Paramount, Dreamworks End HD-DVD, Blu-Ray In Summer
Paramount and DreamWorks has announced that its last releases for the HD-DVD format will be this upcoming Tuesday. In addition DreamWorks has officially announced it’s no longer supporting HD-DVD. In theory the way is now paved for Transformers for Blu-Ray but apparently the company is still working out its Blu-Ray plans and it appears as a result they will not be released Blu-Ray movies until summer. Strangely slow response time to but then it is a studio with many many many cooks involved in any given decision.
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Transformers 2 and SAG Strike
The Writer Strike may be over but June 30th is another date to watch for as that is when the Screen Actor's Guild strike could start. If that occurs apparently it will stop Transformers 2 production and could delay the release of the film. Hopes are high that an agreement could be worked out, but in the meantime the studios are preparing for the worse by delaying the greenlighting of films or not starting production on films that may not complete by the contract expiration date.
From Variety when talking to Michael Bay about the issue:
From Variety when talking to Michael Bay about the issue:
"Transformers 2" director Michael Bay said the labor cloud has made the process harder, but not impossible as he tries to keep the film on track for its June 26, 2009 release.
"If there is a strike, we shut down, but shutting down isn't that big a deal," Bay said. "You make accommodations, you make a deal with vending houses on equipment and on the stages where you are shooting. You hope for the best, but you can't be incapacitated by the possibility that there will be a strike. We've got to get this town back to work. I can't imagine anyone wants another strike, we're all tired. Hopefully clearer heads will prevail."
Bay said that the sequel is still recovering from the writer's strike, and that he's playing catch-up after getting back his trio of writers, Ehren Kruger, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.
"They did a detailed outline before the writer's strike, and now they are in Michael Bay jail, holed up in a hotel and working feverishly," Bay said. "We're paying for a beautiful suite and they are getting a lot of work done. Hiring three writers was unusual, but it has been a godsend in getting us to where we need to be. Somehow you find a way to get it done."
Rachael Taylor Out of TF2?
The lovely Rachael Taylor (love her Australian accent), one of the cast members of Transformers, attended the WonderCon 2008 convention. IESB briefly interviewed and she discussed her upcoming movie Shutter. She also talked about her chances of appearing in Transformers II and apparently her expectations are low. When asked about returning to the sequel she said "I doubt it, kind of. If they could find a way to write a young Australian computer data analyst into the second one I would be stunned." She seems ok though if she doesn't return adding "It would also be really nice to see a bunch of other actors take over the franchise in a way. I am really proud of the little piece I did in the movie...a new cast can give it an injection of new life that would be cool."
With my interest in Megan Fox waning with time (case of more read/see, the less impressed I am becoming), given a choice between Megan returning or Rachael, I would take Rachael. However, I am inclined to agree that her return seems like a long shot but you never know what Bay and co are cooking up and if there is a government angle (highly likely) to the sequel, then it stands to reason that someone "experienced" with TFs would be sent to interface with them when things start going boom. As always, time will tell.
The full video interview is here.
(source)
With my interest in Megan Fox waning with time (case of more read/see, the less impressed I am becoming), given a choice between Megan returning or Rachael, I would take Rachael. However, I am inclined to agree that her return seems like a long shot but you never know what Bay and co are cooking up and if there is a government angle (highly likely) to the sequel, then it stands to reason that someone "experienced" with TFs would be sent to interface with them when things start going boom. As always, time will tell.
The full video interview is here.
(source)
Transformers Blu-Ray Delay?
Apparently Dreamworks hasn't made the jump to Blu-ray just yet due to the contract they have with Toshiba. Back in August, Dreamworks was given $100 million to join the HD-DVD camp and now that that camp has been shuttered...they are contractually obligated to continue to produce movies on the HD-DVD format only. At least until Toshiba gives them permission which they haven't yet. It’s probably just a simple matter between lawyers but until it is sorted out, don't expect any announcements for Transformers on Blu-Ray. (source)
Working Transformers Cell Phone
A new 3G cell phone is coming to Japan and apparently its designers are fans of Transformers. The Softbank 815T PB actually transformers from working cellphone to robot. Apparently the phone was made for a Japanese TV show named Ketai Sousakan 7. It’s supposed to come out sometime in April but no plans on whether it will make a stateside visit.
Transformers 0 for 3 At Oscars
Transformers struck out at the Oscars tonight, losing all three categories it was up for. Sound Mixing and Sound Editing went to The Bourne Ultimatum and Visual Effects was won by The Golden Compass.
I haven't bothered to watch the show since I saw 4 of the 5 Best Picture noms and was a bit horrified that they where the contenders. Juno is a silly movie with Ellen Page playing herself (wait till her next movie comes out to prove me right). Michael Clayton was incredibly full of itself and didn't really have much purpose and atrocious pacing. No Country for Old Men was just bizarre, where half the cast served no other purpose then to balloon the screen time and chew scenery. If you can remove half your cast and it has no effect on the picture then you have a poor picture. Oh and playing an un-emotional killer shouldn't be Oscar winning, that use to be called bad acting as anyone can do it (see Jason Voorhees). I tried to watch There Will Be Blood but its pacing problems and that horrendous atonal music was just a bit much for me.
As far as actors go, if you are a "Method" actor, to me you are no actor. It’s just a crutch. A true skilled professional should be able to switch in and out of their roles as simple as changing clothes. Just like a skilled engineer, cook, and so forth can just do what they do whenever the need arises. A writer doesn't have to "become" a character to write in their voice, they just have the skills to do it and call on it when needed. I think a true actor should be able to do the same. By being "Method" the person is essentially saying they don't have that critical skill set and they shouldn't be awarded for that.
