Transformers: Beast Machines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Season one - Episode 1: The Reformatting
1)I was one of the lucky folks at BotCon, and I must say that I was quite impressed with the intro to the new series. Great work! I don't really mind the spiritual aspect of the new storyline, at least if it is there to complement the "nature versus technology" theme that we seem to be seeing and not as a soapbox for morals-of-the-week or an Energon surge-like marketing crutch to keep the Maximals in beast mode more often. It's an interesting prospect (if somewhat similar to the storyline of Beast Wars II in Japan), especially given that the "animals" are robots. Yes, the "morphing" effect was troubling, but I imagine that if you really want to, you can slowly modify the Maximal transformation effect for a more traditional shifting-of-parts conversion (you *can* do that if you choose, right?). At any rate, my questions (and please don't take my curiosity for criticism; I was very pleased with "The Reformatting" overall): 1. The Maximals seemed disturbingly unconcerned with the fates of their missing comrades in "The Reformatting". I don't think that we can really attribute this to the stress of their situation, especially since Primal seemed to think that his group was complete once Blackarachnia (whose utter failure to mention Silverbolt was more worrisome than anything else) turned up. Will there be a story-based reason for this selective amnesia, or was it simply deemed too confusing for new viewers to include a mention of the vanished Maximals in the first episode?
As people who've seen episode # 2 already know, the missing team-mates will soon be *very* missed by our Maximal heroes...2. Yep, yet another Rhinox/Silverbolt query. I have no problem being patient and waiting to find out what happened to them in the context of the series, but I'm curious about the behind-the-scenes reasons for their removal from the main cast. Did you (or Hasbro) simply want to start with a smaller group, and those two random names just happened to get the chop (rather like Terrorsaur and Scorponok at the beginning of the second season of "Beast Wars")? Were there commercial factors, such as relative toy sales or the fact that Silverbolt's Fuzor subline has ended? Or is there a plot point that actually hinges on (rather than simply explaining in retrospect) the disappearance of those two specific characters? Finding out the answer to this will tell us a lot about the company's attitude toward the individual characters, for good or ill, so any information would be appreciated.The team we follow was the team that was suggested to us by Hasbro/Mainframe. We didn't set-out to get rid of Rhinox and Silverbolt. So by having us concentrate on these wonderful four characters, they also afforded us an opportunity to have fun with the characters who *aren't* in the fold as well! (In what way... only time will tell!)3. Was the plant from the first shot merely symbolic, or is there a reason why organic life is present on Cybertron? Does it tie in with Primal's vision inside the Oracle of an Earth-like planet apparently being terraformed into a technological one? (Or will all be revealed...in time? ;-)Please take that plant in the beginning as symbolic. But also realize that organic life on Cybertron is going to be a key factor as our continuing story unfolds!4. It's hard to assess this one based on his few lines of dialogue in the first episode, but Megatron's familiar speech mannerisms (the "yeeeses" and "nooooos" in particular) seemed to be gone. Has his personality become more mechanical in "Beast Machines," or will his sense of humor and idiosyncrasies remain?I always felt that the Yesses and Noos and suchlike made Megatron a little... "delic-i-ously eeevil" for my tastes, always acting out of the need to just be evil. Larry and Bob solved this problem over time by giving him better, more solid agendas, such as disrupting the time-flow. Marty and I decided to take a different tact with time around, giving Megatron an agenda (and world-view) so focussed and palpable that, from his point of view, it was totally supportable and not just based on hatred or spite. Thus, "our" Megatron will play as less idiosyncratic, and much more agenda-driven. ((Think of him as Darth Vader in Empire... loaded with personality and attitude (don't forget, Vader had some of the funniest lines in the movie: "Apology accepted!"), but thoroughly committed to a philosophy that makes perfect sense. I think that this approach will make him play yet scarier than before, but, in the end, you'll have to be the final arbitor on that!5. Will we see more traditionally humanoid robot modes among the Vehicons, perhaps among the more independent "clan generals" alluded to by the Hasbro and Mainframe representatives? Even in their "vertical" forms, the Tankorrs (tank corps?) and cybercycles seemed to be little more than taller tanks and motorcycles, without the visual personalities that have separated Transformers from piloted or automated mecha in the past.The Generals will be structured much like their troops... but their personalities will make them play more "humanoid". (Trust me... it's worth the wait!)6. And finally, here's one that's on the mind of many a Transfan -- how the heck does Jetstorm/Skybolt stand up?!He doesn't! He hovers just off the ground (like Maxmillian in The Black Hole, only without the wires!).Thanks, good luck, and keep up the great work!Thanks!2)Hi! I Really Loved the BotCon Showing of Beast Machines! I find it sad that once again we will still not really know about the Transformers Civilization this year(that's the thing that has been bothering me for years! There was always hints but they never went any place with it) hope fully that will change a little BM year two. Now on to my questions. One Ok.. This is Cybertron.. How in the name of Primus do the other Maximals that will eventually join get beast forms? Especially Earth ones! Earth is a long ways a way from Cybertron.Okay, class... all together now... "ALL WILL BE REVEALED!"And that Brings me to my 2nd Question... Were in the universe is Cybertron? Now I know it was originally supposed to be at Proxima Centori (the red dwarf star in the triple star system of Alpha Centori) but then it moved in and out of our solar system over the years... So what Would I like to know now is... Is Cybertron still at Alpha Centori (which is 4.3 light years away) or some were else? I hope you can answer my question. OH and I hope your lobby for more Females will happen! Thanks!Cybertron's location is... well, it's real far away, that's all I can say for sure! It's location in our star-charts isn't really an issue in our stories (yet), so pinning down its exact location is likewise a non-issue. As