Star Wars: Prototypes and Production

Maul possesses the Darksaber. The Duchess of Mandalore is in prison. And Obi-Wan Kenobi may not be able to save her this time. So begins part two of the story of the Darksaber. The season one finale of the beloved series The Mandalorian ended with a villain in possession of one of the most legendary and storied lightsabers in the history of Star Wars. But this is no ordinary lightsaber. The Darksa...

The season one finale of the beloved series The Mandalorian ended with a villain in possession of one of the most legendary and storied lightsabers in the history of Star Wars. But this is no ordinary lightsaber. The Darksaber has its roots among the Mandalorians, the people of the planet Mandalore. Its glowing black blade is unlike anything we've ever seen, and has been passed down to the leaders...

If you were going to pitch an idea for a Star Wars figure, what would it be and where would you start? For the designers at Kenner in the 1970s and 1980s, and at Hasbro in the 1990s and 2000s, the presentation board was the earliest example of pitching an idea and represented what that idea could become. And while many presentation boards are long gone, some have made their way into the hands of v...

In August, the Georgia Alliance of Star Wars Collectors (GASWC) hosted a virtual collectors convention filled with interviews and panels, game shows and room sales. And Star Wars: Prototypes and Production was invited to present its first live video podcast panel during the event! Continuing the "Collecting During Quarantine" series, the panel was a look at the overall Star Wars collectibles marke...

Have you ever dreamed of opening your own toy store? Tattoo artist and Star Wars collector Clifton Boggs saw that dream realized at the beginning of this year, when he opened the doors of Happy Pappy's Action Figure Extravaganza in Canton, Ohio. Join host David Quinn for a collectors conversation as Clifton discusses his love for vintage Star Wars figures, collecting Clone Wars prototypes, and the...

A Prototype DT Vader, Vintage Star Wars First Shots...and a Trove of Elvis Treasures? These are just a handful of the thousands and thousands of rare toys and collectibles that have fallen into the hands of That Vintage Toy Guy, Zach Curtis. At a time in which life is upside down, and people are dealing with some heavy, frustrating situations, Zach's story of a life of dealing and collecting toys...

The Star Wars collecting community has changed in these past four months. An entirely new marketplace now caters to both the established and newer collectors unlike any before it, all thanks to a sleepy little Facebook group page that went unnoticed until the quarantine commenced. This is the story of that group, and how it found its place in Star Wars collecting history. Join host David Quinn as...

Part Two of the "Collecting During Quarantine" Series: Apparently Hoth is hot, and the Ewoks aren't as lovable as they once were. In the second episode of the "Collecting During Quarantine" series, join host David Quinn for a vintage-centric conversation with longtime loose Kenner Star Wars figure collector Ryan, who goes by the name Humblehorder on eBay. The two friends meet at the Mos Eisley Can...

Part One of the "Collecting During Quarantine" Series: "There goes the Star Wars collectible market..." When COVID-19 first hit the United States in March, many collectors assumed interest the hobby would diminish severely. Instead, prices have skyrocketed and items have sold for record prices. As quickly as they appear on eBay, they are snatched up, sometimes lasting only a few minutes. Collector...

Have you ever wondered how Kenner and Hasbro turned the Star Wars characters you know and love into the plastic figures you collect? How does an idea become a toy? And if you collect prototypes of these Star Wars vintage and modern figures, what are these pieces you own, and where do they fit in to the production process? What is the difference between a first shot prototype and a hardcopy, and wh...

Welcome to Collecting Prototypes! In this premiere episode, join host David Quinn for a look at what a prototype is, and why prototypes are so meaningful to Star Wars fans and collectors. It is an introduction into the vast and exciting world of prototype collecting, and features an in-depth conversation with a dear friend and one of the godfathers of modern Star Wars prototype collecting, Anthony...

While finishing the final chapter in the Star Wars prequel trilogy in 2004, George Lucas established Lucasfilm Animation with one purpose: to create an animated series using the latest technology. It would tell the story of the Clone Wars, first mentioned by Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker in A New Hope, and would fill in the time gap between Episodes 2 and 3. Join host David Quinn as he explores t...

This is the final episode of the four-part Nashville Experience series, for what may be the most immersive recap ever of a toy show trip! Join host David Quinn for an action-packed day as he spends his last 24 hours in Franklin Tennessee at the ICCC sci-fi and vintage toy convention, followed by an evening back at the hotel with friends and collectors. A marching band opening the convention. A "pr...

