for awhile. Hong Kong recently introduced Vinylmation. The Oh Mickey! series, specifically. And it's pretty popular! We are partnering with Tokyo, who has not introduced it yet. The root word of Vinylmation is animation. To me, it goes back to heart of our company and the idea of expressing artistic form and bringing characters to life. We combined it with vinyl as a medium and came up with Vinylmation.
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Marilyn:
I would like a Vinylmation with my college school logo. Any chance of that?
Steven Miller:
Hmm. We have done a lot of great partnerships in pins with cobranding with NCAA. It's something we'd have to look at for the future. I personally would love to do it. Go Buckeyes!!
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Starr:
Will you ever do rock bands like the Beatles or the Rolling Stones?
Steven Miller:
There are no plans for that at this time. It has a lot to do with legal rights.
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Travis:
Where did you get your really awesome EPCOT Center camera strap? I want it ;)
Steven Miller:
Right on! Some of you may know that I enjoy taking photographs. In fact I've taken a picture of my son everyday since he was born.
The EPCOT Center camera strap was my father's. He "gave" it to me once I got into photography. He bought it during our first visit to EPCOT Center in July 1983. I love it and would never part with it. I think it actually helps me take better pictures because everything is better with EPCOT Center.
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Matt:
I've noticed their heads and arms come on and off pretty easily. Are there any plans to sell them as mix and match?
Steven Miller:
We're thinking about it... like a Mr. Potato Head kind of thing.
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Mike:
Will there be any figures based on Disney Channel shows? (Phineas and Ferb, Kick Buttowski, etc)
Steven Miller:
Depends upon how you define "Disney Channel" shows. Are you talking about shows that once took place in the afternoon? Hmmm .... Let's get dangerous!
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Merrill:
Will there be any 9" Star Wars?
Steven Miller:
I'll turn again to my "Ask Yoda" on my desk. "Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future."
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Barb:
Hi Steve, any chance of a series of professionals? Firefighters, nurses etc.
Steven Miller:
Yes. They are coming! I really like the Project Manager for Disney Trading one... He should be wearing an Epcot camera strap. :)
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Josh:
Will there be anything new at the Vinyl Trading Tomorrow at WDW?
Steven Miller:
Several of our artists will be there. Quyhn Kimball, Monty Maldovan and Alex Maher will all be there. We're not releasing anything new, but we will have samples of the upcoming pin celebration on display.
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Kim:
Just like there was a second Kermit - are there any plans for a second Figment?
Steven Miller:
Yes. And he is even more amazing than the first. Simply dreamy.
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Ruthie:
Rumors: I keep hearing Disney intends to phase pins to the side because Vinylmation is more profitable - the actions of removing trading areas and venues to trade from in between PT nights makes this seem true. Your explanation?
Steven Miller:
Interesting. Hadn't heard that one. Changes to the trading tables in select locations has nothing to do with the future of Disney Trading. Here is how I see it. I changed my title to "Project Manager - Disney Trading" because I believe that the two categories - pins and Vinylmation - can co-exist in the same trading universe. To me, I love the fact that Cast Members around the world have something to trade everyday with Guests. Moreover, I love that Guests have something to do between the attractions. I feel trading is a key way to create magic for Guests. And for Guests, trading is a way to connect with others who have similar interests. I know there are some Guests who won't collect or trade Vinylmation. Those Guests however may collect or trade pins. And that's cool. It's all about giving choices to our fans so they can take home a great memory of a visit to Disney (just like that EPCOT Center camera strap that I still use today).
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Kyle:
Can you tell us anything about park series 5 and the Haunted Mansion Series?
Steven Miller:
Park 5 .... is really nice. Seriously, here are a couple of clues: "Now is the time," "My favorite clock," and "Halt, Unbeliever!" As for a Haunted Mansion series ... crystal ball ... cloudy ... can't see ... maybe I need to ring the spirits from regions beyond.
