Exclusive Interview with Master Replicas’ Kevin Eslinger

We’ve got an interview with Kevin Eslinger, Master Replicas’ Product Designer for the Disney division. He created the Chronicles of Narnia replicas, found here at NarniaFans.com.

NarniaFans.com: How did you land a job like this and what excited you about this career?

I was actually happily working at McFarlane Toys when I found out about the job at Master Replicas. At first I did not take the interview that serious but as soon as I visited the Walnut Creek office I knew Master Replicas was the place I wanted to work next. I only hoped they wanted me as well. I was actually at Toronto Film Festival (my brother is a director and the world premier of his first movie was showing) when the VP of Product Development called me up with the job offer.

As for what excites me about this career. I have always been into toys. Most of my youth was consumed with Action Figures and Comic Books. My first job was at Toy R Us. In college I worked for Gentle Giant. After college worked as a freelance illustrator and then for McFarlane Toys.

As for how. Well it only takes an HB Pencil, some Strathmore Paper 12″x18″, an Illustration Major from Art Center College of Design, and a stinkload of dumb luck.

NF: How did you get involved in making these pieces for Narnia?

At the time I only worked for the Disney Division of Master Replicas. Narnia is Disney’s major movie release for this Christmas. It kind of fell into my lap.

NF: Were you given actual film props to base these on?

I worked directly with Weta to obtain props from the movie. It was cool because they were actually filming during the time I was ordering the props. So the props I got came directly from the same studio in New Zealand where they were making the props for the movie. We ordered a Peter’s Sword and White Witch’s Wand. Sadly I believe the White Witch Wand got destroyed in China in order to make the molds for our production.

NF: Can you give us any information on how you went about creating these replicas for anyone aspiring to get into this field themselves?

It is actually pretty simple once you have the right people and vendors in place. However, a magician never gives away his secrets.

What I will say that someone with a good Product Design or Illustration Major could walk into Master Replicas and take over my job.

NF: Which piece was the most difficult to make? -Question from Spook

Oddly enough, the Peter’s Sword Letter Opener was the most difficult Narnia product to make. The issue of scaling is always difficult when it comes to replicas.

NF: How long did it take to make them? -Question from Aslan the Wise One

I started the project in November of 2004. By February 2005 I had the props from Weta just in time for Toy Fair. The first samples from the overseas vendors came back in May-June. I just came back from India and China last week to see the product leave the factories.

NF: Will there be any more replicas from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe released as time goes on?

Where is the fun in telling you that? I will say there are so many cool props that we could do. There are some characters in the White Witch’s Army that have amazing body armor, shields, and swords.

NF: Will there be any full size versions of the weapons?

We are currently making full size weapons used by the main good character and the main evil character; Peter and the White Witch. The Peter’s Sword Prop Replicas is an actual high carbon steel sword. The White Witch Wand is a mixture of clear resin to simulate ice with a metal handle.

NF: Will you be involved if there are sequels? -Question from Princess Rosario

Master Replicas is going to be long term partners with Disney. If there are more Narnia movies (BTW Disney is being very tight lipped about sequels) you can be certain that Master Replicas will be involved. I will certainly want to be involved!