1. Holy cow, we are really honored to have FR on our interview segment! Are we the first to have interviewed you among the TF community?

Written, yes. This is a lot more comfortable than another one.

My first interview was a pod-cast on another Transformer fandom site. My shop (prior to this one) was in a very cold garage. I remember reading the thermostat as I did my interview via Skype. It was a chilling 34 degrees Fahrenheit that morning (1.1 Celsius) I was so cold, I would stutter and lose train of thought. Now, thankfully, I am in a heated work space.

2. Pardon our extreme excitement, you can understand that many of us would really love to get upclose and personal with you! Can you tell us some personal details about yourself?

Sure thing. I recently moved from San Diego, California to New Jersey. I share a great new house with my beautiful fiancé (Katie) and daughter (Kyah) which sits next to a lake. It’s a dream home for us and I can’t wait until it’s warm enough to get outside and do some yard work!

We have 2 emo cats, Niki and Cici who both love to climb onto my work table and steal parts I need for kitbashes (spent all morning looking for a lost Wheeljack wing which is still missing)

I’m 35 years old, and used to work in web development (Flash, design, HTML, etc.)

I started dabbling into custom transformers early in 2008 and got such an amazing response; I left my job and started doing custom Transformers full time, and am busier than ever. I typically work 7am to 9pm daily (even weekends) trying to catch up with commissions.

When I take a break or am not kitbashing, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé or daughter – doing anything, we have great times together, and soon maybe more time.

One of my “new” hobbies is my x-box, I only have the guitar hero type games, and play those just to get some clarity away from the Transformers. I think I am good…but in reality…probably suck. Though – I did just beat GH2 on expert mode. ‘Free Bird’ was tough, but one of my favorite songs, and having some experience playing that song on a real guitar, I made it through by the skin of my teeth.

The dream house of FR!! 

His wife (Katie) and daughter (Kyah)

FR and Katie

His workplace, the place where all the goodies are produced! 

3. Everyone knows how much you can dazzle us with your mind boggling customs. We would like to know how did you get started?!

Well, I’ve always been a fan of Transformers. I grew up watching the original series every morning and then again after school. I never had the money (or parents) to collect them all, and cherished the few I did get my hands on.

I completed a BFA degree in graphic design and a minor in commercial illustration. I did a lot of freelance design and illustrations for many small gigs throughout college and after.

During high school, I took up an interest in painting miniature figures (such as Warhammer, Citadel, D&D, etc) I would enter them into local and state contests and win trophies against adult artists. I was passionate about details and expressing my art through this canvas.

In college, I took a (paid) internship with McFarlane toys in New Jersey (this was back when it was “Todd Toys”) I worked with some of the leading sculptors, comic book artists, and painters in the industry. My responsibilities included minor sculpting, packaging, and painting of the action figures.

Since the popularity of the first Transformer movie, I decided to give this all another shot, and have had a great experience ever since. My goal is to continuously raise my personal bar, and produce customs that exceed fan expectations, and inspire others to give this field (or hobby) a try.

4. Most of us follows your auctions on ebay. Have you ever created spares for all the customs you have created?

Unfortunately, I have a very limited “personal collection.” At times, I will paint or create something for myself, yet many times it will get picked up or purchased privately.

I aspire to one day create the ‘ultimate’ kit bash for myself, something so obscene and amazing that I can simply look at it for the inspiration I sometimes need when the creative juices are in a low gear.

5. Do you ever miss those customs which you have sold on ebay?

I get this question often. Many times, when I put many hours and everything into a custom, I can’t wait to get it out of my site.

All my customs have been fortunate enough to be fostered into good homes, and many of those collectors/buyers/commissioners keep in touch with me.

I get a lot of “returning” commissioners, and/or sometimes updates how my babies are doing in their new homes. I always am sure to take a plethora of photographs so that I can immortalize and keep with me that much from the custom figure.

6. Can you let us on the time taken to complete some of your customs?Do you have any tips for aspiring TF customizers?

The first Devastator I built took (at leisure) 2-3 hours daily totaling around 6 months. There were tons of trail and error, money/time wasted, etc. I built and scrapped ideas, parts and connections many times.