My point is sadly the Academy that rewards these things tend to go for tried and true rather then genuine innovation in movies. I blame it for skewing 55+ in the average age for the voting members. They vote on the movies that remind them of the films they use to perform in and grew up on (those from '40s to '70s). It wouldn't surprise if most probably never saw Transformers because "It was too loud" but saw Golden Compass with their grandkids. Tech and sci-fi is still frowned upon because it reminds them of their horrible execution of way back when.
I think the safe, familiar voting of the Academy combined with the secrecy is a huge failure to the art it’s supposed to represent. If the academy wasn't its own secret society, where the votes where public (and therefore would have to explain), I think the results would be much more dynamic. It is also why the ratings go down each year because my generation and the next is a lot more skeptical of award shows then the previous and tend to notice the pattern of these strange and disagreeable choices more quickly. Maybe I will feel different if there was a movie to root for (other then Transformers) for the first time in years but there wasn't. In other words, it’s just another year of the same o same o. It saddens me because I use to like the awards and the more I see how it really works, the greater the disappointment. So ends the diatribe.
Congrats for the nominations and maybe better luck with Transformers 2.
I haven't bothered to watch the show since I saw 4 of the 5 Best Picture noms and was a bit horrified that they where the contenders. Juno is a silly movie with Ellen Page playing herself (wait till her next movie comes out to prove me right). Michael Clayton was incredibly full of itself and didn't really have much purpose and atrocious pacing. No Country for Old Men was just bizarre, where half the cast served no other purpose then to balloon the screen time and chew scenery. If you can remove half your cast and it has no effect on the picture then you have a poor picture. Oh and playing an un-emotional killer shouldn't be Oscar winning, that use to be called bad acting as anyone can do it (see Jason Voorhees). I tried to watch There Will Be Blood but its pacing problems and that horrendous atonal music was just a bit much for me.
As far as actors go, if you are a "Method" actor, to me you are no actor. It’s just a crutch. A true skilled professional should be able to switch in and out of their roles as simple as changing clothes. Just like a skilled engineer, cook, and so forth can just do what they do whenever the need arises. A writer doesn't have to "become" a character to write in their voice, they just have the skills to do it and call on it when needed. I think a true actor should be able to do the same. By being "Method" the person is essentially saying they don't have that critical skill set and they shouldn't be awarded for that.
My point is sadly the Academy that rewards these things tend to go for tried and true rather then genuine innovation in movies. I blame it for skewing 55+ in the average age for the voting members. They vote on the movies that remind them of the films they use to perform in and grew up on (those from '40s to '70s). It wouldn't surprise if most probably never saw Transformers because "It was too loud" but saw Golden Compass with their grandkids. Tech and sci-fi is still frowned upon because it reminds them of their horrible execution of way back when.
I think the safe, familiar voting of the Academy combined with the secrecy is a huge failure to the art it’s supposed to represent. If the academy wasn't its own secret society, where the votes where public (and therefore would have to explain), I think the results would be much more dynamic. It is also why the ratings go down each year because my generation and the next is a lot more skeptical of award shows then the previous and tend to notice the pattern of these strange and disagreeable choices more quickly. Maybe I will feel different if there was a movie to root for (other then Transformers) for the first time in years but there wasn't. In other words, it’s just another year of the same o same o. It saddens me because I use to like the awards and the more I see how it really works, the greater the disappointment. So ends the diatribe.
Congrats for the nominations and maybe better luck with Transformers 2.
"The Oscars: 20th Time’s the Charm?"
Vanity Fair has a brief interview with Transformers Sound Mixer Kevin O'Connell. He is nominated for Transformers, making it his 20th nomination in 24 years yet he has not yet won. Hopefully this will be his year as Transformers does deserve credit for its special effects and sound.The full interview is here.
The Oscars are later tonight starting at 8:00PM EST, with Jon Stewart hosting. No idea when the Transformers related categories (below) may air however. The list of nominees is here.
Sound Mixing: The Bourne Ultimatum, No Country for Old Men, Ratatouille, 3:10 to Yuma, Transformers
Sound Editing: The Bourne Ultimatum, No Country for Old Men, Ratatouille, There Will Be Blood, Transformers
Visual Effects: The Golden Compass, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Transformers
The Onion: CGI Oscar for Bay
The Onion, an online satire site, decided to have a little fun with Michael Bay by writing an article "reporting" that experts have used visual special effects to create a Best Director Oscar for Bay. The project, paid for by Bay, costs $125 million."Viewers are going to be blown away by how believable-looking we've been able to make Michael Bay accepting the highest award in film appear," said senior technical director Zsolt Krajcsik, who also worked with Bay on the 2003 film Bad Boys II. "The podium, the backdrop, the sense of creative achievement that hangs about him—it's all so vivid and detailed that you'd swear it was real."
Read the hilarious article here.
