Secrets of the MOTU Classics Gygor! Origins of the yellow ape explored from vintage era to now!

[@salud7432]

I love the Gygor Figure you Guys made.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Glad he brings joy! That is the hope

[@XFactorz17]

I love the Beasts and Giants in Classics. Collecting this line (with the exception of the chase figures) was the most fun I have ever had as a collector and my memories of this time will always be special to me. I honestly don't think there will ever be anything like it again.

[@spectorcreative1872]

So glad you enjoyed and have such great memories of the line!

[@jaytse5360]

You guys definitely did a great job and definitely made us MOTU fans extremely happy! And we still are happy 😊 Thanks Toy Guru & Team!

[@spectorcreative1872]

Thanks for the awesome comment, I am most grateful and appreciate it!

[@DrDavidReilly]

I knew nothing about the ‘history’ of Gygor until this video (all I knew was he was an ‘unproduced’ MOTU figure). But I thought the concept was so much fun, and it was great to see MOTU Classics expanding the lore behind He-man. That’s what I think MOTU 200x missed out on: expanding to new characters and concepts. Yes nostalgia will sell toys, but I hope that MOTU Origins similarly expands the brand into new areas. Gygor was just such a fun toy, and even today I’ll often play with him. He’s so much fun, and who doesn’t love a big gorilla. Thanks Scott! 🙏

[@spectorcreative1872]

So glad you enjoyed the video and more so the toy. Yeah, you don't often get to make a Giant Gorilla figure, ,but when you do, its Gygor.

[@VanDavis]

You still don't know the accurate history, because Scott seems to have trouble remembering things correctly...but something's better than nothing, I guess.

[@RetroActionUK]

The Masters Of The Universe Classics Director’s Documentary (MOTUCDD) continues! Great series, this is!

[@spectorcreative1872]

And so much more to come

[@EmilianoSantalucia]

I hate to correct you Scott, but Gygor's idea does not come from Mattel or you. It was my idea. However, it was not a fan-submitted idea. I was asked by the Four Horsemen to collaborate to the pitch they did for the creatures and beast segment illustrating many ideas, from Battle Cat to Tytues etc. The 4H idea was to create them as collect and connect figures. My job was to create illustrations for all the 4H ideas that were going to be presented to Mattel at one San Diego, along with ideas for a new packaging and logo. When they show me the idea of the Shadow Beast, I suggested Gygor as a possible retool for the gorilla buck. Mattel was not even aware of Gygor even existed at that time. We even first revelead the Gygor prototype photo on HM .org that year to get people excited about him. So, by all means, it was my idea to bring Gygor in the line. I have all the art from the pitch and even a few printed copies.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Gygor was a character I came across during my initial research for the brand (see the King Grayskull video) My memory may be wrong, but I think the concept art for him as used in the SDCC Art book from 2009. (I don't have it in front of me). But either way, the characterwas a known character at Mattel and was planned before the Shadow beast figure. But your work is very cool and always nice art! And the help promoting him and the whole line by He-Man.org was ALWAYS appreciated! A truly great fan site.

[@EmilianoSantalucia]

@@spectorcreative1872 Scott, I made it in time to see your post before you edited it, and I'll report it here: "Well considering I was at Mattel and helped originate the idea, I kinda have to call you on this one. While you were a great fan, Mattel does not permit fan submitted ideas for legal reasons (as noted int he video) so if you did discuss Gygor or any other concept with a Mattel employee or vendor it would legally have to be ignored."

