Join DSTChuck as he gets flooded with your Star Trek questions - ranging from well-written analysis of our latest Star Trek items to a rant worthy of a Klingon! So activate the inertial dampeners and brace for impact!Keaton Sawyer
So I recently picked up the UQS Kirk and Spock. I’m a TOS mark, so even though I don’t think the figures were well done at all, I still bought them. Getting them out of the box helps a little, but I noticed something with the boots that I was REALLY disappointed by. The boots on the Kirk are a nice, screen accurate sculpt. The boots on the Spock were totally different. They are way too short, and they seem large and clunky, kinda like Olive Oil from Popeye. Plus, the are so low that the pants barely reach them. So my question is why was the decision made not to use the screen accurate, superior sculpt you used on Kirk and instead use this inferior, in no way accurate sculpt? Oh, and is there any way of switching out the lower legs? If so, can I send these lower legs to you and have you send me some Kirk lower legs? I really hate the Spock boots.

DSTChuck: Spock’s boots are supposed to be shorter than Kirk’s. Are Spock’s “too short”? Maybe. When you put Kirk and Spock side by side, I think we did a pretty good job. The flared cuff of the pant leg is partially created by the pants being tucked into the tops of the boots. The factory could not guarantee that they could do that in mass production, so we had to alter the pants pattern to have a pre-made flare and adjust the length so that flare was right over top of the boot. This is an issue we debated because the question was how to find the right balance between extra fabric over the boots/shoes when standing upright versus how much skin shows in a leg-up pose. For Trek, since the pants were supposed to be tucked into the boots, we decided to keep it tight in the upright.

Shaun Baer
I can’t remember if I already sent this question…but I didn’t see the Borg wave one on the most recent “release date” list. Has something happened to the line? Is it being canceled, reorganized, or otherwise delayed? I hope whatever is going on is for the betterment of the line and not another cancellation. I’m really looking forward to the Seven of Nines and the Borg Queen. Shaun “Tasha/Guinan” Baer (Hey…it worked for Chapel and Rand…squeaky wheel and all…)

DSTChuck: Right now the orders for the Borg wave are not where we need them to be to go into production. Everyone here loves the line and we have faith in it but pre-orders were very low. With the state of the economy the way it is taking a substantial risk is something we have to consider very carefully - we can’t do that on everything. We’ve asked Sales to go back once again and check with the buyer on their level of interest and if they are not interested to ask why…

Casey Day
Is there any time frame in which you will be making a detailed Enterprise from the new movie.? I love your other ones and really want one for the new ship.

DSTChuck: We do not have any rights to the new movie and there is no guarantee we ever will — that may stay with Playmates for a very long time.

Dave Cordes
I think that you have said before that the possibility of making a playest of TOS bridge was not likely but I urge you to reconsider and would like to know if you would possibly consider releasing “sections” of a bridge diorama/station consoles with TOS figures. My electronic command chair Kirk looks rather lonely sitting there without his familiar surroundings.

DSTChuck: While the Kirk is a very nice stand alone piece I do understand he’d be happier with a few friends. Based on what we can tell the sales would just not be there to support and develop such an expensive project. If sales in TRU remain strong and some other large buyer were interested it is something we’d love to do and might make sense — but that’s a big “if”.

Andrew S
Given your past history or releasing ship variants, battle damage edtions and that the fact an enterprise D and B are being developed and/or released, is the Generations Enterprise 1701-D a legit possibility in the future? Thanks, Andrew

DSTChuck: Right now our focus has been to get the D out and in stores as well as the AGT version. If sales are strong and we sell all of the stock we have when we go back and re-run more ships that’s when we look deeper into other versions and see what makes sense. So I can say right now no plans BUT maybe sometime in the future.

Phillip Miceli
Are you going to make the USS Voyager ship?

DSTChuck: Maybe someday Phillip but I will say not in 2010, we’re all set for the ships we hope to get out next year and we have a tight list of ships we’re considering for 2011 right now.

