ICONS Authentic Replicas Interview clip?

[James Latta]

Steve D. stands down and Tripoli and Apollo go in again for the attack. I don't even know the members who are trying to have a civil conversation here on this thread and yet you call them my "sock puppets."

That is the simple-minded trigger response of a 12 year old.

 

[James Latta]

An interesting evening. A friend invited me up to a house in the Hollywood Hills for dinner and Al Z. ( Zequira ) was there. Icons mold maker / supervisor of mastering & casting. I had not seen him in over 11 years. He did not know I was invited and was very shocked to see me. I got a big, sincere hug which meant a lot.

It was really nice seeing him and catching-up. Very touching. Al was the bald guy featured on the cover of the Icons Vault catalog / magazine # 3. The 84 page full-color one. He is know now as "TIKI AL" and produces his own line of Tiki related product which is evidently selling very well. Said after the fall of Icons, he just wanted to get out of the replica business. Good to see him. : )

 

[cratercritter]

Tripoli, You keep quoting the statement I wrote about the customers who got refunds and then came back for another refund. This happened. The FBI saw the documented proof that it did.

Also.... TRIPOLI wrote: think the quote that got many who did loose money was Jim's post:
"As far as customers go, what no one wants to admit is all of the customers who got refunds in full, and then kept coming back to Icons for more."

....Well I kind of did.... I reordered after a charge back....
I posted once on this thread earlier (post #189). I did not mention that I, myself did a full charge back of AU$13,000+ via VISA. AND ..later...I reordered the same product.... I don't know about whether people went back for more money on charge backs or so. Maybe some did. Myself... I went back for more product. Reordered... I really wanted that B9 robot.

I lost hope and my nerve after nearly a year after an initial payment in full for the B9 robot and the Jupiter 2. I got all my money back... a clean slate by the end of 1999. But although I lost my patience...I had not lost all hope with ICONS.

I had a few thousand dollars worth of really cool :cool Icons products in my collection...and I really wanted that B9 robot. So I reordered a B9 robot. I reordered it at the higher price (no more earlybird special price)...but this time I placed a 20 or 25% deposit instead...about US$2200 deposit. But I kept a very close eye on my order and Icons as it was about the end of 1999 and early 2000 I think.

I got the jitters with Icons (again). Plus...negative internet hype about Icons on the internet and the customer service person I spoke to at Icons (named Al) made me even more nervous:confused about the B9...again he would not let me have the money...some reasons I was not really interested in... I lost trust and faith with Icons so I did a full charge-back via the VISA process at my Bank...got all my money back again...clean slate...but sad for others I found out did not or were not able to get their money or product, as shortly after I got my money back Icons officially "went off the books". Sad at the time for Icons, but rather angry :angry about what appeared to be deliberate lies and coverups about my B9 robot order. Plus sad about no robot...oh well that's business enterprise. " Buyer Beware ". Don't pay by check or cash.... use VISA system or similar for better protection. It was risky for a lot of us and for me... but my judgement can get so cloudy at times when I see a B9 robot in sight ...:love.
Now....I've got my sights on the 'B9creations' full-size robot:eek

Cheers... cratercritter (Australia).

 

[James Latta]

Apologies to you cratercritter,

But I do find it interesting that you read negative posts on the Internet and decided to cancel your order. If you think about it, it sounds like "Black Tuesday." The bank run that started the depression in the 1930's. Which was a result of hearing banks were going to close when they weren't. And customers panicked and pulled out all of their savings.

When so many of Icons customers panicked after reading all of those lies on the Internet...it lead to all of those charge-backs. And 98% of the gossip was totally false. Icons best sales year was 1998. 2.8 million dollars. And the company raised over a million dollars in venture capital. The company could have survived. But it became a self-fulfilling prophecy for many customers. This was engineered by people who lined their pockets with Icons demise. In numerous camps.

An eventual convicted pedophile Guy Raz was the main culprit in the above who consistently encouraged Icons customers to cancel their orders. He was tied to "3" key figures who had him on what they called a "Prop Payroll." Giving him free replicas, castings, molds and originals if he continued his ruthless campaign against Icons. HE went to prison. I was cleared of all accusations. As a matter of fact there were not even any charges. Although Raz did inspire the formation of a Grand Jury. In the end The FBI warned me that Raz was a stalker and to be careful of him before they arrested him as part of a multi-team law enforcement task force.

