ICONS Authentic Replicas Interview clip?
- Thread starter Rusty85
- Start date
Just found out about this thread earlier today and am absolutely stunned to see James Latta here on our site. As others have said, I never thought I would see this day.
James, I only know you by reputation, and I am sure you know what that reputation is... however, I have to stand up and salute you for coming here of all places, a site where you know you are going to be hit again and again by people who had bad experiences with Icons. Whatever your past actions, it is extremely commendable that you are coming here and addressing these issues openly and pretty directly as well as sharing a great deal of history that many of us know tidbits about but don't really have the full story. For better or worse, Icons is a big part of the history of this community and your company introduced many people to this hobby and it is good to hear more about the early days, mistakes and all.
While I know you have said you don't care much to become a regular here, I hope you won't let this be your only moment of sharing your experiences and your memories with this community. I think you have more to offer and I appreciate you making an effort to explain the past. While it doesn't excuse past mistakes, I think some of what you are doing is a great step toward dulling the pain of wounds that are still very fresh for some people, even all these years later. Kudos and welcome.
James, I only know you by reputation, and I am sure you know what that reputation is... however, I have to stand up and salute you for coming here of all places, a site where you know you are going to be hit again and again by people who had bad experiences with Icons. Whatever your past actions, it is extremely commendable that you are coming here and addressing these issues openly and pretty directly as well as sharing a great deal of history that many of us know tidbits about but don't really have the full story. For better or worse, Icons is a big part of the history of this community and your company introduced many people to this hobby and it is good to hear more about the early days, mistakes and all.
While I know you have said you don't care much to become a regular here, I hope you won't let this be your only moment of sharing your experiences and your memories with this community. I think you have more to offer and I appreciate you making an effort to explain the past. While it doesn't excuse past mistakes, I think some of what you are doing is a great step toward dulling the pain of wounds that are still very fresh for some people, even all these years later. Kudos and welcome.
greylocke
Sr Member
James if you ever wish to write a book about everything that has happened, I'd but it in a heartbeat. And if you do, please don't leave ANYTHING out, I know there may be dirty laundry you don't wish to be seen airing. However much of what you have written and your current actions tells and shows me you have done and are doing your best to try to resolve things honorably and as best as you can. Some people nothing you do will be enough, for others you can never tell, but you are trying. And for me that speaks volumes about you and your character.
James Latta
Active Member
Deadbolt, Art & Greylocke, I really appreciate your comments. I know I am very fortunate to be able to post here in any capacity. And to be able to share my story without being flamed to a cinder. I know that time may come again soon, but in the meantime I sure appreciate the time I've been allowed to communicate with all of you here. I know how important the RPF is to the community and to the industry. Thanks again for allowing me to post on this thread for the time that I have.
With the extensive video footage, documents, drawings, photographs etc. I have been approaced by a few people regarding a possible book and / or documentary. As so, so much has not been told. The Star Wars Men Behind the Masks World Tour in 1997 that Icons produced is a very bizarre tale in itself.
They say "If you like Italian food, don't work in an Italian Restaurant", as you may tire of it. The magic I used to feel at the mere mention of the title "Star Wars" is sadly gone with all that happened. Behind the scenes at Lucasfilm and Disney it often all about internal politics, greed, back-stabbing and treachery. Which takes all the magic and fun out of the properties they own. This is the sad truth of it. There are humanbeings who run those companies. Humanbeings with flaws. There is no magic to them. The magic is up there on the silver screen.
I'll continue to post as long as you the members allow me to. Same with private messages and emails. Thanks again for chance to do so.
With the extensive video footage, documents, drawings, photographs etc. I have been approaced by a few people regarding a possible book and / or documentary. As so, so much has not been told. The Star Wars Men Behind the Masks World Tour in 1997 that Icons produced is a very bizarre tale in itself.
They say "If you like Italian food, don't work in an Italian Restaurant", as you may tire of it. The magic I used to feel at the mere mention of the title "Star Wars" is sadly gone with all that happened. Behind the scenes at Lucasfilm and Disney it often all about internal politics, greed, back-stabbing and treachery. Which takes all the magic and fun out of the properties they own. This is the sad truth of it. There are humanbeings who run those companies. Humanbeings with flaws. There is no magic to them. The magic is up there on the silver screen.
I'll continue to post as long as you the members allow me to. Same with private messages and emails. Thanks again for chance to do so.
I find it funny James how you seem to want to romantise the Business aspect of it.
I understand though as at some point you lose your innocence when you hi the big leagues.
LFL, Paramount, Disney, look all of them would dig up there Grandmothers if a buck was to be made.
Never saw a business which makes millions not be dirty, it's the name of the game sadly
a fact I am sure you know.
I understand though as at some point you lose your innocence when you hi the big leagues.
LFL, Paramount, Disney, look all of them would dig up there Grandmothers if a buck was to be made.
Never saw a business which makes millions not be dirty, it's the name of the game sadly
a fact I am sure you know.
James, you noted at the beginning "As far as customers go, what no one wants to admit is all of the customers who got refunds in full"
That was a blatant false lie. Icons did make mistakes which you have admitted to, but from reading your post here , it seems you still want to put the blame on others and not take responsibility for your own actions. I WILL GET BACK TO THIS.
