Friends,
I am not blind to my own faults (at least, not to most of them — I hope). I know that I am not the most steady of individuals when it comes to such things (and I even know why that is). However, that said, I am trying to work on myself, and my plans for TMD going forward. Those who are interested should click to keep reading.
Our industry is changing, and that is just the reality in which we live. Trade wars, shipping rates, 3D printing — even the demographics of who is building what: all of these things are coming together at the same time. If you are a small, one-man shop like I am, you have to change with the times or perish. So, I have been giving some serious thought to how I can change TMD in a way that will allow me to survive a few more years. I have made some choices, and I have every intention of sticking with them. If they work, I’ll be OK. If they don’t work… Well, I have to stick with them long enough to give them a chance to work, so, if they don’t work, it was a good run — while it lasted. 🙂
CHANGE #1
This one is simple: I am going to do my very best to produce more masters along the line of what I currently make. Only, from now on, I will try to focus on more universal applications as opposed to kit-specific products. Yes, there will be exceptions, but only when time and finances permit.
CHANGE #2
I am going back to diorama-oriented products. I plan to start with recovery vehicles. Tanks spend a great deal of time under maintenance, so it is only natural to want to show them there (especially for a former tank mechanic such as myself). Recovery is part of that process. I know that fewer modelers like to build dioramas, but I do. So…
CHANGE #2A
One of the major problems I have encountered with building realistic dioramas is the lack of figures in poses actually suited to the build. Therefore, I am going to start with a limited effort to make purpose-posed figures to support my diorama projects. I am not a sculptor, so I am mostly thinking about modifying existing figures, but we’ll see how well this goes. All I know is it is needed.
CHANGE #3
As I move forward with my new diorama ideas, I will be starting to make stuff to show wrecked or abandoned vehicles. At first, this will mostly consist of the detritus debris that surrounds such a vehicle: rags, clothing, small parts of the tank and discarded equipment, etc. As time goes on, I will start making damaged parts to go along with knocked out vehicles. Wherever possible, these first attempts will be dual purpose, making it possible to use them as battle damage and in recovery dioramas.
CHANGE #4
Finally, I am going to start back with making buildings and other structural products so necessary to better dioramas. These will be made of resin, but will be sold at a price that the average modeler should be able to afford — especially for an extended build such as a diorama.
LAST THOUGHTS
One of the marvels of Verlinden is that, when others started to join the market he created, he made a new market (I’m thinking of his 120 mm figure line). Well, a wise man will learn from geniuses who have gone before him, so I am going to attempt to imitate a wise man and try to create my own market. It will require a great deal of focused, consistent effort on my part, an enthusiastic response from all of you out there, time and a bit of God’s Will to succeed, but at least I have a plan that I believe has a chance to work in this market. Now, I need to start on my part.
Stay Safe,
Joe