[@EmilianoSantalucia]

Furthermore, I don't really hold any grudge with you, even considered all that happened during that time. I'm just constantly baffled by your inability to backtrack from something incorrect you claim. Why don't you just say: sorry, I misremember? Case closed. And much of the hostility you got from fans would have been gone. So, to set the record straight. A: I'm not a "great fan". I'm a professional artist and toys designer, with a 19 years career behind me. I was a professional illustrator back then too. I don't appreciate that you keep referring me as a mere fan, as to diminish me and make it sound like I'm some sort of wannabe fanboy trying to play in the adults room. I noticed the part about fan submitted ideas in your videos, that is curiously completely unrelated to the video topic. I know that was there exactly to prevent ME from making any claim, because you do know that it was me suggesting Gygor. B: I didn't submit this idea as a fan. I have to ask you to stop repeating this incorrect statement. I was asked by the Four Horsemen Studio, which uses external resources all the time, to help them with a pitch they presented to Mattel at San Diego Comic Con in 2009. I was asked to lllustrate concepts for Collect'n connect figures of Tytus, Megator, Battle Cat, Panthor, Battle Ram and Shadow Beast. I then suggested to the 4H the possibility of reusing the Shadow Beast buck for Gygor, which nobody had seen before. So, none of these are "fan submitted ideas". The pitch was completed with other ideas, printed at Val Staples's home in Kentucky, and handed to the 4H in San Diego, where the brought it to the meeting with Mattel, where they told me was warmly received. I kept one copy with me, I still have it and I posted photos of that on my Facebook page. That is HARD evidence of what I'm saying. C: while it is probable that you found mentions of Gygor in your researches, also because Roger Sweet mentioned him in his book, you had no graphic reference for him, but the rumor of a yellow gorilla from the Big Jim line was circulating among fans even before the mention in Sweet's book. There is no concept art in the SDCC art book from 2008 (that is the correct year), just a mention of him along with a photo of the original Big Jim Gorilla. Joshua Van Pelt had recently purchased a huge lot of art from Roger Sweet, and that included never seen before pics of the Gygor mock-up created at Sweet's Preliminary Ideas Group at Mattel. Me, Josh and Val decided to reveal those photos of Gygor on He-Man. org homepage to generate hype for his upcoming (yet unannounced) release in MOTU Classics. As as side note, I had included those photos in the 4H pitch, and that's where you saw them the first time. The Power and The Honor Foundation, also had the Ted Mayer concept art and the Ed Wats illustrations that were later revealed in our 2011 catalog. In conclusion. No, Gygor was not planned before Shadow Beast. No, Gygor was not your idea. No, Gygor was not revealed in Mattel's SDCC artbook. No, I wasn't working as a fan when I did the concept art for the 4H's pitch. Just say you remembered it wrong, and we're all cool :)

[@nathanilsaenz8178]

Gygor was your idea? All I have to say is that I am very glad you made it happen because along with Shadow beast he is one of my favorites. I absolutely love the figure! He is proudly displayed in my room.

[@honesto4696]

Thank you very much, for clearing that up Mr. Santalucia. I hope we get to hear more about your experiences at Mattel, sooner rather than later.

[@nathanilsaenz8178]

Gygor is such a unique figure, a giant yellow gorilla in killer armor, was a must buy for me

[@spectorcreative1872]

All giant yellow gorillas must be bought! It is a toy commandment.

[@devastated_studios]

I've collected toys and MOTU since the beginning in the 80's and the MOTUC Gygor was one of my favorite figures. His details were great, the sheen on his armor and helmet and that giant axe were phenomenal. My O N E and only gripe, that would have made this one of the best figures of all time, was an alternate, non-screaming head. I remember playing with my son and using this guy as we called him "Prince Gygor" sort of an underworld boss type character of the jungle; having only the irate screaming murderous head, made it hard to use him in situations other than berserk mode.

[@spectorcreative1872]

I wonder why more companies don't do giant yellow apes?

[@TheGrizzlorChannel]

You should make a video about the Motu Classics Lord Masque 👍 your secrets of Motu Classics videos are awesome 👍

[@culeroconnor1686]

And I boy you guys did as a Motu collector I was never been so happy with a line ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@spectorcreative1872]

That is always great to hear. A lot of love went into it.

