The Imperial Shipyards
Kenner / Hasbro Collecting => General Hasbro collecting => Topic started by: Tamer on September 07, 2014, 06:10:45 AM
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We got word that the Spectre was approved and will once again be representing ISY at the convention. We are also figuring Hasbro will do another Night Before Party.
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(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/CTtamer001/thenightbeforepartycopy_zps441a942e.png)
On that note if you have any questions you want us to present to Hasbro this is the place. Try to keep the questions respectful, detailed enough to give us an answer, and remember the topics that we already know Hasbro won't answer so if you post a question along those lines (Episode 7 previews, figures that are off limits, etc.) it will automatically be removed from this list.
Question List:
1. My main one right now is what is Hasbro going to do to address the poor quality and control issues from their factory. I am going to provide them with a ton of images of products (send me images if you have em) and just see their response. How have those types of things been missed to the point of them making it to the pegs more often than not? What is Hasbro doing to address this?
Images to go along with this (email tamer@imperialshipyards.net if you have any)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/CTtamer001/hasbropaintissues_zps54b34e65.png)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/CTtamer001/hasbropaintissues2_zps196f1f10.jpg)
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/incomscustoms/20141006_211806_zpstvimabn6.jpg)
2. Are you folks satisfied with the head sculpt on your new Six Inch Black Series Vader? I have to give them credit for the helmet off, but the helmet on (which most of us will be using) is just plain wrong. From the eyes, the the droopy helmet this was one of the figures I was most excited to get and seeing it in person shows how great it could have been. Are you going to revisit this one in the future and perhaps not do a removable helmet so we can get a better sculpt? Do you wish you had perhaps started your first six inch Vader with a better bucket?
3. Will Hasbro ever go back to one Star Wars figure line? I hate that they've been running 3 since 2008, it cripples their distribution and they only seem to cycle focus on one at a time. Back when the 30th anniversary series was going, we got great figures like Darth Revan, Voolvif Monn, and Animated début Boba Fett, distribution was great, and the line appealed to both kids and collectors. Or will they start giving equal focus on all star wars figure lines? Something really has to give to make collecting Star Wars great again.
4. We've noticed that these new waves of the Black Series figures all come apart very easily at the joints. Is this due to lower production standards, or was this done with the customizer in mind to make it easier to swap parts so kids could start getting in on the action?
5. My beef is all about the paint apps. I can finally fix almost any drek Hasbro's Asian factory spits out, .... but why should I have to? At $10 (and it's only a matter of time before it's $11 [look at Marvel Universe]), a new action figure should be so amazing that it makes me almost cry when I open it.
What's gone wrong with the paint apps?
Why cant they use the correct color plastic in the ball joints?
What are they doing to fix it?
When will we see improvement?
What kind of quality control measures are they going make, to make sure it never happens again?
6. What does the future look like for the super-articulated 3.75" line? Obviously this is the Black Series, but is it likely to be only a few figures per year or will we say a broad offering? The question essentially is if 3.75" is mostly Saga with a few Black Series thrown in or if there are two meaty 3.75" lines?
7. The 5 POA and the under scaled vehicles and, as I've only recently been informed, HOLLOW Imperial Troop Transport from the Rebels line...Why? Is there any reason you made the Imperial Troop Transport smaller, hollow underneath, without real wheels as it seems like just a cost cutting method? I am wondering why you didn't go with the well loved and already proven ITT from Kenner?
8. Are you officially done with the larger size vehicle format for your four inch action figure line? The Falcon and AT-AT were such hits and we would hate to see them gone forever. Perhaps offer a new one every two years?
9. We are absolutely loving your 6 inch smaller vehicles and accessories! What are the chances we get to see other great smaller vehicles, beasts, or other accessories for this line like your already released speederbike, Wampa, and Taun Taun? It would sure add to their play-ability! Any chance we could see a regular size vehicle for this immensely popular line?
10. Any chance for a 6" Scaled Dewback for 2015?
11. Has there been any consideration of adding a voice chip to a figure such as the 6" Strom Trooper similar to what was added to the Disney exclusive 12 inch figures?
12. Plenty of imperial troop builders in the 6" line (stormtrooper, sandtrooper, tie pilot and hopefully more), how about some troop builders for the Rebels (ex. Blockade Runner Troops, Hoth Troops, A Wing/Y Wing pilots and Endor Commandos)?
13. Environments for 6" Black Series in 2015? - Examples: Vader's Meditation Chamber, Jabba's Throne (complete).
14. Will we see any core figure releases of New Hope figures like Luke, Leia and Kenobi? Ever though about doing a "Early Bird" themed exclusive using 6" figures?
