Transformers: Prime, Peter Cullen Get Emmy Nods

This is a repost. Do to blogspot.com failure, Google had to restore from a backup that was 30 hours old eliminating the original and related comments

Transformers: Prime's first season has scored 4 Daytime Emmy Award nominations and two wins today from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The show accounts for six of the eight nominations The Hub received in its first year of broadcasting. I also believe that it is the first Emmy nomination for the legendary Peter Cullen whose long history of voice work should have garnered more than just Emmy mod. Below is the press release from the Hub. Congratulations to Peter Cullen and the cast and crew of Transformers: Prime. Hopefully they will add a few trophies when winners are announced at the live ceremony on June 19th.

Nominations
Outstanding Performer In An Animated Program - Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime
Outstanding Directing In An Animated Program
Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction And Composition
Outstanding Writing In Animation

Winners
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - Vince Toyama (WINNER)
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation - Christophe Vacher (WINNER)Read More »

Peter Cullen Interview Reveals DOTM Spoiler

I am not sure how I missed this but around the time that MTV spoke with Roberto Orci and Frank Welker about Transformers: Prime, they also spoke with Peter Cullen. The interview covered the usual questions about playing Prime, how does the voice, how has the character lasted so long, etc that we have read before many times over the years. However, MTV did manage to uncover a new spoiler (so warning and junk) about Transformers: Dark of the Moon. That segment of the interview is below, the whole thing can be found here.

Geek: Do you have any other projects you are working on at the moment, or are looking forward to?
PC: I’ve been involved with NASA, and it started a few years back, during their 40th anniversary. They came up with an Optimus Prime award to be given to a student who participated in the NASA program for young people, and I’m going back to Colorado Springs in April to be part of that award ceremony. I talked with NASA about doing things with the Hub network, about a NASA-based Optimus Prime collaboration for younger kids and teenagers. Whether it goes through or not I don’t know, but I think it’s a natural fit. And if it happens there will be another show on the Hub network with me voicing Optimus Prime. So that’s pretty exciting.

In the feature film coming out this Summer, they have Neil Armstrong, a former astronaut, and Buzz Aldrin -- Optimus has a scene with Buzz Aldrin, and this is where it all started to come together in my mind. I thought, wow I really got to get these guys and Optimus together after the movie. Maybe we can do a series of some kind.

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1st Look at TF3's CGI Optimus Prime?

A new commercial from NASA to promote a video contest aimed at elementary kids to promote interest in science might just show a brief look at the Transformers: Dark of the Moon version of Optimus Prime. The commercial is part of the partnership between Paramount and NASA when TF3 filmed there this summer and includes the as always excellent voice work of Peter Cullen. Prime's appearance begins at the 15 second mark. Hopefully tonight's Superbowl commercial will give us another look.

Transformers Linkfest

The first teaser trailer is out and while there isn't much in the movie news department, I do have to tidbits. Also hit the links for reviews, news of upcoming toys and more.

Optimus Prime Signed by Peter Cullen
If you are in the Maryland area, Beyond Comics is holding a raffle ($1 each) for Optimus Prime Hybrid Style THS-02 signed by the voice himself, Peter Cullen. All the proceeds will be going to Toys for Tots. The raffle is through December 18th and while it requires a visit by the store to participate it doesn't mean you can't do your part for Toys for Tots by clicking here.

Frank Welker Interview
The voice of Megatron talks Transformers: Prime and different between doing Megs now and for Generation One.

Peter Cullen Interview
Another interview, this time with the voice of Optimus Prime as he also talks about the cartoon and desire to maintain a consistency with the character through the years and various incarnations along with joy of working with Welker again. Of note is it turns out he has been working on Dark of the Moon for about a year. Thanks to rumah for the links.

I’ve been recording now for about a year with Michael Bay, and I’ve had some wonderful experiences. I went down to an airport hangar in Long Beach and worked with some of the on-camera actors and that was a wonderful experience to be a part of the movie on the technical side, because normally I’m just pinned into a small room in front of a microphone by myself.

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Transformers: Prime and Hasbro Panels at SDCC

The San Diego Comic-Con kicked off its first full day today and Transformers held two of its official panels. One was to show off its toy plans and talk War for Cybertron and the other was to finally give a peak into their plans and designs for the new Transformers: Prime CGI cartoon. As the image on the left shows (more images here), Hasbro isn't pulling any punches in promoting the Hub network and the new cartoon.

