ICONS Authentic Replicas Interview clip?

[James Latta]

Lear60man !!! So good to hear from you. I remember you ! You are such a talent and were so wornderful to work with at the very start of Icons. Thank you so, so much for your hello. Back in the day we could not believe that a real-life Lear Jet pilot was part of the family!

Thank you for all that you did to contribute to Icons at the beginning and all the projects you contributed to over the time you worked with us. Your work was beyond excellent and you had a great deal to do with what was the best of Icons. Before you took back to the skies. Such a pleasure to run into you here.

: )

 

[James Latta]

Exetor and Autoprops, thank you for speaking up here and trying to keep this thread civil. My apologies for anything you have to endure for doing so.

 

[tripoli]

But…to repeatedly attack one’s personality?"

Who just attacked Who?

This is the problem, Jim is coming in, starting quite a bit of false information and going on to attack personalities as part of his historic storytelling. Yes, James, Master Replicas DID indeed have to forward 3 million to Lucas for the Star Wars license. Steve put together an impressive financial package as well a serious well financial back and educated, business experienced management team. In fact, to show they had the funding to not do what Icons had in the past and to show they had the capability to see the license built up as they envisioned it should have originally it was a requirement of Lucas.

Lucas was hearing reports from customers and THAT was a huge factor in their treatment of Icons in its final days.

Jim, if you REALLY want to talk about your experiences, give it a go. But again, tearing up others for your own failings will not fly here. I am sure you can talk about production organization and studio communication without the attacks. Pretty sure at least, but that is not what you have done so far.

Want to talk about props, go for it. Want to build yourself up by tearing others down, expect to get called on it. Remember, your not the only one around from those times and there are a few more insiders here than you might think. I suggest you consider such when posting.

 

[Art Andrews]

No matter what happened at Icons, no matter the truth or the proof, the goal is to shut me up, shut me down and place spin what happened. Why? Simple = $$$. It pays to degrade, humiliate, lie and slander Icons and myself.

James, I want to make a point here as well as ask a question. First, this site is run by a very small staff and is not run by the members nor is it a democracy, so despite some members who are VERY unhappy that we are allowing you to post here, unless you break the rules of the site, you won't be "shut up." Now, you might be drowned out, but that is another matter entirely.

Now for my question: you say that your detractors are trying to shut you up and shut you down because it pays. How so? Let's not kid ourselves. Seeing how Steve's last two "exits" went, I don't know what he has to financially gain from lying about you. I can certainly think of other reasons why he might lie about the past, but money isn't at the top of the list. This would apply even moreso for others who have spoken out about their bad experiences with Icons. What financial gain could they hope for by speaking ill of you? If this were 10-15 years ago, I could understand your argument, but today? I don't get the connection between your detractors and financial gain. Please explain.

There ARE members here that know Steve, and won't post, as they don't want any drama from his small circle. So they stay quiet.

I think it is a shame that anyone would stay silent out of fear. If people have facts on either side of this argument, I think it is unfortunate that they don't step forward and say their piece.

I've got to be ridiculed and shut-up.

You may be ridiculed (to an extent... even people who have a beef with you will have to follow our rules), but the only person who can shut you up is you. We are allowing you an opportunity to speak here, so I want to make sure there isn't a victimization that is being played up more than is there.

Everyone here has seen collectible companies being attacked again and again when they are trying to create great product. Often unfairly.

Fair point but that has happened across the board, from Icons to MR to QMx to eFX to pretty much anyone.

Here I am offering my expertise, knowledge and facts to every single member here for nothing but my own peril. Relating to what I experienced during Icons 5 years in business ( How long did Master Replicas last? 5 to 6 years? With all their millions? ) and yet I am trying to be shut down again and again.

I am sure many members would be interested in clarification on this point. You say you are here for "nothing but your own peril." After many many years, you have come to the RPF, and as I said before, I commend you for it, but why? Why now? Why here?

Bottomline, Steve and his circle don't want a bunch of competition.

Is it your intent to become competition for them?

