By Melissa Jones McGinnis
Tell us a little about your work. What do you create? Hi there. I’m Daniel Jackson, owner of Level 28 Toys. I make custom action figures and Funko Pops of everything from sci-fi and video game characters, to musicians, to superheroes, even real people. Over the years, I’ve made hundreds of figures for clients in countries all over the world, including a few pieces for some of my favorite sci-fi actors and actresses. How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get into it? I’ve been customizing figures as a hobby all my life, and it’s been my full-time job for just over two years now. I’ve always loved action figures. I’ve collected them since I was a child. To me, they’re like these amazing little statues of the people and characters we love; only better because they’re also articulated and come with cool accessories. I am a massive fan of the shows Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis. They had these super-detailed, realistic figures based on those shows and I collected all of them. But, some of the characters I loved from the shows never got a figure, so my first real customs were making those characters to expand my collection. I started sharing my work online and other fans began to commission me to make custom figures for them. Eventually, I was able to quit my job and make toys full-time. What has the response been from family and friends? It’s been great. My friends and family have always supported my artistic endeavors and they’ve seen me struggle a few times trying to get projects in different mediums off the ground over the years. So, finding success in toy making has been a dream come true for me and they’ve really supported me along the way. It’s also really cool because now I get to make action figures of my family members/friends for birthday/ Christmas presents. Those are always a big hit. Just something different and unique, you know? How did you get into the nerdy realms? I’ve been into sci-fi/fantasy as far back as I can remember, from collecting X-men comics as a kid, to playing tabletop games, to cosplaying and attending cons. Star Wars was my first love though. Like so many others, that was what really what set my life down a path of nerdiness. What were some of your earliest nerdy memories? Some that stand out to me are my friends and I making our own comic books, running around dressed as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and definitely making my first custom action figure by turning Batman into Space Ghost. I’m not sure what happened to that figure, but I would give anything to have it now. Are you also a cosplayer? If so, what did you get into first, cosplay or creating/ vending? Yes, I am a cosplayer. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of making my own costumes versus buying them. I’ve made several costumes over the years for myself as well as for my family and friends, including a Boba Fett, Brienne of Tarth, Richard from Legend of the Seeker, and Deadpool, among others. My favorite is definitely my Stargate SG1 Jaffa armor and staff weapon. I’ve won a few contests with that one and even fooled some of the actors who’ve worn the real thing on-screen. What are some of the different bits of satisfaction you get from each of these? I love the challenge of building a costume from scratch and learning new techniques and methods along the way. It’s a huge sense of accomplishment when you make a costume that not only shows off your love for a character and dedication to the craft, but is well-received by other fans. If you had unlimited time and budget, what would your dream art/craft creation be? A real, working lightsaber. What is your favorite con/event story, as an attendee, volunteer, vendor, etc.? I got married onstage at a Stargate convention in Chicago in 2016. Erick Avari walked onstage, totally out of the blue, and reprised his role as Kasuf and blessed my wedding in the alien language from the show. I made a lighted Stargate that was used as an archway that all of the actors in attendance autographed for me after the ceremony. This was even cooler when the promoters asked me to leave the gate up as an entrance/exit for the actors for their panels all weekend. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to top that one... What are some of your favorite events? I love all comic, sci-fi, and pop culture conventions. ’m always encouraging my family and friends to come to cons with me. There really is something for everybody at these events and they’re just a place I can go and be surrounded by the things I love, make new friends, and really just be myself. Tell us where we can see more of your creations! Any last thoughts? I have a website, lvl28.com, with photos of all the figures I’ve made, as well as a FAQ section with info on my customizing process, and a contact page for those who want to order their own figures. