Exclusive interview with FiGPiN Collector Midnight.Geek (aka Midnight)

Historically speaking, FiGPiN collecting is still relatively young with lots of collectors, big and small, joining in the past year. Top ranked collector MickeysWalt, who at the time of this writing, has a collection power over 13 million, started only months ago. Many other collectors like myself and Midnight, who’s featured in this interview, started in the past 12 months. Scroll up and down the list of FiGPiN Watch and you’ll find other relatively new collectors making the Top 50.

It’s exciting times for the FiGPiN community. The inaugural FiGPiN Warehouse Awesome Party (FWAP) was held exactly a month ago on August 28th in Irvine, California, followed by an after party later in the evening at GameCraft Brewing, hosted by FiGPiN Chasers. FWAP brought collectors from across the country and Canada.

While FiGPiN pulled out of New York Comic Con (NYCC) due to COVID concerns, the Emerald City Comic Con is still on the calendar for December 2-5, 2021. FiGPiN has not announced any cancellation plans for ECCC.

Although today you might not necessarily be getting in on the ground floor of FiGPiN collecting, it’s still pretty early and there’s so much more to come. In this interview, I had the opportunity to talk with Midnight, who got his start in November 2020. In addition to collecting, he also regularly produces social media content related to FIGPINS on his Instagram page.

1. Can you share some about your background and what eventually drew your interest to FIGPINS?

I am a Facebook Level Up variety streamer. I had just relocated from Alaska to Texas, and I went into GameStop looking for something to start my first collecting hobby with to build a background display for my Facebook Streaming page (which I am in the process of rebranding). I told the GameStop clerk that I had never collected anything before and asked him for recommendations that weren’t Funko Pops because that’s all everyone else recommended I collect. Nothing against Funko Pops or anyone who collects them, I think they are nice, but they aren’t for me. The clerk said, “I got you,” and pointed me straight to some Dragon Ball FiGPiNS. I immediately fell in love with their art (both pin and backer card), design, and display case, but what I loved the most about them is that they accurately represent their characters. Jiren, Buu, and the Dragon Ball Z box set were my first FiGPiNS. When I got home, I looked up their website and ordered like 50 more. I was lucky because they had their Black Friday Sale going on. I own a couple hundred.

2. Many FiGPiN collectors have social media accounts, but what makes your approach to social media different particularly with Instagram?

Let’s see, how does one answer a question like this without sounding full of themselves (which I am not)? Personally, I think that the most noticeable thing is the canvas I use for my unboxing videos. My goal is to take advantage of most of your mobile device’s screen on portrait mode so that those watching my videos can get a better view of myself, my FiGPiN display, and what I am unboxing. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else in our niche. I would say the way I sound is the second most noticeable thing. My collection/stream room is next to my daughters’ room. I record most of my videos after putting them to sleep, so I can’t be too loud (which is hard for me because I get excited about my FiGPiNS! lol). Some people are thrown off by it, but I have gotten many compliments on my soft-spoken approach, with some comparing it to late-night radio talk show hosts or ASMR-inducing videos. I am still improving my audio to make it sound cleaner, but I fear I may never be done. That said, I think I may be the only FiGPiN whisperer out there lol.

3. What are your favorite tools, gadgets, and software for doing your Instagram videos and photos?

Ooooh, so many I love, but I’ll try to keep it short. Let’s see, software-wise, I love Phonto, Photoleap, XSplit, OBS, SLOBS, In-Shot, CapCut (thanks Toofu!), etc.! As for hardware, I love El Gato! I own 4 of their lights (but I’ve only set 2 up), a stream deck XL, and a green screen that I plan to use soon. I also have 3 Yeti microphones and 3 Logitech Webcams.

4. Do you have previous social media experience?

A little. I streamed for the Facebook Level Up program for almost a year before relocating to Texas last Fall. I’ve also streamed on Twitch and YouTube and have about 5K followers across my social media accounts and two Facebook gaming groups with about 2K members combined. I am in the process of rebranding those accounts, so I haven’t been active in them for a bit. I think my newfound love of FiGPiNS may be partly to blame for that lol, but I will merge all of them soon! I can’t wait for the comeback!

5. Do you have any tips for others looking to grow their social media presence particularly related to FIGPINS?

Some of the most important things I learned as a Facebook Level Up streamer were to be myself and not being afraid to try new things. Sure, we all do things that other, potentially more popular accounts do but has anyone else in our specific niche (collecting and displaying FiGPiNS) done it? If not, I’d say give it a shot. It’s OK to draw inspiration from other creators as long as we don’t flat-out copy each other’s content (one can always give a shout out too). If it works and you’re happy with it, good; if it doesn’t work, but you’re satisfied with it, that’s OK too. Not everyone is going to love our content, and that’s OK. What is important is that you love and are satisfied with the content you create and put out. If you aren’t happy with your content or don’t love what you do, then what’s the point? That’s why I am incredibly thankful for every follow and every like I get, so make sure you follow and smash that like button! Kidding! lol.