If there are members who want me to continue to post, please write that you do, as I said, if I am not welcome here, and am hurting people with my sharing, then the majority should rule.

I don't speak on behalf of everyone, but I for one am very interested in hearing what you have to say, especially about the early days of this hobby and about what happened to Icons. In regard to majority rule... see my comments at the first of this post.

 

[Apollo]

My apologies if you think that.

Of course this is an open forum, if you think this is "Flaming" then I admire your sensibilities.

You would have really cringed in the Flame pit of old! :lol

My advice to you is to just listen.

Okay, Apollo, I will just shut the hell up, and go away! Thought this was supposed to be an open forum, not a flamers board, but what the hell do I know, huh?

 

[Apollo]

Yes Jimmy boy you are already slicing your own throat with your own Hyper-bole.

Not one person here is trying to "Shut you up".

I for one am glad you are here as eventually the newer members will see you for what you are, the emperor with no clothes.

Just a nice shiney crown of thorns.

Talk about having a Martyr complex. :rolleyes

I am already falling into my old games....see? No matter what happened at Icons, no matter the truth or the proof, the goal is to shut me up, shut me down and place spin what happened. Why? Simple = $$$. It pays to degrade, humiliate, lie and slander Icons and myself .

 

[aliensarchive]

I would like to hear about and see photos of the amazing prop collection that was lost to ICONS creditors...a cautionary tale for the reader.

 

[rkpetersen]

There have been a lot of directly contradictory claims back and forth in this thread. "You did this, no you did it, no this other guy did it, no you stole that idea from me, no you stole this other thing from him, you made this fax, no you made these phone calls." But no evidence has been presented on either side that might allow the forum members to make an informed decision as to the truth of it all. None. All unprovable assertions, from start to finish.

So what are we to believe?

Ignoring all unproven claims (i.e. virtually this entire thread), I find that I must fall back on what I personally know to be true.

1. James Latta was a principal in a prop replica company that ultimately filed for bankruptcy under very murky circumstances.

2. Many collectors lost thousands of dollars in undelivered Icons props and unissued refunds.

3. Steve Dymszo was a principal in a prop company that, while no means perfect, did deliver high quality prop replicas to its customers more or less consistently over the life of the company.

4. I have personally both bought and commissioned a good number of replicas from Steve over the last few years. He has consistently delivered high quality pieces, with excellent communication and no 'funny business'.

Based on this, I think it's clear who I'm more likely to believe is telling a straight story.


Also - James, your claim that Steve is 'meddling' with your efforts to communicate with Icons customers holds no water.

1. The opportunity to do anything meaningful for Icons customers was lost to you years ago. Oh, you may be able to send a prop or some cash to the handful of people who pm you about it here, but that hardly means anything, considering that there are probably hundreds or maybe thousands of people that are likely no longer in the hobby or even RPF members because of bad experiences with Icons.

2. It is important for Steve and others to respond to your statements, so that they not be uncritically accepted as unvarnished truth in the absence of countering arguments.

3. No one said you wouldn't be challenged when you started posting here, and at least at first, you seemed to accept that fact.


Anyway, after all that, I want to say that I enjoy the stories of the early days of original prop 'hunting' ('stealing' sounds like a more accurate term), the start of the commercial prop replica business, and various deranged personalities, as much as anyone. I would like those stories to continue. But that doesn't mean that I'm believing every word. And I don't think other forum members should either.

Randy P.

 

[Apollo]

Well said Randy

As Art has asked you and as I asked you earlier in this thread Jim why now do you come on here and try to conduct damage-controll.

Are you planning on getting back in the biz?

 

[Lord Boron]

Who are these lucky customers who got refunds? Guess my refund for the Solo Blaster and Cylon Helmet that were never delivered got lost in the mail.....

 

[TymerDC]

Just my 2 cents worth.........all I know is that in the last around 20 years. EVERYONE I've met including good personal friends who has ever worked for, done business with or has dealt with Latta has NOTHING good to say about him.

As far as Steve Dymszo (SD Studios) goes.....he does great work, has made some awesome props and as far as I know he has never cheated anyone. I think that speaks volumes.

