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I'm wondering if the reason that Hasbro keeps releasing all these "variants" (repainted characters) is because they don't want to use anymore characters until the sequel.

For example, it makes sense if they are trying to hold out on repainting Optimus Prime into Ultra Magnus if Ultra Magnus is in the sequel.

They probably did the Cliffjumper repaint since he has basically been a repaint of Bumblebee and he probably wouldn't fit in well in any of the future movies.

While doing what they are doing, they multiply the use of each mold while reserving characters for later.

reanimate28 wrote:

Ruthless Cynic wrote:Hasbro is a company. The primary purpose of a company is to make money, repaints mean they do not need new molds and are more profitable. If we want more Transformers and new molds we will just have to "suffer" through the repaints. I used to buy every figure of a line and I did not mind them that. This changed with the Movie. There is just too much stuff going on. Personally I am going to pick these bad boys up as I do not have the original molds, as I knew all the Voyager figures would be repainted in due time. Do not complain to the hand that feeds.

HI

Ohhhhhh.... I am so sorry Mr Hasbro company sir...here I will open my asshole up nice and wide so you can continue F-ing me..oh and please do it again and again with no lube......(sarcasm)

The hand that feeds???????? Hello we are the ones keeping this franchise alive.... as customers we should be treated with respect.. those figures should have been painted that way from day one....Two months later they all get the finishes they should have had? Bullshit....If these finishes would have been anounced from the start Then I as with a **** load of other Fans/Customers would have waited for these to come to store...and dont say that hasbro didnt know they would be producing these Figs two and a half months ago...What you had was a bunch of scheming Douche Bags at Hasbro looking to take advantage of us...plain and simple

Holy fanboy wankfest Batman!

Wanna know something? It's not the collectors that keep Transformers going. It's the kids. Kids these TOYS are aimed at.

The collector fan base is minor compared to who really buys Hasbro's products.

Hasbro are doing what every other company in the world does, make money. They know these products are going to be popular for a few months yet and rather than taking the easy way out and pumping out the same figures, they've tweaked them and made them different, different = more appealing.

Hasbro don't cater to the fan base whims and whines. They cater to the group that brings in the money, kids.

Time people accepted that.

Also, I should note. With how many repaints we have of the current Autobots, I have to wonder if they are just going to stick with the original Autobot 5 for the sequel and release the new characters to go with them.

I'll be happy if this happens as that will be 5 toys less I gotta buy. Plus, it makes sense. I don't see them scrapping the designs, and I see no need to repaint any of the characters for the big screen.

So if they get all these repaints of the main cast out of the way, they can focus on the new molds that come out for the sequel (because we all know they are just going to repackage the 1st movie cast for the sequel).

Ruthless Cynic wrote:Sorry for the reality check, but hardcore collectors, like the fine folks featured here, make up a small portion of the market. I've been in this game a long time and have some revelations for you. While we may keep the brand viable, if it were not for a new generation of children purchasing the toys I can guarantee that the line and franchise would not survive. Furthermore, repainting figures has been a regular practice since G1. The fact that the movie figures cannot even stay on the shelves speaks volumes on how much the average consumer cares that there are tons of repaints of figures. The last time I checked there was no one forcing you to purchase the repaints; if you feel so inclined that is on you. Take some responsibility for your own actions.

I am a customer I dont consider myself a hard core collecter.. when I mean that we are keeping the company going I mean that we the paying customer....those arnt repaints they are the same product with better paint they should have been that way since day one...had Hasbro said hey we are gonna have metallic painted ones in 2 and a half months I would have waited to buy all these figures.....dont try and make excuses for a company that is trying to nickle and dime us....if you want to throw your money down the toilet and have doubles of the same figures go ahead....but those Transformers should have been made that way or at least hasbro could have given us a heads up for what was gonna be introduced from the beginning....your screen name says Ruthless Cynic but you are talking more like a Ruthless sheep....fall in line kids and waste all your money... we should thank hasbro for taking all our money...just be glad they are making Transformers in the first place never mind about hasbro trying to pull the wool over your eyes....its BS
I am stunned that a hard core collector such as yourself would make an excuse for this kind of customer treatment ...at least when apple droppped the price on the Iphone a 2 months after introduction they gave everybody a refund that bought it before......Hasbro take a que...learn better business practices treat your customers respectfully quit being so damn Vampiric.