Brian Goldner New Hasbro CEO
Brian Goldner has been promoted to Hasbro's new Chief Executive Officer after the previous CEO Alfred J. Verrecchia stepped down. Its seems like this is a reward to Goldner for returning Hasbro to high profits thanks to his decisions in emphasizing existing core product lines and expanding into movies. Goldner is the executive responsible for the Transformers movie deal and the growth of the toy line overall. He also helped worked out the GI Joe deal that will hopefully do the same to that line that the movie did to Transformers - help it go mainstream beyond the hardcore fans and kids. Congrats to Brian Goldner. (source)
Paramount Officially Going Blu-Ray
With the demise of HD-DVD, it was inevitable, but Paramount went ahead and made it officially just in case some didn't figure it out. No date on when discs will hit shelves but I am sure it will be as soon as possible with Transformers leading the charge. I am guessing end of March, early April.
Transformers Nominated for 2 Saturn Awards
Transformers has been nominated for Best Science Fiction Film and Best Special Effects. The Saturn Awards are giving out each year for movies and TV by the Academy of Science Fiction Fantasy and Horror Films. Basically its a pat on the back from the Sci-Fi genre and a way to reward those movies since the classic Hollywood award machine looks down on the genre. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 24th.
Saturn Awards
Best Science Fiction Film nominees:
Cloverfield
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
I Am Legend
The Last Mimzy
Sunshine
Transformers
Best Special Effects nominees:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Transformers
The Golden Compass
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Spider-Man 3
300
Don't forget, this Sunday is the Oscars where hopefully Transformers will take home a few.(source)
Saturn Awards
Best Science Fiction Film nominees:
Cloverfield
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
I Am Legend
The Last Mimzy
Sunshine
Transformers
Best Special Effects nominees:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Transformers
The Golden Compass
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Spider-Man 3
300
Don't forget, this Sunday is the Oscars where hopefully Transformers will take home a few.(source)
Universal and Hasbro Form Partnership
Universal Pictures and Hasbro have announced a six year partnership to make at least four movies based on Hasbro properties. The deal does not include Transformers and GI Joe. The plan is to have the first movie from the deal out by 2010 or 2011. This deal also may play into the plan to create a rollercoaster ride based on Transformers for one of Universal's parks.
Clearly the deal was fueled by Transformers success. Copycatting for copying sake never works but maybe Universal will throw the right people at the various projects to make it worthwhile. Does this mean Monopoly the Movie is coming soon? (source)
Clearly the deal was fueled by Transformers success. Copycatting for copying sake never works but maybe Universal will throw the right people at the various projects to make it worthwhile. Does this mean Monopoly the Movie is coming soon? (source)
Orci Comments More on TF2
Roberto Orci has been commenting on the Don Murphy boards about Transformers 2 and he signed on again and provided more tidbits and teases.
From the "Hey Roberto" thread:
- Starscream will have more English lines.
- Prime "will always be central, but our structure allows the freedom to have others step up. Will know more later" in regards to which Transformer will be the focus of the sequel.
- Will be Decepticon only scenes.
- Sequel tone will be similar to TF1 but higher stakes, some humor but Transformers will more closely align with fan expectation, but reminded that could change. "Hopefully, we'll be better at modulating [the tone] this time."
- Commenting on Bay's writing comments: "Bay's statements should be taken merely as confirmation of his enthusiasm and desire to make his date. He does not want anyone to lose confidence in the project."
- Confirmed a mix of new and existing G1 characters but no specifics on who.
- No comment on whether Cybertron will be in the movie.
- No decision yet on whether Bumblebee will have lines or continuing issues with his voice box.
- Hasbro has been working with Bay on character designs over the Writer's Strike so while writing continues, more then likely the "core group is somewhat locked" but they could still add or remove characters if need to.
- In regards to different "species" from Bay: "You can also probably guess what he means in his non-fan way." (My guess is different sub-genres of TFs, ie Constructions, etc).
- An unformatted sample from first draft of TF1 can be found here. It’s to show how the writers describe action beats, "very detailed and easy to read...for everyone involved in the movie that has to understand the tone and scale of the action."
- TF2 will have different story structure then TF1, which was the three storylines coming together at Hoover Dam.
- No date on when the first draft will be turned in, have 10-12 weeks to get it together but of course Bay et all would probably like it sooner. Apparently they are hunkered down in a hotel near Bay's office so probably get a draft done fairly soon.
If you are interested in hunting for further bits from Orci, the above summary ends at page 104. Its shame can't do a similar thread with Orci and the other writers for Star Trek XI.
From the "Hey Roberto" thread:
- Starscream will have more English lines.
- Prime "will always be central, but our structure allows the freedom to have others step up. Will know more later" in regards to which Transformer will be the focus of the sequel.
- Will be Decepticon only scenes.
- Sequel tone will be similar to TF1 but higher stakes, some humor but Transformers will more closely align with fan expectation, but reminded that could change. "Hopefully, we'll be better at modulating [the tone] this time."
- Commenting on Bay's writing comments: "Bay's statements should be taken merely as confirmation of his enthusiasm and desire to make his date. He does not want anyone to lose confidence in the project."
- Confirmed a mix of new and existing G1 characters but no specifics on who.
- No comment on whether Cybertron will be in the movie.
- No decision yet on whether Bumblebee will have lines or continuing issues with his voice box.
- Hasbro has been working with Bay on character designs over the Writer's Strike so while writing continues, more then likely the "core group is somewhat locked" but they could still add or remove characters if need to.
- In regards to different "species" from Bay: "You can also probably guess what he means in his non-fan way." (My guess is different sub-genres of TFs, ie Constructions, etc).
- An unformatted sample from first draft of TF1 can be found here. It’s to show how the writers describe action beats, "very detailed and easy to read...for everyone involved in the movie that has to understand the tone and scale of the action."
