Transformers Robots in Disguise
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Transformers Robots in Disguise Rumor Control
Source: the exec in charge of the RiD show overseeing the re-edit of CaRobots.
- First Rumor: The RID show will be edited for violence and FOX will add extra computer CGI segments to the show, to make it more hip.
- I wish. The show (as broadcast in Japan) is actually MUCH lighter in tone than any of its American- (or Canadian-) made predecessors--almost goofy at times. Most of our editing is to LENGTHEN the show, and to give the ADR (Automatic Dialog Replacement) writers a little more room to form those lengthy, complex English sentences. The only CGI we're doing is a slightly slicker version of the classic "logo" wipes from the original 80's series, as well as a few targeting overlays and chyrons. If there were any heavy violence, though, we'd have to cut it--America just has different standards for children's television than they do in Japan. (exec in charge of RiD)
- Second Rumor: The show will not be broadcasted in its entirety, instead episodes will be composites of multiple Japanese RID episodes and FOX won't be using the recap episodes of the original Japanese show.
- Well, I dunno what you mean by "recap" episodes--we haven't come across any clipshow or "bottle" episodes of the Japanese--but at this point, we're not planning on combining any episodes. We've done that on some other acquisitions, but there's no need to here. (exec in charge of RiD)
- Fans would really like to know if the original voice actor(Peter Cullen) for Optimus Prime will reprise his role for RiD. Mr. Cullen has said that he got very attached to the Optimus Prime character and that given the opportunity, he would play Optimus again.
- I'd love to use Peter Cullen--I don't know if the person in charge tried to get ahold of him, but be aware that SAG (Screen Actors Guild) looks at ADR (Automatic Dialog Replacement) recording about like the WGA (Writers Guild of America) looks at animation writing. For some reason, the SAG pay scale for re-voicing is a TINY FRACTION of what original animation voiceover pays, so Mr. Cullen may not be willing unless he's really in it for the love. In any event, much of our voice casting is sort of reminiscent of the originals, but the characters are very different, even in those instances where the names remain the same. (exec in charge of RiD)
- Will the RiD Transformers be portrayed as the "eighties" characters, totally new characters, or the eighties characters in a different dimension. Will attempts be made to tie the translated RiD story line in with previous US series?
- The best description I can come up with is somewhat similar characters in a parallel dimension. About the only thing that's really the same is Optimus definitely looks like Optimus, in robot mode anyway. Otherwise, he's a fire engine. The series doesn't directly connect with any previous series or timeline--it's sort of an alternate retelling of the original premise featuring some similar characters. Remember, everybody, we're just re-voicing an existing, fully-produced show from another country. While we're trying to give it the flavor of the original show, there's not a whole lot we can do to change storylines or even the tone of the existing episodes. It's definitely a "younger" show, and not nearly as deep as the original. It's still fun, but G1 fans will probably find it a bit too wacky for their tastes. There are also a lot of weirdly-out-of-place anime touches that are fun to look for--like the classic "giant bead of sweat" appearing on a car door. (exec in charge of RiD)
- Will the classic transforming sound effect from the original eighties TV show be employed?
- We're shooting for a similar sound, probably tweaked a little. Again, we're not producing an original series, so the principals--and rights-holders--involved aren't necessarily the same. Ironically, the Hasbro that markets the toys and owns the names (which we're using by permission) isn't actually a producing entity on this one like they were on the other Transformers series. There are some things we can't legally use on this show, because it would actually WEAKEN Hasbro's copyrights and trademarks. Crazy, I know, but that's show biz for ya! (exec in charge of RiD)
This just in... the Transforming Sounds in the new series are being taken from the original series. I hope the fans like this bit of news. (Bob Skir)
BOBSKIR.COM BIGBOT.COM BOTTALK.COM ADR (Automatic Dialog Replacement): means replacing existing dialog with new material. What they call "looping" in movies, only in Japanese animation it entails replacing existing dialog (and even storylines!) with English translations (to the point where the whole story could be different.). (Bob Skir)