15. Any chance of seeing Pong Krell or Bo Katan figures in the neare future? We know there was a Pong Krell shown a few moons ago, is this one ever gonna see the light of day please?
16. Another question along totally different lines: many companies are devoting more resources to community interaction (forums, community managers) what plans does hasbro have to do this if any?
17. Is Hasbro still looking at internet only exclusives as a way of getting fan favorites to die hard collectors (ala EE comic packs, Jocasta)?
18. Was the decision to call the new Skiff Guard as Jabbas Skiff Guard instead of Dollalyn driven by a move away from EU sources, confusion over his true name or something else? Will we continue to see unique and interesting names for future aliens?
19. Are we likely to see any figures of characters from new canon books, comics and games that don't appear on tv or movies (eg Vidian from new dawn) or is the stance from Lucasfilm to still stay away from that and focus on REBELS, OT, and Episode VII?
20. Dear Hasbro, will there be a 3.75 line released for GI Joe in 2015?
21. Will there be actual extra head sculpts for Clone & Storm Troopers for the six inch line?
22. When can we expect to see a Phase II Clone Trooper for the six inch line? What characters are on Hasbro's horizon for creation with this particular line? Perhaps the aforementioned Cody? Do you ever plan to release a Clone Trooper with both his Phase I and Phase II helmets?
23. Are they planing on supplying the full range of their products to Australia?
24. 6"-scale C-3PO -- painted or plated? separate elbow struts? and... What happened to the carded A-wing Pilot and the B-A-D Astromechs?
25. Will Hasbro ever be making female troopers in the six inch line?
26. Why only send out a minimal amount of more sought after figures to certain retailers? Since that causes collectors to pay upwards of $80 for a figure meant to be sold for $20 (like the Walgreens Prototype Fett) how do they (Hasbro) feel about that? Are there any plans to re-release the Prototype Fett down the road again perhaps in the regular line and not as a store exclusive so those us of us without Walgreens can add this to our six inch collection?
27. I'm not sure what we did to make you go 5 POA on us, but what can we do to make amends & get back to 14 POA? What plans does Hasbro have for super articulation in the 4" line or is the 4" only for 5poa? Any great new figures coming out that will have the full 14 poa treatment?
28. Is GI Joe on hiatus or is there a chance to continue the 50th line?
29. Can we please the bring "Vintage Line" back & kill 5 POA? I think we all know the vintage line look will continue sometime in the future, do you have any time frame on that yet?
Some of these questions came from our Facebook Posts, but I am still working on the order. I would say Dan has a pretty good set to go already. Hey, if you have any pictures of poor paint apps or quality control on Hasbro's part please email em to tamer@imperialshipyards.net!
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We just got our invite for the party and Dan is heading back into NY City to give Hasbro our questions. Does anyone besides me have any?
This happens October 8th so I plan on making sure that gets wrapped up next weekend so we can get said questions to Dan in good shape.
Also, if you have any images of bad paints apps, parts missing, etc. on new Star Wars Product get it to me as I want that to be one of the questions Dan asks.
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Will Hasbro ever go back to one Star Wars figure line? I hate that they've been running 3 since 2008, it cripples their distribution and they only seem to cycle focus on one at a time. Back when the 30th anniversary series was going, we got great figures like Darth Revan, Voolvif Monn, and Animated début Boba Fett, distribution was great, and the line appealed to both kids and collectors. Or will they start giving equal focus on all star wars figure lines? Something really has to give to make collecting Star Wars great again.
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We've noticed that these new waves of the Black Series figures all come apart very easily at the joints. Is this due to lower production standards, or was this done with the customizer in mind to make it easier to swap parts so kids could start getting in on the action?
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Most of me wonders what the point is since they'll just dodge any question thrown at them...
That said, please ask them to clarify if the super articulated 3 3/4" line is sticking around. Last time, sites kept asking if they were going to continue 3 3/4" figures, but not stipulating that they were asking about the SA line vs. the retro-style line.
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That said, please ask them to clarify if the super articulated 3 3/4" line is sticking around. Last time, sites kept asking if they were going to continue 3 3/4" figures, but not stipulating that they were asking about the SA line vs. the retro-style line.
We actually got that answer last time out. They are continuing the Black Series as their super arty line with their REBELS and Mission Series going more 5 POA.
And they do indeed dodge many questions, but we got some great six inch answers from them last time.
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Folks, I am wrapping this up this weekend so I have time to get all the questions ready for Dan. Between email, FB, and here we have a pretty nice set, but I can send more!