Okay, this is starting to get personal, and I demand that it stops.

Rather than fighting with each other, state whether your happy about this news or not and move on.

I will say though, that I'm sure Hasbro was not expecting the toys to sell as well as they did. If the original versions didn't sell out like they have, I doubt they would have even bothered with the shiny versions with better paint applications. I mean, why introduce these figures (which ARE collectors items) if the retail version which is very similar isn't selling in the first place?

Sid Burn wrote:To all that are of the opinion that we should all just "get over this" I think you need to see this from a consumers point of view.

This kind of repaint doesnt help hasbro expand the brand, it helps dilute the fanbase by slapping its audience in the face.

We all want the best Transformers, I shouldnt have to worry that the ones I bought were a practice run before the "premium" ones come out.

Bumblebee to Cliffjumper is a repaint, this is a something else entirely.

totally agree...thanks for seeing it for the way that it is thats the true reality of it.

Clearly, the point is not getting through to you. I will try to explain in more detail why your argument is flawed. The repaints were inevitable, anyone who has been following the franchise for any amount of time knows this. If you had done your due diligence it would have become abundantly clear. Also, I would like to qualify that "Metallic" does not equal better. To think so is flawed logic. If you plan on actually transforming them, the metallic versions will certainly have their paint chip. From a display perspective they are probably better if you are keeping them MISB. I opted to wait before purchasing every figure as they launched and will be picking from Pile A and Pile B depending on what suits my taste and what went on sale when. Hasbro is not taking my money, I am exchanging it for a good. Nor is Hasbro forcing you to spend any of your money. You may feel compelled to spend money but that would be their goal.
As for being a "sheep" I merely think if you cannot control your urges to consume you have no one to blame but yourself. Long live capitalism. Huzzah huzzah and so forth. I cannot fathom how you have any disposable income.

The dreaded double post, for clarification purposes it is ludicrous to insinuate that I work at Hasbro. I am also absolving myself from this argument as I have stated the relevant facts, propositions, and my rationale. With that I am done.

reanimate28 wrote:

Bonger wrote:

Raymond101 wrote:

Bonger wrote:Wow, just wow.

This line is taking repaints to a whole new level. They're not even bothering to change the character names anymore. "Well, heres our Ratchet mold in 63 different colors!" Unbelievable.

And I don't mean this to sound angry or anything. I'm just amazed.

It's because they got very little to work with in the first place. Five Autobots is hardly an Autobot army. Even 8 Decepticons is more a strike team than an army. So I am personally more surprised why they haven't brought in new characters in the form of modified molds or repaints. Not even the Allspark Power guys are enough if you ask me.

Heh, they should have discussed that with Mann if they had an issue with it. I mean, this is waaay above and beyond their ussual repaint numbers fsince it is the same character over and over. Add that to the 10 different types of packaging and that is a lot of variations for any completionist. Poor bastards.

I kind of feel like I've had too much ice cream to eat. You know, it is yummy and all, but eat too much and you feel sick and don't wzant to see any more ice cream for a while. I need a break from this movie line. I can't wait till it is done and the Universe Classics start hitting the shelves.

HI

Yeah I cant wait for the classics line so we can get Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Red Alert, Rug Burn, Ring Worm, Toe Nail, and Knee Cap all in the same amazing mould.....awesome

Atleast back then they bothered to provide a different bio and make some mold changes. Incase you haven't noticed, Sideswipe, Red Alert and Sunstreaker are not identical by any means. Plus, they were characters in the cartoon. This is not the same. A good example is BB. By the time we are done, in just the Deluxes size we will end up with the 76, the 08, the battledamaged 08, the legs chopped off battle scene 08, metallic finish 08 and maybe even a metallic finished 76. So far there are avaialable as singles, in the evolution 2 pack, a battle scene, first encounter 2 pack.

I mean, wow. This is a whole new level of repaints and repackaging that we have never seen before. Whether you think it is good, bad, or indifferent is inconsequential. Fact is, we are seeing a new marketing strategy by Hasbro here that may have serious consequences for us in the future. And don't tell me they were doing this in the 80's, look at the seekers. This is not the same.

Am I anti any of this? Honestly, I could care less. However, I still find it interesting and am blown away by the sheer number.
.

