One thing I'll never get used to with these forums is picking up a discussion over days and weeks. There've been lots of good points on both sides of the aisle. About the only thing I have to add is that ever since the end of G1 there have been complaints about successive series. Even the much beloved Beast Wars has been classified as filler. It really is subjective. For kids (like my own) whose first regular TF show was Animated, Animated could very well become the definitive title against which they judge all others both pas and future.

 

I think by and large fans express displeasure not because a show is bad but because it doesn't live up to their specific set of expectations. Some want G1 repeated ad nauseaum. Some want... , well I can't really speculate but the wide range of views just in this thread illustates the idea better than I ever could anyway.

 

The bottom line for me is that as long as Hasbro tries to develop new stories and ideas rather than rehashing the same tired concepts time and again I'll at least give them an "A" for effort. As to any toys that spring forth from Prime, I'll do what I always do: Buy what looks good and leave the rest.

These kind of forums have been a great way to network & share news, opinions, ideas etc about a shared

interest in this pop culture phenomenon (beats the snot out of BBS!). During the 80's when many of us were

first introduced to Transformers (+ other 'heroes'), there just wasn't a comparable place to do that. My

friends & I found out about new shows the week before airing (if we happened to see the bumper ads). Our

'playground networking' was really limited & we seldom saw anything of new figures before hitting the shelves.

 

When RID was released here, I saw the chance to share some cool cultural icons with my nieces & nephew; and of course see for myself what TF's had become. Some of the stories evolve, some characters change; many ideas remained intact. The Decepticons, with their ideas of empirical expansion & domination of all others is not so different from some of the humans who shaped America. The Autobot ideals of compassion, protection and preservation are notions most of know are important to at least consider.

 

Way off topic I know, though these are some of the meanings I (& now my younger relatives)have associated

with the characters & stories of our favorite 'Robots in disguise'. We are a complex people & imbue our idols with so many anthropomorphic traits, partly because they represent what we wish to be or become.

 

Which is part of the reason some of us are bothered when Arcee lacks a "proper nose"... :tfgrin

^^^ :yay I couldn't have put it more succinctly if you'd forced me to at gunpoint... (hmmm maybe that's not the best analogy for cool and collected thinking...) Either way though, between MACHWULF and Jason X, I think you guys really hit the nail on the head! Transformers are an ever-evolving idea, and ya know what? I like that. Though there are some things I feel make it better if you stay true to, sometimes the unusual change here and there adds the sort of spice and variety that keeps us all from getting bored with our favorite bots.

 

Everybody has their 'Fan-Spasm' moment from time to time... (should know) But being able to give credit where credit is due and recognize the good in things and not just the bad is key to maintaining a strong forum discussion environment, and it always feels better for me when we are capable of doing that. :beer

 

aah...

 

... Arcee's new nose is still bothering me though. :P

Wassup Guys, new to the site,and let me say, these are some pretty dope boards you guys got going here.

 

Im going to try to communicate as much as i can about the new Transformers:Prime, and hopefully lay to rest some of the concerns. As a storyboard artist on the show, i am intricately involved with a VAST MAJORITY of the content, and have seen each and every piece of art that there is for the show, and let me say that this show is going to blow you guys away! Now, i know that with me being an employee of Hasbro Studios, its hard to believe me, or see this post as an objective standpoint, but let me assure you that i was a fan of Transformers WAYYYY before i was an artist on the show, and my loyalties are certainly tied to the things that Transformers G1 supplied to me as a kid, and how those things translate to a current audience is something that i take very seriouslt with me having 2 little boys of my own that will someday see this cartoon.

 

One of the greatest days of my life had to be when Peter Cullen and the rest of the crew came to visit the studio, and yes i point out Peter for a few reasons. One, because he is an amazing guy in my book, i (like most of you guys as well im sure) learned so many lessons about so many things from Optimus Prime growing up, and to meet the guy that supplied that voice was amazing! Also one of the most amazing moments in my professional career was him almost going into tears after watching footage of our cartoon (true story) and saying how amazing it was to have new and AUTHENTIC and fresh look and feel to not only the characters, but also to the story. It really is a great nod to the tradition of the G1 series, with some amazing design, and story pacing by the writers of the series, executed with modern day Action and Suspense sensibilities by myself and the other board artists and Directors of the show.