So I know who I'd believe. :thumbsup

I'm also going to print this out and hand it to several friends of mine who aren't on the RPF who have had past direct dealings with Latta......if they want to reply I'll post it here.

 

[Art Andrews]

The opportunity to do anything meaningful for Icons customers was lost to you years ago. Oh, you may be able to send a prop or some cash to the handful of people who pm you about it here, but that hardly means anything, considering that there are probably hundreds or maybe thousands of people that are likely no longer in the hobby or even RPF members because of bad experiences with Icons.

I disagree with this on several levels. It is NEVER too late to do something meaningful. Now, is it too late to fix a tarnished reputation that has been all but set in stone? Probably, but I think it is unfair say a gesture of reparation on James' part (if there were to be any) would be meaningless. I'll bet it would mean a lot to someone like Tripoli. Not saying it would change Trip's long-held beliefs about James, but I'll bet the gesture would still mean a lot. No single act or even string of acts are going to dissuade certain people's opinions, but that doesn't make those acts meaningless.

Early in your post you berated both Steve and James for making claims without proof yet you throw out the statement that "there are probably hundreds or maybe thousands of people that are likely no longer in the hobby or even RPF members because of bad experiences with Icons." I have absolutely no idea how many people Icons hurt, but I have a feeling it is less than is being claimed here and I would be willing to bet "thousands" is a gross exaggeration, so unless there is something to back those numbers up...

 

[tripoli]

I believe that James still has some major issues and it showed in his thread. He was on the attack from the beginning as well he did not show regret for some of his actions, more over he was ignoring and or justifying them. More of self interest showing in his post. Self honesty and acceptance of what you have done wrong can be a hard issue for some to overcome.

I don't know if he really is interested in change or amends, but always willing to listen to someone who tries to. I just don't think he is there at this point. But I am always willing to leave the door open to be proven otherwise.

Hard to ask forgiveness for yourself if you cannot do so with others. But there is also a time when you have to dust your feet off and walk away.

 

[rkpetersen]

I would be willing to bet "thousands" is a gross exaggeration, so unless there is something to back those numbers up...

I would be inclined to agree with this, and hesitated when adding it to my post. More likely in the hundreds. Also, please note my use of the word 'probably'. That means that I do not know, and am speculating. If anyone knows for sure how many Icons customers were harmed by the Icons bankruptcy, it would be Mr. Latta. I only say this as fact, not to be confrontational, and I don't really want a number, as it would be meaningless at this point.

 

[rkpetersen]

double post :unsure

 

[greylocke]

If there are members who want me to continue to post, please write that you do, as I said, if I am not welcome here, and am hurting people with my sharing, then the majority should rule. Many members have privately asked me to continue. Which gave me the courage to do so. But the likes of Steve D. will no longer shut me up. As he has a blatant private adgenda with what he is posting. Untruths. Spin. Lies. If I continue to post I will address all of them. If I don't, thank you to the members here who have been civil and open to hearing my side of the story. You can always email me or message me. As long as this account is not shut down.

Thanks to the RPF for allowing me to post here after 12 years of being a recluse. I know it was a leap of faith and I admire you all for it. Right now you have an exclusive with my being allowed to be here.

James I would like you to continue posting here. I like history of many things. And I would like to hear the good, the bad, and even the ugly. I would just ask everyone to remember that young kids can read the forum and to please moderate yourself before you post.

 

[rollerboi]

I for one have been around a while, and it's really nice to get a different version/perspective on things I knew was going on "back in the day."

I understand the anger, and I know there's a lot to be taken with a grain of salt. However, just the opportunity to be able to sift through the sands of history once more is worth it, IMO.

I'm sensing a growing group of people who .. how do I put it delicately? Have a bone to pick with Latta. And for good reason, I'm sure. Absolutely. However, it's really not adding much to the history being shared with us. I'd really hate to see things get even murkier quickly; if you have a fact that disproves something, wonderful - by all means, let's see alternative versions of the history.

Let's just keep it civil, though.