As well your attack on SD Studios was full of lies as well. Being an insider to what was happening at the time, your characterization of Steve is flatly wrong.
Lucas monitored the Replica Prop Builders board. After Icons failed, Lucas did indeed cool to the idea of doing replica props. HOWEVER, with a huge fan base like the 501st and prop builders bootlegging props here, management at Lucas knew there was a business opportunity for licensed pieces still existed, there was a demand for them.
They came to this board looking for talent. Steve had applied when Icons originally got the license. I KNOW about the shenanigans you pulled as well as Lucas management on submittable of the original business plans. In the end, it was a superior business plan along with assets that gave Icons the first license along with a bit of questioned bias you had raised with Steve.
Lucas know bootlegging was continuing and a few years after Icons had closed, they decided to try again with prodding from a few potential licensees.
With the second licensing effort, Jeff Parks was considered a viable option. But he centered around the FX like line and was a bit naive with his business plan as well it did not have funding Lucas would have liked. Steve had produced a good plan, had surrounded himself with a good management team as well assembled the funding Lucas wanted to go ahead with the license. His research and business plan was a far cry from Icon original plan and Master Replicas was started wholly on their own foot work and the ability to properly put forth a seriously funded, and excellent formed business management team.
Jeff Parks by the way, was pursued legally by Lucas and Parks did a wonderful job by legal procedure and stance to hold back Lucas. They settled out of court in a manner that was an incredible win for Parks. Jeff has been a pretty good guy for the most part, has done very well with a few trip ups along the way. I have a good respect for what he has done and your characterization of him is poor in my opinion. More over, he has been successful in his business and that says quite a bit for someone in the prop business.
As for your Note on Lucas, I highly respect the man. He has built an empire by smart business decisions and surrounding himself with a great management team as well. Has he made mistakes? Yes, and being a bit insulated, it is to be expected. Much of what you criticism him for is his own management making strong and hard business decisions. He is running a business and that is to make money, not loose it. Lucas got where he was by trusting his team and making the right final decisions. No one is perfect and toes do get stepped on, but to equivocate you are the 99% and he is the big bad 1% is not a fair statement either. Lucas has been one of the nicest in terms of how he treats the fan base, allows it to promote itself and has an incredible rapore with how he views and treats it. He has his own perspective and he has every right to be able to have such.
NOW BACK TO YOU AND I...
I had bought two hero Pulse rifles at $ 1200 a piece with your personal assurance that they would be shipped within 60 days. I had to return a Tie Fighter studio model because the case was shattered and "It had to be custom fitted and constructed to the individual base". Finally, I had close to $ 1000 in outstanding orders for Star Wars items that never were shipped.
AS YOU noted, you were aware of my post through the years. John Pisa Relli acted as a legal rep for me as a favor as he had done with many others on the board at the time. You signed the reply, you were aware of it and afterwards with the monitoring of my post.
So admitting, you know what happened. You know you made the decision at that time not to follow through on your obligations. In fact, the model you had promised in settlement ended up going to MiM.
Honestly, I had just given up on pursuing such, it was not worth it. Would I like to get some compensation, you bet. Do I feel its going to happen, not likely. I am certainly not going to try now to chase you down on it. BUT, if you want to make amends as you hinted, you can pm me. Ethically, that's in your ball park to pursue now.
Given what you have posted and the contradictions you have posted in this thread already, I don't expect to hear from you. But as for your setting the record straight, I have to say from what I have seen here, your not inspiring me to believe you have turned that ethics corner all together. Some of it may be due to personal perspective but from what I am seeing you post here, much is not an acceptance of your own actions.
That was a blatant false lie. Icons did make mistakes which you have admitted to, but from reading your post here , it seems you still want to put the blame on others and not take responsibility for your own actions. I WILL GET BACK TO THIS.
As well your attack on SD Studios was full of lies as well. Being an insider to what was happening at the time, your characterization of Steve is flatly wrong.
Lucas monitored the Replica Prop Builders board. After Icons failed, Lucas did indeed cool to the idea of doing replica props. HOWEVER, with a huge fan base like the 501st and prop builders bootlegging props here, management at Lucas knew there was a business opportunity for licensed pieces still existed, there was a demand for them.
They came to this board looking for talent. Steve had applied when Icons originally got the license. I KNOW about the shenanigans you pulled as well as Lucas management on submittable of the original business plans. In the end, it was a superior business plan along with assets that gave Icons the first license along with a bit of questioned bias you had raised with Steve.
Lucas know bootlegging was continuing and a few years after Icons had closed, they decided to try again with prodding from a few potential licensees.
With the second licensing effort, Jeff Parks was considered a viable option. But he centered around the FX like line and was a bit naive with his business plan as well it did not have funding Lucas would have liked. Steve had produced a good plan, had surrounded himself with a good management team as well assembled the funding Lucas wanted to go ahead with the license. His research and business plan was a far cry from Icon original plan and Master Replicas was started wholly on their own foot work and the ability to properly put forth a seriously funded, and excellent formed business management team.
Jeff Parks by the way, was pursued legally by Lucas and Parks did a wonderful job by legal procedure and stance to hold back Lucas. They settled out of court in a manner that was an incredible win for Parks. Jeff has been a pretty good guy for the most part, has done very well with a few trip ups along the way. I have a good respect for what he has done and your characterization of him is poor in my opinion. More over, he has been successful in his business and that says quite a bit for someone in the prop business.