 

[James Latta]

Hi Art,

Replying to your posts in italic with a *** at the front of my response.

Quote:
Originally Posted by James Latta
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.

*** From Jim L. - Thank you Art. That is good to know. I will strive to follow the rules here.

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.

*** From Jim - Art I have a lot of years in this business like Steve D. as you know. And there is so, so much money to be made in it, that the number # 1 way to hurt the competition is to bad mouth them. I used to be the competition, and contrary to popular belief I was very good at what I did. In the original prop memorabilia business and in licensed replicas. So although I am a competitor no longer, I am still looked at as a potential competitor. And there is sadly a great deal of bitterness and negativity in this hobby / industry and people often group into factions. The writing is literally on the wall.


Quote:
Originally Posted by James Latta
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.

"* * * From Jim to Art: Art....the emails and messages I've gotten and members who are known collectors of Icons verify it. Sad to say but it is true.[/I]
Quote:
Originally Posted by James Latta
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.

*** From Jim to Art - Well if you go back and re-read some of the posts they are pretty rough. But thank you. After what I've been through I have a pretty tough skin. Actually I always have. But it is a miracle that I am even alive, let alone that I still have any where withal left in me.
Quote:

Originally Posted by James Latta
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.

"*** From Jim L. to Art - Yes, thanks. Over the years people would mention to me that other replica companies are routinely attacked."

Quote:
Originally Posted by James Latta
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?

*** From Jim to Art: Because there was a recent post by Steve D. attempting to strip what was left of Icons, after it's bones had already been picked dry over a decade and turned to dust. He tried to say that he and SD Studios were the inspiration for the creation of Icons and that I sucked up to him. And that is a total lie. I wrote the executive summary for Icons in 1993 and it was pitched to Tom Zoto's of Warner Bros. Galleries long before SD Studios ever even had a license.
If anything SD Studios has operated as an on again off again company with every other replica company that Steve D. was involved in closed."

Steve just posted a few civil posts, so I don't want to engage in another flame war with him but I still have to respond to the last posts that were filled with false claims. So he still has a recap coming.

Quote:
Originally Posted by James Latta
Bottomline, Steve and his circle don't want a bunch of competition.
Is it your intent to become competition for them?

*** From Jim to Art - Lol, good lord no ! I would never dream of being in competition with him again. Ever. I simply know that my even being near this business concerns him. As I know a lot and I know where the bodies are. But for the record I have consulted with numerous licensed collectible companies in the 2000's. Many pieces I developed are in members collections here and are for sale on the open market right now. "

Quote:
Originally Posted by James Latta
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.

*** From Jim to Art: Thank you again very much. I know you could have banned me right away Art. I appreciate your allowing me to continue. Right now you have an exclusive here, so hopefully some may find it interesting. It seems like some of the members do. I plan on continuing as long as I am allowed and as long as members are still interested. I do have a lot of photographs, documents, drawings, video etc. that might be interesting to see."

 

[cratercritter]

Apologies to you cratercritter,

But I do find it interesting that you read negative posts on the Internet and decided to cancel your order.

Yes... Thanks James. I found it interesting back in 1999 and early 2000 that there was alot of negativity going on with Icons customers. But not surprised. Mostly sad and disappointed. I am in Australia, thousands of kilometres away. Another reason to feel nervous about outlaying a lot of cash.:confused What I read on the internet was only part of the story. At the end of the day we all have to weigh up a lot of things...risk management I guess. I had to make a judgement call eventually. It was the way the Icons' customer service person I dealt with who seemed to be holding back...excuses and his behaviour on the phone that was also taken into account...not just what I read on the internet. I ordered the B9 robot in early 1998 I think.... and a wait of about 10 months later is a long time. I reordered...but with extreme caution .....Early 2000 I think it was when I pulled out again.... I figured it was too risky...no B9 robot, the customer service guy at Icons (Al) I could not trust:angry...hard to get my money back through him etc. etc. Lucky for me there was the VISA system to help out.
That's life... :$
cheers
cratercritter.

 

[Alan Castillo]

But I do find it interesting that you read negative posts on the Internet and decided to cancel your order. If you think about it, it sounds like "Black Tuesday." The bank run that started the depression in the 1930's. Which was a result of hearing banks were going to close when they weren't. And customers panicked and pulled out all of their savings.

James, as cratecritter said, such is life. I would have done exactly the same thing.

