Really?? Another Group?? Trust me this time???

[Ryan Leonard]

"There is a plan to get our surviving, incredibly-talented group of great people back together and resume creating new, amazing products under a new corporation. But this will take some time to execute."

Hello and welcome to the SD Studios AUGUST

Mailing!

Welcome NEW list members!

Hello! As some of you are aware, I recently posted an update on MRG to Facebook and the Indiegogo account. If you haven't seen it, you might want to look it up. I HAVE ALSO ATTACHED THE TEXT TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS E-MAIL> PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM IF YOU WANT TO READ IT!

Despite all of my efforts for three years, my partners have finally managed to bankrupt MRG. They filed for Chapter 11 reorganization last week. They are not responding to ANY of my requests for information for the last several months, so I only know what the general public knows.

I spent the last three years of my life fighting/arguing/engaging with powerful, wealthy narcissists to make sure this didn't happen. They had other plans. We did manage to ship many thousands of great products out to customers, so THAT is good. But the future of HAL is unknown. I don't intend to give up and will keep working to do whatever I can to make sure that ALL of the customers who are owed anything will get compensated.

I have no idea what the future of my company is now. I only know that I, my family, and my entire staff have all been unemployed since April. I have no words to express how I feel about this. I am receiving phone and e-mail threats and I understand that people are ticked off, but yipes, guys. Someone also posted all of our personal info on the internet including a google earth map to my home. Good times. This should never have happened and am beyond-frustrated that I spent three years trying to stop something that could not be stopped.
Sorry I couldn't do a better job.

There is a plan to get our surviving, incredibly-talented group of great people back together and resume creating new, amazing products under a new corporation. But this will take some time to execute.

SO, if you guys could help me out and BUY SOMETHING from this list. I, and my family, would REALLY appreciate it! If anyone needs some models built, there is a REALLY talented model-maker available right now ?

I put a number of super-cool, rare pieces up for sale this month! E-mail me for pics or more info. Payment can go to ############## Payment plans are always available and negotiable. (pricing is generally...less-so). If you see something you want, let me know a payment schedule that works for you!

Now...

Prepare yourselves for even more awesome-osity...

I have a FEW MRG pieces and will be selling them at a DISCOUNT. These are my personal copies.

-MRG 2001 HAL dual-signature plaque. Signed by Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood. I worked directly with both of these gentlemen and can certify that this signature plaque is absolutely authentic. I even have some pretty funny voice-messages from them. $100 plus shipping TBD. (That is less than it cost to make!)

-MRG ¼ scale T.rex skull replica. This is my personal copy. Licensed and scanned directly from the Smithsonian T.Rex skull. Includes retail package, skull, acrylic display stand, plaque, and fold-out BIG making-of booklet. Sold regularly for $750. $600 plus shipping!

-MRG ½ scale T.rex skull replica. Same as above. Our manufacturer has a few in stock and ready to go. EXPENSIVE! HUUUUGE! DISCOUNTED! E-mail me for price. Serious inquiries only please!

-MRG 1/10th scale T.Rex Skull replica. SAA. $45 plus shipping.

-MRG HAL 1/6th scale flash drive PROTOTYPE. This is the hand-built mockup that I made to show the factory and WB what we were planning to make. It is a REAL flash drive and the "eye" lights up! Only ONE in the world. Make me an offer.
-Executive Replicas 2001 Frank Poole (yellow suit) 1/6th scale figure. MINT condition with all original packaging and alternate hands, instructions, etc. $650 shipped.

-PNSO Megalodon figure. Amazing detail! 12 inches long with stand. $50 shipped.
-I have many other PNSO and other brands of Dino figures if you are looking for any. E-mail for info!

-M-72 LAW or M36-At4 Rocket Launchers. YES< I said rocket launchers. These are REAL rocket launchers, just fired. MINT condition, but NO rockets. (obviously). All components operate as original, just don't shoot. $750 plus shipping each. E-mail for info.
-Sex Panther cologne set. Spray bottle and Panther head combo set NO box or display. $40 plus shipping.

-Dr Strange Eye of Agamoto 1:1 scale Amulet. All metal with neck-strap. With packaging $45 plus shipping.

-1/6th scale Electronic Remote-Control Dalek. From the UK. BIG! Talks! LOUD! Drives around on floor with remote control. Drives dogs and cats nuts! $175 plus shipping.

-Factory Entertainment Goldeneye Device (loose). I had this reworked with brighter LEDs and the shop bead-blasted it to correctly match the original prop's matt finish. NO KEYS or Display case. JUST the device. $200 plus shipping.

-Desmond Llewelyn autographed card. $50.