The Hasbro panel didn't really cover any new ground, choosing to discuss War for Cybertron, the upcoming DLC and talking about the next wave of Transformers toys with the Hunt for Decepticons, Power Core Combiners and Generations lines whose information has already been released over the last several months. A summary can be found here. The slideshow of toy images from the panel can be found here. A gallery of Transformers toys on display at the con can be found here and here.

The Transformers: Prime panels were probably the more interesting of the two with the participation of Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Peter Cullen. Below are two videos, one shows off a brief video of Peter Cullen and Frank Welker at work and the second video is the test scene that gives you an idea of the CGI being developed for the series. The main reveals is the series is based on a 350 page lore book that Hasbro has. It’s not entirely clear but I got the impression from reading various summaries that the series is set in the War for Cybertron continuity and events are inspired by the movies but not exactly taking place during or after the movies. The basic idea is Transformers are in disguise on Earth more or less in the present day, ready in case the Decepticons attack. There is a human cast, but none related to the movies. The summary of the panel and a gallery of images that show off the Transformers and human cast can be found here.Read More »

Peter Cullen Talks Prime, War for Cybertron

In a new interview with Techland Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime, talks about doing the voice in the movies, War for Cybertron, and the upcoming Transformers: Prime cartoon. Below are a few snippets, the rest of the interview is here.

How is the Optimus Prime in War for Cyberton different than other Optimus Primes?
In the game it's perhaps a little different in that he jumps around saying things that are activated by the actions of the player. There will be a consistency in his character but you won't be able to find the same significant emotions he would have with a written script in the movies or cartoons. From what I've heard and what I've seen of the game it's a very interesting combination to have an individual play into, let's say a cartoon, he's now in the cartoon with Optimus Prime and I think that's a very special ingredient to have.

You've said in the past that you were able to improvise while shooting the movies. Were you able to do that in the game?
Somewhat. There were opportunities to perhaps change an attitude that wouldn't be consistent with Optimus as he would be in the series or the motion picture but they were rare. The character was pretty much “spot on” as the Brits would say. Outside of a couple of changes whether he would say something or not and or according to the powers that be what could be said and what couldn't be said in terms of verbal selections or something a little less violent. But they stuck pretty close to the original fabric of Optimus.

Is there any connection between War for Cybertron and Transformers: Prime?

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Botcon 2010 Panel News

Botcon 2010, the official Transformers convention, was held this weekend at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Hasbro, Activision, IDW, Peter Cullen and more held panels that provided updates on the toys, new cartoon, and more. One of these years I will get to attend but thankfully the other Transformers websites did and reported back. This post is for the panel news and the other for the toy galleries.

Transformers Hall of Fame - Trophy | Display | Dinobot Case
This year's Botcon is also the first year for the Transformers Hall of Fame the inaugural class including is Bob Budiansky (more or less father of much of the Generation One mythology and character personalities), Peter Cullen (needs no introduction), Hideaki Yoke (engineered the transformation concept in toys, TF designer), Kojin Ohno (designer of many Transformers), Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, Starcream and Beast Wars' Dinobot (chosen by the fans). If you are not sure why Dinobot won, you should watch the last two seasons of Beast Wars.

Botcon 2011 Location
Botcon 2011 will be held at the California Pasadena Convention Center on June 2nd to 5th, perfect for taking advantage of any promotional efforts from Paramount and Hasbro for the release of Transformers 3 later that month.

Transformers Toy Panel
Attended by a few Hasbro employees, this covered Hasbro's toy release plans for the remainder of the year, including a list of all the toys and classes they plan to release (at the link). No new Robot Heroes are planned. Hasbro aware of quality control issues and working with manufacturers to fix it (not sure what this was exactly in reference too).Read More »

Peter Cullen Voices Optimus in TF Prime

A new article from Advertising Age about Hasbro's new The Hub network that is launching on October 10th is news on the voice of Optimus Prime for the cartoon, return of a beloved cartoon series and an interesting ad limitation the new network will have to deal with. The article also gets into details about other plans the network has such as GI Joe: Renegades, My Little Pony and more. Below are quotes directly related to Transformers.