Jon Huff
It always bums me out when yet another Star Trek figure/project gets canceled. I’m sure it does the same to you. Has there been any thought to doing something similar to what Mattel is doing with their Masters of the Universe Classics line - offering one figure a month, perhaps for $20 or so, and making the best version possible for each character in the Star Trek universe? It seems to have worked very well for them.

DSTChuck: Jon your right it bums us all out. Buy the time we cancel an item so much time, money and heart have been thrown into it - its pretty brutal. The amount of resources required to run and market a direct to consumer site like they have is far beyond the reach of anything the small staff at DST could accomplish at this point. Right now our focus is on building sales through other retailers. We have experimented with some things but the results have been mixed at best. I think its something you really have to focus on. Not just throw a figure on your site and take out a couple ads.

Agent 86
Hi DST, I just had a couple of questions in respect of the re-releases of the “Star Trek: The Original Series” figures in two-packs. Firstly, will these figures be 100% re-issues or will there be any new tooling? For example, “plastic/sculpted” torsos instead of the “soft plastic” overlay and/or fully-functionaly “T” hips with sideways movement instead of just forward/back movement. Will any steps be taken to ensure a consistency in the colour of the shirts/tops for each of the figures? Some of the colours in the original releases varied widely (particularly the “red” used on Uhura as opposed to the “red” on Scotty). While I understand it may be difficult due to the different materials being used (hard plastic torso for Uhura and “soft plastic” overlay for Scotty), it would be great if the colours were consistent and “matched”. Finally, any chance of a re-release of Chekov and Nurse Chapel as a two-pack? Thanks for your time.

DSTChuck: While we had considered changing the torso, there simply was not enough time so they are the same “soft plastic” as you call it. The original figures were run by Art Asylum before DST became involved so I can’t comment on those. I have a factory sample here and the red seems pretty close, other then the fact that Uhura has way more shading on here figure then Scotty SO he’s looks darker and YES it is very difficult to match the colors when you deal with different materials.

Brandon Thompson
So what’s up with your Star Trek line? Will you attempt to capitalize on its new found popularity or what?

DSTChuck: Brandon that’s not much of a question is it??? I think we’re doing all we can within our means to take advantage of the new movie. For example all the TOS figure re-releases in TRU and comic stores, the TOS 2 packs. We’ve also made sure our warehouses were stocked with key items like the roll play and retro cloth figures. We’ve also set up large displays in stores like FYE, Blockbuster and TRU.

KC Moran
Ok honestly… I just can’t get my head around this. Lately everything you produce and post on the website gets hyped up by all of us dedicated fans, and then at the last minute you cancel them. Borg Wave 1… your site listed them for a release on May 27th. When the time came, did you change the dates and pushed it back for a later release date? No… you removed the figures altogether, and put “chipping away” at the Borg line in your latest Q&A instead of being upfront with your dedicated consumers. Why wait until the last possible moment to remove the Borg wave from the site? DS9… you say time and again that sales are not there. In the latest Q&A you state that fan bases of a show don’t guarantee sales of a figure. So if the fan following of DS9 is much higher than Stargate and BSG how come you keep producing these things? Don’t feed me some B.S. about their fan bases like figures. I’m not buying that garbage. Then you say that interest isn’t there for more TNG figures. Perhaps if the last wave of figures didn’t looks so shoddy (same with DS9) you would get more orders. I can’t honestly think of a good reason why these TOS re-releases would sell better than a Season 1 & 2 TNG lineup. I see loads of Kirks sitting on shelves around here. Lastly… I really and truly believe that you guys at DST are ignoring the cries of “help” from your dedicated fans. Its almost as if you want the Trek line to be cut lose, so that you can be done with it all and let the crappy Playmates have it back. Please don’t get me any cryptic and “suspensful” teaser answers. For once in your Q&A replies be honest and upfront.