-Pulse Rifle Parts! I just picked up a batch of all of the parts from the machine shop! All metal buttstocks, barrel shrouds, mag bases, etc etc. NO shrouds or SPAS parts, sorry. You can see them here: https://www.ebay.com/str/sdstudios

-Shroud of Turin front-half-only, FULL-SIZE replica by Artifactory. Scanned off the original! Comes with info booklet. $50 plus shipping

-Blade Runner steel upgrade barrels. Replaces the terrible plastic barrel on the Tomenosuke replica with a REAL steel hollow barrel for more authentic look! $80 shipped!

-HCG Martian War Machine. This is the HUGE 20-inch wing-span resin replica that sold out many years ago. Everything lights up and includes display stand but original package was too damaged, so it is NOT included. MINT condition. $750 plus shipping.

-SD Studios Star Trek Medical Kit. This set is my personal one and I HATE to sell it! Includes one metal season two (hissing) hypo, working med scanner with sound, field reader tube, spray healer, four vintage glass test tubes with colored fluids, spare magnetic vial for the hypo and the amazing, large-style leather pouch that was copied from a direct study and measurements off the original. $1200 shipped.

-SD Studios Star Trek Season one hypo. This is the chrome-finish, all-metal hypo with the sliding body that clicks in the up or down position with spring detents. Includes one removable magnetic vial with fluid. $275 plus shipping.
-Star Trek TNG Isolinear Chip Set. Includes seven printed circuits boards of various colors and sizes on a display stand. All laser-cut and silk-screened, with some printed paper labels. VERY nice! $150 shipped.

-Harry Potter Hogwarts Invitation letter. ACTUAL SCREEN-USED PROP! Comes with a signed certificate from the prop house. I only have ONE of these. $350 shipped.

-MRG Apollo 11 Full-size Lunar boot print replica. One of the coolest things we made at MRG. This is scanned from an ORIGINAL BOOTPRINT> NOT a sculpture! The replicas includes a booklet explaining how we did that. HUGE display! I only have this one. Normally $175. ONLY $125 plus shipping!

-Richard Coyle First-season LIS laser pistol. With working, blinky vintage lights, but NO sound. Rough, but lovable. $250 plus shipping.

-Studio-Scale 2001 Orion Space plane. This is the twin to the 44-inch model that has been travelling the world for the Kubrick exhibit for the last year and has been featured in numerous articles and TV shows. The two models were built at the same time and are identical and each one cost about $3500 just in materials and 286 hours each to build. JUST the display stands cost $500 EACH! This is GORGEOUS and EXPENSIVE. As in, very expensive. But available. Sigh. Snif. Serious inquiries ONLY please.

-HAL 9000 1/6th scale Flash drive 32Gb. With 2001 artwork. $40 plus shipping.
-SD Studios Luke ROTJ lightsabers. The shop just made eight new sets of parts. I would need about a week to complete and finish up. These are the same as we made for MR back in 2002. Same shop, same specs. Literally the same people making them! Just a few small changes (no injected plastic parts). $275 plus shipping.

-Sideshow Hot Toys 1/6th HULKBUSTER Suit. This is the VINYL and plastic version. NOT the $1400 articulated version! (which is not even out yet). This has all of the light up functions with some movement (Legs/arms/etc) and is GINORMOUS. The paint-work is immaculate and looks exactly like the regular 1/6th plastic and metal Ironman suits, but for $1000 less! $400 plus shipping TBD. Fairly heavy, and will ship in a BIG box.

-MST3K Tom Servo Replica LED LAMP!!! Yes, you read that right. This is a FULL-SIZE Tom Servo replica, made with most of the original parts, but I added an LED lamp to the head. Head still rotates and mouth works via wire with pull ring. Also includes a second, pre-painted "regular" candy dispenser head that you can change out if you don't agree with my BRILLIANT idea to make him a room lamp. I ran this for many hours to test it and it works PERFECTLY. Plugs into any 110v outlet. Very bright! May be the only one in the world? PRICE REDUCED! $750 plus shipping TBD.
________________________________________________________________________

-"CLINT 1" Eastwood .44 Magnum: One of only FOUR gold-colored replicas in the US. Huge. Heavy. Obnoxious. All-diecast and machined metal, with wood grips. Can be broken-down and operates exactly like the real pistol! In wood display case with numbered plaque and a separate Harry badge replica included for free! Also has seven blow-back brass .44 shells that can be chambered and cycled. NO blow-back caps included. $750 plus shipping. OBO.

-Master Replicas Red Disney Monorail: NO shipper box. Has paperwork. MINT condition. Lights work perfectly. Super-cool model with monorail display base. $500 OBO plus shipping.

-Master Replicas LOTR Sauron Finger: Complete with shipper box, plaque, all paperwork, etc. MINT condition. It is #1416 of 2000. Ring light-effects work perfectly. $600 plus shipping. OBO.