I'll also say this, Jim. I have not ever, not do I plan to ever do business with you. That doesn't mean I'm not willing to sit down and be entertained by the stories. You've got some really good stuff in that head of yours. Please do continue to post, and if you can address some of the grievances of the folk around here on a one by one basis, so much the better for the karmic balance. It'll mean something to those specific people. :thumbsup

 

[dfchang813]

I've followed this thread with interest and while Jim provides some good history I have to say that from an observer's standpoint, he has quite the chip on the shoulder when it is an undeniable fact that he was one of the principal people in charge of a company that ripped off a significant amount of customers and dealers, went into bankrupcy, and has a name that is equal part "famous" and "infamous" at best.

He's owned up to some mistakes, then turns around and implies that part of Icons bad reputation is caused by "character assassination" by guys like Steve from SDStudios?

Ummm, that is a little hard to swallow considering that I've never heard of Steve ripping anyone off on these boards or off so far.

Also, the over-defensiveness of some of Jim's posts is a little off-putting.

I've read every word of Steve's posts in this long thread and while there is definitely anger there, definitely bitterness, definitely a lot of back and forth and "he said she said" and all of that, I have NEVER read one word where Steve or indeed any of Jim's detractors have challenged his right to post here or tried to "shut him up."

They've merely responded to Jim's version of the facts with their own but not once have I gotten the impression they are not allowing him to post or speak or air h is side.

All of that is from Latta's side which frankly puzzles me.

Again, Steve and others are just presenting the facts from their side, why then the "persecuted" over the top responses by Latta?

I have never bought a thing from Icons and all of this is before my time so this is just what I'm getting reading these posts.

Finally, I find it a little distasteful when people who have no idea what they are talking about come on here and tell others who have been ripped off THOUSANDS to just "turn the page" and move on.

I mean, REALLY? I have SERIOUS doubt that ANY member of this forum would react like this if they'd gotten ripped off 300 dollars let alone 3000.

Trust me, I've seen some of the fiascos that have occurred with private commission and group projects gone wrong.

I just find it hypocritical. You didn't lose a dime so to all the people who did, please shut up, don't make it unpleasant for Jim Latta so I can get some more good stories from the good ol days?

I'll say it right now. I've only been ripped off once on-line in an Ebay scam and luckily got my money back. I had to file a police report but I got my money back quickly and painlessly. But I still remember how I felt even 2 years later. Being the victim of a crime like that scars you and stays with you and it absolutely affects how you deal with others in the future.

So I can't even imagine what it's like to be the victim of thousands of dollars lost that was NEVER recovered and then to see the guy you consider hugely responsible come on here.

I think by and large, people like Steve and Tripoli have been very respectful and controlled with their posts here. Just because they are criticizing Latta does not mean they are trying to "shut him down" or prevent him from speaking.

If you want to dish it out, you got to be able to take it.

And if Jim is so sensitive that a few negative posts from people who want to make a counter-point is going to scare him off, then that's on him and not on Steve or Tripoli or Apollo or any other guys on here. At the end of the day, what he has to say is just not interesting enough to kowtow and placate his sensitive ego to keep him around. After what he's been through, he's perfectly capable of taking care of himself and his skin is tough enough to withstand 10 pages and counting of back and forth. So let's give the "poor Jim Latta" schtick a rest.

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, sorry that's not a good enough explanation for what went down.

Let the people who got ripped off speak their minds as long as it is done with civility which so far it has been. Again, it is DISRESPECTFUL, HYPOCRITICAL, and just plain IGNORANT to tell these people to go to PM or refrain from posting. Just as legitimate to ask your circle-jerk of Latta to go to PM as well.

 

[Apollo]

:lol Looks like you lost that bet! :lol

A good 'ol RPF cage match?! We haven't had one 'o these in YEARS!

I bet 500 Quatloos on the newcomer!

 

[Lichtbringer]

Funny - wouldn´t it be time for some oldies to jump on the 3 posts newbie who has "seen his share" ? Lamenting around, crying havock and sockpuppet?

Sure, he takes the side against Icons - but if a newbie would post the same FOR Icons, i´m sure he would already have his slap in the face.