Interview with Toy Customizer: Joe Amato
Toy customizing has quickly become an ever-increasing hobby thanks to adult-collector toy lines, and the slow pace at which they release new product. There’s nothing stopping you from creating your very own ideal action figure. Today we are talking with a guy who goes by the name of Joe Amato from Joe Amato Custom Creations.
Joe Amato will make you any custom action figure you can think of. Original characters, Masters of the Universe, TMNT, Star Wars, DC, Marvel, or anything else!
MOTU!: Hi Joe and thanks for taking time out to do this interview with me. Ever since I saw your custom work, I became an instant fan. You have made some awesome customs over the years and your work is just getting better and better.
Joe: Thank you for asking me to be part of this interview! And I really appreciate the compliments I have a lot to learn still, and try to improve with each custom I do.
MOTU!: So Joe, how did you get started doing action figure customs?
Joe: I seen a custom on EBAY of a figure that was never released for the vintage 80’s Masters of the Universe line, and I wanted to try and make a figure that I always wanted as well, but never got back then. From there, it just snowballed and I had people ask me to make them figures as well.
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| Battle Damaged Faker |
MOTU!: How long have you been customizing figures?
Joe: I have been customizing for just around 7 years.
Joe: I have been customizing for just around 7 years.
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| Loyal Subjects Anti-Eternia He-Man, Slime Pit He-Man & Battle Damaged Faker |
MOTU!: You do a lot of sculpting on your figures, not just the same old repaints seen elsewhere. What materials do you generally use to "make the magic happen"?
Joe: You find some materials work better for different parts, whether it be sculpting a face, hair, armor, etc. But using anything from Green Stuff, Apoxy Sculpt, or even Super Sculpey can get the job done.
Joe: You find some materials work better for different parts, whether it be sculpting a face, hair, armor, etc. But using anything from Green Stuff, Apoxy Sculpt, or even Super Sculpey can get the job done.
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| Clawdeen |
MOTU!: Your paint jobs are very well done. Can you tell us a little on your technique for getting a sweet paintjob that gets past the pesky joint rub problem?
Joe: Thank you! As for the pesky joint rub, alight sanding of that area can usually take care of that problem most of the time.
Joe: Thank you! As for the pesky joint rub, alight sanding of that area can usually take care of that problem most of the time.
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| Mini Comic Trap Jaw |
MOTU!: Any horror stories of something gone horribly wrong?
Joe: When I first started doing customs and trying to figure how to “secure” figures in the custom packaging, I had a custom break during shipping. Since then I use a new technique to guarantee the figure will stay secure in it’s custom card back without moving.
Joe: When I first started doing customs and trying to figure how to “secure” figures in the custom packaging, I had a custom break during shipping. Since then I use a new technique to guarantee the figure will stay secure in it’s custom card back without moving.
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| Crossover Custom Thundarr The Barbarian |
MOTU!: On the opposite end of blood loss, what has been your favorite custom to date? Not necessarily your favorite character, but one that just turned out exactly, or better, than you planned.
Joe: My favorite custom project was working on a couple that was getting married, and wanted me to make a custom action figure of their significant other. The best part was she did not know I was making a custom action figure of her, and he did not know I was making a custom action figure of him. Then when they were exchanging gifts, they gave each other the surprise of their life!
Joe: My favorite custom project was working on a couple that was getting married, and wanted me to make a custom action figure of their significant other. The best part was she did not know I was making a custom action figure of her, and he did not know I was making a custom action figure of him. Then when they were exchanging gifts, they gave each other the surprise of their life!
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| New Adventures of He-Man - PrinceAdam |
MOTU!: Do you have upcoming MOTUC customs that you're excited to be working on, or planning out?
Joe: I am working on some Thundercat customs that I cannot wait to finish up, along with customs for the people who pledged for the Power of Grayskull Documentary!
Joe: I am working on some Thundercat customs that I cannot wait to finish up, along with customs for the people who pledged for the Power of Grayskull Documentary!
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| Thunderian Battle Cat-Man |
MOTU!: Where can people see more of your work? Also, what is the best way for someone to get in touch with you for commissions?
Joe: You can view my work on my Facebook Page at Joe Amato Custom Creations - www.facebook.com/Joe-Amato-Custom-Creations
For custom work, you contact me at: mijafre@sbcglobal.net
Joe: You can view my work on my Facebook Page at Joe Amato Custom Creations - www.facebook.com/Joe-Amato-Custom-Creations
For custom work, you contact me at: mijafre@sbcglobal.net
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| Slime Pit He-Man |
MOTU!: Thanks Joe, great talking with you! We look forward to seeing more sweet new customs from you during 2017.
Joe: Thank you for letting me be part of this great Q & A! And 2017 will be a great year!
Joe: Thank you for letting me be part of this great Q & A! And 2017 will be a great year!
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| Super-Mario |
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