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IAmElemental Action Figures for Girls Kickstarter

Fierce female action figures that embody the Elements of Courage: Bravery, Energy, Honesty, Industry, Enthusiasm, Persistence & Fear.

IAmElemental Action Figures for Girls were designed to accomplish three goals.

MORE HEROINE, LESS HOOTERS  
First, they are intended to be a positive and fierce re-interpretation of the traditional female action figure. 

After scouring toy stores in search of action figures that are appropriate toys for young girls, we discovered that the typical female action figure on the market today is not actually designed for girls at all (or even boys). Instead, most are created for the adult male collector, decidedly more Hooters than Heroine. 

More Hooters than HeroineMore Hooters than Heroine

We set out to design a series of figures with healthier breast, waist and hip ratios; fierce, strong females worthy of an active, save-the-world storyline that fosters creativity in kids. 

The 7 Elements of CourageThe 7 Elements of Courage

IT'S CHARACTER, NOT CHARACTERS 

Second, IAmElemental action figures encourage girls to reinvent the superhero myth by creating their own empowering stories. In the traditional, male-dominated superhero universe, action figures are endowed with powers from without (via a spider bite, mutant DNA, or some sort of "accident"). In the IAmElemental universe, the girl herself is the superhero - and she has all the superpowers she will ever need already inside of her.

We have converted the Periodic Table of Elements into "The Elements of Power," and we will unveil these powers, series by series, one after the other.

The first series, available first on Kickstarter, is the Courage Series. 

FearFear

The Elemental parts of COURAGE:

Using Joan of Arc as our Muse (because real heroes walk among us), each figure in the series is the personification of one of the Elemental Powers - and we are talkingSuperpowers.

Bravery, for example, is defined as not shrinking from challenge or difficulty, and her Superpower is the ability to create a protective force field around herself and others.

Bravery Trading CardBravery Trading Card

Magic and fantasy are critical elements of both imaginative play, and daily life. If you want the extraordinary to happen, you have to believe in the impossible.

We live in a world where product tie-ins are a de facto part of the average media marketing plan, and children are spoon-fed a perfectly-packaged storyline with the purchase of every action figure. Yet, we fervently believe that girls (and boys) are not only capable of creating their own stories, but that story creation is a vital part of their emotional development.  

Why live vicariously through someone else? Why not be a real, live Superhero?

PLAY WITH POWER
Third, we set out to create a toy that is super fun to play with and collect. We knew from the outset that if the figures weren't well-designed, nothing else would matter. 

So, we spent months carefully considering every aspect of the process, working collaboratively with the amazing team at EleventyPlex, in order to ensure that we ended up with the best 4-inch articulated action figure possible.

Designed for PlayDesigned for Play

Each figure has 5 points of articulation (Neck, Shoulders, Elbows, Knees, Hips). 

Points of ArticulationPoints of Articulation

They are pose-able. They stand. They bend. They sit (without splaying their legs in a hyper-sexualized straddle - try that with some existing figures sometime. Fascinating.)

Bravery Takes a StandBravery Takes a Stand

They each wear armor, have a removable, interchangeable accessory that speaks to their superpower, and an identifying shield they can hold in their hand. They come in a Mystery Pack, which includes a figure, a shield, an accessory, and a carry bag in each pack. 

These figures can save others and themselves, go on epic adventures, and combine together to take the form of Courage.

Combined, Powers Grow StrongerCombined, Powers Grow Stronger

What we've created are modern, fierce, fun action figures that fit in a girl's pocket and go anywhere she goes. 

Power in Her HandsPower in Her Hands

But, even if you aren't a young girl, you will want to play with this toy.

We are not anti-doll, or anti-princess. Rather, we believe that these stories are not the only stories girls carry inside themselves. As the wonderful animation by Olivia Huynh in our video so cleverly reveals, if you give a girl a different toy, she will tell a different story.

What's your story? 

ELEMENTAL REWARDS: What's Included?

Mystery PackMystery Pack

Every Mystery Pack (and yes, it is a Mystery) contains:

One 4-inch articulated figure, 1 shield, 1 removable accessory, 2 trading cards, an Elemental Map, and a Nylon Drawstring Carry Bag.

Every Carry Case includes: All 7 figures with shields, accessories, trading cards & map, an interactive IAmElemental Workbook, Nylon Drawstring Carry Bag and Courage Bracelet*.

*Girls can collect the shields and wear them on a Courage Bracelet. 

Elemental Thanks
Post Kickstarter, we will take the names of ALL of our backers and re-create our Mask logo using everyone's name as an Element of the design. This will be a one-of-a-kind acknowledgement and image. 