- TF2 will have different story structure then TF1, which was the three storylines coming together at Hoover Dam.
- No date on when the first draft will be turned in, have 10-12 weeks to get it together but of course Bay et all would probably like it sooner. Apparently they are hunkered down in a hotel near Bay's office so probably get a draft done fairly soon.
If you are interested in hunting for further bits from Orci, the above summary ends at page 104. Its shame can't do a similar thread with Orci and the other writers for Star Trek XI.
Transformers to XBox Live UK
Paramount Pictures has confirmed that it has extended its deal with Microsoft to bring its library of films to XBox Live for rent. As a result, starting tomorrow, Feb. 19th, Transformers will be available in the XBox Live Marketplace video Store.
Now the article is written from the UK perspective and since I don't have an XBox 360 I don't know if Transformers is already available stateside on the XBox and this is just an expansion into the UK or if it’s coming out both US and UK tomorrow. I guess look for it and learn the hard way starting tomorrow. (source)
Now the article is written from the UK perspective and since I don't have an XBox 360 I don't know if Transformers is already available stateside on the XBox and this is just an expansion into the UK or if it’s coming out both US and UK tomorrow. I guess look for it and learn the hard way starting tomorrow. (source)
Toyfair '08 Transformer Galleries
Toyfair 2008 was held over the weekend in New York where Hasbro revealed some details of the various Transformers lines for the rest of the year. TFormers.com has the details and the galleries but here is that info more or less summarized.Transformers: Animated
- Will have Laserbeak, whose alt mode is a guitar
- The release date of the line is June 22, 2008 with second wave in the Fall.
- Galleries: Bumper Battlers, Activators (swing loaded transformations), Battle Pack ($20), Supreme Class ($40), Voyager Class ($20), Deluxe Class ($10), toy display
Transformers movie- Releasing more Transformers movie toys (most cases simply a new color scheme for existing toys).
- The Hasbro design team has been working with Paramount on Transformers 2 for weeks.
Masterpiece- No plans at this time
Alternators/Binal-Tech
- Hasbro expressed interest in the line but no plans yet
Transformers Crossovers
- New name for Transformers Star Wars
- Expanded to include Transformers Marvel
Transformers Universe
- Catch all line for release of previously toys, mostly Cybertron line
- Includes Classics 2.0 coming toward end of year
- Galleries: Legends, Classics Galvatron, Robot Heroes, Misc, Marvel Transformers, Classics 2.0, classics toy display
The Towel Has Been Thrown
Michael Bay has cause to celebrate this weekend Toshiba has officially thrown in the towel on HD-DVD for reasons previousily discussed. Blu-Ray is now the official high definition disc. Toshiba will lose hundred of millions of dollars in the lost and is going to halt production of HD-DVD players and recorders as it exits the business.If you have been waiting, you can now buy with piece of mind. My recommendation is to just go ahead and get the low end Playstation 3. Even if you’re not a gamer, it costs about the same as a separate Blu-Ray player but can use it to download movies, music and of course play games. More bang for the buck so to speak. Of course if you don't own a HDTV (like me) don't even bother to get a player, it would be just a waste of money until you do and by then the players and discs may be cheaper.
Michael Bay FiOS Ad
Michael Bay is featured in Verizon's new FiOS ad that includes the full-scale Bumblebee model, Transformers footage and things going boom. (source)
Blu-Ray Unofficial Winner of Format War
Well, it looks like Michael Bay's wish has come true. Today the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart announced that by June 2008, it would sell only Blu-Ray discs and players marking the unofficial death of the HD-DVD format. This, along with Best Buy, Blockbuster, and Netflix declaring their intent to go Blu-Ray, its all over except Toshiba throwing in the towel (which they are rumored to do soon).
The end of the war began when the Blu-Ray camp successfully bribed Warner Bros with $300 million the balance of power squarely onto their side and hasn't moved since. Now with the retailers announcing defections, it is over. So for you with HD-DVD players and disc, you soon will own a piece of history. Don't buy any new movies either; soon the ones that exist will be on clearance anyway. In the end, it seems those that are willing to bribe the most, won. I am just glad I sat this format war out but I do wish that consumers, not bribery, had been the deciding factor.
The end of the war began when the Blu-Ray camp successfully bribed Warner Bros with $300 million the balance of power squarely onto their side and hasn't moved since. Now with the retailers announcing defections, it is over. So for you with HD-DVD players and disc, you soon will own a piece of history. Don't buy any new movies either; soon the ones that exist will be on clearance anyway. In the end, it seems those that are willing to bribe the most, won. I am just glad I sat this format war out but I do wish that consumers, not bribery, had been the deciding factor.
Orci Comments On TF 2
Roberto Orci, one of the writers of Transformers 2, popped into Don Murphy's message board and briefly posted a few comments:
So we got back to work this week and we find out Bay and production has been prepping the entire movie off of our pre-strike outline! The very one we turned in the night before the strike.Also when asked if the robots would have lot of screen time, he said "You bet your ass." To sum - the writers' are back to work. (source)
We had two weeks on the outline. We're still going through the prep schedule to find out what has been prepped so far down the road that it can be changed and what can't.
[Bay] essentially transferred our outline into screenplay format and came up with some really fun gags and a few descriptions of the kind of hardware he will need for production.
Rumor Smash - No Progress on Transformers 2?
There are reports going out on the various websites that Dreamworks has told MTV that no progress has been made on Transformers 2 which contradicts reports from Michael Bay himself. I believe this rumor to be false and misreading the source article.