..."Transformers Prime" will feature the voice of Peter Cullen, the original voice of Optimus Prime from the animated series as well as the Michael Bay-directed feature films. Additionally, "Transformers" feature screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci will act as showrunners.

The Hub will exclusively re-air old episodes of the Jim Henson Company's "Fraggle Rock," and is also planning a late-night block of old "G.I. Joe" and "Transformers" episodes to attract parents and young adult males nostalgic for the '80s-era cartoons.

Ads for Transformers toys, for example, can't air within or adjacent to the "Transformers" show due to government restrictions. The same goes for other Hasbro-branded programs that also have products to advertise at retail.

Transformers Hall of Fame Inductees, Voting Begins

Hasbro has announced its inaugural list of members, both human and Transformers, that will be inducted into the Transformers Hall of Fame at the induction ceremony at BotCon on June 26th, 2010. On the human side, you have a list of inductee that played a fundamental role in the formation of the Transformer property with Bob Budiansky, Peter Cullen, Yoke Hideaki and Kojin Ohno. The details on why worthy are in the press release below.

On the Transformers side, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, Starcream and a fan favorite to be voted on will be inducted. Fans can vote at Transformers.com for whom they want the fifth TF inductee to be. The nominees are G1 Soundwave, G1 Grimlock, G1 Jazz, G1 Shockwave, and Beast Wars' Dinobot. Voting closes on May 28th with the winner announced at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The press release:Read More »

Optimus Prime Presents the Top Ten List

Last night Optimus Prime (CGI version) with Peter Cullen doing the voice appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman to read "Top Ten Things That Sound Cool When Spoken By a Giant Robot." Cullen does the best he can with weak material but the CGI wasn't bad for something put together for a comedy segment. Thanks to Feris for the link.

Optimus Prime on Letterman?

I was watching the Boston 4th of July celebration and there was a commercial for the Late Show with David Letterman saying that Optimus Prime will be reading off the Top 10 list Monday night. I am not sure if they mean some CGI thing with Prime (and probably using the first or second movies scenes) or if Peter Cullen is stopping by and reading the list in Prime's voice. I guess we will have to watch Monday night find out.

Peter Cullen, Stan Bush Interview

Below are two links from The Electric Playground of interviews with Peter Cullen (voice of Optimus Prime) and Stan Bush (singer, song writer of The Touch) that was record during Botcon 09 a few weeks ago. Cullen discusses the origin of his Prime voice and working on the cartoon series while Bush talks about the origin of his song and the impact it had when it was used in Transformers: The Movie. Thinks found by benzo.

Peter Cullen's Knight Rider Appearance

The episode of Knight Rider where Peter Cullen's reprises his role as the voice of KARR aired last night. Over all the episode was rather bland and considering the build-up, the appearance of the very Transformers-like KARR was just so-so and very brief. How he was defeated just stuck me as strange as if it was a either a stunt that had to be saved in the editing room or maybe they ran out of money.

Thanks to wickweezl, below are two videos. The first is a converted version of NBC's sneak peak and the second is a voice only video (for copyright reasons) of only the moments from the episode that used Peter Cullen's voice.



If you interested in watching the entire episode, click here or watch below. Peter's part in the episode starts at 35:05 point.

Cullen's Knight Rider Return Next Week

In a promo for next week's episode of Knight Rider (yeah I watch, its silly but fun show), there is just a snippet of Peter Cullen reprising his role as KARR (Knight Automated Roving Robot) for the show. A re-redesign of the 80s series villain shows clear inspiration from Transformers. To me the voice just sounds like an angry Optimus Prime.

Transformers Related News

It will be awhile before Peter Cullen once again speaks as Optimus but in the meantime Knight Rider Online is reporting that he will reprise the role of KARR that he originally back in the 80s. KARR is basically an evil version 1.0 of KITT and based on the brief snippet below has had a few upgrades. The episode, "Knight to King's Pawn", will air on January 21st in the states. Thanks to Travis for the link.

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AwesomeOff.com is running a Transformers related poll until midnight EST December 31st. I think the contest is for "Most Awesome" thing and currently the contenders are Roller Derby vs Transformers Costumes. Click here to vote on the better thing.