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Katie:
When can we expect to see more designs from the Toy Story series? I cannot wait for that release!
Steven Miller:
Soon. So soon. Did you see that incredible "Lots-O-Huggin' Bear" commercial? There will be several new pins and Vinylmation being created for Toy Story. And I just read that Toy Story Mania! will get some new scenes in honor of for Toy Story 3. Score (literally!). And I challenge anyone out there to a game (except my wife who can beat me down big time).
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Susie:
I love the bling on some of the recent chasers. Will we be seeing more of that type of embellishment in the future?
Steven Miller:
Yes! To the point of using really nice crystals? It was inspired by a create-your-own figure that one of our product developer did with 600 crystals. It took her six hours and served as a point of inspiration. We will also be selling tools to help you create-your-own Vinylmation.
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Ralph:
Steven I know you are a HUGE Tron fan, can we expect to see a Tron 2.0 Vinylmation figure in 2010?
Steven Miller:
Greetings Program! Great to see you on the game grid. Wouldn't that be the coolest thing ever? End of line.
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Sue:
How are the artists chosen?
Steven Miller:
Jacob from LOST... Just kidding. Every artist can submit ideas. It is open to every Disney design group artist. Everyone can submit an idea and Thomas Scott pulls the ideas and creates the collections along with our developer, Donald Ferro.
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Claire:
Will there ever be a LOST themed series?
Steven Miller:
It's something we'd like to do, it is, but there are no immediate plans.
We have to find the Island first.
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Chris:
Any update on the mechanical kingdom Vinylmation?
Steven Miller:
Other than they look sweet!? Mike Sullivan has been working on them. No definite release date yet but the packaging is going to be super cool. Very Steampunk-esque. And stay tuned for a unique one-of-a-kind figured created by one of our Disney Design Group artists. Gosh, I still need my Steampunk goggles.
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Jessi:
Out of all your creations, which creation means the most to you & why?
Steven Miller:
Gosh, that's like picking my favorite child (LOL). As I don't necessarily create the designs (that's up to the art team), I can tell you the three that I probably like the most. SMRT-1 from Park #1 as I remember countless conversations as a child with that robot in CommuniCore. The Monkey from Park #2. When Donald and I introduced trading at the D23 Expo in 2009, we got a lot of monkeys in trade. It became a running joke for us. There is a display at D-Street in Florida that features a monkey holding up monkeys (that was my tribute to the Monkeys of Park 2). Finally, the Colonel from Park #4. One word - Kungaloosh!
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Marilyn:
If the LEGOs can make movies and video games, how about Vinylmations in their own movie?
Steven Miller:
LOL. I have actually seen fans that have made stop-motion films using Vinylmation.
It's all about creative expression!
I did one to explain trading to Cast Members.
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Joshua:
How long does it take to make a Vinylmation?
Steven Miller:
A very long time. Development is very hand-intensive so it could take 8-10 months from concept to getting a figure to the sales floor.
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Buzzy:
Will it be possible to see a different artist handle Muppets series 2?
Steven Miller:
Monty Maldovan has designed The Muppets - Series #2. I say "has designed" as most of the work has been done. Monty has two things going for him - a true passion of the Muppets (and I mean lots of love) and he also has worked closely with Henson for years (so he is approved to draw The Muppets, etc). Now, I can't leave you hanging about Series #2 .... so I will say these two things. Muppets #2 will have 9" Vinylmation Figures, and one of them was featured on my favorite Disney Pin from 2008.
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Julie:
Which Vinylmation is the most valuable and why?
Steven Miller:
Vinylmation Fans .... What do you think? To me, they are all priceless. I don't really put a value on items outside of a retail value. Granted, some figures are more sought after than others but like the saying goes, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
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Gemma:
I've been loving all the Vinylmation releases so far, sometimes they feel a little close together though, how do you gauge when the next series should debut and will there be more of an equal distribution of the Limited Editions between the parks in the future?
