The Samurai visits Heresy Miniatures and finds out how figures are made and much more

[samuraitrev]

After reading Alice's thread about people wanting to find figures I decided to hunt some down. I found Wesker, Leon and Jill, Rebecca, Chris and a figure by Hasslefree that could be used for the Nemesis. For more info see Alice's thread here http://www.thezombiegame.com/forums/Thre...oes?page=3 She's done some fantastic Character cards and a scenario too.

Anyway Alice said 'Now I just need lickers and hunters' So off I went again and managed to find these things called lurkers by Heresy that look a bit like Lickers... Unfortunately the mouldings have been scrapped and there were no longer for sale and took off the website. However I like a challenge so I looked on the Website where they were based and called them up Sunday (closed) Called again Monday and arranged a visit Tuesday (Today).

I met and spoke with the Owner and Sculpter of Heresy Miniatures Mr Andy Foster. I introduced myself and told him I was the writer for TZG. I was given quite an insight into the miniatures industry. His sculpting studio is like an Aladdin's cave there was models everywhere. He was just working on some Fantasy Goblins and the sculptings look really fearsome nasty goblins. Not cartoony like they've become in some other companies.

Here's some questions I asked him.
Sam: "How long does it take you from an idea in your head to finished sculpt?"
Andy: "Sometimes I draw sketches first or sometimes I just have an idea in my head but it can be difficult with so many options of poses. But it varies depending on the model really."

His anatomically great sketches were on the wall. I noticed a cabinet in his studio with amazing looking figures. One of which was Nagash (Games Workshop Lord of all the Undead)

Sam: "Wow! These are sweet, did you paint them?"
Andy: (Nonchalantly) "On that shelf Yes. I used to work for Games Workshop. That Nagash I painted is the one that appeared in White Dwalf Magazine. As did others. I helped set up and manage the Games Workshop World HQ in Nottingham."

He'd also painted tonnes of other cool stuff such as Zombie Dragons.

Sam: "So what projects are you working on at the moment?"
Andy: "I'm just working on this Dragon, have a look."

(I wait with quiet awe as this huge box is pulled out full of styrefoam and out of it emerges the biggest best cast of a Dragon I've ever seen)

Sam: "That's amazing! Seriously it's the best dragon I've ever seen! It looks much better and bigger than the picture on the website."


(The pictures on the Heresy Website don't do it justice if you're into Fantasy or you just want the best looking Dragon on the market I would recommend this. The detail and pose is fantastic!)
http://www.heresyminiatures.com/dragon.htm

Andy: "Thank you. All my models do! Look at this."

(Shows me a new Predator like alien he's sculpting. This also looked better than the website pictures)

"My other projects are on that 'Board of Doom' behind you."

(A quick scan revealed things like Goblin and Blight Command sets)

Sam:(After noticing a picture) "Is that a Mirelurk from the Fallout game?"
Andy: "Yes I was making a model. Another company were not happy with me making it because they'd done one."
Sam: "Why's that?"
Andy: "This business has quite a few egos involved unfortunately."
Sam: "That's a shame because people like me who want lots of figures end up missing out."
Andy: Yes that's the case.
Sam: "Changing the subject a bit. I've been after some Lurkers you did. Have you got any still?"

(At this point one of Andy's moulding guys leans his head around the door and says with a wry smile)
Craig: "I might know where some are..." (goes hunting)
Sam: I've noticed the price of you figures is really good value. How do you keep them so cheap?

(eg. A zombie fig from the set costs about £1.33)

Andy: "It's not easy as the price of the metals has just gone up by 30% so the industry across the board is going to struggle."

Andy gives me a tour of Heresy Miniatures and I thank him for his time and shake his hand. I joined Craig who was very helpful and asked him about the process of making miniatures. I also asked permission to take photos for the website.

Stage 1
After a supplier is found the materials are ordered, paid for, packaged then delivered.

   

Stage 2
The materials are put into this melting pot. (During the tour Andy had helpfully advised me not to put my hand in) a digital reader nearby put the temperature at about 350 degrees. Ouch!

   

Stage 3

The molten metal is now put into round moulds that go in this magic machine. The central metal part is pushed down with the mould in and the lid is closed.

   

After the machine has worked it's magic. The moulds come out and are checked using a checklist above the machine. Reads such things like are the mould lines leveled up. There are also other instructions Andy has written which cannot be repeated. Needles to say I Lol'd

   

These are now clipped off tidied up and packaged with bases. To be posted to you guys.

Bigger multipart kits like the dragon are placed here to be picked and packed.

   

So what did I buy? Well I had to get the zombies packs 1 and 2. They are perfect to use as alternate Grave Weapon zombies. Rusty Axe, Sickle, Crawling Torso and really rotten looking ones as Stench of Death.

Last of all I got the Last Lukers Ever!!! There really are no more The moulds have been destroyed! Two crouching ones and 12 leaping ones. I will sell them to any of you if interested PM me and we'll discuss. I will be keeping some myself.

I left and was told I was always welcome to call back anytime. They were both really decent and helpful. Here's their site http://www.heresyminiatures.com/buyit.htm buy their stuff!

I hope you enjoyed this article. Questions/comments welcome.

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