Although the circumstances behind the internet negativity may have been false, it is a natural defence to protect one's money.

I do, however, find it interesting that a topic that is being mentioned repeatedly here relates to Icons staff, some say yourself included, giving customers a deliberate run-around about their orders way before the company closed under bankruptcy protection, knowing full well where it was all heading.

Personally, and even if you do deny it, I believe it is true.

I have seen this happen time and time again first hand.

I also know the reasons why you and others at Icons would have done this, and it is not so inexplicable or nefarious as many may assume.

Thing is, will you admit it.

I'm afraid that before you do this, you will achieve nothing here.

Apologies for maybe coming across as aggressive now, but dangling the carrot in front of us to reveal all the 'goodies', inside information etc that you have about the hobby / business, is not sufficient, in my eyes, to detract from the facts you are so far covering up / avoiding.

In fact, I find it quite distasteful that you even said this.

*** From Jim to Art: Thank you again very much. I know you could have banned me right away Art. I appreciate your allowing me to continue. Right now you have an exclusive here, so hopefully some may find it interesting. It seems like some of the members do. I plan on continuing as long as I am allowed and as long as members are still interested. I do have a lot of photographs, documents, drawings, video etc. that might be interesting to see."

You came here of your own free will and, given the past, you have been treated very, very well.

At least, please have the courtesy of not taking us for idiots.

 

[Alan Castillo]

I will add that your words came across very clearly showing that this is just an ego-boosting session for you, and, personally, I am not interested in what you can reveal as exclusive in these circumstances.

Sorry James, but I do always speak my mind.

Bottom line is that despite all you may have to offer, which, by the way I am also VERY interested to learn, if you cannot find it in yourself to 'come completely clean', personally, I'd rather you just left.

I cannot find it in myself to be hypocritical to the detriment of many members here who were hurt, just so like a teenager, I can relish in the exclusive inside gossip you have.

Just come clean James, that's all I am asking.

This is probably the ONLY chance you will ever get, anywhere, to put all the past finally to rest.

Do that, and in my books, I would love to see you here as a permanent member, contributing to this forum with all your knowledge and experience, not only Icons-related, but to the hobby / forum in general.

 

[tripoli]

Sorry, away at work here on the east coast on the evenings and night.

For the retort:
First James, good to see your approach to be combative. You absolutely have not changed in my mind. Still the same person and I am sorry to see such.

"Tripoli, You keep quoting the statement I wrote about the customers who got refunds and then came back for another refund. This happened. The FBI saw the documented proof that it did."


My company paid by check. There was no charge back. I was assured on the phone and by letter that things would be handled but they were not. Obviously the FBI did not take a full case by case look. As well you personally had worked out a deal through John Pisa Relli that you reneged on. As well there are many other comments on the web of others loosing monies with Icons. So its is not quite the rosey picture you paint.

"you call them my "sock puppets."


Mischaracterised as I noted puppets, aka other low post members suddenly showing you support here. A puppet is someone supporting a value or issue based on a view. Sockpuppets are the same person with multiple accounts spamming the thread to do so. I think you have suddenly appeared with friends for an agenda, possible a new company would be a assumption or guess and you are trying to re-invent yourself now.

"I owned 20% of the company. I warned Icons founding CEO/President that this would be a problem with the growth of the company and he did not listen. I was not responsible for Finance, Sales or Manufacturing. Others were. Icons was not a small company."


Yes, but you were the management/figurehead of it, you publicly oversaw operations and you were the final contact in my case. Managers take responsibility for their decisions and actions. It appears you don't think so.


"Icons was an American company. And it was not out to hurt any customer, period. And I was not out to steal one dime from anyone. I personally lost more then anyone. And their were many factors that contributed to Icons demise. Including competitors who profited from spreading lies about Icons when it could have survived. That is why Guy Raz went to Federal prison and I did not. "


But Icons did end up taking monies and hurting people. That is its legacy. Sorry to see you lost money as well but that fell to circumstances and leadership decisions by you.
Guy Raz DID NOT go to federal prison because of spreading lies about Icons. Another false characterization.

"Actually what this is called is being judgmental. As you are not even allowing a person to explain anything. It's narrow-mindness and uncommunicative and can lead to false assumptions. This is a major problem in our world today. Thinking you know more about a situation then you do."