The actually line is "DreamWorks Studios claims to have no production office set up for the "Transformers" sequel" All that means it what is says, there are no offices at Dreamworks Studios. Considering the strike just ended and Bay has his own production offices, effects company, and working with ILM, and actually shooting doesn't begin until June, he may not need the space.
Another line in the article says "there are no status updates relating to their projects". Of course this comes from "executives close to several major films derailed by the strike." Well, as this blog has shown in many cases, Bay has refused to be derailed by the strike, going as far as to write a draft of the script. Also Dreamworks has lots and lots and lots of executives. The ones quoted for the article are more then likely not the same executives (say Steven Spielberg) that would be kept apprised of Transformers 2 progress.
Finally, there are people other then Bay that have indicated that pre-production is in full swing. Shia LaBeouf has already seen pre-viz, Scott Ferrar and other members of the TF2 visual effects also indicated progress at a recent interview at the VES awards show. Basically if Bay is lying, its one vast and completely unnecessary conspiracy by multiple people to mis-state the progress on Transformers 2.
Or, more simply, the article and its sources have it wrong.
Update: Bay commented on his board about the article, "Oh really???? Is that why 20 people in production are in my office right now, another 20 art designers another location, scouts in two countries, one back east??? Don't ever bet against me in making my date - June 2009!"
The actually line is "DreamWorks Studios claims to have no production office set up for the "Transformers" sequel" All that means it what is says, there are no offices at Dreamworks Studios. Considering the strike just ended and Bay has his own production offices, effects company, and working with ILM, and actually shooting doesn't begin until June, he may not need the space.
Another line in the article says "there are no status updates relating to their projects". Of course this comes from "executives close to several major films derailed by the strike." Well, as this blog has shown in many cases, Bay has refused to be derailed by the strike, going as far as to write a draft of the script. Also Dreamworks has lots and lots and lots of executives. The ones quoted for the article are more then likely not the same executives (say Steven Spielberg) that would be kept apprised of Transformers 2 progress.
Finally, there are people other then Bay that have indicated that pre-production is in full swing. Shia LaBeouf has already seen pre-viz, Scott Ferrar and other members of the TF2 visual effects also indicated progress at a recent interview at the VES awards show. Basically if Bay is lying, its one vast and completely unnecessary conspiracy by multiple people to mis-state the progress on Transformers 2.
Or, more simply, the article and its sources have it wrong.
Update: Bay commented on his board about the article, "Oh really???? Is that why 20 people in production are in my office right now, another 20 art designers another location, scouts in two countries, one back east??? Don't ever bet against me in making my date - June 2009!"
Shia Talks Transformers 2
Shia LaBeouf discussed Transformers 2 with Empire magazine. From Shia, "It’s going to be bad-ass. We’re not making another one unless it is, and Mike is definitely not resting on his laurels — he’s doing insane shit again. And the pre-vizes that I’ve seen… it’s just massive. If the first one was any indicator of how massive massive can be, this is going to blow that out of the water. It’s insane. Mike’s mind was just kind of made for this — it’s amazing. There’s going to be a lot more characterization with the robots, which I’m excited about."
They tried to get more details from him but “There’s gonna be new robots on both sides. I can say that the war isn’t over… It’s hard to do interviews when you’re not allowed to talk about the movies. It’s like I give two or three things away and then I get reprimanded for it. It’s never fun to get reprimanded by these people”. Stupid secret keeping.
They tried to get more details from him but “There’s gonna be new robots on both sides. I can say that the war isn’t over… It’s hard to do interviews when you’re not allowed to talk about the movies. It’s like I give two or three things away and then I get reprimanded for it. It’s never fun to get reprimanded by these people”. Stupid secret keeping.
More From Bay on TF2
Bay held a Transformers "Tech Show" where he discussed the behind the scenes of Transformers and also gave some non specific details on Transformers 2. Shia LaBeouf and members of the sound and VFX crew where there as well.The full article is here.
The highlights:
- Doing pre-production on TF2, still on track for June 2nd start date for filming.
- His script draft was about 60 pages long. (In general, a page equals a minute so this supports the idea that he created a detailed outline versus a full blown shooting script).
- Meeting planned with the writers on Monday to start hammering out a finalized shooting draft.
- "Transformers 2 will deepen the different robot characters as well as the humor"
- Also indicated that a "geriatric robot" will join the robotic cast. (I assume this means Kup but could be an original creation.)
- If even writer's strike occurs, will "make our date" of opening on June 26, 2009.
- Bay believes sound is "50% of the movie, while the visual effects are a whole other movie unto itself."
- Transformers only had two days of blue-screen shooting, the part where Shia and Fox climbed on the robots.
- Mentioned that there was "30 animators on 16 characters and 47 transformations, each one unique."
- Sound mixer Kevin O'Connel is up for an Oscar, hopefully the 20th time will be the charm.
- "The sound designers had to come up with characteristic personalities for the different robots, and make the large robot sounds work" (Beats me but sounded interesting).
Writer's Strike Officially Over
With 92.5% of the Screen Writer's Guild approving, the Writer's Strike is officially over and the writers will return to work on Wednesday. All that is now left is to cross the ts by getting the guild members to sign off on the contract which will take a few weeks and expected to pass by overwhelming numbers (otherwise why end the strike).