 

NOT TO MENTION the AMAZING, and UNBELIEVABLE things that the animation studio is doing with the final touches, im serious you guys, it is literally mind-blowing the level of precision, and pretty that they are achieving with this show, it literally sends chills through each of us on the team whenever we get new footage. I know that some of you guys will have your reservations, even after the show airs, but i assure you that the team involved in this thing, are serious about making good, AWESOME and fresh materials, because not only does our careers depend on it, but our entertainment, and astonishment depend on it as well, seriously, lol.

 

I hope this has helped a little with easing your brains about the show, we have been working very hard to make it amazing (hell, im working on some boards right now as i type this, lol) and we look forward to seeing it come to life as much as you do. Feel free to ask me questions, and i will answer what i can, with what i can. Oh my art site is www.ianspirational.blogspot.com, and www.kweli.deviantart.com, PEACE!

Wassup Guys, new to the site,and let me say, these are some pretty dope boards you guys got going here.

 

Im going to try to communicate as much as i can about the new Transformers:Prime, and hopefully lay to rest some of the concerns. As a storyboard artist on the show, i am intricately involved with a VAST MAJORITY of the content, and have seen each and every piece of art that there is for the show, and let me say that this show is going to blow you guys away! Now, i know that with me being an employee of Hasbro Studios, its hard to believe me, or see this post as an objective standpoint, but let me assure you that i was a fan of Transformers WAYYYY before i was an artist on the show, and my loyalties are certainly tied to the things that Transformers G1 supplied to me as a kid, and how those things translate to a current audience is something that i take very seriouslt with me having 2 little boys of my own that will someday see this cartoon.

 

One of the greatest days of my life had to be when Peter Cullen and the rest of the crew came to visit the studio, and yes i point out Peter for a few reasons. One, because he is an amazing guy in my book, i (like most of you guys as well im sure) learned so many lessons about so many things from Optimus Prime growing up, and to meet the guy that supplied that voice was amazing! Also one of the most amazing moments in my professional career was him almost going into tears after watching footage of our cartoon (true story) and saying how amazing it was to have new and AUTHENTIC and fresh look and feel to not only the characters, but also to the story. It really is a great nod to the tradition of the G1 series, with some amazing design, and story pacing by the writers of the series, executed with modern day Action and Suspense sensibilities by myself and the other board artists and Directors of the show.

 

NOT TO MENTION the AMAZING, and UNBELIEVABLE things that the animation studio is doing with the final touches, im serious you guys, it is literally mind-blowing the level of precision, and pretty that they are achieving with this show, it literally sends chills through each of us on the team whenever we get new footage. I know that some of you guys will have your reservations, even after the show airs, but i assure you that the team involved in this thing, are serious about making good, AWESOME and fresh materials, because not only does our careers depend on it, but our entertainment, and astonishment depend on it as well, seriously, lol.

 

I hope this has helped a little with easing your brains about the show, we have been working very hard to make it amazing (hell, im working on some boards right now as i type this, lol) and we look forward to seeing it come to life as much as you do. Feel free to ask me questions, and i will answer what i can, with what i can. Oh my art site is www.ianspirational.blogspot.com, and www.kweli.deviantart.com, PEACE!

Looking at your works on DA and that blog, you seem an extremely talented artist. Im goin to take a punt...

 

Does Screamer get any more colourful?

 

Is this a Beast Wars style serious show, or is it an Animated style kiddie thing?

 

Does Cliffjumper do The Peoples Eyebrow?

Wassup Guys, new to the site,and let me say, these are some pretty dope boards you guys got going here.