I am being judgmental based on your past poor actions and current words posted here. Absolutely correct. I am not stopping you from communication and if anyone is full of assumptions, you definitely win the prize from what you posted on this thread.

"Tripoli...you think because you got a tour of Lucasfilm you are in the know"


It was quite a bit more than that and I could type a small book on all that went on. Obviously, you are being both judgmental and trying to mis-characterized again as you know what I have posted about all of this is quite a bit more than a tour of a studio.

"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."

From Jim to Art: Art....the emails and messages I've gotten and members who are known collectors of Icons verify it. Sad to say but it is true.
Quote:
Originally Posted by James Latta
I've got to be ridiculed and shut-up. "


I think most people don't want to go through this again and I think most would not want to put up with what Steve and I have on this thread. We took losses due to your behavior, you come back and try to rewrite history and criticize others and then sit back getting upset when they come forward to defend such. There is an old saying, if you wrestle pigs you are going to get muddy. THAT is why many are not posting here and just ignoring you James.

Originally Posted by James Latta
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."


No, not really.
You have been on the attack and I have posted multiple times, go for speaking about your experiences, let here the stories on such. THAT has not been what you have done here.
I have extended an olive branch several times in this thread James and you have responded by being a jerk. For me, the case is closed, same old James Latta, trying to put on a new face.

I did receive a final pm from James. I was "Did you get my message". Thats it. Unless you have tried to e-mail or pm and failed in doing so.
Yes James I have read your post. Yes, fully I have seen your posted message. You have not changed Jim. You are the same person I dealt with years ago, actually, worse. You were at least cordial when I contacted you in the past, lying but pleasant about it. I am sadden to see your responses and message now.
No apology, just continuing to make assumptions, tear apart others to build yourself up, attacks and no apologies, yes James, I have gotten your message.

I feel bad I had to waste this much time replying in post, again, this is why most do not want to do so. But I feel James has shown his true self here and its is more than enough to let other judge themselves on who/what he really is.

James. If you have truly changed, I just don't see it. Yes, I do have an issue from you in the past. You came in and pushed those buttons again. And when I addressed them you pushed more. When I extended an olive branch, you pushed back even more. I am sorry, but I am just not seeing any good from you and if you are upset, you need to take a good step back and take a hard look at yourself.

 

[James Latta]

Crittercrater - I'm glad you recieved your refund. That was and is a good thing. Many did. Much more then people know. Icons refunded over $300,000 in refunds in one quarter. After we spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in product development, research, mastering, tooling, molding, casting, etc. Lucasfilm received thousands of product components worth an estimated $ 3 million dollars if assembled.

Try managing a company under those circumstances sometime and then let's have a discussion.


"As far as customers go, what no one wants to admit is all of the customers who got refunds in full, and then kept coming back to Icons for more."

You keep misunderstanding what I wrote. "Coming back again for more" meant more refunds on the same order. Securing a refund and then receiving a second refund for the same order.

This happened again and again. It was proved that it happened between the bank and credit card company that processed Icons orders. When Icons financials and accounting records were audited by the FBI, which is what needed to happen to clear the company of ALL of the accusations that were being made, they got a complete overview of the company's history.

There were also customers who recieved their product and did forced charged backs. It's not like everyone who was an Icons customer was an upstanding citizen. As we all know this hobby and industry tends to attract some colorful characters, as this message board documents quite well. So to say this never happened at Icons? is simply not true. It happened. And it was a feeding frenzy.

I'm not saying that Icons and myself did not make mistakes and is not responsible for some of those mistakes. I'm saying it was not my being a Dick Dastardly type character out to steal from people. That wasn't the case.

I was a producer and co-host of a collectibles program that aired on the Sy Fy Channel in 1993/1994 called the Sci-Fi Trader. We did a show & tell each week of props, miniatures, wardrobe etc. Which was a first on television. I would not purposely destroy my reputation, career and collection. So Steve D.'s cronies can come on here and keep lying, but if what they were saying is true? I would not have been cleared. Hate me for being 1 of 6 partners at Icons because I was present. Hate me for the mistakes I made. Hate me for being the only one willing to save Icons of the 6 partners other then Mike Rogers. But hate me for the right reasons.

And don't try and strip Icons of everything is had left of it's legacy. It was a pioneer in the industry and it set the standards for the entire industry. Which is why collectors hold on to their Icons pieces.