Steven Miller:
There is a master plan for all releases. We have an idea of how long we'd like certain series to be available until they are retired. Some series like Park or Urban will last a shorter time than a series like The Muppets. Some of this has to do with content. One thing I personally like is that we are offering a variety of styles which allows Guests to pick favorites (I know, this has the potential to drive a few of the completists crazy ... hey, I'm one too). As for distribution of limited edition figures, we've reviewed many of the edition sizes going forward and you will see some changes. Nothing too extreme (edition sizes of 50,000 will not happen). We know that Guests on both coasts (and around the world) would like opportunities to collect limited edition figures so we have adjusted some edition sizes to help with that.
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Barb:
Hi Steve, I would like to know if there will be more 9" Trashcans to follow the already released one from Park 3 Fantasyland trashcan?
Steven Miller:
I don't know of any planned at this time right now. I've seen several designs for upcoming Park series. I really like the one inspired by Soarin'.
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Mike:
What majors should you study in college to be part of the Disney Design Group?
Steven Miller:
That's a great question!
There are character artists and production artists involved. Obviously, art would be worth looking into. Also, look into internships with the Disney Design Group.
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Jenn:
Those Jumbo Vinylmation pins were awesome, could we be seeing more of these in the future from the park series?
Steven Miller:
Yes. I love them too. Here is an interesting little fact. The idea for these larger sized Vinylmation pins with embellishments came from our Vice President of Product Development and Design following an executive product review. We too liked the idea and are making several more. I really liked the lenticular "Walk/Don't Walk" sign that I showcased about a month ago on the Vinylmation.com Blog.
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Marilyn:
What is the best thing to decorate with on a Create your Own? Is it a Sharpie? Or some kind of paint? Will a Sharpie fade or smear?
Steven Miller:
You can use pretty much anything. We offer Sharpies at D-street but artists have used paint, spray paint, moss. It's really limitless. A friend of mine spray painted one and covered it in wax.
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Dana:
We love the cruise Vinylmations :) Are you expecting any new designs for the near future and when might we expect to see them......
Steven Miller:
We are working on several different designs, especially for the newest ship - the Disney Dream. Those figures will be released when the new ship sets sail in 2011. You may also begin to see Disney Cruise Line inspired figures in the various Park series (like the figure that was created for Park #4).
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Michael:
Do you have an extra balloon chaser that I can have for my collection?
Steven Miller:
Hmmm. No, I do not. But with trading, you may find one. Someone found a Park #4 Chaser in one of the open trade boxes at D-Street in Florida - so you never know...
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Tom:
With Vinylmation trading in the parks, can you trade with both the mystery box and the clear box in the same location on the same day, or do you have to choose one or the other?
Steven Miller:
Yes. You can trade from the mystery box of 24 and the open trade box in the same location. Even better news is that many locations in Florida and soon in California and Paris will have Vinylmation Trading on a regular basis. We first officially introduced trading at the D-Street locations in California and Florida on April 3. The goal was to have two options - mystery and non-mystery. So technically, you could trade from the mystery box of 24 (which appears randomly throughout the day) and decide to trade that figure for one in the open trade box (which is on stage a little more frequently).
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Anthony:
At the D23 Expo there was a 9" figure I have not heard any news about since. It had Mickey and Minnie on the front with them watching fireworks in front of a castle. When will this be released?
Steven Miller:
Wasn't that figure great? It was actually from a Disney Fan named Keith Lapinig from Holliswood, New York. He named it "Celebrating Together." It was featured in the Disney Fan Art Gallery at the D23 Expo. There are no plans to release it as it was Keith's own creative expression.
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Carrie:
Have you ever been given a design by an artist that is not acceptable to Disney? How do you handle it - or does it become a secret exclusive model?
Steven Miller:
Thomas Scott is our lead designer for Vinylmation with Disney Design Group. He reviews all of the artwork that is submitted and may make suggestions based on previous experience or knowledge of the manufacturing process. I've seen him deliver really great constructive feedback that helps an artist gain a better understanding of how to design Vinylmation. It also helps that Thomas has a passion for Vinylmation.