far as Female Transformers are concerened, they will be joining the party in Season Two!3)I, like a few hundred others, had the extreme pleasure of viewing "The Reformatting" at BotCon '99 a few weeks ago. I loved loved LOVED it. If the next 25 episodes are done even a quarter as well... you know. It'll all be good. Now that I've caused your egos to swell a bit, let me take you down a peg (respectfully of course). When we find our trusty hunted beasts in the bowels of Cybertron, there was some brief speculation that they would have met up with vector sigma (an "ok" idea) or, even better, Primus. Once the Primus idea had been generally accepted, it was a little disappointing to see that they met up with this new oracle thingy, which you have claimed is a physical manifestation of the allspark (unless you believe the allspark IS physical). Personally, I am a bit leery of this new entity. Sigh. All will be revealed (and cleared up, mostly) I suppose. The whole morphing thing goes without saying. Megatron's apparent demigod-like status scares the *you know what* out of me. Keep up the excellent work, and enjoy the hell out of it.I will, and I am! (And believe me... if you liked episode # 1, they get EVEN better! Episode #2 was blowing people away... and then we saw 3 and 4! If you like these characters and this world, you have a LOT to look forward to!)4)Bob, it's great! I saw the first ep at BotCon, and loved it! I dislike what everyone calls "morphing," but I've dealt with it. My question will also probably sound rather odd... but do you have any way of explaining to people that morphing *is* transforming (which it is), even tho it isn't like the "classic" transforming we're used to in G1 and the like?Well, it sure looks like morphing to me! But in subsequent episodes, it will look/play yet more mechanical/traditional. (Ace's explaination is that our characters have transcended into this new form of changing.) All I can tell you is that the traditional Transformers will transform in the traditional way, and that the new, technorganic characters will transform in *their* own way... So at least there's a visual consistancy to it!5)Dear Mr. Skir- I just saw you at the Comic-Con Convention on Sat. the 14th and just wanted to tell you that I thought the two episodes you previewed were awesome! Awesome doesn't even describe it! I love the new direction you are taking the show and I just want to wish you guys the best of luck with it-although if the first two episodes are any indication, I don't think you'll be needing any. Of course, I left with a million questions, but I'll just wait and see how the story unfolds. Anyways-I loved the episodes and am drooling with anticipation of what's to come.I'm really glad you all liked it so much! But believe me... the best is truly yet to come!6)I attended BotCon this year, and was absolutely thrilled by the "Reformatting." However, the initial excitement has worn off, and the logical side of me has kicked in. After considerable thought, I have to say that you have written yourself into a corner (in more than one way). Just how imaginative and interesting can a series be when all of the "bad guys" are mindless drones? How can there be true and dynamic character interaction when the best thing your antagonist can do is give you a blank stare?Marty and I *like* writing ourselves into corners -- it truly tests your imagination! And the answer to your question is quite simple and speaks to the heart of our characters: as leader and sole Spark/mind on Cybertron, why would Megatron allow other Sparks to exist on his perfect Cybertron? He wouldn't! And why on Earth would he *arm* them? He wouldn't! And he won't, either, EVER! ... unless he finds a really good reason for doing so! ("A really good reason" might entail a pack of organic-ridden opponents he can't seem to otherwise get rid of, but then again, only time will tell!)7)In "The Reformatting", there is a scene with an earth-like planet being Cyberformed and becoming Cybertron. This is a vision created by the oracle, though, so it may be to symbolize the change of forms of the Maximals. I think the latter, but could you clear this up? Is it actually the history of Cybertron or is it symbolic of the Maximal's changing forms?It's both... and neither! (Does *that* clear it up for you?) Think of it as a symbolic journey, Castaneda-like visions which mean much, much more than literal history, but speak to higher truths of the mind, heart, and soul (ie: The Spark).8) It looks like you've spent a good chunk of time in "the reformatting" explaining things and hinting at what's to come. This is a good thing. I like to have things explained. My question is this: How long will you take to "reveal all?" Will we know most of it in the first few episodes, or is it going to take all season before we get the full impact of what's going on?It'll take 26 episodes to get the full impact of ALL that's going on!9) I was astounded by the first episode of Beast Machines shown at BotCon 99. I missed a wedding for it, and I'm glad I did. My question is about the promo scene afterwards. Is that going to be the opening credits? It was also said that you were looking for a music group to do the opening music. What are some of the bands you are considering? (people need to stop crying about the spiritual transformation)I didn't see the promo piece that you saw... but I have seen the opening credits. The music is in place... but sadly, no sock puppets! Seriously, though, it majorly rules!10) In the Beast Machines Pilot, the Oracle says that the original Transformers had to learn how to Transform. Are you going to be mentioning that when the Quintessons first built the Transformers that they were not able to Transform and that the Autobots modified themselves to Transform into vehicles to get the edge in battle against the Decepticons?Sure, if that's what you want.11) A minor problem in the beast machines premiere shown at BotCon(paraphrased): Optimus Primal states when the transformers *first settled* Cybertron, they had to first learn to transform. In the original cartoon, they were created *on Cybertron* by the Quintessons for various purposes, and eventually rebelled and drove their masters off. In the comics, Primus created the Transformers *on Cybertron* to mimic Unicron's transforming capabilities, and to prepare for Unicron's rampage. In each continuity, both see the Transformers as being built on the planet of Cybertron, instead of cybernetic nomads colonizing an abandoned world. Can and will this slight glitch be repaired before airing on fox? Such as instead of saying they came to Cybertron, changing it to built on Cybertron? Thanks for listening.Oh, is this a glitch? (Insert evil laughter here, indicating the writer knows more than he is telling...)