This week, I had the honor of interviewing one of the most talented and popular Transformers customizers, Frenzy_Rumble.

AFC: Tell the fans of your work a little about yourself.

Frenzy_Rumble: First off, I’d like to thank AFC for the opportunity to do this interview. AFC is an essential cornerstone in the customizing community. My name is Michael, otherwise known as frenzy_rumble. I was born in Brooklyn NY, and grew up in the suburbs of New Jersey. After college, I moved to San Diego where I met my beautiful fiance Katie. After about 10 years in San Diego, we moved back to New Jersey to be closer to family. Currently, I have a full service customizing shop with every tool and gadget I can get my hands on. I spend the majority of my days and nights in the shop, even weekends! With many years in the graphics art world, a profession in web development, I created my first personal website:

www.frenzyrumble.com

In the coming months, I have (in the works) a “revamp” of frenzyrumble.com which will have tons of details, galleries, videos, tutorials, guest book, and LOTS more. I can be contacted through the current website, or directly at info@frenzyumble.com. Also, my full portfolio can be seen on flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/accardi1/sets/

In addition, I’ve recently dipped into the world of youtube, where I feature new customs, action figure reviews, comprehensive tutorials, and hold some awesome contests. You can check out my youtube channel here : http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwfrenzyrumblecom (be sure to subscribe too!!!!)

AFC: How did you come up with your alias Frenzy.Rumble?

Frenzy_Rumble: I’ve always been a huge fan of Transformers (especially the Decepticons). I would save all my money as a kid and spend it all on Transformers. Two of my favorite figures were Frenzy and Rumble. Both were great characters AND figures. I feel the recognizable names, but with a little bit of an original twist would result in a catchy name most people can remember easily.

AFC: When did you start making customs?

Frenzy_Rumble: I found in my “Generation 1″ original collection some figures which were (terribly) repainted and modified. I’ve always been an artist; and love to put my creativity on everything I can. A little over 2 years ago, I was blown away by the beautiful customs I saw on ebay. I thought to myself it looked like a fun and awesome way to be artistic. My first “official” custom sold was Transformers the Movie Leader Class Brawl. I was working for a web development company and the majority of my co-workers watched the auction skyrocket. Only a few days later, my mailbox was filling with “requests for commissions” – I couldn’t believe it. There was a market for something I absolutely loved doing. Some months later, I went “full-time” with customs, leaving the web development company and working for myself from home.

AFC: How did you get started making customs?

Frenzy_Rumble: Like said above, I had a great deal of response from the initial customs and commission earlier in this career. I am very active and involved in many online communities dealing with customs, constantly learning and helping others develop. The majority of my commission “client-base” are repeat customers. My website and consistent passion help advertise my work. Although they are “only toys,” I tend to take my customs very seriously.

AFC: How many customs do you work on at one time?

Frenzy_Rumble: Typically I have 10-12 projects on the work bench area. I’ve learned that to be productive, you must be organized. My shop is divided into “sections.” Each section is a stage for a project. To the far left, I have parts, figures, and raw materials. When a project is “started” it moves to the “bashing” area, which is where I do any modifications and building. When ready, it moves to the painting area and is painted. Next, the project moves to an idle area to allow proper drying and curing of paint. Several days later (approximately 7-10) I take the completed project to the photo area, where I have set up my tripod and light tent. After some agonizing photo sessions, I upload the best photos from the shoot; and supply those to the commissioner. The main core of my work shop is my computer. My computer serves as my only communication to the outside world, lol. In June, I will actually be getting a new shop, with even more room! Here’s a picture of the current shop:

Upon approval, the custom is meticulously packaged and shipped. I feel it’s important and best to have multiple projects going simultaneously…it’s easy to get “burnt out” on a project and lose interest, stepping away from it can help give you a new perspective and interest.

AFC: What is the custom you are most proud of?

Frenzy_Rumble: I’m proud of all of them, each for a small reason, be it a minor breakthrough or new method that “worked” or the recipient’s rave response when he/she receives the custom. Some of my favorites have been Autobot X, Defensor, and Computron (which is still being built).

AFC: What is your favorite toy line to do customs for?

Frenzy_Rumble: Transformers. Specifically generation 1 “revamps”…there’s nothing more satisfying than taking an old basic figure and reworking it to look more modern and appealing.

AFC: What customs do you have lined up for future projects?