DSTChuck: We wait as long as possible to “Cancel” an item because we want to exhaust ever possible way to keep an item alive until it has no hope. I try and be as honest as I can in these Q&A’s. If it’s something I am not allowed to say like “BSG Minimates are back in TRU” because the deal is not set in stone or Marketing does not want to say anything yet I try to be vague rather then lie. I am very sorry that the figures you want to see us make are not being made, I am sure it is frustrating. With a universe as deep as Trek I think if sales were high enough to do anything we wanted it would STILL take 10 years to even scratch the surface of what all the different fan bases might want. We’ve worked on Trek for a number of years and its been a privilege none of us take for granted and we hope to keep doing Trek stuff for many more years.

Chris Coombs
I love what you are doing for the TOS and was wondering about a few things.
1) What is the future of the Romulan commander?
2) Will there be a Wave 6? Kruge, Romulan, Sarek?
3) How about Wave 3 Borg; Shelby, Hugh and One?
4) TNG Wave 6; Spock from Unification, Sela, Picard and Data as a Romulan to tie into the movie?
5) How about a comic convention exclusives to get Kruge, Sikso and Dukat out there, even if they are bagged? Thanks in advance for answering or even hinting about an answer to any of these questions.

DSTChuck:
1) We’ve done nothing with the Romulan Commander yet but that was the plan all along — he did not have a specific home when we showed him at Toy Fair, it’s just a figure we worked up for future use in a two pack or asst or some other use.
2) I HOPE there will be a wave 6 but its way to early to comment on what they might be BUT it will NOT be all aliens, that I can tell you.
3) I think we’d LOVE to do more Borg but that is proving to be problematic.
4) Right now there are no more TNG waves planned BUT that does NOT mean we’ll never do another TNG wave it just means none are in process.
5) One of the main reasons for the comic con promotions or give away is PROMTION so we use it to kick off a line or a new part of a line, something like that. Like it or not for us Trek is at a point where it should be a more mature line, so we’d use those marketing dollars on something new to the marketplace like Ghostbusters.

Alex Cordier
Hi there, just wondering if there is a chance of you guys doing the USS Defiant from DS9 in you starship range? The old playmates one is too expensive on the secondary market, and I think that you would do a great version. And if it was possible, would you do it as a large vehicle or small? I know I would prefer a larger size vehicle. Also what happens to the prototypes that you create that don’t go into production, e.g. the Mayweather bridge set from Enterprise. Are there ones out there that can be bought in the secondary market?

DSTChuck: Defiant is one we’d consider for 2011 for sure. The size of the Defiant if we did it would be tricky we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Mayweather - I have no idea that was before AA became part of DST. For more recent stuff, it sits on a special shelf in my office or it gets boxed up and sent to an Indiana Jones, Ark like warehouse.

Roddy DeHart
From the previous Star Trek Q and A: For the Star Trek line your prop replicas are second to none. The one phaser that has been kept off the market is the phaser from Star Trek III The Search for Spock. The all black pistol phaser with the removable phaser I on the top. This phaser also showed up on an episode of Next Generation. Why not, or will there be a release of this phaser to complete the Star Trek Collection in the line of Phasers. Thanks for your time in reading & answering this question. J. Butler I would buy three of these

DSTChuck: I think that’s a possible roll-play item for us to look at for later in 2010.

Chick Swinson
Hey there DSTChuck, You mentioned recently that you were going to release the medical tricorder scanner with electronic sounds and a gear box operated by a thumb wheel. Does that mean that you spin it manually? I just wasn’t clear on what you meant. Also, in regards to pre-ordering items, what would you recommend for those of us who can’t rely on a retailer to have your items in stock in our area? I say this with all due respect as a customer who has a great deal of your stuff in his collection, but it’s hard for me to pre-order multiple items and wait for them to ship. If you go through a site like Entertainment Earth, they don’t charge your CC until your item ships, which is nice, but if you have different things all coming at once sort of unexpectedly, you can get hit with a whopping bill. On the other hand if you decide not to pre-order you sometimes get left out and have to scour the secondary market for things because they are out of stock before you know it. What’s a poor collector to do?