Ruthless Cynic wrote:Clearly, the point is not getting through to you. I will try to explain in more detail why your argument is flawed. The repaints were inevitable, anyone who has been following the franchise for any amount of time knows this. If you had done your due diligence it would have become abundantly clear. Also, I would like to qualify that "Metallic" does not equal better. To think so is flawed logic. If you plan on actually transforming them, the metallic versions will certainly have their paint chip. From a display perspective they are probably better if you are keeping them MISB. I opted to wait before purchasing every figure as they launched and will be picking from Pile A and Pile B depending on what suits my taste and what went on sale when. Hasbro is not taking my money, I am exchanging it for a good. Nor is Hasbro forcing you to spend any of your money. You may feel compelled to spend money but that would be their goal.
As for being a "sheep" I merely think if you cannot control your urges to consume you have no one to blame but yourself. Long live capitalism. Huzzah huzzah and so forth. I cannot fathom how you have any disposable income.

hi

Who said i was gonna buy them in the first place I never posted I was gonna buy the line over... I said maybe one deluxe wouldnt mind spending an extra 10 bucks on but in no way was I gonna replace the whole line..the point is I would have bought them if they had come out that way from day one...I would have waited to buy my Figures if there was a heads up from the company from the start of this line that better paint was on its way.....Metallic in my Opinion does look nicer it gives the robots a real metal look and I am sure most everyone would agree to that...and the fact that you stated oh these are for the kids ....ok kids will see the shiney ones and compare it to the ones they already own and say I gotta have that ....u think thats fair to cheat a small child? ...if you think thats fair to a small child u need the reality check becuz thats just wrong ..its hasbro at its most underhanded..why are you defending Hasbro do u work for them or something.....these arnt repaints to make them different characters they are the way they should have been produced from the get go.

reanimate28 wrote:

Sid Burn wrote:To all that are of the opinion that we should all just "get over this" I think you need to see this from a consumers point of view.

This kind of repaint doesnt help hasbro expand the brand, it helps dilute the fanbase by slapping its audience in the face.

We all want the best Transformers, I shouldnt have to worry that the ones I bought were a practice run before the "premium" ones come out.

Bumblebee to Cliffjumper is a repaint, this is a something else entirely.

totally agree...thanks for seeing it for the way that it is thats the true reality of it.

I agree as well.

Ruthless Cynic, I do not disagree with you though. We do not have to buy these, and likely, most of us will not be buying more than one. However, I have found Hasbro in the past to have a very myopic and short term view of their franchises and dilution should be a major concern for them if they still hope to be selling TFs 50 years from now. I think this is the point the others are trying to make.

Noone questions if Disney will be around when we have grandkids. Will TFs?

Bonger wrote:

reanimate28 wrote:

Bonger wrote:

Raymond101 wrote:

Bonger wrote:Wow, just wow.

This line is taking repaints to a whole new level. They're not even bothering to change the character names anymore. "Well, heres our Ratchet mold in 63 different colors!" Unbelievable.

And I don't mean this to sound angry or anything. I'm just amazed.

It's because they got very little to work with in the first place. Five Autobots is hardly an Autobot army. Even 8 Decepticons is more a strike team than an army. So I am personally more surprised why they haven't brought in new characters in the form of modified molds or repaints. Not even the Allspark Power guys are enough if you ask me.

Heh, they should have discussed that with Mann if they had an issue with it. I mean, this is waaay above and beyond their ussual repaint numbers fsince it is the same character over and over. Add that to the 10 different types of packaging and that is a lot of variations for any completionist. Poor bastards.

I kind of feel like I've had too much ice cream to eat. You know, it is yummy and all, but eat too much and you feel sick and don't wzant to see any more ice cream for a while. I need a break from this movie line. I can't wait till it is done and the Universe Classics start hitting the shelves.

HI

Yeah I cant wait for the classics line so we can get Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Red Alert, Rug Burn, Ring Worm, Toe Nail, and Knee Cap all in the same amazing mould.....awesome

Atleast back then they bothered to provide a different bio and make some mold changes. Incase you haven't noticed, Sideswipe, Red Alert and Sunstreaker are not identical by any means. Plus, they were characters in the cartoon. This is not the same. A good example is BB. By the time we are done, in just the Deluxes size we will end up with the 76, the 08, the battledamaged 08, the legs chopped off battle scene 08, metallic finish 08 and maybe even a metallic finished 76. So far there are avaialable as singles, in the evolution 2 pack, a battle scene, first encounter 2 pack.