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @lvl28toys, and feel free to email me at [email protected]. By Melissa Jones McGinnis Bruce Henry Originals is a photography and body art business owned by Raylynn Henry and located in Marshall, Tx. They do all varieties of family, portrait, event, and artistic photography, bodypainting, airbrush temporary tattoos, and temporary glitter tattoos. They offer individual sessions, group sessions, and glitter tattoo party events. They can be found online at www.BruceHenryOriginals.com, as well as on Instagram and Facebook. How did you get into the nerdy realms? What were some of your earliest nerdy memories? Bruce started playing Runescape when it was first developed and released. He also coded computer games for fun. He did all that around 10 years old. Mine I was a huge Harry Potter fan, I finished reading the Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince in 9 hours and 36 minutes when it came out, I even took breaks. What did you get into first, cosplay, or vending? What are some of the different bits of satisfaction you get from these? Vending. I haven’t started cosplaying yet because I haven’t found something I want to become yet. We get to meet new people, have fun with old friends and we also have a safe environment where our kids are able to come. How do you design your glitter tattoos and airbrush pieces? What is your inspiration in regards to your photography? Our glitter tattoos we get the stencils bought on Amazon as we haven’t quite figured out how to get out stencil equipment to cut correctly. Our customs we usually find stencil ideas online and then we use those with others to create custom airbrush pieces. I first started modeling and Bruce did really good with photography in high school so he picked up a camera again and then moved into Bodypainting. With this, we were able to not only create a safe environment for the models but it was a one-stop-shop basically. Only we see the originals. Our inspiration comes from the models themselves or random thoughts. What have been some of your favorite body paint designs and/or photos you’ve done? I am partial to the steampunk shoot we did with Alice Grey and his all-time favorite one is his pumpkin queen with Jessica King. We haven’t done as many as we used to, we usually do about 1-3 a year now. What are some of your favorite cosplays’? For yourself or others. Big fan of Harry Potter and Kim Possible stuff. Bruce’s favorite would be Deadpool or Killer Clowns from Outerspace. If you had unlimited time and budget, what would your dream cosplay be? Bruce says Batman, I would probably say Poison Ivy. How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get into it? What has the response from family, friends, and neighbors? We started in 2015 just doing photography under a different name, when Bruce started helping out with a local haunted house, Graystone Haunted Manor located in Longview, Tx he started wanted to move towards Bodypainting. I was in the modeling circuit so I asked model friends to help out. They were ok with it, those who were more conservative of course said their piece but for the most part it's been good. In 2019, we renamed the company and rebranded. We now do things that are both adult and family-friendly We don’t discriminate. For Raylynn: being a younger female businessperson, how has the response been when some people find out it’s your business? For the most part, people are surprised to find out I actually own the company and not Bruce as he’s a major contributor to this company but he can’t handle the stress that comes with it. With the crossover of Cosplay and Modeling with the increased focus of Body Positivity, who do view how Cosplay has dealt with this subject? Do you think body paint is part of cosplay and has that added to Body Positivity? Yes, I think bodypaint has changed the art community and making body positivity a huge deal. Bodypainting is just another form of cosplay, just like the Furry community. Paint is just a layer of skin that’s being applied, anyone can do it. What is your favorite con/event story? My personal favorite last year was Tyler Comic-Con, just because I was able to sit in a session with Eddie McClintock from Warehouse 13. Another favorite is the Tyler Paranormal Conference, I was thankful not to have to work that event but I liked it. What are some of your favorite events? Tyler Paranormal Conference, Tyler Celtic Fest, both Geekend events, Canterbury Renaissance Festival, Corpse Grove: the Wicked Playground, Graystone Haunted Manor, etc. Who are some of your favorite local cosplayers? What are other local cosplayers doing that you really appreciate and/or admire? A favorite local cosplayer is Cassie LeGrand. MinkyQuinn, I admire because she does so much in her community and for her age, she is going out and representing Heroic Inner Kids by cosplaying and putting a smile on other’s faces. Who are some of your favorite local artists/vendors? What are some clever vendors out there local that you think, “I wish I thought of that!”