The Professor Action Figure

Concept

The creation of The Professor was a month long odyssey, and with an idea – that the Digital Media realm needed a bona fide superhero. As toy junkies, we decided that the first manifestation of this new hero should be an action figure. And thus, an idea was born.

Siggi was the sculptor and he did a few concept sketches which gave it a good starting point. He brought his artistry and sculpting experience into the mix, transforming the 2D concept into a new 3D figure.

Sketches

The Real Professor

Sketches

Sig offered several creative ideas for the design and for the figure, and created different versions in super sculpy (clay) and castilene (waxy clay). The sculpt was done as 7 ” which allowed for greater detail. Sig completed the final figure sculpt with rough articulation on March 1, 2007. Some pictures of the figure during its sculpting transformation:

Process

Siggi explaines:

Based off of the sketch make a wire armature in the pose of the figure. Build up the shape of the body with aluminum foil as to not use too much of the expensive sculpey clay. After that start laying on sculpey (enough to not have any foil show through) Shape it all with your fingers and to get into the detailed crevices use the wooden sculpting knife. Smooth everything out just by gently running your fingers over the bumps. If you need to, you can use clay softener to help with this process. Once you have the figure how you want it you should bake it.

However for this project i didn’t bake it nor did i make the wire armature. Just used the aluminum foil for the skeleton.

After that, use whatever materials need be to color the figure. Below are pictures of the prototype.

Prototype

Interview

How long have you been teaching?
Since 2000 as a GTA, and since 2002 as an adjunct. So, I guess five or seven years. Seven sounds good.

Do you enjoy it?
Absolutely. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t do it.

How’s it feel to be immortalized in plastic?
Fantastic. It’s always been a life long dream, in fact. Ever since I was a little boy playing with G.I. Joes, I knew what I wanted. (Laughs).

Did you ever think you’d be this famous?
I thought I’d be more famous. I’m disappointed actually.

Do you fear the paparazzi?
Fear is the wrong word. I look forward to the paparazzi. I want nothing more than walking outside my home to flashing bulbs of cameras and reporters.

What’s next for you? Will we be seeing you in Hollywood?
Hell no. Next…you’ll probably be hearing me rather than seeing me. I’ll be taking on gigs trying to provide a third income. (Laughs).

People say: “Why him? Why does he get an action figure and not me?” What do you say to them?
Because I hold the grade book.

What is your favorite programming language?
I like PHP.

Why?
It gives me the familiarity of C++, and also gives the kind flexibility of other program languages.

We noticed you carry around an iPod. Currently, what are your favorite songs on your iPod?
Hmm…Right now I’d have to say I’ve been listening to a lot of the soundtrack from Battlestar Galactica. Oh, and also “All That Makes Us Human Continues” by BT. This shows my diversity on my iPod.

If you had one super power, what would it be?
Wow. I don’t know. I always thought flight would be cool. There’s that new chick on Heroes with the internet thing. That would be cool. But, no, I guess I’d have flight.

Would you use your flight for good or evil?
Good, of course.

Accessories

Glasses

Remove and reattach the X-ray Visual Input Devic

Laptop Computer

Access the Cerebral I/O Device, The Professor's best friend and trusty sidekick

Coca-Cola

Re-energize Geek Super Powers

iPod

Watch

Where to buy?

You can purchase The Professor by clicking this purchase link .