I'd like to welcome you all to our new feature here on Go Figure News, Customizers Inc., where we will be taking an in depth look each week at the world of Action Figure Customizing. Customizing figures has been around as long as there have been action figures. Whether it’s swapping out heads and accessories or completely sculpting and painting new parts, action figure customizing is a true art form that all of us figure junkies can appreciate!
Each week we will be bringing you into the world of customizing with different tips and tricks, reviews of products that are essential to customizers, interviews with some of the most impressive customizers in the hobby, and much, much more! I would like to start us off with an interview. This week’s feature artist is Freeman Slavens of Swizzlesticks Customs.
Freeman is a medically retired Army veteran with 13 years of service to our country, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. A native of Lebanon, MO, Freeman is married with five children ranging in age from 14 years to 19 months. Freeman’s MOS was Mortuary Affairs Specialist, and like many of our veterans, Freeman suffers from PTSD. Fortunately he was able to find customizing as a therapeutic hobby and an artistic release. It is my honor to interview one of our country’s war veterans on this Memorial Day weekend.
ROB PANICK (RP): Hey Freeman! So glad you could sit down and talk with me today!
FREEMAN SLAVENS (FS): Thanks Rob, I'm honored!
RP: So one of the things I always wind up asking customizers when I first speak with them is when did you first get into customs and what got you started?
FS: About three years ago I needed a different outlet to get into. Self-medicating for PTSD does not work. I started collecting GI Joe's about 3 1/2 years ago. I saw customs on eBay and got interested. I got a few bad ones off eBay and said I can do this. I met Richard Whipple and Matthew Bennett. Bennett is my partner in crime and Richard showed me a lot.
RP: What is your favorite toy line to customize and why?
FS: Modern Joe's are my favorite. Timing really? I have collected Marvel Legends since they were released in 2001 beginning with Spider-Man Classics. At the time to touch them was "off limits". I've done one legends custom I prefer Joe scale it's what I'm comfortable with. I can do other scales and dioramas, but it's not as fun for me.
RP: How much of a geek are you?
FS: Pretty geeky, haha! I love superheroes, 80's cartoons/toys. Star Wars, Thundercats, M.A.S.K., Voltron, G.I. Joe.
RP: You have a really big family! How do you find time for your hobby?
FS: Five minutes here, ten there...I have insomnia sometimes, so that's what I do when I can't sleep. I've gotten my process down to where I can work here and there and still do good quality craftsmanship. My wife also gives me time when possible. She's a saint, haha.
RP: Some of our readers are probably brand new to our hobby. What is the best piece of advice you would offer a new customizer?
FS: Watch tutorials, ask questions, to try different things and practice! People are going to try and tell you what's the best, "you need to have this or that", "this ways the way the pros do if", etc. There are many different ways to achieve results and the key is finding out what works best for you. Also when you get advice look at that persons work, if their work looks nice and you think it may work for you, go for it. The one last thing I'd say is don't get disheartened. Unfortunately it happens. Don't let anyone take the wind from your sails!
RP: What’s your favorite trick you've learned in customizing?
FS: Using the white buffer/polishing wheel with a Dremel to "sand" joints.
RP: Tell us a little bit about stuff you do besides customs.
FS: Watch wrestling, hang out with kids and I love baseball. We try to go to a minor league game and to a major league game every year. Kids keep us pretty busy though, haha! I'm also part of a podcast called Shadow of the Nerd (available on iTunes).
RP: If you could sit here in my place and interview another customizer, who would it be?
FS: MSWI Customs, he's soooooo good and if there's anyone I'd mention in the same breath as Ratfink it would be him. He's that good. Matthew Bennett/Brokenclown would be a good one too.
RP: Okay, the next three questions are going to be completely random, well because I’ll be using a random question generator. Without thinking long and hard about it, give me the first answer that comes to mind…If you could choose any era to live in, what would it be?
FS: 1600's being a pirate sounds sweet!
RP: If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would that be?
FS: I would have asked my wife out after prom. Instead it took us 17 years to reconnect, haha!
RP: Would you rather have a grapefruit sized head or a head the size of a watermelon? Wow, you've gotta love randomness!
FS: Watermelon based on I don't like grapefruits! Hahaha!
RP: Freeman, thank you so much for talking to me today, and I want to sincerely thank you for your service to our country.
FS: Thank you Rob I'm honored for the interview and even more so that I was who you chose to be first! Thank you!
Rob Panick is an action figure customizer and the owner of Galactic Plastics and Custom Shop Decals. He is the father of three beautiful children and engaged to be married to his wonderful fianceé on Star Wars Day. He is a lover of all things Star Wars and an avid GA Bulldogs fan! Find him on Facebook and on Twitter @GP_decals.