As for your Note on Lucas, I highly respect the man. He has built an empire by smart business decisions and surrounding himself with a great management team as well. Has he made mistakes? Yes, and being a bit insulated, it is to be expected. Much of what you criticism him for is his own management making strong and hard business decisions. He is running a business and that is to make money, not loose it. Lucas got where he was by trusting his team and making the right final decisions. No one is perfect and toes do get stepped on, but to equivocate you are the 99% and he is the big bad 1% is not a fair statement either. Lucas has been one of the nicest in terms of how he treats the fan base, allows it to promote itself and has an incredible rapore with how he views and treats it. He has his own perspective and he has every right to be able to have such.
NOW BACK TO YOU AND I...
I had bought two hero Pulse rifles at $ 1200 a piece with your personal assurance that they would be shipped within 60 days. I had to return a Tie Fighter studio model because the case was shattered and "It had to be custom fitted and constructed to the individual base". Finally, I had close to $ 1000 in outstanding orders for Star Wars items that never were shipped.
AS YOU noted, you were aware of my post through the years. John Pisa Relli acted as a legal rep for me as a favor as he had done with many others on the board at the time. You signed the reply, you were aware of it and afterwards with the monitoring of my post.
So admitting, you know what happened. You know you made the decision at that time not to follow through on your obligations. In fact, the model you had promised in settlement ended up going to MiM.
Honestly, I had just given up on pursuing such, it was not worth it. Would I like to get some compensation, you bet. Do I feel its going to happen, not likely. I am certainly not going to try now to chase you down on it. BUT, if you want to make amends as you hinted, you can pm me. Ethically, that's in your ball park to pursue now.
Given what you have posted and the contradictions you have posted in this thread already, I don't expect to hear from you. But as for your setting the record straight, I have to say from what I have seen here, your not inspiring me to believe you have turned that ethics corner all together. Some of it may be due to personal perspective but from what I am seeing you post here, much is not an acceptance of your own actions.
Last edited:
Listen, as I had said before, let's try to keep things as low-key as possible on this thread. If you have a grip with James, PLEASE send him a PM. Take it private, keep it civil. I love hearing all the unheard of stuff that James is sharing here, and complaining about how you got ripped off, and lost alot of money only makes reading through all the negative comments much harder for the rest of us.
Okay, as you stated, James did admit that he made mistakes with the company, and anyone who has never made a mistake, step forward. But there is a bigger picture here, and we have only seen a very small tip of the iceberg. Let the man tell the story, and remember, James lost everything when Icons fell. His company, his house, everything that he loved, including his rep in the business. That's a very hard pill to swallow. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't work where I do, if some outside sources, both personal (Guy Raz) and professional (LFL) were out to "Get me"
Let's step back and gain some perspective. Constantly complaining to the man isn't going to get anything for you. You will not get your product or a refund, that was covered by the BK court when Icons fell. It's all senseless.
Please think about this.
Thanx
Okay, as you stated, James did admit that he made mistakes with the company, and anyone who has never made a mistake, step forward. But there is a bigger picture here, and we have only seen a very small tip of the iceberg. Let the man tell the story, and remember, James lost everything when Icons fell. His company, his house, everything that he loved, including his rep in the business. That's a very hard pill to swallow. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't work where I do, if some outside sources, both personal (Guy Raz) and professional (LFL) were out to "Get me"
Let's step back and gain some perspective. Constantly complaining to the man isn't going to get anything for you. You will not get your product or a refund, that was covered by the BK court when Icons fell. It's all senseless.
Please think about this.
Thanx
Am I misunderstanding what you are saying? It sounds like you are wanting all the good to be public but anything negative to be quietly swept under the rug. As I said earlier, I think James coming here is a massive opportunity, and while I know a few people are VERY upset that we are allowing him a platform to speak from, as long as he is willing to answer questions about the past, both good and bad, why shouldn't we allow it? More importantly, why in the world would we encourage people to not post their bad experiences as well as their good? There are a lot of people who still feel very hurt by what happened with Icons and while I don't think this is going to right every wrong, I do think it is a step in the right direction. Why wouldn't we want that posted?
cratercritter
Well-Known Member
:cool Hi all. I keep going back to this thread to see what interesting stories spring up from posters. What a roller coaster ride we all seem to have trying to survive on this ball we call planet earth hurtling at high speed through space. I bought some Icons products back in 1998, 1999. Somes Aliens, Terminator and Star Wars items. I never spoke to James Latta. My only dealings with Icons was as a private individual customer, from Australia. I spoke mainly with one person on the phone about my orders...a man called Al (don't remember his surname)....I think he was a sales person or customer service person...not sure.
I ordered the B9 Robot US$6,900 (early-bird special price), which was about $12,500 AUDollars back then. Paid in full, one payment with VISA credit card. I thought it was going to be a 6 to 8 week wait then robots will ship. I also paid in full for one Lost in Space Jupiter 2 (I think it was US$450). Well... many months passed by....then a year plus later, well into 1999, I asked AL for a full refund. Getting my money back directly from Icons was not an easy task.....even though I wasn't accepting anymore excuses from AL over the phone..... got the feeling something was truly wrong by this time... 12 months and more with no robot in sight and alot of negative hype on the internet regarding other Icons customers I noticed:confused So, I went to my Bank and lodged a refund claim through the VISA system. Within 5 business days I got a full refund via VISA into my bank account. It was quick and simple as I had paid by visa and Icons still had active merchant business bank accounts or whatever they are called. Received total refund for the B9 robot and the Jupiter 2...about $13,000 Australian dollars back then in 1999/2000....