I mean, wow. This is a whole new level of repaints and repackaging that we have never seen before. Whether you think it is good, bad, or indifferent is inconsequential. Fact is, we are seeing a new marketing strategy by Hasbro here that may have serious consequences for us in the future. And don't tell me they were doing this in the 80's, look at the seekers. This is not the same.

Am I anti any of this? Honestly, I could care less. However, I still find it interesting and am blown away by the sheer number.
.

Bonger, I quite agree with you I know what you meant..I was making the Sideswipe, Red Alert, Sunstreaker joke becuz I think Hasbro will use the same mold for each of those guys for the classics 2.0 line ...can you imagine if they repainted all three of those characters like they do for the movie characters with battle damage and all spark and cosmic rust etc...they alone would end up being like 300 different versions...lol....oh God hasbro has really sunk to a new low.

Thats why this scares me. If these repaints all sell well, it could become the future of TFs. Not good.

On the flip side, if they don't sell well, the newfound popularity of TFs in the main stream after so long might not last too long either.

This repaint decision has too many question marks for it. That is why I question the wisdom of this move. Smacks of "make hay while the sun shines."

Well, time will tell.

Bonger wrote:Thats why this scares me. If these repaints all sell well, it could become the future of TFs. Not good.

On the flip side, if they don't sell well, the newfound popularity of TFs in the main stream after so long might not last too long either.

This repaint decision has too many question marks for it. That is why I question the wisdom of this move. Smacks of "make hay while the sun shines."

Well, time will tell.

I dont think TFs are gonna go away they may rise and fall but they lasted 20 sum odd years already ..but the metallic repaint thing it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.. I really hope this kind of sleaziness does not progress any further with hasbro.

reanimate28 wrote:

Bonger wrote:Thats why this scares me. If these repaints all sell well, it could become the future of TFs. Not good.

On the flip side, if they don't sell well, the newfound popularity of TFs in the main stream after so long might not last too long either.

This repaint decision has too many question marks for it. That is why I question the wisdom of this move. Smacks of "make hay while the sun shines."

Well, time will tell.

I dont think TFs are gonna go away they may rise and fall but they lasted 20 sum odd years already ..but the metallic repaint thing it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.. I really hope this kind of sleaziness does not progress any further with hasbro.

True, but they do not HAVE to fall. Over the last 25 years, Hasbro has made some questionable decisions which is what led to the falls. Take Disney for example. Provide a good solid core product and keep your customers happy and then you do not go through decade long periods of obscurity like TFs did from the late 80s into the 90s.

Redecos imo are not a solid core product.

i_amtrunks wrote:

Sid Burn wrote:Bumblebee to Cliffjumper is a repaint, this is a something else entirely.

What? A Shiny Repaint?

That's still a repaint, nothing about the figures themselves are new.

A repaint ideally should have some basis in the fiction, you dont think there is a difference between Prime/UM repaints and Prime/Shiny Prime repaints?

I dont have a problem with repaints Trunks, in fact I often love the repaints as much as the original, but this is a pretty thin excuse for a redeco.

Sid Burn wrote:

i_amtrunks wrote:

Sid Burn wrote:Bumblebee to Cliffjumper is a repaint, this is a something else entirely.

What? A Shiny Repaint?

That's still a repaint, nothing about the figures themselves are new.

A repaint ideally should have some basis in the fiction, you dont think there is a difference between Prime/UM repaints and Prime/Shiny Prime repaints?

I dont have a problem with repaints Trunks, in fact I often love the repaints as much as the original, but this is a pretty thin excuse for a redeco.

QFT

Bonger wrote:Atleast back then they bothered to provide a different bio and make some mold changes. Incase you haven't noticed, Sideswipe, Red Alert and Sunstreaker are not identical by any means. Plus, they were characters in the cartoon. This is not the same. A good example is BB. By the time we are done, in just the Deluxes size we will end up with the 76, the 08, the battledamaged 08, the legs chopped off battle scene 08, metallic finish 08 and maybe even a metallic finished 76. So far there are avaialable as singles, in the evolution 2 pack, a battle scene, first encounter 2 pack.

