sparks are lame *gets beatup by madhammer*

 

I dont think we need to know WHY transformers think, just that they do, it can be explained in the sequals

 

 

Right Don

Hey, just asking a question... :tfgrin

 

Actually I don't have an preference one way or the other. I happen to like the beasty shows better, but that doesn't mean that I like everything about them. Although no less a sci-fi geek than Isaac Asimov himself said that artificial intelligence is an oxymoron. I'm just curious as to what these guys' take on that issue will be.

I should start a thread in TFGD to discuss sparks versus machines, so as not to steer this thread off target, but consider this, if sparks exist then optimus prime couldnt have been rebuilt (or died in the 1st place) I like harddrives better than sparks for this reason

 

 

(side note: in the return of optimus prime pt1, why when he was awakened, did he act like he did not miss any of the action and knew exactly what was going on)

hard drives don't correspond to sparks though. :P In BW/BM you have a spark(soul/spirit), core consciousness (mind), data tracks (memories/experiences/personality), and a shell (body). G1 referred to a "laser core" that was kind of like a TF's center of ... I dunno if it was just a source of power or of some kind of consciousness etc. But in general G1 took the approach that it's a machine; you can fix it.

 

Of course the more "spiritual" aspects of TFs brought in with BW/BM made the most sense in the context of the stories they were trying to tell.

Hey Don...

 

Two quick questions:

 

1) There have been several G1 characters whose names Hasbro wasn't able to use on toys anymore due to trademark issues. Therefore, they've either used cheap cop-outs such as "Autobot Jazz", "Autobot Hound", "Autobot Tracks" etc., which we've been told is a no-option in a "mainstream" toyline (which the movie toys are no doubt going to be), "substitute" names such as "Shockblast" (instead of "Shockwave"), "Rodimus Major" (instead of "Hot Rod"), "Silverstreak" (instead of "Bluestreak") etc., plus a few hybrid solutions ("Battle Ravage" instead of "Ravage", "Side Swipe" instead of "Sideswipe"). Also, it seems Hasbro lost "Bumblebee", since the HoC PVC set with Spike is named "Autobot Espionage Team". Therefore, can you tell us whether there are any naming problems with the characters that play major parts in the movie, and if so, are you gonna use "substitute" names or does the fact that there's a big budget movie to back them up give Hasbro the upper hand in these potential trademark affairs?

 

2) Any clues about foreign distribution of the movie? So far, Europe got shafted when it came to Transformers more often than not. As a matter of fact, Germany didn't get the original TF movie until 1994 (!), and then only on TV, no video release and a crappy DVD version (with an awfully poor new dub) not being available until last year. So, is there any reason to fear that the movie might end up as a straight-to-video release in Europe, or can we expect it a big bad blockbuster here as well?

I  the idea of having some size shifting only makes sense, but I never liked Soundwave turning into a tape player.  I mean he was one of the largest Decepticons and would shrink down small enough for Spike to carry him into the Ark.  I just never liked that aspect of the whole thing.

Maybe he should turn into the letter "T" like in More Than Meets The Eye Part 1. :tflaugh

You used to transform your Soundwave into the letter "T"! Admit it!!

 

...okay, maybe I was the only one. :redface

 

Don, thanks for coming back. My question is:

 

Is the question of artificial intelligence / what makes someone/thing "alive" going to enter into the movie at all? As you may know, the Transformers in G1 were basically described as sentient machines, but in later shows like Beast Wars and Beast Machines, the writers gave the TFs "sparks" (i.e. "souls") and added a more metaphysical side to the TF mythos.

The Spark is not in the first movie...

remember there is a LOT we have to introduce in a short space of time....

I  the idea of having some size shifting only makes sense, but I never liked Soundwave turning into a tape player.  I mean he was one of the largest Decepticons and would shrink down small enough for Spike to carry him into the Ark.  I just never liked that aspect of the whole thing.

Maybe he should turn into the letter "T" like in More Than Meets The Eye Part 1. :tflaugh

You used to transform your Soundwave into the letter "T"! Admit it!!