$13,000 AUD nowadays is about US$14,000. I guess I was one of the lucky ones that got a full refund. Got some free prints/posters from Icons for ordering the B9 and J2 (A signed Kinoshiita Robot Designer print, and two Jupiter 2 'Icons' schematic drawings.... cool:cool. Thanks Icons).
So, overall I "survived" the Icons fiasco back then. My face turned from this :angry to ..... this
when I saw my full refund.
All the best to all..... including James Latta.
I ordered the B9 Robot US$6,900 (early-bird special price), which was about $12,500 AUDollars back then. Paid in full, one payment with VISA credit card. I thought it was going to be a 6 to 8 week wait then robots will ship. I also paid in full for one Lost in Space Jupiter 2 (I think it was US$450). Well... many months passed by....then a year plus later, well into 1999, I asked AL for a full refund. Getting my money back directly from Icons was not an easy task.....even though I wasn't accepting anymore excuses from AL over the phone..... got the feeling something was truly wrong by this time... 12 months and more with no robot in sight and alot of negative hype on the internet regarding other Icons customers I noticed:confused So, I went to my Bank and lodged a refund claim through the VISA system. Within 5 business days I got a full refund via VISA into my bank account. It was quick and simple as I had paid by visa and Icons still had active merchant business bank accounts or whatever they are called. Received total refund for the B9 robot and the Jupiter 2...about $13,000 Australian dollars back then in 1999/2000....
$13,000 AUD nowadays is about US$14,000. I guess I was one of the lucky ones that got a full refund. Got some free prints/posters from Icons for ordering the B9 and J2 (A signed Kinoshiita Robot Designer print, and two Jupiter 2 'Icons' schematic drawings.... cool:cool. Thanks Icons).
So, overall I "survived" the Icons fiasco back then. My face turned from this :angry to ..... this
when I saw my full refund.All the best to all..... including James Latta.
Last edited:
SD Studios
Well-Known Member
Exetor...You want people who got severely harmed to keep quiet so you can get some cool inside stories?
Rubbish.
I DO agree that this should NOT turn into a witch burning session. If ANYONE has history with Icons it is me. I am NOT going to dredge up all of the personal "interactions' that Jim and I have had. Jim knows what he did. I don't need him to cop to anything here. It serves no purpose.
But I do think that information should be put out there, so that people can be made aware of the "whole picture". SO let's just stick to FACTS and keep the flaming to a minimum and James can address what he wants to address.
FACT: I never saw the Icons Business plan and never used any component of it in my proposal to Lucasfilm or any other studio. All of our investors sternly warned me to NOT do anything that could attach us to Icons in any way. Do you think I am stupid enough to go use your stuff...**** off the investors...and lose millions of dollars? That dog just don't hunt.
FACT: (Except for the Nautilus which was a deal between HMS and the MR Disney department) I never used any Icons prototypes, designs, plans, etc to make any MT products. We simply didn't need them. All of teh studios were incredibly generous in supplying reference materials.
FACT: I never said you didn't have access to original props. That would be DUMB... OF COURSE you did. You have numerous pictures of the original props that you were measuring and photographing. Being from LA, you had an incredible network of access and inside-guys. Being from PA, I had zip. I had to create all of that from scratch. It took many years of hard work.
FACT: I have never said I was the "inspiration for Icons" That would just be silly. James, you stood in your office and told me that I was. I frankly thought it was a lot of "kiss-up" and dismissed it. Who cares who pre-dated whom? It just doesn't matter. Profit-dollars-generated, products shipped, and happy customers is all that matters at the end of the day.
FACT: In 1999, I gave a copy of my business plan and Lucasfilm proposal to Puzzle Zoo to review for funding. After MR got the license, the (then) head of licensing for Lucasfilm, Casey Collins, told me that Puzzle Zoo had submitted a proposal (that Lucasfilm knew covertly included James Latta...they ain't dumb...) but was NOT including me in any way. The Lucas rep told me that said proposal included word-for-word sections from my plan and they immediately recognized it as mine and threw out said proposal for plagiarism (and you being in it).
FACT: On one of my trips to Paramount to secure a licensing deal, the licensing department received three faxes from "concerned citizens from across the country" stating that I was a "big bootlegger" and that Paramount should not give me a license. All three faxes had the time/location/area code stamped in the upper right corner and all three originated within a few minutes of each other from the Kinkos down the street from Icons office. Fortunately for me, Paramount thought it was funny and dismissed it.
In a private meeting with Doug Conway some time later, Doug told me: "Yah...Jim sent those...that was really dumb...I'm really sorry."
FACT: I (and others) had an incredibly hard time trying to get prop replica licenses after Icons went under. All of the studios increased the advance and guarantee, because of getting burned by Icons. EVERY meeting that I attended included a lecture from the licensing staff about what Icons did; followed by an interrigation as to how I was going to do things differently. WHY would I lie about this? It serves no purpose to make this stuff up.
