Customizer of the Month- August 2007- Dave Lepage
Name: Dave Lepage

CM: Any Personal Info you are willing to share: (married? Kids? Pets? Occupation? Where from? Other hobbies,/Interests?).

DL: I am originally from New England, but I have lived here in SW Florida for the past 18 years. I am married, and have a female black lab named Foxy whom we call our daughter.

I work for the local water board as a locator and inspector. Locating underground utilities to ensure that contractors don't destroy the water, sewer, re-use mains which will interrupt service.

In addition to collecting Mego, I love horror films ranging from the silent era up to current. I have a large library which continues to grow. I also like Mego like figures (Gabriel, Excel, AHI, ect) and I also dabble with Vintage Star wars.

CM: How did you get started collecting mego?

DL: It started way back in the days of toyshop. I was in a large chain bookstore and happen to stumble onto an issue while browsing the magazine section. I flipped through a few pages and was instantly overcome with memories from my youth. I bought that "newspaper" that day and when I got home, I made contact with a guy in Boston whom I bought my first POTA figures from. It's all history from there.

CM: What is your favorite original mego figure and line?

DL: My favorite line is the Planet of the Apes. My favorite figure is Urko (helmet head).

CM: What is, in your opinion, the biggest "hole" in mego's original lines. (what figure or figure line is missing that should have been done).

DL: I think they could have done a lot more with the Monsters line.

CM: What motivated you to start customizing?

DL: I was buying POTA parts lots from Ebay and ended up with tons of naked figures. To complete a figure meant buying more which was not only time consuming, but could get expensive. I thought I would try and make them some clothing myself. My wife taught me how to sew with a machine and I have been doing custom clothing ever since.

CM: What was your first custom?

DL: Yes I do and no, there is no photo (thank God!) I had cut the head off of a gorrilla "jiggler" and glued it onto a body. I didnt have a needle or thread (didn't know how to sew anyway) so I tried gluing the material onto the body.

CM: How did it come out? (looking back on it now)

DL: Simply horrible! Much like a bad car accident!

CM: What have you done/learned that has improved your customizing skills?

DL: Learning how to use a sewing machine, learning new painting techniques, and practising patience.

CM: What areas of customizing is your strongest points, or favorite things to do?

DL: I love trying to create something that has not been done yet by anyone. I think sewing and painting are my strongest points.

CM: What resources make it easier for you as a customizer? (is there a source for parts? Information? Etc. that aids you more than anything else?).

DL: Lets face it. It is an amazing time for Mego customizers! At one point in time Doc Mego was the only source for parts/pieces. Now there are a whole slew of sites and members who offer some high quaility parts, be it an original sculpt or a China factory made part. I will say that I am a big fan of Anthony's (The toyroom) boxes and cardbacks.

As for a source of information, I am confident that if I needed some help and/or advice, all I would need to do is post in the Customs section of the Mego Museum where the amount of talent is overwhelming.

CM: What is your favorite custom you've done and do you think it's your best work? If not, what do you think is your best work?

DL: My personal favorite is my Ape general. It may not be my best work, but it is one I really enjoyed making and was pleased with the end results.

CM: Why do you choose the projects you choose?

DL: A lot of the projects I choose come from films that I have enjoyed over the years. Movies have always been a big inspiration for me.

CM: What are your favorite customs others have done and why?

DL: I really don't have a favorite. I think that's because there is so much talent on the boards. I appreciate everyones' work and admire the newcomers who are just starting out and learning. I do dig foilman though!!!

CM: What is on your "to do" list in the near future?

DL: A figure I have always wanted to tackle is Alex de Large (Malcolm Mcdowell) from Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange". I also have been planning a (ghost) pirate ship with a damned skeleton crew.

CM: How do you think customizing affects the mego collecting hobby?

DL: I think making customs is the adult way of "playing with our toys" I think it enhances the hobby.

CM: Any tips or words of customizing advise to new customizers?

DL: I have three rules for the new customizers to follow

#1 Have fun!

#2 Have fun!

#3 Have fun!

CM: Do you sell custom figures or parts? If so, why?

DL: I make custom Planet of the apes clothing that I sell. The only reason why I sell clothing is to feed my toy collecting habit. I try not to use any of our primary income to buy toys.

CM: What does your family/friends think of your mego custom work/hobby?

DL: Some don't really know what to make of it, but my older brother thinks it's great but that's because he grew up with Mego as well.

CM: Thanks for chatting with us Dave!