I was going to respond to the messages that I was still trying to catch up on. But a handful of members here are just dumping lie after lie after lie. And it is distracting me from sharing what I learned at Icons. I wonder why. Simple. Don't reach RPF members about licensing and dealing with Studios & Networks and internal politics etc. Again...the writing is on the wall. Smoke & mirrors. Spin. Even when I am insulting myself, admitting my mistakes, sharing what we did wrong at Icons, this must not be allowed to be shared. Same ****...different day.

 

[James Latta]

And why in the world would Icons not want customers who got a refund to come back as a customer and order again. Talk about spinning my words. That is ludicrous.

Like I said Alan, if members want me to stop posting? And the list grows in that direction, because anyone who received their order ( and there are tens of thousands of them worldwide ), liked Icons and had no problem with the company is immediately attacked in order to stop them? I'll stop posting. No problem. I don't want anyone who collected or collects Icons to be demeaned because they are willing to state their feelings.

I do have a life outside of here. And if I am not allowed to post more pertinent information then answering the same question again and again and again from the same few members who have a private adgenda? Then what would be the point?

Like many members of the RPF, I'm not into granny gossip, bitterness and negativity. It's the scurge of this hobby & industry. All the pettyness and the B.S. It's why people get out of collecting. It's why people get out of the hobby and industry. It has a lot to do with why companies have gone under. MANY have emailed me how bad it is and how it has even gotten worse the last decade. Well, I got into the hobby and business out of love and passion. The joy of it. The sharing of that passion. Not these soap opera antics. So if the goal is to make this experience a complete waste of time, then so be it.

Far be it for me to cause such drama.

 

[James Latta]

Tripoli Guy Raz went to Federal Prison for being a cyber stalker. He stalked a 12 year old girl but he STALKED. Just like he STALKED Icons and myself. Not for sex in my case thank goodness, but the FBI profiled him a stalker.

I did not say you did a forced charge back. I said some customers did who had already gotten a refund. You keep taking my words out of context and twisting them.

I do not need to "Re-invent myself" here. Why on earth would I try to do that. Think it is fun to be me? To be present here and try to even speak against someone like you? Who isn't even willing to communicate?

I've emailed you and messaged you and asked to speak to you on the phone. You want to grandstand out here and treat me like a human punching bag. Well sir, that is not progressive in the slightest. I've made MANY Icons customers whole again over the past decade. Many still keep in touch with me. I didn't this not because I was forced to. Not because I legally had to, I didn't have to do anything. As Icons was cleared of accusations generated by people like you. Who aren't interested in resolving anything. It's all about the bitterness and the hate.

Tripoli you can reslish that negative experience and boast about it all you want, while I make amends with the handful of customers who are member of the RPF who are intelligent, honest and total gentlemen. Have at it bro.

 

[James Latta]

Alan - Unlike others I don't have inside gossip. I have documented proof. Over 10,000 documents.
I was there. I lived through it.

"I do, however, find it interesting that a topic that is being mentioned repeatedly here relates to Icons staff, some say yourself included, giving customers a deliberate run-around about their orders way before the company closed under bankruptcy protection, knowing full well where it was all heading."

I'm sorry Alan, but once again This is complete BULLS#*@. You were not in the pre-bankruptcy filing meetings. You do not know what happened behind closed doors. You are not privy to investor defaults. Bridge capital offers. You are assuming things that you know absolutely nothing about. Have you seen the documents offering Icons funding? Up to 9 million dollars to Icons? The companies that offered to purchase Icons? Like Master Replicas was acquired by Corgi? You sit here and you place all of the history of Icons into a little bubble. When the circumstances were vast, complex and far reaching. You want to sum it up in a simple paragraph, when nothing could be farther from the truth.

Did I make serious mistakes? Absolutely. Should I have done somethings different? Yes 100%? Did I pay a terrible price for Icons and my own learning curve? Yes. Did I purposely want to destroy a company I put my life-blood into? No. Never. There would be no upside at all.

I've extended my apologies many times in this thread. But my words are being twisted. I'm sorry if my posting has lead to this. But that is the way it was over a decade ago and this is the way it is today. If there is no value in my words? Then why are members thanking me? Why are they messaging and emailing me to "Stand Tall on the Quarter Deck" and continue. Because some want to read of my experiences at Icons.