All designs (even one-of-a-kind figures) are submitted to our legal department. The designs are reviewed to ensure that we don't infringe upon others' intellectual property. Actually, the Legal team reviews EVERY thing we do for Vinylmation, Disney Pins and all other categories. They are very good at what they do. If Legal says we can't use a design, we can't (which doesn't happen often).
Now ... secret exclusive models. Let's just say that not everything that has been shown thus far may see the light of day (not that anything was "wrong" those lost designs). But that is all I am permitted to say.
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Susie:
Will the Soarin' vinylmation smell like Oranges? I think a scented one would be neat.
Steven Miller:
No. I'm really hoping to save the orange-scented figure for a Horizons collection. There is currently nothing in the works for a scented Vinylmation - it is just my dream.
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David:
I mentioned on the blog that the Park #4 Series Sci-Fi Dine-In Restaurant Vinylmation figure would be sold online in a limited amount. I am thrilled that you will be selling this figure online and hope you do so with ALL of the 9" LE Vinylmation figures. My question is: You gave a release date for when this figure will be released in the parks. Can you give a release date or approximate date for when we can find this figure online to purchase? Thanks.
Steven Miller:
A limited quantity of this figure will be released in a limited amount on May 19 on the Disney Parks online store.
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Jessica:
Are you planning on releasing Disney on Broadway Vinylmation?
Steven Miller:
No plans at this time.
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Rob:
Will we be able to purchase a life-size blank vinylmation soon?
Steven Miller:
I sure wish. That would rock! Donald, developer for Vinylmation, has tried to putting me in that life-size Vinylmation box from the opening of D-Street at Downtown Disney WestSide. No one wants to spend that kind of dough - LOL!
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Marie:
Are there plans to make Park and Urban Series in the Jr size? What made the team decide to do more "urban-like" designs for the first Vinylmation Jr series?
Steven Miller:
Stay tuned ... I'm working on a Disney Parks Blog article about the creation of Vinylmation, Jr. Let's just say that I liked Series #1, yet Series #2 is fantastic! And don't get me started about Series #3.
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Megan:
I was wondering... how does someone get a job like Disney's Vinylmation and Pin Trading Connoisseur?
Steven Miller:
I feel very lucky to be in the right place at the right time. I have a degree in Political Science and a minor in Public Relations from Ohio Northern University. I've wanted to work for Disney since I was seven. When I served as a Walt Disney World Ambassador in 2001-2002, I made some connections with the Disney Pin Team. It was my sister who first told me about the Project Manager role in mid-2003 while I was an attraction manager at Epcot. I applied and in November 2003 I joined the Pin Team. My first day on the job was the Disney Pin Cruise on the Disney Wonder. What an adventure! My role is a very unique one at Disney. I'm a combination of several roles - marketing/brand manager, strategic thinker, product developer, solution finder, supply distributor and creative writer. I spend a lot of time writing, which is probably where that public relations training helps (I wrote public service announcements for my campus radio station for two years). In many ways, my role also involves politics in that I have a lot of constituents that I want to keep happy, and I want to find ways to help the greater good. Oh, you also have to like coffee ... I drink lots of it.
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Barbara:
Have you heard of VinylNation.net and do you have plans to become a member?
Steven Miller:
I have heard of Vinynation.net and I really appreciate the fans. It's great to see someone appreciate what we do on a daily basis.
Mahalo Sledge!
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Steven Miller:
Well it looks like we're out of time...
This has been a real treat for me! We'll have to do it again.
Thank you for joining in the first-ever live chat for Vinylmation!
There were so many questions that I didn't get to answer. Click on the link below to see a transcript of something I'm calling "After The Chat" - a "Director's Cut" of the Live Chat.
May 14, 2010 - After-The-Chat Transcript
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Steven Miller:
Aloha!
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