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Based on the below news report it appears that the Chinese love Transformers too, even going so far as to build a Transformers like robot out of die-cast metal ("It's a lost art") that is 4.5 meters tall and weighs 1322 pounds. Click here for pictures.

More Cullen in Optimus Prime

MTV spoke briefly with the voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen, about Transformers 2. As he had said before, the opening introduction has been done but it turns out that there might be a bit more Cullen in the onscreen Optimus Prime this time around.

“I’ve only done the opening,” voiceover legend Peter Cullen told MTV News, updating us on the lengthy process of recording lines for the film. “[Michael] Bay brought me in to get them started on some of the animation part of it. I think they require a voiceover for it, [and then] we’ll get into the main stuff more towards the end of the fall…November, perhaps.”

And while Cullen will remain off-camera, like in the first film, some of him will find a home on the synchronized face of his alter-ego, Prime. “They focus a camera on my mouth,” he exclaimed. “It’s like ‘Oh my God, they’re looking into my mouth!’ It’s like going to the dentist.”

AICN Interviews Peter Cullen

As part of the promotion for the upcoming September 2nd release of Transformers on Blu-Ray, AICN spoke with the voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen. The full interview is here and below is some choice bits. Thanks to Chris for the link.

Beaks: As a working voice actor, I can't imagine that you know, one show to the next, whether your work is going to make a deep imprint in the popular culture. Was there any inkling when you took on the role of Optimus Prime that this character was going to leave a deeper groove than the others?
Cullen: I think so. When I saw the character breakdown, I said, "This is indeed a real hero. This is not like any hero we've ever seen before." He penetrated different zones. There was a sense of him. He wasn't just muscle and strength. He went beyond that. There was dignity and courage, and a soft spoken honor and integrity about him. Very well written. So to apply those traits... they weren't necessarily implicated in the script; I just did an impression of my brother Larry, who served in the Marine Corps, and lowered the voice. I think we nailed it. The scripts were wonderfully written, and there was so much to absorb in a half-hour. Don't forget, Jeremy, that was how many years ago? 1984? '85? Gee whiz, I was just a child! (Laughs)

Beaks: And the Blu-ray is only going to stoke more anticipation for TRANSFORMERS 2, which is shooting right now. Have you had the opportunity to visit the set, see any footage or chat with Michael Bay?
Cullen: I've had one work day with Michael. We did the opening. But I didn't have the opportunity to see any real footage - until I was leaving. I hate to use the word over and over "knocked out", but I was stopped in my tracks. "Whoa! Can I see that again!?!?" It's going to be huge.

Beaks: Just when you thought they couldn't top the spectacle of the first movie?
Cullen: No question. He's excited, too. Bay is really excited. He's animated. He's such a creative guy and a perfectionist. He's got a high energy level that's really cool.

Beaks: He gets a bit like a little kid when he's working.
Cullen: You can see his brain working. What goes on in that head of his is indescribable. (Laughs) He's amazing.

Beaks: How much of a connection have you been able to form with the human actors? Now that the first film was a hit and you know you'll be making more, have you had the opportunity to interact with Shia or Megan?
Cullen: Nope. None of the above. I have not met anyone. I know Charlie Adler [the voice of Starscream], but aside from the voiceover people... I didn't even meet Hugo Weaving. I admired his work, but... I haven't had an opportunity to be with the real actors. During this year, I'm sure there will be a time where I'll be able to go to the studio and see some of that. I'm looking forward to that.

Beaks: But I watching TRANSFORMERS over the weekend on HBO, and I was noticing how you subtly changed your vocal performance from the cartoon. You gave Optimus a little more lightness. We get to see a funnier side.
Cullen: Right. I think you'll see more of that. His relationship with humans demands that he be more human. When he's one-on-one with Sam or the other characters, there's an opportunity for more humor and sensitivity, not just stone-cold metal. Coming into that human element... it's different; it's a little challenging because you have to be more conversational without stepping out of his character or losing any of his ingredients. We'll see more of that, I think. I don't want to speculate, but it seems to be going that way.

Peter Cullen At Work On TF2

In an interview with Reading Eagle, Peter Cullen confirmed that he is back at work on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen to reprise his role of Optimus Prime.

"Optimus is my favorite character because it's been so well received and it's had such an effect on so many people," Cullen said. "Because of that, I hold it closer than any other character I've done - outside of maybe Eeyore, who's had a considerable effect on younger children too.