DSTChuck: Yes pretty much that means manual. While we would have liked a motor and sound in there, it was just too expensive for production. With all the features we added to the Tricorder the cost kept going up. At one point we needed to make the SRP 50.00 which for all of us was a breaking point for a toy we decided we could not go over 50.00. We are very sorry our items are late. We do the best we can and we’re going to do better next year. We’re fans like all of you are and when we make something cool we can’t wait to show it out there and see how it will sell. For newer roll play releases we’re going to wait until the factory has a working sample before we go out and try and get orders for the item.

Andrew LaRue
I realize you really don’t need any encouragement when it comes to making Kirks, but I was wondering if there was the possibility of a Kirk (Battle Ravaged) and Gorn 2-pack? It seems to me that it would be a great item to see at Toys R Us and the action theme could be enticing to younger customers - even if they aren’t familiar with the episode.

DSTChuck: We have in fact considered that two pack and have prototyped it up so it’s VERY possible.

Richard Lantz
Well, I just got my EE Medical Tricorder in the mail yesterday morning, and all I can say is WOW! Not only do I consider it a better representation than the Master Replicas version (the only thing really that the MR version has going for it is the screen, weight, and display case, but the price difference… $39.99 vs $850… well…) The sound is great, the voices are appropriate for it… I even like the wheel on the hand scanner (though, I would have preferred the sound on the hand scanner to be a bit louder… it’s very hard to hear) There is ONE issue with it, however, but it is easily fixed. I’ve heard from five other people who have received their Tricorders already, and all five had the same problem I did, of the handle for the bottom compartment falling off… the problem is, the factory is not screwing the handle on all the way… only the tip of the screw is going in… the solution requires a small flat head screwdriver, a small philips screwdriver, and a hot glue gun (or super glue) If the handle falls off, simply pop the inside panel off of the door, screw the handle back on, and then glue the door back together. It leaves no marks, and make it very much secure. The parts are good, and the screw is long enough, so I don’t know why they are not screwed in… but, again, such an easy fix, it doesn’t bother me in the least! I plan to buy the Science and Geo Tricorders as well (and will more than likely be buying whichever is available at Comicon this year) and hell, with the size of it, and affordability of it, I may just buy an extra or two to tinker with… the screen on it IS big enough to take apart, and drop a Video iPod screen and harddrive into it with some tweeking after all… oh, my flatmates are going to HATE me this summer! Again, all in all, a GREAT product, very well made, the proper size (I have handled the screen used props before, and let me tell you, VERY accurate in size, colour, and detail!) It only took Entertainment Earth two days to deliver as well, so, well done, indeed! It was my first time using them, and well, they wowed me with their delivery, and packaging! I can’t wait to see what’s next from your fine company!

DSTChuck: Not sure what the question is here but since it has some nice tips in it I say we run with it. Sorry about the door. We did not have a problem with the QC samples that were sent here BUT I’ll advise the factory for future production runs.

Alfredo Fernandez
I have an Art Asylum star trek enterprise ship NX-01 . Just wondering how many lights it is supposed to have and specifically in front of ship by deflector dish.

DSTChuck: I actually didn’t work on the NX-01 and don’t have a sample at all. However from what I can tell there are 2 LED in each engine, 2 LEs in the rear body and 1 LED in the front reflector dish. I hope that helps.

Harry Worthan
Hi Chuck, Thanks for answering my previous questions and I have one more for you. Can you describe what the “HD” Enterprise really is? How much better is it and will there be pics posted? Thanks for all you do! Harry

DSTChuck: WE have a sample here — I think it’s been shot so hopefully it goes up soon. The biggest difference is the lines on the hull and the added shading.

Bryant Brownlee
Hey folks. I just want to thank you for your fantastic Trek line. I don’t buy figures, but I have most of your ships and trek tek. Any thoughts about a possible replica of the original “Laser” from “The Cage?” How about the Assualt Phaser from ST: V/VI? Also, will you be releasing the TOS Phaser, Communicator and Tricorder as an landing party set (sort of the way you offered the Phaser and communicator as a set)?.

DSTChuck: I think the larger roll play items like and riffle are a long shot, but you never know. We HAVE discussed a three pack but the retail might be a bit steep so we have not decided one way or another yet.