 

Im going to try to communicate as much as i can about the new Transformers:Prime, and hopefully lay to rest some of the concerns. As a storyboard artist on the show, i am intricately involved with a VAST MAJORITY of the content, and have seen each and every piece of art that there is for the show, and let me say that this show is going to blow you guys away! Now, i know that with me being an employee of Hasbro Studios, its hard to believe me, or see this post as an objective standpoint, but let me assure you that i was a fan of Transformers WAYYYY before i was an artist on the show, and my loyalties are certainly tied to the things that Transformers G1 supplied to me as a kid, and how those things translate to a current audience is something that i take very seriouslt with me having 2 little boys of my own that will someday see this cartoon.

 

One of the greatest days of my life had to be when Peter Cullen and the rest of the crew came to visit the studio, and yes i point out Peter for a few reasons. One, because he is an amazing guy in my book, i (like most of you guys as well im sure) learned so many lessons about so many things from Optimus Prime growing up, and to meet the guy that supplied that voice was amazing! Also one of the most amazing moments in my professional career was him almost going into tears after watching footage of our cartoon (true story) and saying how amazing it was to have new and AUTHENTIC and fresh look and feel to not only the characters, but also to the story. It really is a great nod to the tradition of the G1 series, with some amazing design, and story pacing by the writers of the series, executed with modern day Action and Suspense sensibilities by myself and the other board artists and Directors of the show.

 

NOT TO MENTION the AMAZING, and UNBELIEVABLE things that the animation studio is doing with the final touches, im serious you guys, it is literally mind-blowing the level of precision, and pretty that they are achieving with this show, it literally sends chills through each of us on the team whenever we get new footage. I know that some of you guys will have your reservations, even after the show airs, but i assure you that the team involved in this thing, are serious about making good, AWESOME and fresh materials, because not only does our careers depend on it, but our entertainment, and astonishment depend on it as well, seriously, lol.

 

I hope this has helped a little with easing your brains about the show, we have been working very hard to make it amazing (hell, im working on some boards right now as i type this, lol) and we look forward to seeing it come to life as much as you do. Feel free to ask me questions, and i will answer what i can, with what i can. Oh my art site is www.ianspirational.blogspot.com, and www.kweli.deviantart.com, PEACE!

Looking at your works on DA and that blog, you seem an extremely talented artist. Im goin to take a punt...

 

Does Screamer get any more colourful?

 

Is this a Beast Wars style serious show, or is it an Animated style kiddie thing?

 

Does Cliffjumper do The Peoples Eyebrow?

 

Also before i say anything else, let me say that we (the creative team at Hasbro Studios) hated the Michael Bay films as much as you guys....literally everyone involved on our show (sorry Michael if you are reading this, lol.) and it is our intent to wipe clean any memories of Godforsaken space of the franchise. We are making a better project with the mindstate that THIS is how you make a dope transformers series, so rest assured, you may not like everything, but you will certainly enjoy our effort to pay homage to the franchise.

 

Now, lets start the answering.

 

Hahaha, thanks man, honored that you liked the work, i really am. So im assuming you are referring to Starscream by screamer (sorry, im not up on the lingo, lol) As far as colorful, do you mean literally his colors, or his personality? His personality is his usual, Starscream with a few really cool twists and BOLD moves is all i can say without giving away too much, i hope this helps. Steve (Blum) does an amazing job of bringing forth some elements in his voice acting that lent itself to some different directions that we couldn't even expect to take, i certainly hope this helps, im treading on the safe side with the answers, lol.

 

As far as the mood of the show, we are trying to really challenge the perceptions of what a "Family" show is, and what a "For the Fans, no Holds barred" show is. These days with censors and everything going around its hard to really take a family show on a family station to a level of CRAZINESS that some fans may expect, but i think we did a really good job of dealing with real scenarios, with fantastical characters, and placing them in some less than desirable situations that will certainly lend themselves to an intense experience. With that said, its is a cool ass show with some really DOPE shots and scenes, and really nice stories, that i think will appeal to anyone thats a fan of the franchise....i will also say that when i do my boards, i try to put some really next level action in there, and convey the real emotions that are needed, and my director is AMAZING at pulling EVERYTHING out of my boards that needs to be pulled......and our final rendered Megatron looks SCARY AS HELL! Forrea, i think he's gonna cause some wet beds with some of our fans, lol.