6. You’re in the military. How do you structure your days? How do you balance work, family, and personal demands?

Being in the military has taught me to be very flexible, but this is a typical day for me:

• Wake up and personal hygiene 0430-0500.
• 0500-0600 Physical fitness.
• 0600-0630 Personal hygiene/get ready for work.
• 0630-0710 Get my girls ready for school.
• 0710-0745 Drop them off at school.
• 0745-0815 Commute to work.
• 0815-1500 Work at the office.
• 1500-1545 Pickup my girls from school.
• Once home, I get my girls started on homework, if any, while I continue to work from home, but I am available to help them as needed. I usually finish the workday between 1700-1800, but I am available to my troops 24/7.
• When able, I spend about an hour of quality time with my girls before dinner (whatever they feel like doing, I’m game with).
• 1800-1900 is when we usually eat dinner.
• 1900-2030 Hang out with my girls some more. Sometimes they want to play in their room, so I get this time for myself to relax.
• 2030-2100 Personal hygiene and get things ready for the next day.
• 2100-2115 Put my girls to sleep.
• 2115-0000 is my only real time to relax, watch anime, record unboxing videos, or take pictures and edit them so I can post them sometime the next day or if I am super tired, I call it a day and get more sleep lol.
• 0000-0430 Sleep then repeat lol.
• On the weekends, I spend most of my time hanging out with my girls unless they want to play with each other in their room, at which point I may sneak in a nap or enjoy some personal time to do the things I mentioned before.

7. What would you do differently if you started to collect FIGPINS right now?

If I were about to start collecting FiGPiNS right now, I would focus on completing one of my favorite lines (e.g., Dragon Ball, Naruto, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer) before starting a new line. However, that would be very hard to achieve since FiGPiN is constantly dropping fire!

8. What 3 things does anyone just starting out collecting FIGPINS need to know in your opinion?

• Know that FiGPiNS are not only sold on FiGPiN.com (though I buy most of mine from there) but also through other online retailers (see picture below), and some FiGPiNS are exclusive to the other retailers.
• Know that each FiGPiN has a unique serial number and learn about how it interacts with the FiGPiN App (which, in my opinion, is a must if you collect FiGPiNS!).
• Know about the many awesome FiGPiN communities out there (e.g., the FiGPiN Fans Discord and the FiGPiN Chasers & FiGPiN Boosters Facebook groups).

9. Which people or communities have had the most influence on you in terms of FIGPINS and why?

The FiGPiN Fans discord community has had the most positive impact on me. So many friendly and humble collectors with unbelievable collections are there, ready to help one another and welcome new collectors. They have taught me about boosting and boosted my FiGPiNS. They have explained multiple aspects of the FiGPiN App, reminded me of unlocking days, given me excellent anime recommendations, and become good friends of mine.

10. If you won $10,000 that you could spend on any FIGPINS how would you spend it right now?

I would honestly buy more Midnights (#238) FiGPiNS. I would love to own the First Off The Line, Super Match, Last Chopper Out, First unlock, 69/1000 sequence (you know why if you’ve watched MHA), and an AP or a couple with whatever is left lol.

11. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far about collecting FIGPINS since joining the community?

You aren’t in this alone. Many collectors are willing to trade pins from their collection that they may not be super attached to if it means they go to someone who truly cares about them. When in doubt, ask!

12. What are your favorite FIGPINS and FiGPiN lines?

Mi My favorite lines are My Hero Academia, all of the Dragon Ball lines, Naruto, Demon Slayer, and Dr. Stone!
My Favorite FiGPiNS are Midnight, Midnight, and Midnight… Kidding. Too many to name, so I will pick one from each of my favorite lines: Starting with my Holy Grail Midnight #238, Super Saiyan Goku #57, Jiraya #246, Shinobu Kocho #490, and Senku #486.

13. If you could have any FiGPiN made tomorrow, what would that be?

An action-pose Teen Titans Raven with a glitter purple robe!

14. Where can people find you online and where are you most active?

You can find me on the following Social media platforms, but I am most active on Instagram @midnight.geek.

• TikTok (Midnight.Geek)
• Youtube (Midnight Geek)
• Facebook (Midnight Geek)

15. What’s next for you?

Facebook Level Up. I am almost ready to start streaming again. I’ve been gone for too long, and I can’t wait for the comeback and introduce my newfound love for FiGPiNS and the new friends I’ve made.

16. I always like to ask what’s one question I should’ve asked and how would you have answered?

Why did you start your FiGPiN Collection’s Instagram page and what do you hope to accomplish with it?

To share my love for FiGPiNS through the content I create with other collectors and hopefully reach people who may not know about FiGPiN yet and get them to start collecting FiGPiNS and creating and sharing their content with us.

** Have something to share with the FiGPiN community? If you would like to take part in the interview series, please e-mail [email protected] **