I mean, wow. This is a whole new level of repaints and repackaging that we have never seen before. Whether you think it is good, bad, or indifferent is inconsequential. Fact is, we are seeing a new marketing strategy by Hasbro here that may have serious consequences for us in the future. And don't tell me they were doing this in the 80's, look at the seekers. This is not the same.

Am I anti any of this? Honestly, I could care less. However, I still find it interesting and am blown away by the sheer number.
.

Not trying to be a smart ass Bonger, but don't forget Screen Battles Bumblebee with Silver/Grey Parts instead of the Black. Yet another BB variant.

Megatron the Great wrote:

Bonger wrote:Atleast back then they bothered to provide a different bio and make some mold changes. Incase you haven't noticed, Sideswipe, Red Alert and Sunstreaker are not identical by any means. Plus, they were characters in the cartoon. This is not the same. A good example is BB. By the time we are done, in just the Deluxes size we will end up with the 76, the 08, the battledamaged 08, the legs chopped off battle scene 08, metallic finish 08 and maybe even a metallic finished 76. So far there are avaialable as singles, in the evolution 2 pack, a battle scene, first encounter 2 pack.

I mean, wow. This is a whole new level of repaints and repackaging that we have never seen before. Whether you think it is good, bad, or indifferent is inconsequential. Fact is, we are seeing a new marketing strategy by Hasbro here that may have serious consequences for us in the future. And don't tell me they were doing this in the 80's, look at the seekers. This is not the same.

Am I anti any of this? Honestly, I could care less. However, I still find it interesting and am blown away by the sheer number.
.

Not trying to be a smart ass Bonger, but don't forget Screen Battles Bumblebee with Silver/Grey Parts instead of the Black. Yet another BB variant.

God yes, and I'm sure theres more on the way.

Bonger wrote:Atleast back then they bothered to provide a different bio and make some mold changes. Incase you haven't noticed, Sideswipe, Red Alert and Sunstreaker are not identical by any means. Plus, they were characters in the cartoon. This is not the same. A good example is BB. By the time we are done, in just the Deluxes size we will end up with the 76, the 08, the battledamaged 08, the legs chopped off battle scene 08, metallic finish 08 and maybe even a metallic finished 76. So far there are avaialable as singles, in the evolution 2 pack, a battle scene, first encounter 2 pack.

I mean, wow. This is a whole new level of repaints and repackaging that we have never seen before.

This really is the core point, the movie line repaints have paled in comparison to what Hasbro would usually deem a repaint.

Hasbro has always done repaints, this isnt a bad thing, many of our favourite characters are repaints.
With the movie though, the character roster seemed to exhaust itself very quickly.
But even with a limited roster, certain iconic repaints should please both fan and child. I dont want "nightwatch prime" I DO want Scourge. I dont want "Desert Attack All Spark Brawl" I DO want Warpath.

Why are we being presented with "nightwatch" prime, I am not collecting Batman toys, I am collecting Transformers.
There are HUNDREDS of characters they could pay homage to with repaints. Instead we get all spark power?

To those who think this is business as usual, read Bonger's list above and count the BBs. If that isnt ridiculous then maybe I am losing my mind or something. Instead of 90 BBs and 1 Cliffjumper, why not make Bugbite or Hubcap etc etc.

The metallic versions arent the only reason everyone is up in arms, I think collectors have been trying to justify the movie repaints and this one is just beyond reasoning.
The movie line repaints as a whole have been disappointing and poorly executed, especially coming off of lines like Cybertron and Classics.

Sid Burn wrote:

Bonger wrote:Atleast back then they bothered to provide a different bio and make some mold changes. Incase you haven't noticed, Sideswipe, Red Alert and Sunstreaker are not identical by any means. Plus, they were characters in the cartoon. This is not the same. A good example is BB. By the time we are done, in just the Deluxes size we will end up with the 76, the 08, the battledamaged 08, the legs chopped off battle scene 08, metallic finish 08 and maybe even a metallic finished 76. So far there are avaialable as singles, in the evolution 2 pack, a battle scene, first encounter 2 pack.

I mean, wow. This is a whole new level of repaints and repackaging that we have never seen before.