 

Hahaha, as far as the Peoples Eyebrow, i believe so, i'll try to get it in there the next time i board a Cliffjumper scene, lol.

 

Hope these help without dodging too many details, thanks for asking, PEACE!

I got to say, I'm a little stunned right now. I have a lot of respect for you coming on here, TopNotch. I know personally that the older TF fan base sometimes feels ignored by Hasbro. We know the product is geared at younger kids but c'mon, adult collectors are here too, right?

It's just really cool to see someone involved with Hasbro taking the time to actually communicate ("Hasbro Answers Your Burning Questions" is a sham and getting shammier all the time) and even answer some questions. It shows you respect the audience. I'm sure I'm not alone in the appreciation.

I got to say, I'm a little stunned right now. I have a lot of respect for you coming on here, TopNotch. I know personally that the older TF fan base sometimes feels ignored by Hasbro. We know the product is geared at younger kids but c'mon, adult collectors are here too, right?

It's just really cool to see someone involved with Hasbro taking the time to actually communicate ("Hasbro Answers Your Burning Questions" is a sham and getting shammier all the time) and even answer some questions. It shows you respect the audience. I'm sure I'm not alone in the appreciation.

 

Hey Jason, i appreciate the props man, but im a fan of this stuff just like you guys and so many other artists are as well. I think that because of my new-ness into the industry, and because of my connection to the internet, and with me being a part of the internet generation, i just know that its because of our fans here thet we will either succeed in bringing a great product, or fail because of our selfishness or arrogance. You guys are awesome, and the product that we are making is for you guys, we really do hope you like it, SERIOUSLY! lol, THanks again and i cant wait til our show airs and you guys get what you finally deserve (preyerfully, lol)PEACE!

I got to say, I'm a little stunned right now. I have a lot of respect for you coming on here, TopNotch. I know personally that the older TF fan base sometimes feels ignored by Hasbro. We know the product is geared at younger kids but c'mon, adult collectors are here too, right?

It's just really cool to see someone involved with Hasbro taking the time to actually communicate ("Hasbro Answers Your Burning Questions" is a sham and getting shammier all the time) and even answer some questions. It shows you respect the audience. I'm sure I'm not alone in the appreciation.

 

Hey Jason, i appreciate the props man, but im a fan of this stuff just like you guys and so many other artists are as well. I think that because of my new-ness into the industry, and because of my connection to the internet, and with me being a part of the internet generation, i just know that its because of our fans here thet we will either succeed in bringing a great product, or fail because of our selfishness or arrogance. You guys are awesome, and the product that we are making is for you guys, we really do hope you like it, SERIOUSLY! lol, THanks again and i cant wait til our show airs and you guys get what you finally deserve (preyerfully, lol)PEACE!

I'm really jazzed for 10/10/10 myself. I caught the preview in this months Toyfare and am loving the line up. I was interested in the mention of Decepticon Troopers. Are they like drones or generic bad guys? Feel free not to answer if you can't or don't want to and thanks again!

Meh, not a huge fan of CGI cartoons. Sole reason I've not seen Beast Wars...

However, I LOVE the Ratchet design, and if they make decent toys of Ratchet, Arcee and those Decepticon Troopers, I'll buy for sure.

From what I saw in the SDCC clip, if the toys are to be show accurate, they'll have to make them all in (colored) chrome tho :o

 

Oh, and labeling the Animated show/toys as bad isn't really fair. The show had great characters, interesting designs (bike Prowl?), and the toys for the most part were accurate in both modes with very little kibble. Movie toys can't say the same. You're allowed to think the show was unfun, but atleast give the toys some credit.

 

That would kick ass if Hasbro went as far as to give us colored chrome! Well, if it matched up to being show accurate that is, and not did it half assed, or even less then half assed.

 

And Animated toys were awesome! Inovative and show accurate FTW! The only reason (i think) Animated finally stopped selling toys (as much), was cuz there was no storyline to follow anymore. It did good when the show was still in the "new episode" phase.

 

And too bad i missed ya TopNotchtimus Prime(btw, nice name choice!lol), as i appreciate coming on the boards as well. I think actually, its really brave lol/.