Transformers: Beast Machines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
26) Will you have immortals(spark cannot be extinguished) a la Rampage/Starscream on the show?
Not for the time being.27) Is Beast Machines going to be "previewed" this summer, much like FOX has done with other shows (like X-Men, Power Rangers etc.)? When is the exact release date? When can we expect to see BM toys?
The show will premiere somewhere around September/October, with the usual Fox fanfare. I do not believe they are planning to "Sneak" it, but you never know. When the toys will hit the shelves is anybody's guess, but when they do, you'll know it before I do!28) A big problem I have had with Beast Wars, is the slapstick comedy. I feel the show can do without Transformers falling off cliffs and being flattened like some sort of robo-pancake. Will you keep up this theme, or is this a story element I have seen the last of?
I'm not a huge fan of slapstick. There will be a *little* of it from time to time, but the flattening of robots, the tweetie-birds spinning around heads that have just been konked, and other such Three Stooges gags will be very rare indeed. I always felt that undercut the show myself. However, there will be lots of humor; It will be generated by the characters and their interactions, the way they were in the Star Wars films and in Raiders. *That* kind of humor I can *never* get enough of -- especially when it heightens the tension rather than undercutting it.29) What effects, if any, will the change from syndication to network broadcast have on the content of the show? Many people fear that the violence will have to be toned down to pass network censors. Have you, the writers, been given any additional restrictions? What will the level of violence be like? Will it be light-hearted and cartoonish or more action packed?
The network wants action. Lots of action. LOTS of action. So expect action in huge portions. However, BS&P (broadcast standards and practices) does not allow for decapitations, projectile weapons (bullets), and outright death. So a lot of the mayhem that was permitted in Beast Wars in syndication will have to be adjusted. Nevertheless, the battles will be huge, and our characters *will* be fighting for their very lives. In short, the show will be just as exciting as it was before!30) Will the Matrix of Leadership(the *only* thing that Unicron feared) be mentioned or seen on BM?
Oh, it's come up in conversation from time to time.31) One thing that's been a constant source of irritation for me is the treatment of the villains on BW-- specifically, they're just villains. You can lump them into two groups: "treacherous" or "toadying". This is something that REALLY bothers me. Will you guys be giving us villains that we can cheer for? More sympathetic, less stereotypical?
Absolutely. Our approach will be to give our villains a point-of-view. They aren't merely "e-vil", but are rather fighting for something that, from their point of view, makes total sense to them. None of our villains will be driven merely by malice; that's always a bore.32) With the original Transformers series there were two separate and distinct continuities: Comics and Cartoon. Are you going to follow the BW example and base it primarily in one universe with some elements being drawn in from the other to polish things up a bit? Or will it be based in either one or a separate one entirely on its own, while still respecting the earlier universes? What will you consider *canon* for BM?
We're taking up where Beast Wars leaves off, so I'd have to say that Beast Wars is our canon.33) I was curious if you'll be getting into the controversy of the Transformers' origin in BM. The original cartoon & comics totally differed on the subject but Larry DiTillio & Bob Forward decided to ignore the old TV show's canon in favor of the comic version, with Primus. Will BM address this at all, or just avoid the issue?
The Transformers' origin... that *is* an interesting issue...!34) What will we see in terms of differences between factions? Will it be pure good versus evil, or will there be "shades of gray?"
Both, actually. The villains will have a point-of-view -- but for the sake of clarity, they will definitely be *bad*!35) Will energon be involved in Beast Machines?
Oh, yeah.36) Who makes the call when it comes to a character' persona and background, does Hasbro impose any guidelines for you guys to follow when it comes to character development, do you start with a clean slate: the new BM toy' modes/gimmicks and a name or is there more(or less) to it? Is the toy' tech spec used for reference?
Everybody has a say, but the final call is Hasbro's.37) Does the CGI format actually hinder your creativity, do you tell yourself, I can't write this, they(Mainframe)'ll never be able to animate it?
Nope, it opens it up! There are things in CGI you can do that you could never do in traditional cel animation! Armies of thousands, facial acting, and really cool camera moves. The stuff you're going to see on Beast Machines is going to blow away anything you've seen in cel animation!38) Apparently you have planned a two-season story arc. Does this mean two separate seasons, or a two-part season?
Two separate seasons featuring on huuuuuge story.39) In the Beast Machines, will the same voice actors(E.g. Scott McNeil, Ian Corlett) still dazzle us with their talents or will we get new talent? Will composer Robert Buckley continue to provide the score on the new series?
Voice actors will remain consistent, with new people joining our cast for new characters. And Robert Buckley *will* continue scoring duties.40) In comparison to the current BW characters, how much larger or smaller in size are the Beast Machines characters going to be?
Roughly the same size -- in *most* cases!