FACT: James Latta is NOT personally responsible for Icons bankruptcy. To make such a claim is foolish. There were a THOUSAND factors to contributed to Icons demise. Raz played no small part in tormenting Latta and Icons and his pathological pursuit of you was horrible to watch. He asked me to get involved in the "Icons survivors" group. I told him I wanted no parts of it. He asked me to attend that nutty meeting in NYC where the "survivors" were supposed to meet to protest you being there (or some such nonsense...) Again, I told him NO and that he should stop immediately.
FACT: Raz is a sociopath of the worst kind. You can petition and warn him until you are blue in the face...it won't matter. He has no self-awareness AT ALL. I told him on numerous occasions: leave you alone and let it go...he was looking like a fool...he was meddling where he shouldn't...do NOT get involved in the court process...etc. He ignored every warning I gave him.
I felt bad for you that he was on you like that. He TOLD me that his boss was angry that he was spending so much time at work going after you. Guy admitted that he was obsessed. He even sent me a note after he was fired to let me know that now that he was unemployed, he was now going to make you his FULL TIME project. Wow.
FACT: Icons sales reps sold products that didn't exist and they knew weren't going to be made in any reasonable amount of time. Several of them told me to my face that that directive came from YOU, because you told them that you "needed to make payroll this week". I am not making this up. I was a distributor and received those calls. "Your prior order is on the loading dock and is going out today" was a commonly-used trick to get retailers to buy more product. The: "I will give you an extra $XXX off if you buy right now" was another.
These tactics are reprehensible and if your guys were using them, then as teh CEO, you are responsible for that. if you didn't know what they were doing...then you were a bad leader, but again...responsible.
FACT: You saw orders and revenue coming in every week for products that you knew were no-where-near being ready to ship any time (if ever). You didn't stop it. The Jupiter 2 is a perfect example of that.
FACT: The Han Solo blaster was never approved by Lucasfilm licensing, but Icons released it for sale and collected deposits anyway. That is why they "C&Ded" the product to stop it. Approximately 300 to 400 were sold before it was nuked. Lucasfilm told me this. I don't remember the exact number.
FACT: James...you have tried to "sabotage" my business efforts on other occasions, but I think I have given enough examples to adequately make my point. You keep saying that I am "lying" or "spreading lies" about you.
Show me ONE STATEMENT that I am lying about and I will retract it with an apology.
Seriously.
There ya go.
Rubbish.
I DO agree that this should NOT turn into a witch burning session. If ANYONE has history with Icons it is me. I am NOT going to dredge up all of the personal "interactions' that Jim and I have had. Jim knows what he did. I don't need him to cop to anything here. It serves no purpose.
But I do think that information should be put out there, so that people can be made aware of the "whole picture". SO let's just stick to FACTS and keep the flaming to a minimum and James can address what he wants to address.
FACT: I never saw the Icons Business plan and never used any component of it in my proposal to Lucasfilm or any other studio. All of our investors sternly warned me to NOT do anything that could attach us to Icons in any way. Do you think I am stupid enough to go use your stuff...**** off the investors...and lose millions of dollars? That dog just don't hunt.
FACT: (Except for the Nautilus which was a deal between HMS and the MR Disney department) I never used any Icons prototypes, designs, plans, etc to make any MT products. We simply didn't need them. All of teh studios were incredibly generous in supplying reference materials.
FACT: I never said you didn't have access to original props. That would be DUMB... OF COURSE you did. You have numerous pictures of the original props that you were measuring and photographing. Being from LA, you had an incredible network of access and inside-guys. Being from PA, I had zip. I had to create all of that from scratch. It took many years of hard work.
FACT: I have never said I was the "inspiration for Icons" That would just be silly. James, you stood in your office and told me that I was. I frankly thought it was a lot of "kiss-up" and dismissed it. Who cares who pre-dated whom? It just doesn't matter. Profit-dollars-generated, products shipped, and happy customers is all that matters at the end of the day.
FACT: In 1999, I gave a copy of my business plan and Lucasfilm proposal to Puzzle Zoo to review for funding. After MR got the license, the (then) head of licensing for Lucasfilm, Casey Collins, told me that Puzzle Zoo had submitted a proposal (that Lucasfilm knew covertly included James Latta...they ain't dumb...) but was NOT including me in any way. The Lucas rep told me that said proposal included word-for-word sections from my plan and they immediately recognized it as mine and threw out said proposal for plagiarism (and you being in it).
FACT: On one of my trips to Paramount to secure a licensing deal, the licensing department received three faxes from "concerned citizens from across the country" stating that I was a "big bootlegger" and that Paramount should not give me a license. All three faxes had the time/location/area code stamped in the upper right corner and all three originated within a few minutes of each other from the Kinkos down the street from Icons office. Fortunately for me, Paramount thought it was funny and dismissed it.
In a private meeting with Doug Conway some time later, Doug told me: "Yah...Jim sent those...that was really dumb...I'm really sorry."
FACT: I (and others) had an incredibly hard time trying to get prop replica licenses after Icons went under. All of the studios increased the advance and guarantee, because of getting burned by Icons. EVERY meeting that I attended included a lecture from the licensing staff about what Icons did; followed by an interrigation as to how I was going to do things differently. WHY would I lie about this? It serves no purpose to make this stuff up.