-Proof That Tony Stark Has a Heart Display: This is the GOOD US-made one. Not the crappy, cheap Asian versions you see all over eBay. Mounted in a display case, but is removable. Arc reactor lights up when plugged in. Lots of machined and photo-etched metal parts. Rapid-prototyped and laser-cut parts, no resin that I can see. Interchangeable disk plates ("Proof..." and "I love you 3000"). Beautiful! $375 plus shipping.

-Artifactory SAL 9000 replica. All metal. Glass eye lights up. NO sound. $325 plus shipping.
________________________________________________________________________

Resin and metal "Umbrella ship" model kit. Vintage 1950's design for Martian space ship. 17-inch diameter "solar radiator". I already extensively cleaned this part up. Took HOURS to do.... Done. Comes with detachable landing ship. BIG model. Just trying to sell off what I know I won't build any time soon or won't have the room for. I will even throw in an ORIGINAL Colliers magazine from 1957 with articles about this ship. A FLEET of these were supposed to be launched to Mars by the 1970s. Bwahahaha. $150 shipped.

SD Studios Communicator Cell Phone Proto. Made by me in 1997! This was actually licensed by Paramount and the head of PCP used this phone to make a call in front of the international press in 1997! The analog mobile phone that was inside has been long-since-gutted, but the shell and display case is intact. VG condition. 24k gold plated antenna lid. What could have been if my partner didn't embezzle money and ruin everything. Oh well... $1000 OBO.
________________________________________________________________________

Zero Metal 1/6th Figure. INSANE Japanese figure. Sold out almost immediately. This is the WHITE snow camo version. Posable with huge laser cannon. Mint with all accessories and display box and optional decal sheet. Make offer.

Photo Reference. Star Wars or Star Trek. 5000+ plus (each) images on removable drives. $95 each (your choice or $150 for both). I discontinued these, but people keep asking for them, so what the heck...Bond Movie Magnets Set. 18 movie poster magnets in an oak and glass wall frame display. $75.

Sideshow Dr Grodbort's Raygun. The $100 plastic version. With original retail package. Mint condition. $85 plus shipping.
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[Philip Raciti]

This is a joke right?

On Aug 10, 2020, at 3:53 PM, Ryan Leonard <blin...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Cave Dweller]

Yeah... I don't think so. Fool me once. I'm out $1200 for HAL. 

[Brian Cain]

I don't think abusing this group to sell the junk from your garage is gonna make you any friends.

Plus I'm pretty sure trying to sell real rocket launchers has got to be illegal.  Lets email some federal agencies and try to find out, shall we?  Maybe some jail time for YOU will help give ME some closure.

On Monday, August 10, 2020 at 3:53:22 PM UTC-4, Ryan Leonard wrote:

[Ryan Leonard]

Just to be clear he wasn't using this group to sell his stuff it was from his newsletter he sent out to all his"customers" I simply added it here to add to the communication of his further actions.

Thanks

[Ryan Leonard]

BTW.. I too am out $1200 for HAL which I was totally looking forward too.

[Brian Cain]

Gotcha on the newletter.

And.....Here's the link to the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms agency to report him for trying to sell rocket launchers.
https://www.atf.gov/contact/atf-field-divisions

[jon allitt]

Resigned from Master Replicas Group - but still has their indiegogo password to mine our email addresses for his personal mailing list.

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[Ken Wiebe]

Even if he didn't have the password, he could just ask his son-in-law - the new MRG CEO.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hal-9000-replica/CANwp-FaV1o6fWQzzQaK5YF6L2XMQm8zvRW4M1Bwh68u%2BGgFtEQ%40mail.gmail.com.

"Ne te quaesiveris extra"  --Persius

[sundancejedi]

These guys need to learn how to "read the room" . 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hal-9000-replica/cf8d52c4-3d8d-4736-9c8b-66c8498cde96%40www.fastmail.com.

[Philippe van Nedervelde]

All for it, ... but —first things first— where is the plan to make all the HAL 9000 backers of MRG whole? After all, if you make us whole, most of us are likely to be good customers of this new corporation that is being planned. So where is *that* plan?

— Philippe van Nedervelde

[sundancejedi]

There is no plan. He clearly states his new company will make new products. HAL is water under the bridge. Time for new things. How exciting! /sarcasm

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[Michael Hraba]

I am too. So I get it. But the anger people in this group demonstrates a lack of rationalism. Must not be many biz people, too. They filed once before in 2008 and recouped, regrouped, and killed it for a decade. There are SO MANY complex moving parts in reorg, and the overall story.... https://www.facebook.com/109284290879408/posts/i-understand-that-many-people-are-upset-about-the-excessive-delays-in-getting-th/109284857546018/

It's just irrational overexuberence to trust they'll finish it, but it seems more likely with the money around and on the table, these partners still exist, loved what they did, and don't want to fail. I totally get it. Totally. But it's been so long, maybe wait and see, because there's so few options anyway? There's enough to worry about vs money you gave away and don't have so long ago, right? You already didn't have it. If the merchandise comes later, great. If not, we've learned some literally valuable and expensive lessons about backing small projects.