[@jeremyburdge8573]

This is a awesome figure and i would love to get him and the Shadow Beast for my vintage figures to mess around with.:)

[@spectorcreative1872]

They can have monkey on monkey fights!

[@jeremyburdge8573]

@@spectorcreative1872 LOL yeah they could. :)

[@spot138]

I love the Gygor figure you guys made. He's still one of my favorite figures in my collection to this day!

[@spectorcreative1872]

Giant Yellow apes are clearly a fan favorite!

[@superjoe7]

I think you just found a new in depth topic video @3:00 for all toy lines if applicable, examples of great ideas that couldn’t be used. Customizers and their influence on toy lines. Proper ways to submit ideas because you just love the brand.

[@spectorcreative1872]

I am going to do a video on proper way to submit. I did a video already on the importance of customizers a few months back! Check it out.

[@AntiDecepticonCampaign]

Ooh i don't know how things work with megabrands and Mattel, but I'm hoping the megaconstrux series keeps going. Mechaneck and triclops come out soon. I would assume this would be easier on getting concepts and awareness out, smaller, cheaper and maybe less tooling? ( I'm not sure what im talking about) but if it does well it might lead to the more consistent release of the larger scale classics style later down the road. I picked up a grayskull build last year... Tedious and expenive but SO, SO, SOOOOO worth it. If i make decent profits this year im buying another one for expanding to make the other 2 walls. Get a FULL all around view for my coffee table... I will also have to build a coffee table. Looks awesome next to my coffee cup and Gandalf pipe on my bookshelf. Or will again when i finish the move. I am so glad i checked this channel out. Thank you for your work!! It is very much appreciated.

[@AntiDecepticonCampaign]

Thanks for the tips too. I am serious, it's going to take a little time but I intend on at least doing something as an artist for or with motu, at least some sculptures, as a fan or in any way, big or small, don't care about money. As for drafting I'll see about drumming up a personal portfolio of my own stuff. I am very unsure how things work anymore, college left me jaded and salty. Went into behavioral health and left the same way i left college. Did used to want to do comics, kids books and games and always secretly wanted to make toys. Going back to farm life now, but my free time will be learning about what I can best do. If you feel like giving any pointers at all, please feel free. I am fumbling in the dark here. Every one says nice things about my work but you could probably guess what my point of view is. "Could be better" is something i say to myself a lot, I was never a fan of tooting my own horn. Don't care to be a master, just want to make something good and worth the time for EVERONE whom could enjoy it. Your words are clear, i have always seen the amalgamation of mythological and historical story and character elements through out the cultivation of this industry and pop culture, i also see a lack, a growing lack. It's sad. ANYWAY! thanks again!!! This is probably annoying fanboy stuff you get all the time. I'll be working oldschool for a bit, off grid. Ha, I'm totes going all rocky 4 as an artist, just realised that.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Mega Blocks is run out of Canada even though it is now owned by Mattel. Here is hoping sales keep going!

[@AntiDecepticonCampaign]

@@spectorcreative1872 for now it's the only stuff near me and even that is sparce.

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

Great video! Thank you! Not only was this guy nifty in and of himself, I really loved the Shadow Beast that came afterward.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Me too! I wanted to do multiple versions of the Shadow Beast as shown in the mini comics in a few different shades, but it never happened.

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

@@spectorcreative1872 Exactly what I was hoping we'd get. I think there were three different colours from Filmation, plus the coal-black ones with extra horns and tusks from the MYP cartoon that would've been KILLER to see in plastic!

[@matthewjlee101]

Wasn’t that Mark Taylor “red” beast-man concept made into a prototype for the initial lords of power? How was that gy-gor?

[@spectorcreative1872]

There were two GyGors, a yellow on and a red one that He-Man was riding. Red Beast "Beastman" was a different concept but both Gygor and Beastman evolved from it.

[@lilformersmatt]

It's crazy to remember how early MOTU Classics got into these obscure characters. Though I guess it's only "early" because Classics lasted so long for a collectors line.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Still. Year 2 to do something like this is kinda nuts!