The Oscars will go on as planned with Jon Stewart as host (yay!!) but awards giving out and other boring junk. TV writers will be back with some shows done for the season and others shooting for as high as 8 episodes put in the can to finish the season. This means that Bay's Transformers 2 script can get that spit polish from Orci, Kurtzman, and Kruger
The Oscars will go on as planned with Jon Stewart as host (yay!!) but awards giving out and other boring junk. TV writers will be back with some shows done for the season and others shooting for as high as 8 episodes put in the can to finish the season. This means that Bay's Transformers 2 script can get that spit polish from Orci, Kurtzman, and Kruger
Bay: Transformers 2 Script Written
Despite the almost resolved Writer's Guild strike, the script for Transformers 2 has already been completed by Michael Bay.
From Rotten Tomatoes:
From Rotten Tomatoes:
It looks like the Writer's Guild strike could end any day now. But while Michael Bay is not only ready to jump back into development on Transformers 2, it turns out he's already finished writing the story.I am would love to compare the Bay script with the final, assigned and paid Transformers script writers, just to see what changes where made and so forth. Really Bay writing the script isn't all that dramatic since the story beats and action sequences where probably nailed down months ago out of necessity. Bay probably filled in details needed to help in pre-production (budget, the cast, robot design, animatics, locations, set design, costumes, and many other things). The writers will then probably come in and give it polish it needs to get through the major story beats, punch up the lines and so forth for when production starts with the main cast.
"I've been writing Transformers 2," said Bay. "We've got our characters all designed. I always write all my scripts, my movies anyway so at least I've got something to give the writers. It's like a template. We have a really good outline so I worked on that."
It might be a tad unorthodox, but Bay has high pressure demands. "We had to because I want to make my date. I'm not going to let the strike take me down."
Now that the major effects of transforming moving parts have been figured out, Bay has all sorts of new characters in store for the sequel. "When you do your first movie, you break the back of it. Now we can have a lot more fun. We can actually make the depth of these characters more fun and a lot more interesting characters. To see actually what you can achieve visually, you never know. When you go into a movie, you never know visually. I think I've got a lot of fun, interesting, funny characters."
Ferrar: More Robots For TF 2
Once again IESB scored a touch more info in regards to plans for Transformers 2, this time from Visual Effects Supervisor Scott Ferrar who promised "a lot more robots." They have started production on the visual effects and animatics. "The beginning animatics are unbelievable....Amazing performances on the part of the robots, unbelievable scenes they are going to be involved with."
Not able to give more details as Bay has seriously chomped down on information leaks (dang it). Ferrar really liked Bumblebee, in part because he was built first and also a challenge since no lines had to use emotions with the eyes etc for the acting. The learning experience with Bumblebee then helped them in creating the other Transformers for the movie.
The full video is here.
In addition, there is a brief interview with 4 other members of the Transformers Visual Effects team here.
(source)
Not able to give more details as Bay has seriously chomped down on information leaks (dang it). Ferrar really liked Bumblebee, in part because he was built first and also a challenge since no lines had to use emotions with the eyes etc for the acting. The learning experience with Bumblebee then helped them in creating the other Transformers for the movie.
The full video is here.
In addition, there is a brief interview with 4 other members of the Transformers Visual Effects team here.
(source)
Bay: No Dinobots
IESB has posted a brief interview with Michael Bay during the Visual Effects Society Awards (Transformers won four), where he provided an update on Transformers 2. The video is here. Basically, "Transformers 2 is coming along great." He also mentioned that in making TF 1, he did listen to the fans, but not everything they said. "Listened to my gut...[and] certain people" close to Transformers.
When asked specifically about whether the Dinobots would be in the movie he said, "You are going to see a lot of different new stuff. Tip of the iceberg of what you saw last movie in terms of characters and different type of species I guess....This time we're really good at keeping stuff under wraps."
Bay intentionlly avoid directly answering the question about the Dinobots, but later on his forums, his admin Nelson wrote "He said no Dinobots."
So there you go, no Dinobots in the movie. Sad for fans but considering the realistic angle that the Bay has pushed from the first movie, it does make a lot of sense. While Transfans would wet themselves at seeing transforming Dinosaurs, I think the average audience would just groan and roll their eyes at it. Hopefully in their place we will get a gestalt such as the Constructicons. Also he mentioned "species". Wonder what that means?
Except for the race of the Headmasters race and the Quintessons, I am not really aware of that many species in the Transformers Universe since most of the various planets, except Earth, where all Transformers in some form or fashion. This done for practical reasons since not considered as violent to show, say a robot planet and its citizens being consumed, then it would to be showing the same done to humans or the equivalent. Maybe a new species specific to the movie franchise? Or it could mean nothing where "species" is referencing the sub-genres within the Transformers mythos (Gestalts, Triple-Changers, etc). As always, time will tell.
When asked specifically about whether the Dinobots would be in the movie he said, "You are going to see a lot of different new stuff. Tip of the iceberg of what you saw last movie in terms of characters and different type of species I guess....This time we're really good at keeping stuff under wraps."
Bay intentionlly avoid directly answering the question about the Dinobots, but later on his forums, his admin Nelson wrote "He said no Dinobots."
So there you go, no Dinobots in the movie. Sad for fans but considering the realistic angle that the Bay has pushed from the first movie, it does make a lot of sense. While Transfans would wet themselves at seeing transforming Dinosaurs, I think the average audience would just groan and roll their eyes at it. Hopefully in their place we will get a gestalt such as the Constructicons. Also he mentioned "species". Wonder what that means?
