As the action figure industry continues to grow, the need for quality sculptors increases exponentially. Avant-Garde Studio 3D is a group of such quality sculptors who are dedicated to creating the finest three-dimensional models, sculptures and figures possible. The studio was founded by Amy Medford and Leonid Siveriver, as partners, in 1994 to help satisfy a variety of industry needs, including action figures and toy companies applying the skills they had developed in their fine arts background.

In addition to Amy and Leonid, Avant-Garde has a group of nine outstanding professional sculptors, and mold makers, who work with the studio on a per project basis.

The studio began to develop their expanding client base over a wide range of industries, starting with museum quality reproductions where galleries and museums would ask for reproductions of objects in their collections. They soon began to realize that many other industries need sculptors and began to seek out those interested in their services, including giftware companies, dolls, digital models, architectural design elements...etc. Not only is AGS3D extremely well versed in traditional sculpting methods, they also stay on the cutting edge and are currently set up and create models directly in the computer for many of our clients. Currently the studio works with two professional programs, 3DstudioMax and Softimage.

Within the past year AGS3D has become increasingly involved in the action figure industry. They are very excited to be applying their skills to the creation of action figures, which allows them to apply their traditional modeling skills with new applications.

Given the studios' fine arts background, we were curious how they felt about the eternal debate between maintaining the purity of a sculpt versus adding multiple points of articulation.

"Personally, as sculptors we fall to the side of sculpt," Amy explains, "because with every articulation the integrity of the sculpt is compromised. Though in all fairness a number of their clients have been very successful in their new approach to using articulation selectively. We are impressed with companies that use articulation in places that do not compromise the sculpt."

Being a full service modeling house Avant-Garde Studio 3D is able to bring a lot to the table, including an exceptional group of highly trained figurative sculptors that understand the specific needs of the action figure and toy industries.. They have the capabilities to handle large or small projects all the way from concept to completion. Their strength, however, is being able to handle large projects and keeping a consistent level of excellence for our clients.

"We always do our best and are successful in meeting our clients' deadlines." says AGS3D co-founder Amy Medford.

AGS3D is still relatively new to the action figure industry, so there are few items in your collection that the studio has worked on at this point. However, past clients of the studio include such well-known companies as McFarlane Toys, DC Comics, 21st Century Toys, Mattel, ABN Holographics, Toy Vault, Hasbro/Milton Bradley, The Franklin Mint, Danbury Mint, Flattworld, L.L. Knickerbocker, and Basic Fun just to name a few.

"But keep an eye open for many new projects that will be coming out later this year and next year that we just cannot mention right now." says Medford, "Although your readers may know of relief models we did for a series of trading cards put out by Fleer. They are holographic images of Batman, Robin and Superman."

When working for their clients AGS3D strives for open communication, and works to maintain that communication. They try to get as much information as possible about the projects. The first step before any sculpting begins is to make sure that they are on the same wavelength with the client about the visual concept of their project. "We try to leave as little as possible to interpretation." Medford explains.

Of course, being still rather new to the action figure industry there have been the expected challenges. The greatest challenge AGS3D has found is cultivating and establishing open channels of communication with their clients. There has also been the additional challenge of working with clients that make decisions by committee as it oftentimes results in confusion.

The greatest reward? "Steady income!!!" exclaims Medford. "In all seriousness, we find it most rewarding to help other good sculptors make a living."

A lot has been made of creator rights in the action figure world in the past few years, spearheaded by folks like Digger of Art Asylum. AGS3D believes that if the sculptors want to have their name credited, they should be. However, as a group Avant-Garde Studio is interested in promoting Avant-Garde Studio 3D and feel strongly about the studio being credited for their work.

Lastly, we asked AGS3D what suggestions they could offer budding sculptors looking to break into professional sculpting?

Amy answered, "As professional sculptors we found the most important aspect is to separate our personal work from our commercial work. What we mean is that we had to learn to accept our clients needs over our personal vision. When sculpting for a client commercially, their vision is the ultimate goal, even if it is in direct contrast to our vision. When a client asks for changes, do not take it personally. In addition, it is absolutely paramount that you be consistent in your level of excellence and always meet you clients deadlines. It is important to be persistent when courting a new client and document your work well with photographs and/or slides."

Looking towards the future, expect to hear a lot more about Avant-Garde Studio as their work starts showing up more and more on the shelves of toy stores, and in your action figure collection. As they continue to chart their course AGS3D pledges to continue to produce the finest quality three-dimensional models they can, as well as continuing to grow and help more artists use their talents to serve our clients needs.

From what we have seen so far, we have no doubts they'll succeed.