Lightyears is a 12 part TV series still in production. In the tradition of Doctor Who and Blake’s 7, it relies on scripting and characters rather than big budgets. It is filmed on videotape with special effects being created on an Amiga computer with a video toaster. (Unfortunately, the project was never completed.)
Since we were involved in minor parts of the production, as a Christmas present, Shirley created dolls in the likenesses of three of the characters (also the show’s producers and creators). Each was also given something that made it special for the actor, something that was very personal. In reality, these were more than dolls, but they weren’t action figures. So, we created the world’s first “In-Action” figures. Yes, Lightyears In-Action Figures. They don’t do anything. They just sit there and look cute and adorable. Each came in its own gift box, and carries a name tag on the wrist.
Jiro Iwata, played by Don Sakers. Don, who had a beard at the time of shooting (as shown by the picture below) likes dalmatians. To reflect this, the boxers on the figure have dalmatian spots on them.
Don Sakers as Jiro Iwata (actual Lightyears still)
Thomas Atkinson plays several parts in the production. Here he is in his role as a priest. Thomas is also a fan of Star Wars (and part of his home, a large part, is devoted to the Star Toys Museum). On the boxers for this figure, we see “Jedi U”.
Brend Metzger, played by Dan Corcoran. The device on his outfit is the computer Manda. Dan has a nickname that people prefer to call him, Renfield. Renfield, of course, was Dracula’s assistant. His boxers are marked with an “I” and a heart and “Drac”, or “I Love Drac”.
Dan Corcoran as Brend Metzger (Actual Lightyears still)
Here, Thomas and Don open their Christmas gifts.