? There are way too many vendors we have met that are our favorites. Risen Son’s Creations makes dragon eggs that change colors. Whimsical Way makes body products. E&M Metals is an old school forging company, with an old school forge. Mystic Hideaway provides some of my favorite items. Little Boxes creates painted boxes and other items that are popular. There are many more people I have not named but they too are our friends and our favorites. By - Melissa Jones Mcginnis How did you get into the nerdy realms? What were some of your earliest nerdy memories? I can’t remember a time that nerdy things weren’t around me. My mother always read to me and of course, I favored the fantasy style. Something about escaping to another world that only exist at the peak of my imagination fascinated me. However, it wasn’t until Lord of the Rings books and then soon after Harry Potter that my interest reached new levels. Magic, dragon, fantastical beasts, and abilities. How could anyone not fall in love with such wonder? My earliest memories would, of course, be reading through my fantasy style books but that’s not what set with me. My best friend and I used to pretend we lived in Atlantis where there were all sorts of magical beings. We each played a certain character. Mine was Lynx shapeshifter Jade. She had long white hair with bright red eyes. She was my first unique creation and the starting point to my nerd/fantasy journey. What genre(s) do you write? What is/are the title(s) of your book(s)? I write young adult/clean adult fiction. Although I have stretched my reach to epic fantasy. My current titles are “War of Souls” and “War of Blood.” “War of Minds” should release some time this year. Then it will be a completed trilogy. What did you get into first, cosplay, or vending at events? What are some of the different bits of satisfaction you get from these? I was first introduced to the nerd community as a vendor. For years I had wanted to go to cons and nerd events but honestly, I didn’t know what to expect and I have social anxiety so I didn’t go. I missed out. Being an author and trying to push my books forced me into the vendor world. It's incredible! I never feel more welcome than when I go to cons or nerd events. Everyone loves each other and 100% support whatever you are into. Plus being a vendor, you get to see the behind the scenes stuff like a famous guest that they bring in before the crowds get there. What is your favorite con story? So, I was a vendor at the Geek’d Con in Shreveport LA last year. The biggest con I have ever done. Samantha Smith (aka Mary Winchester) was a guest. No lie, I watched her come in before everyone else and I got the chance to talk to her one on one. She, of course, signed a photo for me and after I gave her signed copies of my books, she pulled out her ebook library and suggested a few books I should read. I of course still have both the picture and the paper she wrote her favorite book on. It was incredible and a moment I will never forget. What are some of your favorite events? Geek’d Con is my top because of Samantha but also because of the unique people I met. Geekmas was fun and I’m looking forward to Kilgore Geekend. Who are some of your favorite local authors? What are other local authors doing that you appreciate and/or admire? To be honest, I haven't read any local author's stuff. Simply for the lack of time I have. With the crossover of Cosplay and Modeling with the increased focus of Body Positivity, who do view how Cosplay has dealt with this subject? I fully believe cosplay was upholding body positivity way before it was popular to do so. The geek community is so supporting I could never see anyone shaming someone else because they dressed as a character they loved. I am grateful that the modeling industry finally came around to the idea of uniqueness. In terms of body shape and personal style. What is your opinion on the aggressive growth of all the nerd conventions and events in North and East Texas? FINALLY! Too long has there been a lack of representation for the large group of geeks. We have been forced to play our games and like our nerd lore in the confines of our homes. Or we would have to travel to larger cities to be with our people. However, I think the nerd stigma has become the next fashion scene, and now the people who would have never given it a chance to realize that its more than space ships and magic spells. It’s a family and a way to escape into your world. Who are some of your favorite local non-author vendors? What are some clever vendors out there local that you think, “I wish I thought of that!”? Tipsy Travelers Troupe and Mettlen Design, but Wood your Meme is the most creative thing I have ever seen. Any final thoughts? Thank you for allowing me to be part of your blog and thank you to the entire geek community for showing me so much love and teaching me what it means to love myself. There is nothing more powerful than being happy and content in your life. And the best way to do that is to enjoy the little things.
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AuthorNorth Texas Nerd is a site for news, reviews, interviews, and opinions about all pop culture and geeky things happening and being made in North Texas. Archives
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