FACT: James Latta is NOT personally responsible for Icons bankruptcy. To make such a claim is foolish. There were a THOUSAND factors to contributed to Icons demise. Raz played no small part in tormenting Latta and Icons and his pathological pursuit of you was horrible to watch. He asked me to get involved in the "Icons survivors" group. I told him I wanted no parts of it. He asked me to attend that nutty meeting in NYC where the "survivors" were supposed to meet to protest you being there (or some such nonsense...) Again, I told him NO and that he should stop immediately.
FACT: Raz is a sociopath of the worst kind. You can petition and warn him until you are blue in the face...it won't matter. He has no self-awareness AT ALL. I told him on numerous occasions: leave you alone and let it go...he was looking like a fool...he was meddling where he shouldn't...do NOT get involved in the court process...etc. He ignored every warning I gave him.
I felt bad for you that he was on you like that. He TOLD me that his boss was angry that he was spending so much time at work going after you. Guy admitted that he was obsessed. He even sent me a note after he was fired to let me know that now that he was unemployed, he was now going to make you his FULL TIME project. Wow.
FACT: Icons sales reps sold products that didn't exist and they knew weren't going to be made in any reasonable amount of time. Several of them told me to my face that that directive came from YOU, because you told them that you "needed to make payroll this week". I am not making this up. I was a distributor and received those calls. "Your prior order is on the loading dock and is going out today" was a commonly-used trick to get retailers to buy more product. The: "I will give you an extra $XXX off if you buy right now" was another.
These tactics are reprehensible and if your guys were using them, then as teh CEO, you are responsible for that. if you didn't know what they were doing...then you were a bad leader, but again...responsible.
FACT: You saw orders and revenue coming in every week for products that you knew were no-where-near being ready to ship any time (if ever). You didn't stop it. The Jupiter 2 is a perfect example of that.
FACT: The Han Solo blaster was never approved by Lucasfilm licensing, but Icons released it for sale and collected deposits anyway. That is why they "C&Ded" the product to stop it. Approximately 300 to 400 were sold before it was nuked. Lucasfilm told me this. I don't remember the exact number.
FACT: James...you have tried to "sabotage" my business efforts on other occasions, but I think I have given enough examples to adequately make my point. You keep saying that I am "lying" or "spreading lies" about you.
Show me ONE STATEMENT that I am lying about and I will retract it with an apology.
Seriously.
There ya go.
As politely as I can I say to you how dare you tell some of the older members who exactly DO know who and what type of person Jim is and was ripped off by to take it to PM.
As far as what Jim has posted he was just the Victim of bad advice from his legal team and the Studios. :rolleyes
As far as what Jim has posted he was just the Victim of bad advice from his legal team and the Studios. :rolleyes
Well, I just didn't want this thread to be turned into a flame-war, which has happened time and time again on this site. If you really don't want James Latta to be here, and comment on things that had happened, then come out and tell him so, and let this thread die.
And, Steve, I never said that I wanted anything to be swept under any carpet, as Art had said.. I know that there are alot of bad feelings about this, and it doesn't anyone any good to dig them all up, and insist that James admit that he ripped people off, and insist that he issue a giant appology on this site. Would that make you feel any better? I highly doubt.
And, I'm not saying that James is a great guy. I really don't know either way. Never did business with Icons, and if I had, and gotten ripped off, I really don't know how I would feel at this time.
Also, I have several of your old "Bond" items and love them to death, I know you are a great guy, and do great work. Let's be a little more civil and not start flaming all over the place, please?
Thanx
And, Steve, I never said that I wanted anything to be swept under any carpet, as Art had said.. I know that there are alot of bad feelings about this, and it doesn't anyone any good to dig them all up, and insist that James admit that he ripped people off, and insist that he issue a giant appology on this site. Would that make you feel any better? I highly doubt.
And, I'm not saying that James is a great guy. I really don't know either way. Never did business with Icons, and if I had, and gotten ripped off, I really don't know how I would feel at this time.
Also, I have several of your old "Bond" items and love them to death, I know you are a great guy, and do great work. Let's be a little more civil and not start flaming all over the place, please?
Thanx
Last edited:
From what I have seen posted by Jim, He has attacked several members, several vendor and Lucas himself. When others bring up facts, its regarded as inflammatory.
Sorry, but not going to fall for that tactic, especially to silence those who have reaped the results of his "mistakes".
Yep, Jim made some mistakes, but admitting just a few and then ripping up others is not going to fly here. That is in fact a bit hypocritical to say the least.
Obviously as well, not going to let him re-write history as well. There are many new people in the prop community that are not aware of all that happened. If Jim want to post his perspective, everyone else has the right to do so as well.
Sorry, but not going to fall for that tactic, especially to silence those who have reaped the results of his "mistakes".
Yep, Jim made some mistakes, but admitting just a few and then ripping up others is not going to fly here. That is in fact a bit hypocritical to say the least.
Obviously as well, not going to let him re-write history as well. There are many new people in the prop community that are not aware of all that happened. If Jim want to post his perspective, everyone else has the right to do so as well.
Last edited:
No offense bro but you are out of your depth here.
I know you mean well but we do not need you to tell us how and what to post.
I know you mean well but we do not need you to tell us how and what to post.
HOLY ***** BATMAN!
Jim, Dude! I always wondered what happened to you. This is Christian (The Pilot who worked in the shop with Al and Max circe 1995).