This really is the core point, the movie line repaints have paled in comparison to what Hasbro would usually deem a repaint.

Hasbro has always done repaints, this isnt a bad thing, many of our favourite characters are repaints.
With the movie though, the character roster seemed to exhaust itself very quickly.
But even with a limited roster, certain iconic repaints should please both fan and child. I dont want "nightwatch prime" I DO want Scourge. I dont want "Desert Attack All Spark Brawl" I DO want Warpath.

Why are we being presented with "nightwatch" prime, I am not collecting Batman toys, I am collecting Transformers.
There are HUNDREDS of characters they could pay homage to with repaints. Instead we get all spark power?

To those who think this is business as usual, read Bonger's list above and count the BBs. If that isnt ridiculous then maybe I am losing my mind or something. Instead of 90 BBs and 1 Cliffjumper, why not make Bugbite or Hubcap etc etc.

The metallic versions arent the only reason everyone is up in arms, I think collectors have been trying to justify the movie repaints and this one is just beyond reasoning.
The movie line repaints as a whole have been disappointing and poorly executed, especially coming off of lines like Cybertron and Classics.

Well put.

Bonger wrote:

Sid Burn wrote:

Bonger wrote:Atleast back then they bothered to provide a different bio and make some mold changes. Incase you haven't noticed, Sideswipe, Red Alert and Sunstreaker are not identical by any means. Plus, they were characters in the cartoon. This is not the same. A good example is BB. By the time we are done, in just the Deluxes size we will end up with the 76, the 08, the battledamaged 08, the legs chopped off battle scene 08, metallic finish 08 and maybe even a metallic finished 76. So far there are avaialable as singles, in the evolution 2 pack, a battle scene, first encounter 2 pack.

I mean, wow. This is a whole new level of repaints and repackaging that we have never seen before.

This really is the core point, the movie line repaints have paled in comparison to what Hasbro would usually deem a repaint.

Hasbro has always done repaints, this isnt a bad thing, many of our favourite characters are repaints.
With the movie though, the character roster seemed to exhaust itself very quickly.
But even with a limited roster, certain iconic repaints should please both fan and child. I dont want "nightwatch prime" I DO want Scourge. I dont want "Desert Attack All Spark Brawl" I DO want Warpath.

Why are we being presented with "nightwatch" prime, I am not collecting Batman toys, I am collecting Transformers.
There are HUNDREDS of characters they could pay homage to with repaints. Instead we get all spark power?

To those who think this is business as usual, read Bonger's list above and count the BBs. If that isnt ridiculous then maybe I am losing my mind or something. Instead of 90 BBs and 1 Cliffjumper, why not make Bugbite or Hubcap etc etc.

The metallic versions arent the only reason everyone is up in arms, I think collectors have been trying to justify the movie repaints and this one is just beyond reasoning.
The movie line repaints as a whole have been disappointing and poorly executed, especially coming off of lines like Cybertron and Classics.

Well put.

I too agree, well said.

Thanks Bonger, Megatron the Great

I had been trying to put my finger on why I was so eager for repaints during G1, BW, Energon, Cybertron, Classics etc. but when the movie line issued its repaints I just couldnt get excited.

My above post is the reason, Hasbro dealt the collectors a poopy hand redeco wise this time around.

Sid Burn wrote:Thanks Bonger, Megatron the Great

I had been trying to put my finger on why I was so eager for repaints during G1, BW, Energon, Cybertron, Classics etc. but when the movie line issued its repaints I just couldnt get excited.

My above post is the reason, Hasbro dealt the collectors a poopy hand redeco wise this time around.

Wel, look at the bright side. Atleast we know we won't be getting a movie redeco as a Botcon Exc. next year.

Bonger wrote:

Sid Burn wrote:Thanks Bonger, Megatron the Great

I had been trying to put my finger on why I was so eager for repaints during G1, BW, Energon, Cybertron, Classics etc. but when the movie line issued its repaints I just couldnt get excited.

My above post is the reason, Hasbro dealt the collectors a poopy hand redeco wise this time around.

Wel, look at the bright side. Atleast we know we won't be getting a movie redeco as a Botcon Exc. next year.

Heres hoping we dont
LOL watch hasbro give us scourge and warpath, but only in a Botcon set.

I can already hear the whining.