I want to start off saying I remember when the Creatureplica figures were still in the early development stages. When I first met the Creatureplica gang at the Horrorhound convention, I noticed even then that these aren’t your typical action figures. That said, the photos really don’t do them justice; it’s easier to notice in person holding one how solid and well made these are and focused on a more mature fan base and collectors market. In other words, your kids will love them but so will Mom and Dad. These figures stand out and bring that something extra. Plus, this is only company I’ve seen with its focus being unexplained creatures.
With that said, you start to notice the level of detail that goes into these figures. What’s the creation process like on each of these cryptids?
We dig into the folklore through books and witness interviews, and that helps to lay down a foundation for our interpretation. Jean takes that general feel and ties it together using realistic anatomy so the creatures feel alive rather than totally fantastical.
It gets interesting when you start talking to people with regard to their heritage and traditions. In some cases, it is strictly taboo to make mention of such creatures in mixed conversation. In other research, it is amazing to chat with elders that are excited to tell you about their experiences. Experiences that they just never had a chance to share with anyone but family. Or anyone they trusted enough to open up to.
How much research goes into the creation of each creature?
Jean spends a lot of time reading, sometimes interviewing witnesses. He studies animals of a similar species, ie, primates, lizardsungulates, whatever might be applicable. Jeff has attended many symposiums and conferences pertaining to the subject matter; meeting with folks who have had encounters both up close and from afar sure has an impact. Encounters from just a few seconds to 5 or 10 min can really burn details into people’s minds; however, in the case of the North American Sasquatch figure, the documented encounters that reach as far back as the petroglyphs of the early native Americans hold the most weight.
What inspired the toy line and led to these unexplained creatures bursting to life?
A few years ago, Jeff Beyers approached Jean St. Jean with the opportunity, and along the way they acquired two more partners, Nick Epley and Craig Deere, and started developing factory contacts and a distribution pipeline.
Jean has been interested in Cryptid creatures since he was a boy and first saw pictures from the Patterson-Gimlin 1967 Bigfoot films, the Yeti footprints found in the Himalayas by the Shipton expedition, and the Nessie photos in the 70’s. Despite the glaring absence of definitive scientific proof, I believe at the very least in the possibility of some of the creatures.
“I want to represent them in a zoological manner, and I’m basing my work predominantly on witness reports and Native folklore. I take the topic very seriously.”
Jeff has had a fascination since early childhood when strange events near to his home began to transpire. After being scared by the likes of the Legend of Boggy Creek movie, there has always been that itch to go see for myself if there is an answer to some of these unusual happenings. Upon meeting the Legendary Bob Gimlin and other persons in the field, such as Lyle Blackburn, Ken Gerhard, Mr. Marc Dewerth of the Ohio Bigfoot Conference and the group I currently go on Sasquatch expeditions with (The Ohio Nightstalkers), I quickly learned in person that in fact there is truth in all legend. The manifestation of this toy line is Jeff’s way to keep these fascinations alive for others and provide an as accurate a representation as possible of these cryptid beasts and not so much a horror story toy. It just has never been addressed in a professional way in the form of a highly articulated action figure, and people appreciate us making this line come to fruition.
You have put together a successful team. Do any of them have a toy background?
Jean, a veteran in the field, has been sculpting, designing, and prototyping toys for around 22 years. Together with Jeff, who also has an art background including drafting and scale heavy equipment replica production, Nick and Craig who specialize in the financial and logistical end, we have a pretty well rounded team.
What can fans get from your toy line that sets your figures apart from the run of the mill toy lines out there?
We’re doing the toys that fall through the cracks. Jean works on major licensed properties all year long. In this project, we’re committed to working on creatures that don’t get that kind of attention: building a fan base with a fresh perspective on an old topic that’s marginalized. There is more interest in Cryptozoology today than ever before, and we want to help to bring it into the public eye as much as it was in, say, the 1970’s.
Things that count for toy collectors like points of articulation and exclusive figures, do they all have a custom base for displaying them?
We like to add as much play value as we can without obscuring the aesthetic, so it’s a balance. Jean adds as many points of articulation as possible that make sense for the (speculative) range of motion for that type of creature and doesn’t detract from the look too much.
Jean creates an environmental base that reflects the type of habitat each animal is supposedly found in. We’re taking a zoological approach to the topic of cryptozoology. There’s a lot of interesting data to make the speculative jump that a few of these creatures are actually out in the wild. They shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand.
What kinds of things are coming up for Wave 2 of the toys?
We are very excited about Wave 2. As it stands so far we will have aliens, the Mothman and the Wendigo.
We are working on a couple of new waves at once, so some other creatures may make it into the 4th spot in the roster or become exclusives. It’s pretty much wide open for us to do whatever we want.
Have there been any interesting people you’ve met in the Bigfoot and creature communities?
Too many to mention. There have been so many folks from conventions and some of the related podcasts that have really supported us right from the start. We would like to start mentioning names, but there is no stopping point! (laughs) The folks we have met along the way have put us in front of some of our heroes, taken us into the field on investigation, written about us, and even let us do exclusive figures for their events. So much positive feedback, it is overwhelming! We have also made some very, very good friends on this journey.
People involved in the research side or fan base? What kind of reaction has the toy line gotten in that world?
It’s interesting that we get similar reactions from both worlds. There is not that much difference. People who research from the desk as well as those who are in the bush every time they get a chance agree and disagree on similar aspects: “the one I saw was gray not brown”, “the one I saw was brown just like that”, “the Yeti looks just like that in folklore”, “the Yeti is not that color in real life”. We hear these comments often. There are so many interesting stories from our fans as well as the researchers. We have been told superstitious family members have thrown a fan’s Rougarou in the trash. We have been told the look of one of our figures was too much for one witness to bear, and she had to remove it from her shelf. We have been told that our Yeti is the favorite toy of a fan’s young daughter, so you just never know what effect you will have on any particular person.
On a final note, we feel it is important to share that we have begun to get letters from wonderful professionals that work with special needs children with regard to the use of our figures in the line of their work with much success. I was recently told a Sasquatch figure was being used as a teaching tool in clinical work with children. It turns out, he is the perfect character for thinking about social skills and self-regulation (you know, since he is so isolated, he is struggling with knowing how to handle being around others and what to do when he’s upset!). Sasquatch has turned out to be ‘off putting’ to one child on the Autism spectrum, and, therefore, has already become a tool for teaching her better judgment about when to and when not to share her thoughts, so that she does not hurt others’ feelings by accident. These are very personal notes I am aware; however, we wanted to share them to illustrate how we are making a small difference with what we do. This is the greatest feeling we have felt thus far in the journey. With a minimal amount of success in this endeavor, we will be able to really start giving back, as well as help to keep this specific folklore alive for future generations.
Interview by Patrick Desmond, RockRevolt PhotoJournalist
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