Let's kick off the year and Season Two of the podcast in style! Ross Barr, principal and part owner of grading company CAS and longtime Han Solo fan, hosted the first Empire State Collectors Club meetup of the year at his home in southern New Jersey. In addition to the most unique game of trivia and a banquet table's spread of foods and desserts specific to the region, Ross truly gave east coast c...

What was it like to be on the set and in the world of Return of the Jedi? Sean Crawford and Tim Dry began their careers as mimes and musicians, playing with some of the most iconic bands during the UK's New Romantics club scene. Their day job consisted of filming scenes in Jabba's Palace and in space with Admiral Ackbar in one of the most famous movies of all time. Sean portrayed the infamous Yak...

"Who is Luke Skywalker?" That was the question that Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy posed to director J.J. Abrams, kicking off the latest era of Star Wars storytelling. J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan were tasked with writing the first movie of the trilogy, and for forging the path for the future of the franchise. 2015's "The Force Awakens" was a monumental movie in Star Wars history. It brou...

This is Friday, Day Two in Nashville, and it's a wonderful one. It's the first day of the ICCC and time for those legendary collectors' room sales! Join host David Quinn for an immersive, multi-episode series centered around the Nashville Experience. On Friday's agenda: Breakfast at the hotel, setup with the vendors at ICCC, the perks of being a VIP before the show opens to the public, a meeting w...

Nashville, Tennessee. Home to hot chicken, some of the bluest skies you've ever seen, and for a weekend in September, the Imperial Commissary Collectors Convention. Also known as the ICCC, it is a sci-fi convention with collector panels, guest stars from the Star Wars films, and more vintage and modern prototypes and production pieces than you could imagine! Join host David Quinn for an immersive,...

On the last night of the Labor Day weekend at The Annual, a Star Wars collectors meetup in Fishkill, New York, a few friends got together in a hotel room to recap the wonderful event: the panels, the room sales, touring the area, and the lasting power of friendship. What began as a 15-minute podcast conversation turned into a 2-hour roundtable discussion and kicked off an epic, unforgettable night...

Coming to you live from Fishkill, New York! During the Labor Day Weekend, the Empire State Star Wars Collectors Club hosted a meetup for local members (and some out-of-state ones)called The Annual. Join host David Quinn as he presents his first-ever live podcast panel telling the story of the Empire State Star Wars Collectors Club. What started as an idea between two friends at the beginning of th...

This year's Star Wars Celebration Chicago was massive. And navigating through the panels, the presentations, the meetups, the parties, the room sales, the nighttime events, the photo ops and autograph sessions, the endless rows of vendors, and the sheer amount of things to do during this incredible fan gathering can be overwhelming! Join host David Quinn as he recounts his experience of the four-d...

A carded Vinyl Cape Jawa, a Power of the Force Yak Face, Anakin, AT-AT-Driver, and a Sears Cantina Playset, in the nicest possible condition...and that's only one small shelf. Celebrate May the Fourth in style--at the home of collector Fonz Napolitano for an Empire State Star Wars Collectors Club meetup known as FonzCon. Join host David Quinn as he recounts a memorable weekend with the Empire Stat...

ZOLOCON is not your average toy show. Held in a former NASA centrifuge, ZOLOCON is generally the first big toy show of the year and never disappoints! Join David Quinn as he explores the history of the town of Warminster, Pennsylvania, the venue known as the 'Fuge, and one of the can't miss toy shows on the east coast, especially for vintage and modern Star Wars collectors. Featuring conversations...

Have you ever dined with Chewbacca? Have you witnessed George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and John Williams, together and in the same room? Have you encountered the Running of the Willrow Hoods? For Star Wars fans and collectors, there's nothing like the multi-day convention dedicated to George Lucas' creation and everything that goes with it. Join host David Quinn as he explores the history...

Join host David Quinn as he travels to Dagobah for the sagely advice of the Jedi Master Yoda, whose life lessons can apply to collecting Star Wars toys as well! Whether you've been collecting for days or for decades, this list will hopefully serve as a helpful resource as you navigate your way through the Star Wars hobby and community. To Listen to the Episode on the Prototype Archives Site: https...