[Michael Hraba]

your speculation and anecdotal assumptions seems out of logic with CH11 reorganization and the nuanced complexity of all this stuff. You know sometime in 2008 they had to reorg as well, then came back and did a great job for 10 years. We'll see, but just to give up is premature. You've waited this long.

[Lukaz]

I think most people realize their money is gone. The anger is because people worry those responsible may get away with the reckless behavior again... They already expressed the millions of dollars from the investors and the backers are gone, and they are looking for people to throw new money into the problem (hint: it won't happen). This was an exceptionally simple product, pre-sold at an exceptionally premium price, over an exceptionally long period of time. It's hard to imagine those millions are gone out of simple mismanagement.

[Michael Hraba]

What a thoughtful, kind, patient, concise, and informative response. Thank you! =) The internet is nice even when dealing with complex things!!! =)

A) If my money is gone, there's no reason to not hope something works out.

B) Trump's America has inured most of us to the notion of accountability, so I suspect the people who ordered this in America are going to shrug, say "everything sucks" and pour a gin and tonic. Actually, that's me... most Americans will crack a beer that tastes like club soda. LOL

Thanks for your earnest and kind response with rational details. I still can't get over the fact... if my money is gone, why not invest it into hope something works out. They came out of their last Chapter 11 like badasses. Prolly not this time, but why not hope if the money doesn't exist, anyway? Did we invest and waste money to create angry rancor that causes cancer? I just have a different way of existing.

[Lukaz]

The tough truth: It will 'work out' for the people behind this debacle, and they will probably pull another of these convenient missteps with other people's money... already happened before.

[Richard Harris]

You're creeping me out Hraba. You sound like Steve Dymszo spinning in your posts. 

First off everyone here has been calm, cool, collected, lucid and focused. Especially considered all of the losses involved.

Second off  Master Replica's did not come back as "badasses." They dabbled in some fossil replicas and odd useless chachka products. The new incarnation of Master Replica's with Dymszo at the helm, which he barely got off the ground, hobbled along for a few years. There was no bad-assery involved whatsoever.

If anything, all the customers who donated to the Hal 9000 Indiego campaign are the badasses. They handed Master Replica's a ton of cash to help fund a product and Steve and Master Replicas completely dropped the ball.  Which Steve had a long history of doing by not delivering product, which is why he was banned from the RPF.com years ago. The truth is Steve Dymszo and Master Replica's should not have ever been allowed to raise money on a public donor website.

Master Replicas was not in business for 10 years. So what on Earth are you talking about. The first company was in business for a little over 6 years. Steve Dymszo was ousted and then when Master Replica's closed the door he just started a new company with that name. They are totally different companies, but both had serious issues. Keep dreaming pal.

What we are asking is WHERE DID THE 650K go? Is that what you are worried about dude? Sure sounds like you are, trying to encourage everyone here to let it go and have a drink. Yeah...you're Steve Dymszo if you're asking everyone here to do that.

You must be real, real worried that the Indiego Comments section now features a link to this group. And the numbers are just going to grow and grow and grow. And people are gonna want real answers.

Where did all of that money go? To Steve Dymszo's personal collection that he is now hawking? To his BMW? Where?

Keep worrying buddy. This thing is just getting started.

[Michael Hraba]

Respect. But I am coming from the perspective the money is probably gone and not coming back, so just go about the bureaucracy and wait and see. I had seen other posts, not yours, that just seemed wild-eyed and unhealthy.

[Richard Harris]

The customers have actually been really cool about all of this. And I disagree, I'll bet dollars to donuts that a lot of that money was misspent and is very trackable. That the 650K was used for something else, or was moved and stashed away and that it might be able to be seized. That happens all the time. But recommending folks here to sit on their hands and wait things out serves nothing. There is a paper trail. Follow the money. Demand that it be looked into.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hal-9000-replica/362740ae-1706-447b-ae6b-188ef374602dn%40googlegroups.com.

[Michael Hraba]

You've been really cool. I am brand new, months late because life / everything, and was like "huh, no updates". So I came in a bit like a bull in a china shop. you're spot on, and so polite in slowly educating some rano on the internet. And you are so right.... 10 years ago I wouldn't be so sure, but digital and financial forensics these days are no joke. Some of the rumblings have said there's a real hope they can pull it together, but I won't expect anything. Forensic accounting is spendy, and not sure it's part of this sort of event, so let me ask the question... how do class action lawsuits work? I doubt on this level there's any recovery. I know about filing for the bankrupt thing, but not sure that would do anything... like the game theory of "what can I recover vs what if it actually got produced"? I'll chill for a bit and just watch. Wheels of justice grind on and on. Cheers good human.