Dave Cordes
Not really a question but I just received my AGT Enterprise-D and wanted to compliment you on this stunning piece of work. My expectations were far exceeded. You guys have really outdone yourselves on this exceptional model. I am amazed by the intricate level of detail and incredible lights and sounds. No small detail has been overlooked. My jaw dropped when I separated the saucer section for the first time and realized that it is attached to the main drive section by a very powerful magnet and power distributed for lighting the saucer by way of contact points. Your design is a marvel of engineering that rivals any past realizations by other companies such as Playmates. This doesn’t look like a toy at all but rather a replica studio model. I am more excited than ever to get the original Enterprise-D now. I hope that you will continue to produce all new ships such as Yesterday’s Enterprise and the U.S.S. Reliant. The amazing craftsmanship demonstrated here has re! stored my faith and confidence in DST as the premiere license holder of Star Trek collectibles.

DSTChuck: Dave even though this is not a question I though HECK why not leave some good news and folks that liked these products in this Q&A so here you are. I think I;ve been pretty public with our internal hopes to do two ships a year — so we’ll see if we can make that happen.

Scot Smiley
Hi. I wanted to say great job on all that you have done. I am very impressed by your company. Everything that I have seen you do is top notch. I especially like your star trek figures, and everything you have done in minimate form. I liked the new Star Trek movie, but have to say I am disappointed with the 4″ line and play sets Playmates has offered us. I am more of a fan of the 4″ scale and 12″ scale compared to any other size, especially since you can have more room for displaying and could do more scale play sets/vehicles. Now my question is could you do a 4″ scale line of star trek figures/vehicles/play sets etc? I love the detail and articulation in your figures and know no matter which series/movie you would make from I would collect them all!

DSTChuck: Hey two happy fans in a row — I’m on a roll! We have considered the $” scale for Trek and there are some folks internally really pushing it. Me I am not convinced yet and if we did, do we still run the larger scale..I just don’t know BUT we’re thinking about it.

Sam English
Hey Chuck & Co. Just wondering if you had considered the potential of a ‘Women of Star Trek’ line? eg: Wave 1 - Blue Seven, STVI Uhura, Tasha Yar & an ‘Enterprise’ Orion girl. Wave 2 - Janeway, TOS female Klingon, T’Pol (white attire) & Ilea I’m not sure what DST’s thoughts are on female figures, I gather the gender doesn’t phase you with lines like Star Trek & BSG etc?

DSTChuck: If it’s a strong female lead character then it does not bother us at all. Lots of times in the genre we’re dealing with females are not in the lead rolls SO that’s why we do less figures. SO for BSG yes Starbuck for sure but Cally maybe not…For TOS it’s not so cut and dry since the entire cast is pretty much iconic. We do have no plans for a targeted 100% female line.

Wendell Martin
I’ve enjoyed your Trek Tek Phaser and Communicator in the past and have recently placed several hi-resolution scans online along with YouTube videos here: http://webpages.charter.net/yamato/ArtAsylum/Phaser_Communicator_Tricorder.html If any of these images or videos might be useful to you, please feel free to use them. I’ve pre-ordered the Science Tricorder and am looking forward to getting it in a couple of weeks; I’ll add scans/video once it arrives. Since you’re sister companies, I’ve also written to Diamond Select about this. Thanks for making such great Trek replicas. When I was a kid, I used whatever household items were available to represent them, but these are much better! Wendell

DSTChuck: Cool, I’ll send the links to marketing and check them out. Enjoy the toys!

Chris Coombs
Do you think that Marlena from “Mirror, Mirror” or Christopher Pike might be re-released as a Toys R’ US Exclusive?

DSTChuck: Pike is possible but I think chances of Marlena coming back are pretty slim. Sorry.