[@aesopfrogox4310]

For some reason I’ve been hesitant to ask, mostly for the concern that it’s a negative story, but, maybe I’ll ask it this way, have you done a video on why you left Mattel? You seem to have been the Force of MOTUC, I just find myself wishing you didn’t leave since there’s still lotsa “ unfinished business “. And I ask this respectfully cuz I get/understand that everyone has lives so I’m sure you had legit reason. 🐸👍

[@spectorcreative1872]

It is no secret and I have mentioned it in many videos. Essentially i was asked to do more work at Mattel for the same pay and Jakks offered me more money and a better title and the chance to work on Star Wars action figures .

[@aesopfrogox4310]

Can’t argue with that choice. I’m one of those life-long Star Wars nerds. 🐸👍

[@dwitefry4157]

You're both right and wrong about the Mark Taylor 'Red Gygor' - while it does clearly look like it was going to re-use the Big Jim Gorilla (which I own btw and it's a really cool toy innit?) and is part of Gyor's development, it IS also Beast Man and part of that character's development too! We know this beacause there was a prototype sculpted based on it for Beast Man, during the line's Lords of Power phase, you can read about it all here: battleramblog.com/beast-man-prototype-a-closer-look/

[@spectorcreative1872]

Well I'll be. and I do love being "right and wrong" at the same time. Very cool info!!!

[@pantherpawz]

Do you thing there will ever be a reissue of motu classics?

[@spectorcreative1872]

I doubt all of the tooling is still around so a lot of the figs would need to be re=tool'd which is expensive.

[@kaylemathewcomendador6964]

Judging from how Mattel apparently helped a bit with the Power-Con set with Slamurai, there might be a chance some could get the reissue treatment.

[@GrayskullWarrior]

My photo at the 4:43 mark. You know you can ask me and I'll send high quality images instead of the crappy low def stuff you find on google ...

[@spectorcreative1872]

Thanks! I'll keep that on file and in mind. MOST appreciate it.

[@benflay6038]

I thought gygor was four horsemen idea and shadow beast there artists had the submission wasn't it emilliano? Originally Roger sweets creation using the big jim gorilla. I mean for classics

[@vertigoink]

Yours stayed up longer so far lol.

[@benflay6038]

@@vertigoinkI think I'm right I seem remember he man org back in the day

[@vertigoink]

@@benflay6038 You're 1000% correct lol. I meant your comment stayed up longer than mine did lol.

[@benflay6038]

@@vertigoink oh right lol sorry I'm in UK so could only watch read enjoy from afar the motuc and now the club grayskull

[@DeanIrvine]

You mean comments being removed and censored in the motu community because it got under a certain someone’s skin while calling out there lies.....why I could hardly believe it. Lol

[@ralphlitabia1484]

i would never be like "it was my idea i want money" i'd just ask for a prototype figure or one of the 1st released but then again that might be asking for too much but that does make sense to not accept specially with greedy people :O.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Hey we all want to get paid for our work after all

[@nwobw]

I don't like apes, gorillas, or monkey toys and characters as a general rule. I find Gygor's color scheme to be very garish. That being said, Gygor ended up being one of my favorite beast figures in the line. I have no idea why.

[@spectorcreative1872]

Gygor sure can make people change their mind on giant apes!

[@watarueuro2437]

Hi Scott, At the beginning, I was happy to learn some insights from the Classics Brand. But after this video and knowing that you hide some things (see E.Santaluccia), I'm a little bit disapointed. I really don't understand why you are still doing things like that. You are not at Mattel anymore. Do u really think that us (Motu fans) don't deserve to know the truth?

[@spectorcreative1872]

Sorry but what is it you think I hid? Always happy to be as transparent as I can!

[@anarkymx4346]

@@spectorcreative1872 and Val Staples, just speak about both guys we´ll appreciate it