CIPTA CROFT-CUSWORTH
CIPTA CROFT: “The best thing is walking into a toy department anywhere in Indonesia and seeing the stuff i designed on the shelves. Even better is when i see kids asking their mums and dads to buy my toys for them. Nothing compares to this feeling."
[interview.ak / pics.cipta croft docs / July 2015]
What are your current favorite toy brands?
Hmm, at the moment I am really into the REACTION FIGURES created by SUPER 7. They make so many cool figures its hard to keep track.
What’s the first action figure that you’ve bought and truly loved?
Well, I actually started by collecting toy soldier 'figurines' because my dad was a collector of toy soldiers. My first figurine was a British Knight… I still value him to this day.
Tell us the idea behind your horror-themed INDO PSYCHOS & SETAN LOKAL action figure series from GoodGuysNeverWin (That includes a dictator, serial rapist and “kuntil anak”)..
GoodGuysNeverWin has a lot of new figurines including the INDO PSYCHOS series which is a collection of Indonesia's most notorious killers and weirdoes. I want people to be more aware that Indonesia has a remarkable history, some heroes, some legends and some downright nut-jobs. I am proud to be half Indonesian, and so INDO PSYCHOS is one of my ways of expressing my nationalism.
If you had to choose from these ‘80s classic toy series line-up, which one is the most favorite: Police Academy, M.A.S.K., Silver Hawks, Thundercats, Star Wars, Ghostbusters, TMNT or Masters of the Universe?
M.A.S.K. is my first 'action figure' love… I will always pride my VENOM Agents above my other villains because they are the perfect size to make custom vehicles and they are just amazing simple sculpts with just the right articulation. I noticed you didn't mention my other two favorite toy sets - Cobra & Decepticons (*G.I. Joe & Transformers).
You work for a big toy company too. What's the best thing in working in a toy company besides playing with toys and getting paid designing it?
Hmmm… The best thing is walking into a toy department anywhere in Indonesia and seeing the stuff I designed on the shelves. Even better is when I see kids asking their mums and dads to buy my toys for them. Nothing compares to this feeling.
Tell us a bit about your independent toy company GoodGuysNeverWin..
GoodGuysNeverWin (GGNW) is my breath of fresh air. My day job is making toys for the masses - meaning I need to create for the market. I need to make toys that other people want. GGNW is my escape from this… I get to make the toys that I want to make. I can be as idealistic and reckless as I want.
What is your next projects with GGNW?
GGNW is currently producing 5 new figures for series 2 of the INDO FIGURES. I am launching all these figurines at the next Toy Fair (Battle of the Toys at Balai Kartini August 15-16 2015). I don't want to say too much about series 2 - but its pretty crazy… And VERY Indonesian.
You comments about modern 1/6 ultra realistic figures from and the Japanese Revoltech / SHFigurearts types with lots of articulations?
It’s cool… I love to look at that stuff… its just not my 'thaaang'.
Toys afficionados are usually movie-buffs too. What's your favorite 7 films of all time?
Edward Scissorhands, The Never Ending Story, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, The Lost Boys, True Romance, Leon (aka The Professional) the directors cut, The Toy Story Trilogy.
This year Hollywood is remaking and releasing a lot of '80s films like Mad Max, Terminator, Jurassic Park, and Star Wars next year. Which films that you loved and excited to see?
Loved all of the remakes… I know how difficult it is to make a movie (I used to be a film director before I designed toys and theme parks), so I tend to leave my suspension of disbelief at the door when I go to enjoy a movie. Movies are not perfect because they are exactly what they are - just "movies". No storytelling medium can truly imitate life.
Suicide Squad or Batman v Superman?
"Bat vs Supe" by a loooong shot. Not interested in the SS.
What's your most prized possessions in terms of classic action-figures, rare stuff, nostalgic toys, or anything that have any sentimental value?
My collection of action figures that I grew up with is certainly most precious. Especially the toys that have been with me since I was a kid. My first "Cobra Commander" (G.I. Joe) is so covered in scratches and battle scars from the sand box that he looks like he's been through hell and back - this only makes him look tougher - he is the leader of my army of toys.
Where do you see the trend of toys are headed in the future? 1/6? Urban toys? Bricks?
Toys will always be toys. There will always be dolls, bricks, soldiers, cars, etc… I just hope that kids turn away from the pixel screen (portable apps and video games) and appreciate play time as it is a true harbor for the imagination. Imagination is literally what makes the world go round. Imagining the future is what gives us a future. Play time is so important for the future - so I hope it continues to be so in the hearts of children and parents.
We've heard you own a cool toy store too. Tell us about it..
The Toy Store is more like my workshop - but we are moving very soon into BLOK M MALL (near the Blok M bus terminal underground mall). It’s much better for traffic and I will be able to set up a Toy Museum I hope. I used to have a toy museum when I had a shop in BLOK M SQUARE before 2013.
Last question: Tell us your top 5 toys wishlist!
5. The Gimp from Pulp Fiction, REACTION FIGURES by Super 7
4. Johnny Kreese and John Lawrence (bad guys from Karate Kid), REACTION FIGURES by Super 7
3. Skeletor, Beastman and Merman from HE-MAN, 3.75 inch figures by Super 7
2. Vanessa Warfields helmet from MASK, Kenner
1. The new stormtrooper from Episode 7