 

...okay, maybe I was the only one. :redface

 

Don, thanks for coming back. My question is:

 

Is the question of artificial intelligence / what makes someone/thing "alive" going to enter into the movie at all? As you may know, the Transformers in G1 were basically described as sentient machines, but in later shows like Beast Wars and Beast Machines, the writers gave the TFs "sparks" (i.e. "souls") and added a more metaphysical side to the TF mythos.

The Spark is not in the first movie...

remember there is a LOT we have to introduce in a short space of time....

Cool, thanks for answering Don. Although you triggered a second question with your reference to "The Spark"... :tfgrin

It's very gratifiying to me to see Don on TFans. It shows us that the guys cares about doing this movie right. Thanks Don! :thumb

Cool Don, thanks for the answers. I like the Ark too :D One final thing then I promise I'll let you go. How possible would it be for someone to get a walk-on role in the movie? :) Sorry, I know that sounds very fanboyish but hey, I'm a fan and it can't hurt to try. While I'm not a professional actor, it would be cool to have been in a movie of some sort in one's lifetime. Take it easy Don :wave

Until we have a director- I cannot say

It would be cool to have hardcore fans in crowd scenes

Cool Don, thanks for the answers. I like the Ark too :D One final thing then I promise I'll let you go. How possible would it be for someone to get a walk-on role in the movie? :) Sorry, I know that sounds very fanboyish but hey, I'm a fan and it can't hurt to try. While I'm not a professional actor, it would be cool to have been in a movie of some sort in one's lifetime. Take it easy Don :wave

Until we have a director- I cannot say

It would be cool to have hardcore fans in crowd scenes

That would be awesome! I would volunteer to get stepped on if you need some good Decepticon Heel-Fodder. :thumb

I just want to know, well the Dinobots be in the movie?I just be happy with Slag, Snarl, and Sludge; since Hasbro didnt add them in the Energon line.

Don,

 

As a accomplised movie producer, what problems do you foresee in terms developing this live action movie in terms of violence on the screen? Can you get away with more or less in terms of live action scenes considering this movie is about an alien war? Are you at a disadvantage b/c this franchise is based on a children's cartoon and toy line?

 

Also, I think that we may never see an anime TF movie as violent as the first Transformers Movie. As a child of the 80's, I no longer have the option of turning on the TV to find the Roadrunner being chased by the Coyote and his ACME products. The media has been forced to tighten its belt on so-called "senseless" violence to protect adolescents and young children. What barriers prevent a producer from making a darker and more violent anime version of the Transformers story for a small mature audience?

As a accomplised ACCOMPLISHEDmovie producer, what problems do you foresee in terms developing this live action movie in terms of violence on the screen? VIOLENCE NOT A PROBLEM- MOR OF A PROBLEM MAKING THE ROBOTS SUSTAINABLE AS CHARACTERS IN THE FILMCan you get away with more or less in terms of live action scenes considering this movie is about an alien war? THE WHOLE MOVIE IS LIVE ACTION WHICH IS WHY IT ID DIFFERENTAre you at a disadvantage b/c this franchise is based on a children's cartoon and toy line? NOT REALLY- MORE OF AN ADVANTAGE BECAUSE IT IS WELL KNOWN

 

Also, I think that we may never see an anime TF movie as violent as the first Transformers Movie. As a child of the 80's, I no longer have the option of turning on the TV to find the Roadrunner being chased by the Coyote and his ACME products. The media has been forced to tighten its belt on so-called "senseless" violence to protect adolescents and young children. What barriers prevent a producer from making a darker and more violent anime version of the Transformers story for a small mature audience? I DON’T KNOW I NEVER TRIED- I THINK HASBRO HAVE THE ANIME RIGHTS STILL

I just want to know, well the Dinobots be in the movie?I just be happy with Slag, Snarl, and Sludge; since Hasbro didnt add them in the Energon line.

I Answered this at donmurphy.net....no dinos in movie one