Play with Power 1
Single Elemental Figure & acknowledgement on our site. Do you know a girl who wants to Play with Power? Put one of the Elements of Courage in her hands.

Each Pack contains: One 4 inch articulated action figure, representing one of the 7 Elements of Courage, a Shield and Removable Accessory, 2 Trading Cards* (one to keep, one to share), an Elemental MAP, and a Drawstring Carry Bag. 

*If you collect all 7 Trading Cards, they will reveal a message and you will receive an Elemental bracelet so that you can transform your shields into charms. 

Exclusive to Kickstarter! After Kickstarter, individual figures will only be available in retail stores.

"Play with Power" Baseball Cap & Thanks 
Join our tribe with this exclusive IAmElemental baseball cap (one size fits all). It comes with our eternal gratitude & a shout out on our site. Our hats are Black with a White "I Am Elemental" Mask logo stitched on the front, and the words “Play with Power” on the back. We tested them on lots of heads. They work.

Power Play 2 
Two Figures, 1 Cap. Endless Thanks. 
Receive 2 Unique Elemental Action Figure Mystery Packs, 1 Baseball Cap, and your name listed on our site. 

Carry Case: Kickstarter Exclusive! 
The Complete Courage Series in a Collectible Carry Case. 

Get the entire series in a special carrying case. Case includes: 7 action figures, plus shields & inter-changable accessories. 1 Interactive IAmElemental Workbook (capture your own thoughts on Courage, share those thoughts with others, complete the challenges, and more). 1 Drawstring Carry Bag. 1 Bracelet. Wear your Elemental Shields on the adjustable bracelet. Wear one. Wear them all. You choose. Some of the figures in the Courage series will be under-produced. This is the best way to get ALL 7 original figures! It makes a great gift, and will be delivered in time for the holidays.  

Carry Case ComponentsCarry Case Components

Elemental Power Party Having a party? Let us help us. IAmElemental Action Figures make a GREAT party favor.

We will give you everything you need to throw a party and truly Play With Power.  We will include: a PDF of creative party games and theme ideas; Printable Invitation Design;  Elemental decorations: banner, table topper and signage; Favor bags - we will provide up to 24 favor bags ready to hand out to all the party guests. (We can do either adult or child themed! Think about it. Age level to be specified in the Rewards survey post-launch.)

Personalized Power 
What's your super power? This is a highly personal and totally unique reward. We will personalize all of the items for you or a loved one. 

Includes: 1 complete Courage Series set of 7 unique figures included in a Personalized Carry Case. 2 personalized "Play with Power" baseball caps. PLUS 1 Framed, Limited Edition and Personalized Elemental Print. Pick your power and we will send you an exclusive print that is a work of art and a bold statement about the super power inside.  Special designation in the THANK YOU graphic.

Exclusive Power Party for 10! A fully customized and amazing one-of-a-kind event in New York City.

We have a few superpowers of our own here at I Am Elemental world headquarters, and we are putting them to good use on this reward.

Hosted at either the American Museum of Natural History or the Metropolitan Museum of Art (your choice), we will plan an interactive scavenger hunt throughout the museum for you and a group of your choosing. This is not your average, "find the color red" kind of hunt. We will customize an in-depth, challenging and amazing race through a world-renowned institution adapted for the age of the group (any age from 5-95, and if you're 96 and want to do it, we've got your back.) We will also plan a fun and festive celebration to accompany the experience.

This is one-of-a-kind. Only Kickstarter. Only now. Come Play With Power.  Includes all the goodies of the above reward level.   

Dinner & Brainstorming session Join us and hear all about Series 2 / Wisdom. Be our guests at our favorite Brooklyn restaurant. But, come prepared to work a little. We will share early-stage concepts, designs and ideas and give you the chance to weigh in on the design of our next series.

Includes 1 box of 24 figures, as many hats as you want, 1 Carry Case, a signed Elemental print of your choice, and a very special listing on our graphic website THANK YOU.

Why We Need Your Help

We’ll be using all the money raised on Kickstarter to purchase our molds, complete our first large production run and to fulfill all Kickstarter orders.

Any additional funds raised will allow us to build an online store front and launch a campaign to bring IAmElemental action figures to stores all over the country.

We have creative and unexpected ideas for many more toys and play experiences that we feel are missing from the toy market, or are presented in a way that makes them fundamentally unappealing. We want to change that. Join us in launching the COURAGE series and begin a movement to Play with Power.

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Posted 14 May, 2014 - 06:33 by VF5SS