It’s inevitable to make many mistakes building customs, but you can’t give up. I’ve come a long way since then, and it’s important to grow and learn from your ‘mistakes’ and successes.

Shortly after Devastator’s time on ebay, I released 5 more Devastators for commissions….I was able to build all 5 in about 2 weeks. Repaints can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks, it really depends on the complexity and size of the custom. I would recommend having a clear mind and focus on what your doing, it’s easy to get distracted or lose interest in a custom project.

Sometimes it’s better to simultaneously work on 2 (or 10) others to get that clarity break from the project that’s flustering or slowing down your interest or your train of thought.

7. Which custom is the most memorable to date and why?

I’d have to say my Transformer movie Ultra Magnus.

It was the first project I did where I held no boundaries creatively. I was able to do whatever I wanted on it, there was really no ‘model’ or standard to follow. I was really able to learn a lot through this project. I was able to shop around and search out parts which I thought would fit his character and design well.

8. Well, we would like to know any major projects coming up from your side? Just a little sneak preview will keep us happy!

I’ve got quite a few. My commission request list is booked solid for the next 7-8 months, and I am extremely excited about every custom I will create. Some of the more exciting and ‘major’ ones will of course be combiners.

I am currently building a Superion which uses no ‘add-on’ parts, only a helmet, chest shield and hands. I’m reshelling seekers and other Transformer jets to create unique Aerialbots, and a one-of-a-kind Superion.

Another current project on the work table is Abominus – I’m very excited about this gestalt because I was able to explore into the Beast Wars series and choose from a wider more “organic” selection of parts. All the Terrorcons are very unique and the modification are extensive enough so that it will be hard to decipher what parts made each figure. He won’t be very “generation 1,” but will capture and convey the Abominus and Terrorcon attitude and feel.

Some other commissions I am most excited about are: Predaking, MP(Masterpiece) Reflector, MP Astrotrain, MP Bumblebee, and MP Dinoking (Dinobot Gestalt.) I have a few exciting (non) commission projects on the line also, including a Computron and MP Grimlock. I’ve all the figures ready to go and just looking for that window of time I can allot towards finishing him.

9. Do you consider yourself a fan or a collector?

I am both. I have my Transformers series DVDs, posters, books, and learn more about the Transformer universe daily. I hope to one day become knowledgeable enough to know every name, personality, and look of every character.

I collect what I can, but often hack it up for it’s parts. I do have a few collected customs from other artists, and also some of the more rare limited Transformers on display in my shop (or still in boxes from the recent move)

10. Ok, two cliché questions: Who is your favourite TF character and your favourite TF series?

My favorite character would be Starscream. I’ve always loved his personality and attitude. Sunbow, Hasbro and the writers of Transformers did an excellent job of creating an actual personality and character for him.

I also have a lot of love for Soundwave. He’s got such an awesome sense of loyalty and charisma towards Megatron and the Decepticons, plus who doesn’t love a Transformer that spits minions out of his chest?

11. What do you really wish to see for ROTF?

Devastator killing a lot of Autobots, which may sound harsh, but I’ve always considered myself more of a Decepticon fan over Autobots. Many people see the Decepticons as the bad guys, but they are really just doing what they have to do in order to survive. Give them a break.

I intend to attend the ROTF premier… like I did the original Transformer movie. The experience is surreal. The first premiere took place in Hollywood. I was among cast and crew watching the big picture before most of the world. The ambience and audience we all more than just fans. I also hope to see another successful great line of figures from the film.

I’m working on stocking up on some of them already, but also excited about several of the others that aren’t available…yet.

Matter of fact, as I am writing this, I just purchased several more figures of ones that haven’t even been revealed yet…I’m a little excited!) That being said, I plan to have an extensive amount of ROTF figures on ebay, even some created from these figures. I also intend to take (or make) the individual Constructicons which transform into robots combine to form a bigger, better ROTF Devastator.

12. Given a chance to do the most ambitious project ever, which one would you embark on?

I’m already on this. My masterpiece Dinobot combiner project, he’ll be complete with LEDs, sounds, MP articulation, and much more. Something I’ve gotten a ton of requests for, and started on many months ago. It’s my zen escape.

For more information about Frenzy Rumble and his masterpieces, you can go to www.frenzyrumble.com