Interview With Empire Toy Works
Today I had the privileged to talk to Chris Shaylor of Empire Toy works. For months I would see him post his work with the Facebook Star Wars Rebels, just absolutely in awe. Chris makes the coolest wood play sets, that ranges in the subject of GI Joe, Star Wars, Acid Rain. But there was something unique about his artwork, that i had to set up an interview, Check it Out:
Em Mallam : Alright! So first off I'm glad to have this interview! I must say i admire your work so much! And it gives an insight on how vast the star wars universe and fanbase is?
Chris Shaylor : Thanks! I'm happy to do it.
EM:So whats your name and what business do you own?
CS:My name is Chris Shaylor and I'm the owner and creator of Empire Toy Works
EM:Do you have a story behind the name?
CS:Not so much. I wanted something crafty sounding yet still throwing a nod toward Star Wars.
EM: What does Empire Toy works create?
CS: I build custom wooden playsets for action figure collectors. Mainly the 1:18 scale toy lines.
EM: How long have you been at this? By the look of your website and Facebook page you look like a pro
CS:I've been building these as a side business for the past 3 years or so. But I've always built my own personal projects. I started this as a full time business at the beginning of this year.
EM: So cool! Whats the creation process like?
CS: Usually just a random idea for a Playset design. A tower or a bunker or a Merchant shop etc. I'll have a general idea of an overall shop and size in mind and I typically just grab a few pieces of plywood and start throwing together the walls. Most buildings, I can construct within a day or so and then I'll spray a base coat of paint on it and possibly a layer of the main color. By the next day I can sand it smooth to bring out some of the initial wear marks. Afterwards, I can bring it home to beginning weathering it with a light layer of acrylic color. Then I can start adding some additional techy bits of solid plastic shapes I cast along with any signage work or exterior posters. Once it's finished, I will seal it with a clear flat coat and it's ready for photography or play.
EM: Sounds like a pretty smooth process for people who know how to do it. And you also build little pieces to the set? For example I saw some crates the other day.
CM: Yes, this past year I began molding and casting accessory pieces, crates, generators, equipment, furniture, techy panels etc. All the things that you would normally ignore in a movie scene, but actually adds a bit of clutter and gives a "lived in" look to a scenario. I even started making solid plastic vehicles to use along with the playsets.
EM: So along with the creating process theres also a passion for it. And as i stated at the start of the interview, its star wars, so how long have you been a fan? and does the word 'fan' cover for your love?
CS: I've been a Star Wars fan since I first saw it at 3 years old at a drive-in in 1977. I've always collected toys and noticed the wave of trends over the years. Toy companies started offering less and less playsets by the late 80's and by the 90's, their idea of a Playset was usually just a sheet of thin cardboard that you had to put together yourself. Action figures were still popular but the ability to place them in a scene just wasn't there unless you built it yourself. I always wanted an actual gritty Sci Fi Blade Runner type city of my own so I eventually built one. It grew and grew and I posted pics online not thinking much off it. The response was amazing and I realized other people were looking for structures also. They were tired of only placing their figures on a shelf and wanted something more. So I made a business out of it.
EM:So after doing this for as long as you have, what has been your most favourite and memorable project to date? I have to add a personal note of love your star wars rebels sets!
CS: I'm not sure if I have one particular favorite piece. It's usually once I have a handful of individual playsets finished and I'm able to arrange them as a small town or settlement or village, that I realized I actually created something new. That's why my spaceport city still amazes me. I built it about 4 years ago and I'm still adding details to it on a weekly basis. I built a miniature city with lights, a bar and a med center and a jail and portapottys etc. and it can actually be played by kids or adults. I guess that's the difference between dioramas and playsets. One is look but don't touch but my sets can be displayed on a shelf and then thrown on the floor for the kids to have fun......and by kids I mean 40 year old nerds also.
EM: What makes you more unique than others who do this sort of art?
CS:There are many, MANY amazing artists out there in the hobby making scenes and settings and dioramas. And the pieces they construct are insanely inspiring, BUT they are in most cases built specifically for the eyes only. One clumsy cat or a little ham handed 5 year old can destroy a months worth of work in seconds. A phenomenal photorealistic work of art ruined by a kid that really just wanted to play with it. The most common material used when making these dioramas is foam sheets and or card stock. It's really the go to medium when folks delve into wanting to create their own scenes. Many years ago, I started out using it also but I quickly realized just how fragile these pieces can be and I wanted something much MUCH sturdier. I've always had a background in cartooning and woodwork so I put the two together to create these playsets.
EM: I think you may have the 'Dream' project of yours? But are there other projects you have considered doing in the future?
CS: tI have a half constructed Imperial base installation that is right across the room from my spaceport. It has a docking bay, stormtrooper barracks, TIE launch hangars etc. I still need to finish that one day. I have a large playroom at home that will allow me to populate it with all sorts of location.....when I actually have the time. he 'Dream' project of yours? But are there other projects you have considered doing in the future?
EM: That itself has to be the dream come true for anyone. Is there any current pieces you are creating?
CS:I'm always working on new pieces to sell. If it's not my regular eBay offerings it's usually commissioned projects. I get requests all the time for towers, bases, landing platforms, urban city shops, Tatooine style buildings etc.
EM:Where can people buy and see your work?
CS: Most all of my current and previous projects can be found on my Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/empiretoyworks
EM: Imperial or Rebel?
CS: Imperial, Can't have good guys without the bad guys winks
EM: laughs Sith or Jedi?
CS:This is going to sound odd coming from a Star Wars fan but, I'm really not even all that interested in the Force aspect of Star Wars. I've always been more fascinated by the oddball background aliens, dirty smugglers and street trash scum.
EM: And with star wars, the life lesson, in my life is that anything is possible! Whats the biggest inspiration for you?
CS: Just to keep creating. I take inspiration from many sources. Star Wars, Blade Runner, Starchaser, Space Raiders, Outland, Moebius comics etc. I just run it all thru a mental grinder and come up with potluck of ideas.
EM: One last question before I let you go. And this may go hand-in-hand with your response but what advice would you give to the aspiring kids and artists who loved to do what you do?
CS: Start simple and work your way up to your finished product. Build a box. Add a door. Maybe a window. Paint it a color. Add a weird shaped thing to an outside wall. Maybe add some wires. Make another box beside it etc. Don't get discouraged by the finished project of someone's creation. Take inspiration from everything you can whether it's Sci Fi, a western, a documentary, the rusty dumpster behind a McDonald's....ideas are everywhere.
EM: Anyway Thank You so much Chris!!! Its been such a pleasure picking the brain of a really talented guy like you! I hope the best for you!!!
CS: Thanks so much for asking me to do this. It was fun!
And he certainly is sporting the Captain Rex look!