Except for the race of the Headmasters race and the Quintessons, I am not really aware of that many species in the Transformers Universe since most of the various planets, except Earth, where all Transformers in some form or fashion. This done for practical reasons since not considered as violent to show, say a robot planet and its citizens being consumed, then it would to be showing the same done to humans or the equivalent. Maybe a new species specific to the movie franchise? Or it could mean nothing where "species" is referencing the sub-genres within the Transformers mythos (Gestalts, Triple-Changers, etc). As always, time will tell.
Transformers Wins Four VES Awards
Transformers on Sunday won four Visual Effects Society Awards. Think of it as the equivalent as the SAG Awards because it’s their peers awarding them for their work. Transformers won the top prize of the awards with for Outstanding Visual Effects which is a strong indicator it will win the Oscar for Visual Effects. In addition, Transformers won for Single Visual Effect (Highway Sequence), Models and Miniatures and Compositing. Congrats to winners Scott Farrar, Shari Hanson, Russell Earl, and Scott Benza and rest of the Transformers team. Hopefully Oscar night will be just as rewarding.
Also wanted to point out that Battlestar Galactica (excellent show) won Outstanding Visual Effects TV, Pirates 3 and Ratatouille picked up a few and Steven Spielberg got a the lifetime achievement award. The full list of winners is here.
Also wanted to point out that Battlestar Galactica (excellent show) won Outstanding Visual Effects TV, Pirates 3 and Ratatouille picked up a few and Steven Spielberg got a the lifetime achievement award. The full list of winners is here.
Transformers Changing Toy Biz
Brandweek.com has posted an article about how the success of Transformers is changing how the toy companies do their business. The story, poorly, is stating that instead of toys being based on movies, the toy companies are trying to get movies based on their toys (which helps sell more toys).
With planned movies such as Voltron, GI Joe and few others, not exactly surprising but I hope the companies are very careful in what properties they try to convert and those that don't. Transformers was largely successful not only because of its built in base with the decades of Transfans, cartoons and so forth but also because the basic concept of giant transforming robots fighting in realistic CGI will wet the appetite of even the most jaded movie goer.
If GI Joe succeeds, it will because it will be treated the same way. Being derived from a toyline has to be irrelevant to the execution of the concept. As Marvel has learned and Warner Bros is just starting to get (incredibly slowly to point of incompetence), if you treat the property as "real" and not a joke, the audiences will come. The minute you snicker at your own property, then chances are the quality in the execution will take a dramatic nosedive. After all if you can't take your movie seriously, why should your audience.
Sadly, it appears that this is a lesson I think the toy companies will learn the hard way as they have already have "Magic 8 Ball: The Movie" in the works. Nope, sadly that is apparently not a joke.
One thing the article did was remind me that the US Toy Fair starts February 17th where get peaks at Transformers Animated, Classics 2.0, and other Transformers related plans. (source)
With planned movies such as Voltron, GI Joe and few others, not exactly surprising but I hope the companies are very careful in what properties they try to convert and those that don't. Transformers was largely successful not only because of its built in base with the decades of Transfans, cartoons and so forth but also because the basic concept of giant transforming robots fighting in realistic CGI will wet the appetite of even the most jaded movie goer.
If GI Joe succeeds, it will because it will be treated the same way. Being derived from a toyline has to be irrelevant to the execution of the concept. As Marvel has learned and Warner Bros is just starting to get (incredibly slowly to point of incompetence), if you treat the property as "real" and not a joke, the audiences will come. The minute you snicker at your own property, then chances are the quality in the execution will take a dramatic nosedive. After all if you can't take your movie seriously, why should your audience.
Sadly, it appears that this is a lesson I think the toy companies will learn the hard way as they have already have "Magic 8 Ball: The Movie" in the works. Nope, sadly that is apparently not a joke.
One thing the article did was remind me that the US Toy Fair starts February 17th where get peaks at Transformers Animated, Classics 2.0, and other Transformers related plans. (source)
Writers Reach Tentative Agreement
The Writers and Studios have reached a tentative agreement that may end the strike. The agreement was delivered Saturday morning around 2:30am, presented to around 3500 members in Hollywood but still needs to be accepted by the WGA's 10,500 writers. This process will take up two weeks do to most of the votes will be delivered by mail (nuts considering probably all 10,500 writers have email).
If approved, this means that many TV shows will have time to get 4-6 episodes completed to finish off the season in May. Probably more important to Hollywood, it means the Oscars will go on as scheduled. It appears that the writers did get concessions in the area of internet revenue and apparently the DGA played a huge part in helping shape a deal as it provided the needed blueprint to move forward in negotiations. Considering the WGA leadership is supports the agreement, its doubtful that the majority of the membership will reject it, especially since it’s been suggested that if its not approved the studios will not renew negotiations until June when the Screen Actors Guild contract expires. That would mean at least another 4 months of striking and no payments on top of the previous 3.
The full summary of the deal is here, but here are some highlights:
- Contract expires May 1, 2011
- Minimum rates will increase 3.5% per year but with exceptions.
- Writers will get payment for internet content with minimum payments for each minute of a program depending on how used.
- Internet content will now provide credit information with the program.
- Internet content that airs on TV or becomes a TV series or film will then operate under the various TV agreements. (I.e. more money)
- First 13 weeks of online content is residual free if the content is free and 26 weeks if content is not free with a few exceptions. After that the residual fee is 1.2% of the distributor's gross rather then producer's gross.
