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The Transformers facebook page has posted this week's Tuesday Transformers Prime cast and crew Q&A session, which features Post-Production Supervisor Austin Block. The session is mirrored below for those without facebook access.
Amber Whetstine asked: Have you always been a Transformers fan? Who's you favorite Transformer and episode in the show so far?
AUSTIN BLOCK: I definitely watched the original series in the '80s, but working on Prime has given me a newfound appreciation for the brand and its mythology. I'd say my favorite transformer is a toss-up between Starscream and Knock Out. My favorite episodes that have aired would be 7 and 26-- but my favorite episode is actually one that hasn't aired yet! ; )
Abby Dillon asks: Thanks for all your work on Prime! As supervisor, what does your work day for the show usually look like? Is there a particular moment during the post-production of an episode that you enjoy the most?
AUSTIN BLOCK: My work days are always different but include some combo of making sure the edit/review sessions start on time, making sure our outside 'crew' (sound design, composer, color correction editor) has what they need, verifying we have all of the approved footage for a given show, resolving scheduling conflicts, coordinating with our QC facility to make sure our shows pass, and making sure we have the paperwork and media deliverables we'll need for network delivery. My favorite moment is attending the final audio mixes. It is very cool to see all the different elements finally come together.
Clark Gray asks: I am wondering if you are a fan of Transformers new and old and is it hard to separate the fan from the job when coming into contact with new content and actors?
AUSTIN BLOCK: As a child of the '80s, I definitely watched Transformers and I really liked playing with cars so Transformers and Micro Machines were among my favorite toys. As an adult and working on the show, I've become a fan again. I'm most intrigued by the backstory moments. I always look forward to getting more information from the new episodes.
Jocelyn Simmons asks: How do you manage, trying to juggle the calendar for such a huge series? Especially with all of the details that go into it! Is it hard, trying to coordinate so many things? Do you have help?
AUSTIN BLOCK: I think I've gotten pretty good at juggling. When you have to move one session, it often impacts the next stage. So other things might have to be slid around to make it all work. There are sessions that aren't as easy to move around, like an edit session with a busy Executive Producer, or a Color Correction session that we need to book well in advance. Most other sessions I am able to move around without too much trouble. I do have help: Bess Thompson assists me in Post and is in charge of calling and tracking animation retakes on every episode.
Danial Chong Quek Choon asks: Hi there, I wanna ask as a post-production supervisor for the best animation series, can you describe how do you make sure is everything of the preparation for each episode is going accordingly?
AUSTIN BLOCK: On my calendar, I plug in everything- supervised sessions; unsupervised sessions, footage deliveries, crew schedules, distribution dates, and delivery deadlines. My Blackberry is my best friend and I sort my inbox so I have important emails or emails that I need to follow up on at the ready. For those items that come up that do not involve scheduling I have a planner. That way if I have something due on a certain date I can just flip to that page and write myself a note.
--Austin Block is the Post-Production Supervisor on "Transformers Prime." She is in charge of scheduling and overseeing the post-production calendar for each episode, including all in-house sessions (such as edit sessions and picture reviews) and out-of-house sessions (such as color correction and audio mixing).
In addition to working on "Transformers Prime," Block worked on "G.I. Joe Renegades," and is now currently working on another Hub series, "Rescue Bots." Before coming to Hasbro, Block worked at Nickelodeon for seven years, where she worked as a Post Coordinator on Fairly OddParents, Tuff Puppy, Spongebob, Avatar, and Making Fiends.
Seibertron.com podcaster and man of 1000 voices jON3.0 recently had the privilege of interviewing Victor Caroli, the legendary narrator of the original Sunbow Productions Transformers cartoon, Transformers: The Movie, as well as many Transformers toy commercials. Check out his interview below.
As a good friend of Seibertron.com. We are pleased to bring you the music video for Stan Bush's song "Your Time". Enjoy the video embedded below as it features some characters that you might be familiar with.
Artist Guido Guidi has uploaded a couple of new pieces of art to his deviantART account, a G1 style Barricade and Neo-Seeker concept. Both are unofficial, but interesting for Transformers fans none the less. Check them out below
Another quick 100% digital drawing I did for fun only:
my own rendering of a G1 version of Tf Movie character Barricade, as if he appeared in the first G1 comics from the '80.