Gotta say it takes a huge set of brass ones to come in here. Im glad you did, and have stuck around to talk about old times/events etc.
To my fellow members:
There is a ton of history associated with the Icons name and era. The longer people are are civil and respectful, the longer Jim will hang around. Lets just try to keep things above board and kosher.
Jim, Dude! I always wondered what happened to you. This is Christian (The Pilot who worked in the shop with Al and Max circe 1995).
Gotta say it takes a huge set of brass ones to come in here. Im glad you did, and have stuck around to talk about old times/events etc.
To my fellow members:
There is a ton of history associated with the Icons name and era. The longer people are are civil and respectful, the longer Jim will hang around. Lets just try to keep things above board and kosher.
The only value this thread will have is to educate the newer members of just who Jim is as he is already falling back into his old games.
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?
autoprops713
Sr Member
I understand the frustration about losing money to Icons. I did myself. But I also think that loss needs to be put into perspective on how many years have gone by. I feel sorry for the customer than harbors such frustration and even anger over this many years with many NEW licensed prop replicas to choose from. I remember when Icons folded thinking “well that’s it for purchasing props” but that was turned around by some of the individuals that are even posting on this thread…bravo! But…to repeatedly attack one’s personality? I mean besides a family member who really here knows someone that well to do that? And is it fair to the rest of us that just want to hear Jim out, good…bad…and maybe even ugly? I don’t think pitchforks are necessary but it seems that the one’s holding them are always the loud ones recently on the RPF….which is why I wanted to finally post. And yes….I’m old enough, and lived in LA, and followed the prop scene even before Icons started. I just want to hear the man talk.
Last edited by a moderator:
James Latta
Active Member
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 .
Icons was systematically attacked from individuals like Steve D. from the day it opened til the day it closed. Do you know how many crank phone-calls were made to the studios for Icons first 3 years? Endless. It was so simple, call a studio and complain: "I didn't get my order. I am upset. I want a refund." Just keep calling and change your voice. Ask for different department. Cause brand damage each day on your lunch break. Sadly for some customers, it became a self-fulfilling prophecy when individuals like Guy Raz AND Steve D. started encouraging people to demand refunds. Steve D. posted on one message board that Icons was bankrupt long before the filing. Interfering with Icons business affairs.
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. But they have emailed me and messaged me. It is no secret that he and I are old adversaries. And evidently we still are. That is the way it is and shall always be. But the man has never inspired me. He's amused me. But never inspired me. I learned nothing from him. I didn't make a Pulse Rifle from scrath. I worked with Jim Cameron on set for 7 months on The Abyss as Stage Manager and owned an original Hero Pulse Rifle from Aliens with a Certificate of Deactivation from the British Goverment.
Again...hold up SD Studios marketing and product and compare it to Icons in 1997. Then compare Master Replicas to Icons in 2006. Icons inspired Master Replicas business model. MR was even forced by Lucasfilm to re-create Icons display cases for much of their product. Same with the plaque, etc. SD Studios used a wood shadow box as a display case. Very nice, but different from what he had to use for MR, based on Icons displays.
Disney claimed Icons licensing proposal was the best it had ever received. Same with Lucasfilm who chose Icons out of 1,000 business plans the recieved over decades. Why did Paramount award Icons the master Star Trek license after Steve claims they thought Icons was silly? Because no one at the time wanted to grant Steve a license for Star Trek. He was silly. And he is silly now.
Icons products were sold through The Sharper Image, FAO Schwarz, Disneyland, Disneyworld, Universal Studios, QVC, The Home Shopping Network, and yet Steve would have you believe I was just trying to rip people off? It's insanity. I lost everything. Including my home, my collection and my reputation. And perople like Guy Raz and Steve D. were behind some of it. If Icons public offering had gone through, Steve would have been investigated by the Federal Trade Commission and sued.
So Steve and his buddies can team-up and attack me and other members here who are curious about what happened, want to hear some never before revealed information, but once again...I've got to be ridiculed and shut-up. As not only do they want people to know what really happened, but they don't want me near anyone in this industry. Icons repuation was ruined with false propaganda that was systematically generated by a small handful of people who wanted to make their own transition into making licensed product. And yet couldn't make the full transition. And it burned their asses during Icons 5 years in business. Everyone here has seen collectible companies being attacked again and again when they are trying to create great product. Often unfairly.
Steve claims "the Lucasfilm Star Wars license cost Master Replicas a $3 million dollar advance" to everyone here on the RPF. Which is a lie. Why does he claim that? Simple, to keep members here from forrming their own licensing replica companies. Hoping he can get back in the game. As he keeps having to do with each ousting. Do you know how much Icons Star Wars license was? $25,000. It is IMPOSSIBLE that Master Replicas paid $3 million dollars for a Star Wars license. Any license. Steve is not being honest or fair to members of the RPF.
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. Bottomline, Steve and his circle don't want a bunch of competition. Just like Steve didn't want Icons in business. And there are brokers in the L.A. Prop business who don't want me to be able to spill my guts and inform people about the history of the business 20 to 25 years ago.