Harry Orton
Having read previous blogs, I completely understand that with regards to what ships will be made, you really can’t say at such an early stage. However, I thought I’d suggest a couple of ideas: (i) Shuttlecraft. Perhaps starting with TOS types, although I’d love to see some of the later ones, including the type 9 (Voyager look-a-like), as well as perhaps the Delta Flyer and maybe even the Danube class runabout. This may eventually also include auxilliary craft like the Captain’s Yacht from Insurrection and/or the Argo (both shuttle and 4×4) from Nemesis. (ii) Nebula, including both pod variants (the dome and weapons pod). (iii) Cardassian vessels, only if Klingon and/or Romulan ships are a definite. Thanks for your time.

DSTChuck: Thanks for the ideas, I don’t see any of those in 2010 but we’ll see going forward.

Ronnie Conners
Would you guys consider doing a TNG Romulan War Bird? PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE?!? ^_^

DSTChuck: Maybe.

Graham Wood
Hi, I’ve had the the Enterprise D on pre-order for ever and I’m interested in what can cause the endless delays you’ve had. You have a picture up of the packaged ship that’s been there for a while,was this the finished item or just the prototype?Some detailed pics of the actual release model would be nice.Finally, Diamond Select still have the shipping date as 17/6/09, could this change or is it pretty much nailed down now?.

DSTChuck: IF you want all the gory details you will have to wait for the tell all book I plan to write and I spend my retirement catching waves on the beach. As for the time from in package picture, here is a rough time line. If the item is 100% done (it is not always when you see a package picture, then you have 3 weeks to get from HK to the LA coast, you have another 2 weeks to get from LA to my in shore warehouse. You then have, depending on when the item hits the warehouse door as many as 2 weeks to get to a store.

Eric Walters
There is a youtube review for the classic version of the Diamond Select Enterprise-D There have been a report that the Saucer Section will not run through the sound effects unless connected to the Star Drive Section. Nor will the All Lights on feature work on the Saucer Section unless the Star Drive Section is connected. In Lamens Terms. The Saucer Section won’t make sound or light up while separated. Is this because this individual reveived a defective model? !! WE HOPE SO !! Diamond Select Enterprise D: by TokoGT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHNvd8nAJ5I&feature=channel_page

DSTChuck: The saucer will work when separated it will NOT do all the features do to the fact that it would have needed another full power supply and sound chip/speaker, which would have added LOTS of cost. Once you have one or can play with one you will get a better idea. I kind of has to been seen and played with it to hopefully appreciate it.

Jake Root
I have learned through this Q&A section that the number of pre-orders determines if a figure will go into production. The problem is collectors don’t know if a figure is viable until it either shows up or is canceled. Would it be possible to post some kind of meter showing how many pre-orders are placed relative to the target number for production? This could help bring in more orders in order to attain production requirements.

DSTChuck: It is not 100% the final factory but yes it plays a big roll. There is no real magic number but I think fans would be surprised how low a number an item can sell and DST can still consider it viable. Also, not sure if this has been clear but the pre-order number does NOT need to be 100% of the break even number for us. If its close to 1/2 we’ll still go forward with most items. Heck the Ent D is not going to break even for DST if we sell the entire first run out. So you see we really do just use it as a gauge.

Dave Cordes
A few years ago Art Asylum released a battle damaged Enterprise which was incorrectly packaged from Star Trek II:TWOK but technically it was seen from Star Trek III: TSFS. I was wondering if DST will re-issue this model in the proper Star Trek III: TSFS packaging?

DSTChuck: I am not 100% sure which one you mean (since I was not here) but I think that’s the one that we took and re-decoed ETC and released as the TWOK and TWOK battle damged ships not too long ago, I think it was last year. If so I don’t think anyone though of re-re doing it as a SFS item. As for the package by now you have seen that CBS has asked us to move to a more single style package rather then a different one for every movie or TV show.

David Rothman
What are the chances of a re-release of the Enterprise refit/1701-A with the constant lights feature the TOS Enterprise and TNG Enterprise have (IMO THE best feature of your ships)? How about a Star Trek The Motion Picture 30th Anniversary Edition refit Enterprise complete with phrases from the movie, pretty please?

DSTChuck: Glad you like that feature it was all DSTRobert’s idea. We’re going to add that in whenever possible.