Frenzy_Rumble: Currently, I am focused heavy on commissions. Once I get a little more ahead of them, I have literally a list of projects I plan to embark upon. Some of the ones I am eager to get into are: Generation 1 revamps (Sky Lynx, Headmasters, Metroplex, Triple-Changers, Trypticon). I also intend to raise the bar with gestalts/combiners. There are lots out there I would love to do: Bruticus, Raiden, Piranicon, Monstructor. One I’ve been working on (for almost a year now, lol) is Computron. He’s got over 50 LED lights, a full high-res LCD screen, speakers, sounds…the works. AND he’s got a USB and 8gb of memory (not a joke!) In the next coming months, you’ll see some of my new “Steampunk” series customs. An idea I thought of a few months ago. I will take many G1 memorable characters, but put a steampunk era spin on them. Definitely something new and never done before.

AFC: How do you get your inspiration for your one of kind customs?

Frenzy_Rumble: My inspiration comes from many sources. The majority of it comes from my love of what I do and the love of Transformers. I am also inspired by the music I have playing while working. I admit, that often I have the scores or soundtracks of Transformer movies playing from my PC while I build and paint. Other customizers have and always will help inspire me as well. I love browsing ebay and message boards to see what other people have created.

AFC: You use a really detailed painting technique, can you tell me more about your process?

Frenzy_Rumble: Thanks! The process is tedious, but rewarding when done. Preparation work is just as important as the paint itself. I sand and clean the figures perfectly, take apart the figures as much as I can, then apply base coats using lacquer paint. Next, I use a blend of enamels and acrylic based paints for washes and panel lining. Next I begin dry brushing and highlighting the parts. To do this, I blend over a color using lighter shades until the desired effect is reached. I also paint the edges with a wet lighter shade to help provide more definition. Lastly, I go through each part and add in details using a small brush and Testor’s Model Master Enamel. When dry, I air brush clear coats in matte, satin, or gloss finish.

AFC: If you had one piece of advice for other customizers out there, what would you say to them?

Frenzy_Rumble: Be original and persistent. I’ve seen too many customizers try and make a name for themselves by following in someone else’s shadow. There are hundreds of characters and thousands of ideas – untouched and ready for customizing. Site your inspirations, but put your own mark on your customs; while it’s important to be humble, it’s more important to be proud of your art. Be consistent and persistent, don’t give up because of a flop auction or unhappy customer. Do what you love doing and everything else falls into place.

I have the opportunity to meet many great customizers and this week, we are learning more about Darrens5150, a Star Wars Lego customizer who’s attention to detail and creativity caught my attention. 

 

AFC: Tell the fans of your work a little about yourself

Darrens5150: I started collection SW action figs (Hasbro) in 2000 & after a few years my wife wanted to collect something, so I bought her a SW Lego set for her to build& she loved it. As I bought them & she built them they starting growing on me.I hand paint every fig I custom myself. I have a work room w/ a lot of little tools, I’ve collected, to make my work easier. 

AFC: When did you start making customs?

Darrens5150: I started SW Lego customs about a year ago

AFC: Why did you start making customs?

Darrens5150: As a kid I always liked building & painting models & saw some of the SW Lego customs being sold on eBay & thought “Boy I could do that & maybe even better” So I researched out the supplies.  My decals are from Kam at www.fineclonier.com& my Kama & Pauldrons at MMCB Custom Mini fig Cloth Accessories, and started customizing & selling on eBay under my user name darrens5150. I had already been selling on eBay for years

AFC: How many customs do you work on at one time?

Darrens5150: I try to work on only 10 at a time, I only have a few days a week to work on them

AFC: What is the custom you are most proud of?

Darrens5150: My red Clone Captain & my ARC-170 Pilot, it’s hard to choose I have a lot of favorites

AFC: What is your favorite toy line to do customs for?

Darrens5150: Star Wars, but I want to start up some GI Joe customs, I’m a big collector of GI Joe too

AFC: What customs do you have lined up for your next ones?

Darrens5150: I want to do a Scuba Clone, more Kashyyyk Clones & some from the new Force Unleashed line.

AFC: If you had one piece of advice for other customers out there, what would you say to them?Darrens5150: Take your time & put together a good kit of tools & materials. Researched people who sell custom accessories & ask questions. Check out some of the Lego links out there & surf the web about custom Lego, etc. Oh…and be sure to visit regularly and check out www.actionfigurecustoms.com……Thanks from Darren (darrens5150 eBay user name)