 

[scarf man]

Jim, try answering members questions and accusations, instead of monologuing on and on about how Icons was a pioneer.
All I've seen from you in this thread is a lot of passing the buck to other Icons staff who are not here to defend themselves, and taking continued shots at Steve. You seem to think that everyone who posted negative comments to you in this thread are Steve's supporters. Could it more likely be that like me, they are merely outraged members that have no connection or loyalty to Steve?
Your persecution complex, and paranoia are getting the better of you.

Keep to the facts as you see them, and remember this is a thread on a forum, not your blog.
You will be challenged to back up your version of the truth.

 

[James Latta]

Scarf-Man

I made a lot of enemies besides Steve D. when I built my original prop, miniature, costume and production art collection, exhibited it and landed an exclusive with Planet Hollywood back in the day. I have plenty of haters. And then there are Icons customers who are upset with me. Correct. To deny that would be ridiculous.

In regard to the rest of your post, others post huge comments with giant bold lettering here and yet I am trying to turn this into my blog? Then as you recommended I'll ignore the insults & lies ( in my opinion ) and stick to answering pertinent questions as you advised.

So for the record, if I don't respond to specific posts that are just insulting and filled with false information, then it is not because I am "running away" from these comments. It is because they are a complete waste of time.

The interesting thing is, as entertaining as the flaming is for some to engage in and read, the real story is far more entertaining. But perhaps that is better left for a book or documentary. As everyone knows, The RPF is the leading Film & Television Replica message board on the planet. As members asked me questions since following my first post ever here, it was evolving into something some found interesting and even historically relevant it seemed. What surprised me and many others is it was actually becoming progressive.

Numerous members have been communicating with me directly on the side and we were trying to make things right again. As I have and still do have a lot of industry contacts and potential resources. I am not here to get into pissing matches with a handful of negative people. When I say negative people? Or someone calls them "Bad Apples", what we mean is a member has emailed me and asked "Is there a way you can help me with a favor." They are looking for something. They need some information. Could I help track something down? Can something be authenticated? How would you deal with a studio relating to this concept or matter? When raising venture capital for a business how do they avoid what happened to Icons? That's all.

So I will try to focus on the rest of the discussion if possible. Thanks.

 

[Alan Castillo]

Alan - Unlike others I don't have inside gossip. I have documented proof. Over 10,000 documents.
I was there. I lived through it.

"I do, however, find it interesting that a topic that is being mentioned repeatedly here relates to Icons staff, some say yourself included, giving customers a deliberate run-around about their orders way before the company closed under bankruptcy protection, knowing full well where it was all heading."

I'm sorry Alan, but once again This is complete BULLS#*@. You were not in the pre-bankruptcy filing meetings. You do not know what happened behind closed doors. You are not privy to investor defaults. Bridge capital offers. You are assuming things that you know absolutely nothing about. Have you seen the documents offering Icons funding? Up to 9 million dollars to Icons? The companies that offered to purchase Icons? Like Master Replicas was acquired by Corgi? You sit here and you place all of the history of Icons into a little bubble. When the circumstances were vast, complex and far reaching. You want to sum it up in a simple paragraph, when nothing could be farther from the truth.

....

James, this has got nothing to do with 10,000 documents of evidence or countless internal meetings or whatever.

No document can prove or otherwise what you and your staff told customers.

But if you do not understand, or choose not to understand, what I am saying, let's just leave it at that.

 

[James Latta]

Hi Alan,

So someone claims that I knew that Icons was going into bankruptcy...while we continued to take orders and yet documents offering investment capital to Icons, that stated that Icons was going to receive an infustion of mass capital, which would have assisted in our crisis management, turn- around and survival have no meaning???

Perhaps some here can not process that important information so it has no meaning. Or they chose not to. Others say they do understand and want to know more. I'll try and focus on the ones that do understand and want to move forward.

Thanks.

 

[Birdie]

Jim,

So what was the deal with Raz? I know all about the sex predator stuff, but what caused his obsession with you?

Was he an Icons casualty himself?

Forgive me for dragging this up again, but I find sociopathology fascinating.

 

[rkpetersen]

Yawn. Latta had some interesting stories to tell there for awhile, but the last few pages have all been the same excuses, justifications, accusations, and rationalizations, repeated over and over. Disappointing at best, disingenuous more likely.

 

[EvilRocketeer]

I know this is the Icons thread, but I am curious about your days on the set of the Rocketeer.

I am curious if you have any interesting stories on the set of the Rocketeer, behind the scenes photographs, or any other information you would like to share?