Attention NERDS of ALL ages, I have the interview to top all interviews. I was lucky enough to interview Brian Volk-Weiss. Who is he and why is he important to us? Well, he is the creator of the Netflix hit series , The Toys That Made Us. I watched the first 4 episodes, which are available now on Netflix and loved each and every one. I hope this series is renewed for more seasons to come. Each episode is very informative and entertaining at the same time. No matter what toys you collect, I can guarantee that you will love each and every episode. I mean, who thought that I would enjoy a show about Barbie? Somehow Brian and his writers pulled it off and I was glued to the screen learning all about her. That is how good this show is. It truly talks about the toys that make us who we are. So without further interruptions, here is my interview with Brian Volk-Weiss.
DERF: First of all, I just want to tell you how much of an honor it is to be talking to you right now. I am a huge fan of vintage toys and I am very excited for The Toys That Made Us on Netflix.
What made you decide to make a show for Netflix about vintage toys?
Brian: I’ve been a toy player/collector for 98% of my life, as well as a history buff, and doing a show that combined these loves seemed to make sense, at least to me at first!
DERF: When you were a child, what toys did you collect and did you have a favorite one?
Brian: Star Wars and LEGO were first and at the forefront, then followed by G.I. JOE and Transformers. My fave would be the Millennium Falcon I got right before Empire Strikes Back came out.
DERF: My favorite was always the Death Star Droid from the Kenner line. That is until Boba Fett came out, lol.
Brian: I have a MOC Death Star Droid at home!
DERF: Lucky! What treasures did you find when doing research as well as filming for The Toys That Made Us?
Brian: Oh we found many, from many of the original Transformer model’s wooden heads when we were in Japan, to unreleased Star Wars figures when we were shooting in Cincinnati.
DERF: My parents made me get rid of most of my stuff, but I was still able to hold on to some of my Star Wars figures. Do you still have some of your original collection of toys?
Brian: I have a few, but unfortunately just a few. The die cast Millennium Falcon and a few LEGO Minifigs.
DERF: What is it about toys, especially the vintage ones that make us want to collect them and share our stories?
Brian: I think, and this is just my own opinion, that the toys remind us of who we were back before we completely understood the world, and before we had responsibility. It was a time in our lives that was carefree, when Cobra was Cobra and not something that represented the USSR, which when we were older, and had probably stopped playing with toys, we would understand better and be slightly afraid of.
DERF: What toy would you like to see make a comeback being that some toy lines like He-Man have launched the Classic Series?
Brian: Robocop!
DERF: What new toy lines are you a fan of? Personally, I am a huge fan of FUNKO.
Brian: Love Funko and while I am not a huge Pops collector like many others, I have a few and a ton of respect for what they’re doing and their success. Also love NECA very, very much.
DERF: Will there be a Season 2 or is The Toys That Made Us just a one-time mini-series?
Brian: If season one does well then there is good reason to think there will be a second season.
DERF: Will you bring the shows experience to any cons like Comic Con annually?
Brian: We’ve been approached and I think it would be a lot of fun, but no concrete plans have been made yet.
DERF: What advice do you have for toy collectors out there?
Brian: Follow your heart and not the money. Your heart, given enough time, will always be right.
DERF: Well Said! Thank you for the time to answers these questions and thank you for creating such a wonderful show!
Brian: Thank You for your time and your interest in The Toys That Made Us.
In case you have not seen The Toys That Made Us yet you need to check it out. Here is the first four episode breakdowns:
Episode 1: Star Wars
Episode 2: Barbie
Episode 3: He-Man & the Masters of the Universe
Episode 4: G.I. Joe
Each show is entertaining with back stories and reenactments that are to die for. You don’t have to be a die hard collector to love this show. I am truly hooked to the series and I cannot wait until the next 4 episodes are released. Until next time, unleash your inner NERD!