Steve and I could have had a good dialog. Comparing notes of what he and I both went through with all of the companies were were involved in. Which is considerable. But he will never let that happen as with all humility, I was too good at what I did. Insult Icons finance, manufacturing and customer service, but when it comes to the departments I oversaw? Branding, Merchandising, Marketing, Creative product development, Product display, Graphic design etc.? I know what I accomplished. I owned 20% of Icons. Others got 80% for what they were supposed to do. Hate me, insult me, accuse me, but Icons was there at the beginning and much was learned from the company. That has helped many companies to this day.
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.
Icons was systematically attacked from individuals like Steve D. from the day it opened til the day it closed. Do you know how many crank phone-calls were made to the studios for Icons first 3 years? Endless. It was so simple, call a studio and complain: "I didn't get my order. I am upset. I want a refund." Just keep calling and change your voice. Ask for different department. Cause brand damage each day on your lunch break. Sadly for some customers, it became a self-fulfilling prophecy when individuals like Guy Raz AND Steve D. started encouraging people to demand refunds. Steve D. posted on one message board that Icons was bankrupt long before the filing. Interfering with Icons business affairs.
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. But they have emailed me and messaged me. It is no secret that he and I are old adversaries. And evidently we still are. That is the way it is and shall always be. But the man has never inspired me. He's amused me. But never inspired me. I learned nothing from him. I didn't make a Pulse Rifle from scrath. I worked with Jim Cameron on set for 7 months on The Abyss as Stage Manager and owned an original Hero Pulse Rifle from Aliens with a Certificate of Deactivation from the British Goverment.
Again...hold up SD Studios marketing and product and compare it to Icons in 1997. Then compare Master Replicas to Icons in 2006. Icons inspired Master Replicas business model. MR was even forced by Lucasfilm to re-create Icons display cases for much of their product. Same with the plaque, etc. SD Studios used a wood shadow box as a display case. Very nice, but different from what he had to use for MR, based on Icons displays.
Disney claimed Icons licensing proposal was the best it had ever received. Same with Lucasfilm who chose Icons out of 1,000 business plans the recieved over decades. Why did Paramount award Icons the master Star Trek license after Steve claims they thought Icons was silly? Because no one at the time wanted to grant Steve a license for Star Trek. He was silly. And he is silly now.
Icons products were sold through The Sharper Image, FAO Schwarz, Disneyland, Disneyworld, Universal Studios, QVC, The Home Shopping Network, and yet Steve would have you believe I was just trying to rip people off? It's insanity. I lost everything. Including my home, my collection and my reputation. And perople like Guy Raz and Steve D. were behind some of it. If Icons public offering had gone through, Steve would have been investigated by the Federal Trade Commission and sued.
So Steve and his buddies can team-up and attack me and other members here who are curious about what happened, want to hear some never before revealed information, but once again...I've got to be ridiculed and shut-up. As not only do they want people to know what really happened, but they don't want me near anyone in this industry. Icons repuation was ruined with false propaganda that was systematically generated by a small handful of people who wanted to make their own transition into making licensed product. And yet couldn't make the full transition. And it burned their asses during Icons 5 years in business. Everyone here has seen collectible companies being attacked again and again when they are trying to create great product. Often unfairly.
Steve claims "the Lucasfilm Star Wars license cost Master Replicas a $3 million dollar advance" to everyone here on the RPF. Which is a lie. Why does he claim that? Simple, to keep members here from forrming their own licensing replica companies. Hoping he can get back in the game. As he keeps having to do with each ousting. Do you know how much Icons Star Wars license was? $25,000. It is IMPOSSIBLE that Master Replicas paid $3 million dollars for a Star Wars license. Any license. Steve is not being honest or fair to members of the RPF.
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. Bottomline, Steve and his circle don't want a bunch of competition. Just like Steve didn't want Icons in business. And there are brokers in the L.A. Prop business who don't want me to be able to spill my guts and inform people about the history of the business 20 to 25 years ago.
Steve and I could have had a good dialog. Comparing notes of what he and I both went through with all of the companies were were involved in. Which is considerable. But he will never let that happen as with all humility, I was too good at what I did. Insult Icons finance, manufacturing and customer service, but when it comes to the departments I oversaw? Branding, Merchandising, Marketing, Creative product development, Product display, Graphic design etc.? I know what I accomplished. I owned 20% of Icons. Others got 80% for what they were supposed to do. Hate me, insult me, accuse me, but Icons was there at the beginning and much was learned from the company. That has helped many companies to this day.
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 Latta
Active Member
It's interesting that Steve D. is not a past Icons customer...but was a competitor. And yet here he is again, meddling with me trying to communicate with Icons customers. After a decade.
Perhaps Bob Nardi and Winston Dunlop, who were both Icons customers and who helped push Guy Raz away from Icons, and who know the whole truth, by flying into Los Angeles and personally interviewing studio licensing departments, Icons executives, partners, employees, vendors etc. should post here. Sure Bob would not mind calling Steve D. but Steve won't communicate with myself or anyone on my side via a phone-call. He's just courage behind a keyboard.
Perhaps Bob Nardi and Winston Dunlop, who were both Icons customers and who helped push Guy Raz away from Icons, and who know the whole truth, by flying into Los Angeles and personally interviewing studio licensing departments, Icons executives, partners, employees, vendors etc. should post here. Sure Bob would not mind calling Steve D. but Steve won't communicate with myself or anyone on my side via a phone-call. He's just courage behind a keyboard.