Obviously I ended using the Prowl/Smokescreen/Bluestreak models as template, combining elements from the 3 Autobots into a newer design.
NOT an official work, just did it for fun!
A warm-up digital drawing of a seeker-type robot
Just experimented a bit with the a more streamlined style (a la TF Animated/Prime style)
Edit:I didn't think about it as an actual transformer, it's more like an Action Master - hence, no altmode...sorry!
In this week's Ark Addendum update Jim Sorenson finishes up his models from G1's "Fire on the Mountain" with the backgrounds seen below. As always, swing by Jim's always informative blog Disciples of Boltax for his commentary.
The Transformers facebook page has posted their Tuesday Transformers Prime cast and crew Q&A session. This week we hear from Character Designer Augusto Barranco. The session is mirrored below for those without facebook access.
Check out this week’s Fan Q&A with Transformers Prime Character Designer Augusto Barranco!
Anja Pejakovic asks: How on earth did you come up with these many designs and were you assisted in this task in any way? Where did you get some of the ideas for the designs: Starscream with high heels, Soundwave having those thin but wide arms?
AUGUSTO BARRANCO:On this show we are lucky to have a team of five very talented character and prop designers. In the process of creating the character package we all pieced in portions of the design, which range from character rough design, clean 3/4 angle design, orthographic plan views, mouth charts, weapon designs, weapon effect design, transformation breakdowns, color flats, color renders and texture reference. Then comes the vehicle with the same process. When it comes to specifics on character designs, the initial concepts are inspired by the personas and specifics created by the writers along with the history of Transformers lore. It's very important to visualize a diverse line-up of characters, so that the characters have a very unique silhouette and feel very different from every other character. The biggest part of character design is to capture the character’s personality in the design. The viewer should have a quick understanding of what kind of character you're looking at on first glance.
Emilie Beaulieu asks: When it come to character design, do you work from the robot form or the alternate mode first?
AUGUSTO BARRANCO:First idea comes from the script. The script will state the kind of vehicle we'll be dealing with along with the kind of character that needs to be designed. From there we'll jump into rough sketches trying to capture the character's personality in bot mode. Since the characters are in bot mode most of the time, this is the most important in terms of aesthetics. It's like choosing the best actors for your TV show. While that's being done, a vehicle will be designed simultaneously. In the overall process there's a lot of back and forth between bot and vehicle to make sure both have a balanced, agreeable design. When it comes down to it, the bot is started first and is also the last one to be completed.
Brent William Taylor asks: Were you given any specific guidelines as to which previous character versions/styles you were to incorporate?
AUGUSTO BARRANCO:When dealing with the Transformers franchise, everyone has a wish list. When new characters come down the pipeline, it comes with a specific kind of personality (i.e. sneaky, bully, arrogant), which influences design. From the script, the character comes with a certain kind of vehicle and weapon, and from Hasbro we receive a page of designs highlighting iconic items the character is known for having.
Cassidy Klassen asks: Every character in TFP has a very unique eye design: no two are alike. Can you speak to that at all?
AUGUSTO BARRANCO:Cassidy,A lot of the acting happens in the face and within the eyes. We enjoyed making each character very unique. As an artist, we hate getting bored with doing the same thing over and over.
Belinda Nieminen asks: Who is your favorite character and why? What has been the most exciting experience when you've designed Transformers characters? How did you end up to design Transformers Prime's characters and how long you've been fan of Transformers? Are you doing more Transformers designs in future?- Love from Finland
AUGUSTO BARRANCO:My favorite character would have to be Breakdown. He's one character that I handled 100% solo, which also makes him my least favorite. As an artist you always want to improve your work and when it's all done by you, there's a LOT of things you'd like to change and perfect. The most exciting part for me was the day when animation came back after lighting was done. That's when you know for sure you've made the right decisions with color, texture and design. I got started on "Transformers Prime" two years after my involvement with the movie franchise, and with that experience the art director felt like I might have some insight into the process of Transformers, along with some of my other film and animation experience. Being friends with the art director doesn't hurt either. In terms of my future with the Transformers world I'm not sure—only the head Primes know that one.
