FROM TOY FAIR 2008 TO THE BIG SCREEN: What Happened to the Dreamers?
We followedsix inventorsinto the unknown when they chased their big dreams at Toy Fair. Now, we're checking back in to see where that audacious leapactuallylanded them. This is the true story of following your passion.
Fund PLAY ON! Will the Fun Survive?Today!
Your support is crucial. Every donation to our fiscal sponsor,From the Heart Productions, isTAX-DEDUCTIBLEand covers everything from pre-production to follow-up filming, to final editing to release, marketing and distribution.
See the powerful impact of your tax-deductible contribution and the exclusive rewards waiting for you or your company:
JOIN OUR VALUED DONORS and SPONSORS
UPDATE:The Moss-Tucker Grouphas graciously donated their valuable promotional resources and strategic outreach to supportPLAY ON's campaign and visibility!
A Documentary Film from TDmonthly
PLAY ON!
Will the Fun Survive?
Seventeen years ago, we went to Toy Fair with new inventors who hoped they’d created the next hit toy. Where are they now?
In 2008, six first-time toy inventors walked into New York’s Toy Fair with big dreams and even bigger stakes. ToyDirectory’s cameras were there to discreetly capture every moment. What we didn’t know then was how dramatically their resolve — and the specialty toy industry itself — would be tested.
Big Dreams at the Biggest Toy Show
The New York Toy Fair is the Super Bowl of play: thousands of inventors, buyers, and media packed into the Javits Center, hoping to discover the “next big thing.” For newcomers, it’s a make-or-break moment. One order could launch a company; silence could crush it.
Meet the Toymakers
​AIMEEis a mom and corporate etiquette expert who raided her children’s college funds to invent “Blunders,” a board game that makes manners fun (and prayed that Oprah would notice!).
RAY is a former marine whose flash of inspiration led him to create a moveable board for his favorite game, chess. "Beyond Chess" was already a hit in game stores before he came to Toy Fair.
​TERRIcouldn’t have more kids — so she created an $85,000 Jack Russell terrier movie series with her pets and farm animals - “The Tails of Abbygail” -- to bring joy to other people’s children instead.
BRETTis a water-loving tinkerer and adventurer who spent 12 years and tens of thousands of dollars engineering the ultimate self-siphoning water gun for his toy, “Frolicking Floaters.”
MICHAELis a special-effects artist who sculpted dinosaur puppets so real they could star in a movie. He came to Toy Fair determined to resurrect a dream that almost went extinct: "PuppeToys"
SUSANpartnered with another ex-HR executive who was sickened by toxic corporate culture. Together, they crafted a game to teach kids about values, empathy, and character: "What's the Deal?"
The Journey: Crash and Check-In
The Crash
Months after Toy Fair, the **Great Recession hit. Hard.** The myth that toys were “recession-proof” was quickly disproved. By 2010, Aimee was operating a crane lift to ship out her games herself. Brett still hadn’t recouped his investment, had most of his original inventory sitting in a warehouse, and was in danger of losing his home to foreclosure.
Independent toy stores shuttered and small manufacturers struggled as the economy dived and Amazon rose. We shelved our documentary. The plans to follow up with our dreamers on video were postponed indefinitely.
Seventeen Years Later…
Now, like Michael Apted’s *UP* series of documentary films — which follow children throughout their lives – **PLAY ON!’s once-in-a-lifetime footage offers a rare chance to see these dreamers at the beginning of their journey** … and then find out where that long, bumpy road took them.
​Meet the Filmmakers
BOB NAIMI. Executive Producer. ​Bob is a visionary, mission-driven businessman and founder of ToyDirectory.com (est. 1996), which gets 42,000 unique visitors per month. Bob believes that playing with high-quality toys helps children develop compassion, creativity, and intellect that stay with them as they grow, contributing to a more peaceful world. Read more about PLAY ON! and our inventors onToyDirectory.
ALISON MAREK. Co-Producer, Co-Director, Camera, Editor. Former director of videography at ToyDirectory, Alison has won grants from Showtime Networks, Inc., and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. She’s been nominated for a local Emmy, received Gold Aurora and Bronze Telly awards, and has written, produced or directed PSAs, short films, web series, features, and TV
KARINA DUFFY. Co-Producer, Co-Director, Camera, Editor. Karina is an award-winning director and producer known for authentic and immersive storytelling. Her acclaimed documentary “Tahi: The Human Journey” highlights the interconnectedness of humanity. Broadcast on over 50 networks worldwide, the film brings ancient traditions and indigenous wisdom to a global audience.
FROM THE HEART PRODUCTIONS. Fiscal Sponsor. PLAY ON! has fiscal sponsorship through From the Heart Productions, a 501C3 organization that considers this an important historical project. This partnership also offers a
Support the Film
Help fund the documentary and keep the story of play alive:
or as an individual.
JOIN OUR VALUED DONORS and SPONSORS
FROM TOY FAIR 2008 TO THE BIG SCREEN: What Happened to the Dreamers?
We followedsix inventorsinto the unknown when they chased their big dreams at Toy Fair. Now, we're checking back in to see where that audacious leapactuallylanded them. This is the true story of following your passion.
Fund PLAY ON! Will the Fun Survive? Today!
Your support is crucial. Every donation to our fiscal sponsor,From the Heart Productions, isTAX-DEDUCTIBLEand covers everything from pre-production to follow-up filming, to final editing to release, marketing and distribution. See the powerful impact of your tax-deductible contribution and the exclusive rewards waiting for you or your company:
Support the Film
Help fund the documentary and keep the story of play alive:
Support PLAY ON! Your Donation is Tax-Deductible.
Or Pay by Check:
Please make check donations payable to **From the Heart Productions**.
Indicate the name of the film **“PLAY ON! Documentary”** on the memo line.
Mail your check to:
From The Heart Productions 1013 Harbor Blvd. #53 Oxnard, CA 93035
PLEASE BE SURE TO PUT THE NAME “PLAY ON!” ON ALL DONATIONS so that we will receive the funds. Thank you!
Check back here or watch your email for updates. You can get aschedule breakdown and see VIDEOSon thisTDmonthlyarticle.