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My questions:
1) What does the future look like for SA 3.75". Obviously this is the Black Series, but is it likely to be only a few figures per year or will we say a broad offering. The question essentially is if 3.75" is mostly Saga with a few Black Series thrown in or if there are two meaty 3.75" lines
2) Is sabine's helmet removable?
3) Any chance of seeing pong krell or Bo Katan figures in the neare future?
4) Another question if a totally different line: many companies are devoting more resources to community interaction (forums, community managers) what plans does hasbro have to do this if any?
5) Will hasbro still produce fan selected figures aka the rebelscum wish list poll? Are they still looking at internet only exclusives as a way of getting fan favorites to die hard collectors (ala EE comic packs, Jocasta)
6) Would hasbro ever consider a micro production line (see kick starter figure campaigns) for collector oriented figures
7) Was the decision to call the new skiff guard as jabbas skiff guard instead of dollalyn driven by a move away from EU sources, confusion over his true name or something else? Will we continue to see unique and interesting names for future aliens?
8) Are we likely to see any figures of characters from new cAnon books, comics and games that don't appear on tv or movies (eg Vidian from new dawn)?
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Will Hasbro ever go back to one Star Wars figure line? I hate that they've been running 3 since 2008, it cripples their distribution and they only seem to cycle focus on one at a time.
I TOTALLY agree with this. Hasbro should concentrate on ONE line, two at most. The worst thing they ever did was make the TLC, TCW and SL lines look similar. Sellers didint care that they were three lines. They were little plastic soldiers that cost $8 a pop. The kids will buy anything from Star Wars. Hey, what? Now they dont buy anything. Let's stop carrying Star Wars.
My beef is all about the paint apps. I can finally fix almost any drek Hasbro's Asian factory spits out, .... but why should I have to? At $10 (and it's only a matter of time before it's $11 [look at Marvel Universe]), a new action figure should be so amazing that it makes me almost cry when I open it.
What's gone wrong with the paint apps?
Why cant they use the correct color plastic in the ball joints?
What are they doing to fix it?
When will we see improvement?
What kind of quality control measures are they going make, to make sure it never happens again?
Does Hasbro even care?
Don't make me spout out my conspiracy theory that Hasbro is mucking up the quality to kill demand, so they can claim there's no more collector or kid demand, just to have an excuse to abandon the action figure lines.
Ooops! I just did.
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2) Is sabine's helmet removable?
3) Any chance of seeing pong krell or Bo Katan figures in the neare future?
I know the answer from other Q&As. Forgive me. I cant remember when or on which site I read this.
1. Sabine's helmet is NOT removable. The paint apps are pretty monochromatic too.
If you want an action figure with her head, we're going to have to hope they release an update in the future.
That upsets me too. (http://www.cosgan.de/images/midi/traurig/b005.gif) (http://www.cosgan.de/smilie.php)
2. Bo Katan is not on they're RADAR and Hasbro played coy regarding their promise to produce Pong Krell.
Would you really want a Krell action figure with 5, maybe 7 swivel POAs anyway?
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Don't know what to ask that won't get shot down.
Not a sw question. Dear hasbro, will there be a 3.75 line released for gi joe in 2015?
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Q)
What's with the cheap n nasty product of late?
The 5POA and the underscaled vehicles and, as i've only recently been informed,HOLLOW Imperial Troop Transport from the Rebels line...why?
Is it a cost cutting move?
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Ok, getting the list sorted. Still detailing the order a bit and trying to spread it out between the lines as we never know how long they will give us (most of the time it is just about ten minutes, but sometimes a bit more).
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Questions...
1. Any chance for a 6" Scaled Dewback for 2015?
2. Has there been any consideration of adding a voice chip to a figure such as the 6" Strom Trooper similar to what was added to the Disney exclusive 12 : figures?
3. Plenty of imperial troop builders in the 6" line (stormtrooper, sandtrooper, tie pilot and hopefully more), how about some troop builders for the Rebels (ex. Blockade Runner Troops, Hoth Troops, A Wing/Y Wing pilots and Endor Commandos)?
4. Environments for 6" Black Series in 2015? - Examples: Vader's Meditation Chamber, Jabba's Throne (complete).
5. Will we see any core figure releases of New Hope figures like Luke, Leia and Kenobi? Ever though about doing a "Early Bird" themed exclusive using 6" figures?
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Nice Dayton, we will get those added too!
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Ladies and gentlemen of the Shipyatds, I have the questions printed out and ready to ask to the Hasbro reps tonight!
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Ladies and gentlemen of the Shipyatds, I have the questions printed out and ready to ask to the Hasbro reps tonight!
