In this 10 episode series, we join Jay Bartlett and his lifelong friend Rob McCallum (director of Nintendo Quest and the co-director of the He-Man documentary Power of Grayskull) behind the camera as they try to put together the ULTIMATE collection of Auction items to benefit the Children’s Health Foundation, as the series progresses we follow Jay and Rob to Toy stores, Comic shops, Conventions, and even peoples basements for grail items for the auction. This series also includes interviews with fellow action figure collectors and a host of writers and independent artists, toy designers, and Silent Bob himself Kevin Smith.
Action Figure Adventure Season 1 Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arA6mQM1kNk
So I reached out to Writer and Director Rob McCallum and star the of Action Figure Adventure Jay Bartlett to talk about their current documentaries, talk toys and collectibles, and future projects. I'd just like to take a moment to welcome you and thank you both for joining me to answer some questions today, with that here we go.
Tell me a little about your selves?
Jay Bartlett: I'm an entertainer whose resume includes Nintendo Quest, Nintendo Power Tour, Action Figure Adventure. I've done countless podcasts in my day, most recently "The Jay and Rob Toy Show" I am a toy and video game collector and musician.
Rob McCallum: I’m a fun-loving guy who enjoys long walks on the beach? I make movies, I love every bit of it as I get to spend most of my days talking to strangers who allow me into their homes with cameras... wait... that sounds really weird.
How long have you collected toys?
Jay Bartlett: I have collected toys since I was a kid. Going on 40 years now.
Rob McCallum: Since I was 7 or 8. That’s when the whole mentality to collect and acquire all the figures in a line really set in; particularly with TMNT, Dick Tracy, and a lesser extent, the Toybiz Marvel Super Hero figures.
How large is your toy collection?
Jay Bartlett: Large lol. My problem I have a personal connection with most lines I grew up with. I collect for most lines, they all have a special place in my heart.
Rob McCallum: Not that large, and mostly newer releases. I’ve sold my collections at various points to fund film projects.
How did the idea for the show come about?
Jay Bartlett: We wanted to do something close to Nintendo Quest but didn't want to jump into the sequel. Rob and I both have a passion for Action Figures, and at the time I was working closely with The Children's Health Foundation. We thought of the idea instead of (like Nintendo Quest) me collecting the toys for myself, I thought I'd auction off everything I got and put it towards The Children's Health Foundation.
Rob McCallum: Jay and I wanted to work together again after having a blast while making Nintendo Quest but we were both burnt on games so we couldn’t go back down that road but toys have always been a part of our lives and daily discussion, so we steered different ideas in that direction. The big moment was finding a way to not have the story focus on Jay collecting for himself. We needed a bigger cause and calling so when Jay mentioned Children’s Health Foundation, we knew we had something bigger than any one person and that we could Channel all our efforts to helping people. That’s when AFA really came together.
Any road Story's that we didn't see in the show?
Jay Bartlett: Road stories...tons actually. One, in particular, was us returning from North Carolina with a rather large item (I won't spoil it for anyone). We didn't realize just how big the item was so the crew was literally jammed into the production van with hardly any room to move for twelve hours while we headed home.
Rob McCallum: Just lots of laughter and fun driving to each place and incredible finds along the way. Some of the fun stuff that didn’t get shown is all the goodies we did collect for ourselves along the way.
What's your personal Grail item for your collection and have you found this?
Jay Bartlett: My grail in my collection is my 1985 G.I. Joe Real American Hero U.S.S. Flagg aircraft carrier play-set without a shadow of a doubt. It is simply legendary. We all knew that one kid who had it. until you see one set up you really don't understand how absolutely huge it is and how big G.I. Joe was in the mid-'80s to design something of this caliber.
Photo credit https://www.3djoes.com/store/c2/Posters.html
Rob McCallum: Treehouse collectibles helped me secure The Blank from Dick Tracy. This is a figure that actually had a decent through-line in season one but because it never paid off, we didn’t include it in the series.
Photo Credit https://medium.com/@chrisdarkes/detective-work-593474204241
What was the biggest challenge about taking on this adventure?
Jay Bartlett: The biggest challenge and pressure came from I knew every decision that I made would affect how much I'd get at the auction to help these kids in need. Where I started the quest was completely different from where it ended. Each decision was very, very difficult and time is always a factor.
Rob McCallum: Taking a risk on fronting 99% of the cash to make it. Even with Kick-starter backers, we took a big gamble and even those backers came in after we shot 90% of the series, so we were almost broke by the time the campaign launched.
What future projects can you tell us about?
Jay Bartlett: There are many things in the works but like usual I'm under a strict NDA.
Rob McCallum: I’m in production on a Mr. Dress up documentary and I’m about to launch a Kick-starter campaign for a documentary called “Faking Filmation” which looks at the history of Saturday morning cartoons, Filmation, he-man and the masters of the universe and one super fan’s mission to create and release an unofficial cartoon despite impending legal threats.
Where on social media can people find you?
Jay Bartlett: Social media you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram under my name Jay Bartlett. I also have my own personal toy channel on YouTube under my name, Jay Bartlett
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jay.bartlett.54
Instagram: jaybartlett75
Twitter: JayBartlett75
Rob McCallum: @robmczob on Instagram and TikTok but hit up my website RobMcZob.com for links to all my series and creative endeavors!
https://robmczob.com/?fbclid=IwAR1JIWvgcfUI4uF-9uE7ZrDr-RUMdyclrQ1-WPkdhnLJPHKf3F20Q9GM51I
Thanks for providing us an insight into some of what went into the making of Action Figure Adventure and talking toys with us. And to secure your copy of Action Figure Adventure today, click this link below: https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationD
コメント