- Receive 1.2% of distributor gross for rentals and ad-supported streaming (for movies made after July 1, 1971).
- Receive 2% of distributor's gross for ad-supported television for programs made after 1977.
- Receive .36% of distributor's gross for 1st 100,000 download of TV program and 1st 50,000 of a movie. After that its goes to .7% for TV and .65% for films.
There are more details then that but that’s the important stuff. The strike was to get money for online content in whatever manner it was used whether for promotion, ad-revenue or outright purchase. Another win is changing the value from the producer’s gross to the distributor’s gross. This will help avoid the creative accounting that was used by the producers to avoid residual payments. In addition, since the contract is only 3 years long, the WGA will have the ability to adapt faster to any changes or tricks that may arise in the meantime. The studios probably will also consider this a win considering that the WGA's goal had been a 2.5% fee for any and all online content and that number has been cut in half in most cases with a window of up to two weeks before any fees kick in. Long story short, the middle ground was found.
In regards to Transformers 2, the impact is rather small depending on point of view. Bay has made it clear that whether the strike continued or not, the movie was going to get made, a writer's agreement doesn't change that determination but does make it easier to succeed. Probably more important, it means the writers will be writing the movie rather then Bay. Depending on your opinion of Michael Bay as a writer vs. Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Ehren Kruger this is a good or bad thing. Personally I wouldn't mind reading their draft and compare to Bay's just to see what the difference, if any, in quality.
One final note, the Screen Actors Guild contract expires in June, around the time that principle photography for TF2 is scheduled to start. If they strike, the intended release date could still be impacted. However, with the Director's and Writer's Guild agreements available as blueprints, it should be much easier to work something out and avoid a strike all together.
If approved, this means that many TV shows will have time to get 4-6 episodes completed to finish off the season in May. Probably more important to Hollywood, it means the Oscars will go on as scheduled. It appears that the writers did get concessions in the area of internet revenue and apparently the DGA played a huge part in helping shape a deal as it provided the needed blueprint to move forward in negotiations. Considering the WGA leadership is supports the agreement, its doubtful that the majority of the membership will reject it, especially since it’s been suggested that if its not approved the studios will not renew negotiations until June when the Screen Actors Guild contract expires. That would mean at least another 4 months of striking and no payments on top of the previous 3.
The full summary of the deal is here, but here are some highlights:
- Contract expires May 1, 2011
- Minimum rates will increase 3.5% per year but with exceptions.
- Writers will get payment for internet content with minimum payments for each minute of a program depending on how used.
- Internet content will now provide credit information with the program.
- Internet content that airs on TV or becomes a TV series or film will then operate under the various TV agreements. (I.e. more money)
- First 13 weeks of online content is residual free if the content is free and 26 weeks if content is not free with a few exceptions. After that the residual fee is 1.2% of the distributor's gross rather then producer's gross.
- Receive 1.2% of distributor gross for rentals and ad-supported streaming (for movies made after July 1, 1971).
- Receive 2% of distributor's gross for ad-supported television for programs made after 1977.
- Receive .36% of distributor's gross for 1st 100,000 download of TV program and 1st 50,000 of a movie. After that its goes to .7% for TV and .65% for films.
There are more details then that but that’s the important stuff. The strike was to get money for online content in whatever manner it was used whether for promotion, ad-revenue or outright purchase. Another win is changing the value from the producer’s gross to the distributor’s gross. This will help avoid the creative accounting that was used by the producers to avoid residual payments. In addition, since the contract is only 3 years long, the WGA will have the ability to adapt faster to any changes or tricks that may arise in the meantime. The studios probably will also consider this a win considering that the WGA's goal had been a 2.5% fee for any and all online content and that number has been cut in half in most cases with a window of up to two weeks before any fees kick in. Long story short, the middle ground was found.
In regards to Transformers 2, the impact is rather small depending on point of view. Bay has made it clear that whether the strike continued or not, the movie was going to get made, a writer's agreement doesn't change that determination but does make it easier to succeed. Probably more important, it means the writers will be writing the movie rather then Bay. Depending on your opinion of Michael Bay as a writer vs. Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Ehren Kruger this is a good or bad thing. Personally I wouldn't mind reading their draft and compare to Bay's just to see what the difference, if any, in quality.
One final note, the Screen Actors Guild contract expires in June, around the time that principle photography for TF2 is scheduled to start. If they strike, the intended release date could still be impacted. However, with the Director's and Writer's Guild agreements available as blueprints, it should be much easier to work something out and avoid a strike all together.
Cobra MKIV CRS AC Sports Car 4942 cc V8 Engine
AC Cobra MKIV CRS
Cobra MKIV CRS AC Sports Car 4942 cc V8 Engine.
The AC Cobra CRS will use the same five-speed gearbox as the Superblower, together with a Hydratrak limited slip differential, independent front and rear suspension, rack and pinion steering and disc brakes all round (ventilated at the front).
The AC Cobra MKIV CRS is closely related to the AC Superblower (the CRS shares its chassis and a naturally aspirated version of its power unit). Significant weight savings have been made possible on the AC Cobra MKIV CRS through the use of an advanced specification carbon fiber body.
Two Movie Scenes Generation One Style
Thanks to Radames who sent me a link to the two below videos that re-creates two scenes of Transformers in the style of the animated generation one characters. Its fan made so it not quite up to Hollywood standards but pretty good overall.
Autobots
Optimus Prime vs Megatron
Optimus Prime vs Megatron
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