Augusto Barranco is a Conceptual illustrator and designer in the Los Angeles area. He has been working in the entertainment industry for 6 years since graduating from Art Center College of Design, where he worked closely with many directors to produce short films and commercials as a production designer. After graduating college with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, he jumped into the film industry as a conceptual artist for many studios including Sony, Dreamworks, ILM, Paramount, NBC, Warner Bros, Imagi, Rhythm and Hues, Titmouse Animation, Obsidian Entertainment and now finally Hasbro Studios.
Artist Livio Ramondelli has tweeted that he will be attending this year's BotCon! Ramondelli contributed his unique style to the "Chaos" story arc that closed out IDW's Transformers ongoing title.
Date: Tuesday, January 10th 2012 11:02pm CST Categories:Movie Related News, People News Posted by:El Duque | Credit(s): Supreme Convoy, Michael Bay Dot Com
Director Michael Bay has posted a video on vimeo showcasing the upcoming Transformers Dark of the Moon Ultimate Blu-ray 3D Edition Combo Pack and Transformers Trilogy Signature Edition Set, both are slated for release on January 31st. Click here to view the video.
After a two week hiatus Jim Sorenson has resumed his Ark Addendum updates over on his blog, Disciples of Boltax. Below we see some of the animation models and backgrounds from the G1 episode "Fire on the Mountain". The models are mirrored below, visit Disciple of Boltax to read Jim's thoughts on the episode.
The Transformers facebook page has posted this week's Transformers Prime cast and crew Q&A session. This week it's Background Designer (and lifelong Transformers fan) Jason Park. The session is mirrored below for those without facebook access.
Amber Whetstine asks: I really like how the backgrounds have a painted look to them, so how do you create them for each episode?
JASON PARK: Thanks! I think the "painted look" is terrific too! However, I imagine the look you're referring to in the finished product is not so much my contribution to the process. As a background designer, I am responsible for the physical design of the place and its set-dressings. I generate the design as line drawing, usually accompanied by a basic 3D model. It is then given to the color team, to whom the look is attributable. All of the color team come from a strong foundation in traditional painting. They define the atmosphere, lighting and texture that gives TF Prime its unique look.
Abby Dillon asks: Hey! Thanks for all your work on the show! Is there any particular background that you would like to design for Transformers Prime? Why?
JASON PARK: Hmm... I guess I really dig doing designs for anything related to Cybertron as a location. As a kid watching G1 TF on TV, all the glimpses of Cybertron are what got my imagination racing the most. I'd just sit there trying to imagine it all. As such, chances to design sets there are the most rewarding for me. I get to add to a rich 20 year plus history of Cybertron designs and try to contribute my own touches to developing its fiction. It's like being an architect, but the clients are Autobots and Decepticons.
Kassie Kaye Terry asks: (1) How hard is it to design a background in the show? (2) Do you get any inspiration by traveling to Nevada or looking at different scenery? (3) Since you are a Transformers aficionado, how do you like the different designs of the characters from G1 to the present?
JASON PARK: 1. Some tasks and designs are more challenging than others, so the level of difficulty in designing can vary broadly.
2. Inspiration for me has definitely been enhanced by traveling to places such as Nevada in the past. As an artist and designer, I think all the experiences and places one visits, ultimately augment the believability of many set designs. Places one has experienced can lend a subtle depth that reference images alone can't convey.
3. Being a TF fan, primarily G1, I'd say the TF prime characters are easily my favorite since my childhood. The raw style and vision that Prime principal designer Jose Lopez brings to the design of the established characters is totally awesome. I think he culled the best elements of the previous existing incarnations and added a unique flair that really wasn't present in the franchise prior to his involvement. Very strong designs with a lot of flavor all around.
Rebecca Gillette asks: How long does it take on background designs alone per episode?
JASON PARK: In general, we're allotted about 3 weeks per episode, split between 3 artists and our supervisor. The actual time it takes to do the backgrounds can vary quite a bit though.
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