Looking forward to seeing what they really answer Dan. Good luck!
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After chatting with Dan live from the floor tonight (the Hasbro Rep was reading Dan's phone as I was rapidly typing in new questions based on what they showed us) you are really gonna be pleased with the answers we got this year. Both Dan and I were very surprised by some of the answers. You can read a few of them on our Facebook Page. Dan just did a fantastic job covering this for us folks.
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Good news from Hasbro Q and A? I'm shocked (happily so). When do you expect to have the answers up?
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At the Hasbro "'Twas The Night Before..." party, I got the opportunity to speak to Joe Ninivaggi, the Senior Brand Manager for the Star Wars line. I presented him with questions from the list compiled in this thread, questions Tamer came up with while we were texting and questions posed based on what I was seeing in front of me. The following are, in no particular order, the great answers Joe gave me.
Q: QC issues. What is Hasbro doing to address this?
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/CTtamer001/hasbropaintissues_zps54b34e65.png)
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/CTtamer/CTtamer001/hasbropaintissues2_zps196f1f10.jpg)
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/incomscustoms/20141006_211806_zpstvimabn6.jpg)
A: Lots of production figures come off of the assembly line every single day. We do our best to make sure everything is great, but accidents do happen. We are doing everything we can to minimize these accidents and to make sure that the best possible products get into our customers' hands.
We discussed some 6" Black Series packaging issues such as the Biker Scout visors and Vader's helmet getting squished on the sides. They are looking to improve the packaging, the new, larger front windows is just a start.
Q: Are you folks satisfied with the head sculpt on your new Six Inch Black Series Vader? I have to give them credit for the helmet off, but the helmet on (which most of us will be using) is just plain wrong. From the eyes, the the droopy helmet this was one of the figures I was most excited to get and seeing it in person shows how great it could have been. Are you going to revisit this one in the future and perhaps not do a removable helmet so we can get a better sculpt? Do you wish you had perhaps started your first six inch Vader with a better bucket?
A: I was not aware of any issues with the sculpt. The droopy helmet could be from the way it was packed similiar to the issues we had with the visors on the Biker Scout.
Q: Will Hasbro ever go back to one Star Wars figure line?
A: Hasbro offers 3 lines to appeal to collectors, kids and value seeking parents. The idea of getting 2 figures together in one package for the same price as a collector figure appeals to parents.
Q: We've noticed that these new waves of the Black Series figures all come apart very easily at the joints. Is this due to lower production standards, or was this done with the customizer in mind to make it easier to swap parts so kids could start getting in on the action?
A: This is not specifically for customization, just how the figures were manufactured.
Q: What does the future look like for the super-articulated 3.75" line? Obviously this is the Black Series, but is it likely to be only a few figures per year or will we say a broad offering?
A: 2015 will be a big year for the OT in the Spring and will include some realistically designed Clone Wars figures. No other Expanded Universe releases as of right now.
Q: Imperial Troop Transport from the Rebels line...Why? I am wondering why you didn't go with the well loved and already proven ITT from Kenner?
A: The reason that the original mold was not used was for accuracy to the animation design. The animation design is very McQuarrie-esque and we wanted to capture that as closely as possible.
Q: Are you officially done with the larger size vehicle format for your four inch action figure line? The Falcon and AT-AT were such hits and we would hate to see them gone forever. Perhaps offer a new one every two years?
A: We are not done with large vehicles, in fact, there is something coming for next year.
Q: We are absolutely loving your 6 inch smaller vehicles and accessories! What are the chances we get to see other great smaller vehicles, beasts, or other accessories for this line like your already released speederbike, Wampa, and Taun Taun? It would sure add to their play-ability! Any chance we could see a regular size vehicle for this immensely popular line?
A: We are developing more vehicles for the 6" Black Series. We get alot of requests for items that we just cannot do, like the Millenium Falcon or the AT-AT, which would be enormous. Where would anyone put them? Something like the X-Wing would be doable as it would not be much bigger than the current Hero Scale version.
Q: Plenty of imperial troop builders in the 6" line (stormtrooper, sandtrooper, tie pilot and hopefully more), how about some troop builders for the Rebels (ex. Blockade Runner Troops, Hoth Troops, A Wing/Y Wing pilots and Endor Commandos)?
A: No Rebel troops on tap for the foreseeable future, sorry.
Q: Environments for 6" Black Series in 2015? - Examples: Vader's Meditation Chamber, Jabba's Throne (complete).
A: This is not really something we have looked at for this line.
Q: Another question along totally different lines: many companies are devoting more resources to community interaction (forums, community managers) what plans does hasbro have to do this if any?
