no doubt agree a completely functional proto needs to be complete beforehand, inclusive to CAD geometries for special parts so the proposed is really READY for a production run, not 2-4 years waiting on someones vague pipe-dreams that may or not ever happen (gee look I filed bankruptcy!).

I've known many GREAT artists, and yes when it gets down to real world business many are very flaky.
it isnt that I dont appreciate what they CAN do, but sometimes the dreams or timelines are very unrealistic. I knew a guy that there wasnt anything that couldnt be done in 20 minutes.. 3 days later..
it wasnt for lack of skills, his mouth just wrote checks that couldnt be banked on! a good guy and he'd complete the task no matter what.. but WHEN? (and gawd all the DRAMA that went along with it)