A: Hasbro announced "Hasbro Pulse" at SDCC. Pulse is an invite only website that offers exclusive news. The enrollment is currently closed for Pulse though.
Q: Is Hasbro still looking at internet only exclusives as a way of getting fan favorites to die hard collectors (ala EE comic packs, Jocasta)?
A: Yes we are! We are currently working on something for Fall 2015.
Q: Was the decision to call the new Skiff Guard as Jabbas Skiff Guard instead of Dollalyn driven by a move away from EU sources, confusion over his true name or something else? Will we continue to see unique and interesting names for future aliens?
A: Lucasfilm dictated the change. Lucasfilm has final say on all character names.
Q: Are we likely to see any figures of characters from new canon books, comics and games that don't appear on tv or movies (eg Vidian from new dawn) or is the stance from Lucasfilm to still stay away from that and focus on REBELS, OT, and Episode VII?
A: Anything in the "new cannon" is available to us to develop. It is very likely that there will be new cannon figures and vehicles in the future but there is nothing concrete at the moment.
Q: Dear Hasbro, will there be a 3.75 line released for GI Joe in 2015?
A: Sorry, I have no idea. You have to ask Derryl Depriest.
Q: When can we expect to see a Phase II Clone Trooper for the six inch line?
A: No plans at the moment.
I am guessing that there are still some more Phase 1 repaints to knock out first ;)
Q: 6"-scale C-3PO -- painted or plated?
A: 6" Black Series C3-PO will most likely be gold painted. He is still in developmentbut there have been some issues with the vac metalizing process.
Q: Can we please the bring "Vintage Line" back? I think we all know the vintage line look will continue sometime in the future, do you have any time frame on that yet?
A: There is always a chance for Vintage to return as we know it has been a favorite, but right now the Black Series is our collector line.
Q: Any chance of a 6" scale Probot?
A: Not right now.
Q: 6" Luke + Han Stormtroopers, working helmets or swappable heads?
A: Working helmets. We even made Luke's torso a bit shorter to differentiate them as Luke is supposed to be "a little short for a Stormtrooper".
Q: Any chance for realistic "Rebels" figures in the future?
A: There is always the chance of that, but right now our focus is getting the animation product out. I still want to do an Agent Kallus without his helmet as he has those cool sideburns. Besides, we saw how cool some of the characters look rendered realistically on the cover for "Rebel Dawn".
Q: Any chance of a 6" AT-AT Driver?
A: Not planned yet, but a possibility for the future.
Q: Any playsets in the future?
A: New movie years allow for all kinds of opportunities.
Q: Any more "old" Expanded Universe figures on the horizon?
A: No, sorry. The old EU is not available to us any longer.
Q: What are the chances of a 6" Snowtrooper?
A: That has a good possibility for a future release.
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Dan, just a fantastic job and thanks for letting me send your back into the fray last night.
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No more EU! Now that makes me sick, they discontinued the comic pack line because it didn't appeal to kids, I was a kid the hole run and I have them all! Hasbro needs new management, we ALWAYS tell them what we want, and they haven't been delivering for years now. Collectors should be there main focus anyway considering at all the stores around me the kid lines are peg warmers, and never sell. When I was a kid I'd be insulted being gifted those cheep figures after even how good SOME of the clone wars figures were (well the end was quite good, my biggest problem was the majority of it was clone repaints), I'd even be insulted if someone gave a child of mine those cheep figures. I'm willing to pay, but if Hasbro doesn't want my money, that's fine with me.
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Good job with the questions.
I love the excitement for spring OT releases, realistic CW and potential realistic Rebels in the future.
Bummed about EU but not a surprise.
Wish they would do more with community but oh wll
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Q: Any playsets in the future?
A: New movie years allow for all kinds of opportunities.
FINALLY they didn't say no. I will take a maybe over a no any day.
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Nice job! ;) Interesting... :o
I know some people get sick of clone repaints, but I actually love them! ()rrClone's being my favourites, I was sad when they ended the clone wars line... :'(
So many clones I wanted never made it! Like every Clone Commander from season 1-2 got a figure accept, Commander Fil! ()rr He was one of my fav's bbfet
Anyway, excited for Thorn, Doom, Wolffe, Rex and 6 Inch Cody, Captain, Sgt. and Troop! Australia gets everything late...
BTW Hi everyone! Been a long time since I posted! ;D
Also, does anybody know what happened to that vintage/black series realistic Rex? ???
Sought of looked like a vintage Fordo repaint...
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Dan
Thanks for going to bat for those who couldn't attend.