Right now Cullen is happily juggling a variety of projects. He's penning a novel with autobiographical elements and continues to voice Eeyore for the Playhouse Disney series "My Friends Tigger & Pooh." And he's logging time in a studio to record his lines as Optimus Prime for the "Transformers" sequel, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

"I have started," Cullen said. "I worked with Michael a few weeks ago and we did some of the opening dialogue, the opening speech and then a couple of scenes with Shia LaBeouf. Shia wasn't there, of course. I just worked from the script."

So what happens in the sequel?

"They're very secretive about the story," he said. "I only know the lines I've read, and I'm not allowed to disclose any of those. But the amount of success that 'Transformers' had on a financial level is providing a lot more screen time for Optimus Prime. It's very expensive to do all these robot characters because of the 10,000 moving parts.

"Thankfully we were a hit, so there's 'Transformers 2' and maybe 'Transformers 3.' I think 'Transformers 2' is going to be an incredible, incredible picture. I can see the excitement in the faces of the people involved, and it generates quite a bit of excitement in me too."

Peter Cullen DVD Related Interview

Superherohype has posted an interview with Peter Cullen from Friday when he hosted a press conference about the special features of the HD-DVD version of Transformers.

The full interview is here.

Some highlights:
- Not comfortable with celebrity, likes the anonymity that voice over work brings.
- Slight changes where made to his Optimus voice to "justify its size relative to the actors on screen." (Personally I can't tell if a change was made or not. So it one was made compliments to the sound crew for making it near invisible).
- Wasn't really aware of the popularity of Transformers until his first convention in 98 or 99 (probably Botcon which is held annually in various locations) after being encouraged by his daughter to go.
- Did audition with Bay for the role of Optimus for the movie.
- HD-DVD features: Picture in picture during the commentary so can see Bay, Spielberg and other filmmakers. Disc 2 allows zoom and 350 view of the robots.

AICN Peter Cullen Interview

AICN interviewed Peter Cullen via telephone about Transformers. The highlights:

Quint: Was it weird for you to have to audition for a role that you are so tied in with in the first place?
Peter Cullen: Yeah, there’s a lot of mixed feelings there, Eric, because you can’t help but feel that “No, I did this once before and evidently I was successful and they got rid of me,” and… yeah, kind of personal.
Years later, you’re brought back again, but you’re not really brought back, because you have to audition for the role all over again.

Quint: Have you recorded all of your dialog?
Peter Cullen: Yes I have, but then again, you know up until the [Laughs]… up until the final word is in… I’m poised and ready to go in. As early as a week and a couple of days ago, I was tentatively on hold for another recording and I’m still kind of waiting, but that was 11 days ago, so I’m not really convinced that they finished all they’ve had to do… but ready, you know, ready at any moment to do whatever they need.

Quint: It looks like just the hugest, most crazy science fiction action thing… like nothing that we have ever really seen executed at this level, you know?
Peter Cullen: Yeah it’s better with Michael Bay, you know even just a couple of cars would be special… the guy is just brilliant. I mean, he really is brilliant and he’s got a vision. He had a marvelous vision for the entire beginning from conceptual… through the process. He’s responsible for so many great things, including giving Optimus Prime a sense of humor, which makes him more believable, working in the human relation situation along with the real people. Prime is actually charmingly funny. That’s a step in the right direction!

Quint: Yeah, well I think the very first thing the talkbackers and the readers of Ain't It Cool, the site that I write for, are going to want to know… is your opinion on the redesign of the robots, specifically Optimus. What do you think about flames on… you?
Peter Cullen: Well, number 1, just to see it, it’s overwhelming, there are changes, but everything in life changes… cars change every year and I think if one uses his imagination and you separate the sentiment and the history and the memories and tradition and that stuff, because nothing really stays the same anyway, you can actually justify Optimus Prime… a mechanical situation, going to advanced… advanced designs, which makes perfect sense to me, because he still maintains the core of character, with all the ingredients of leadership and that’s what made him an icon. I mean, the writers are fantastic and they have never gone away from that. They have maintained a very strong commitment with his qualities and they did a wonderful job. They’re brilliant, brilliant guys… wonderfully talented…

Quint: Cool, you said that when you were recording your dialogue that Bay was always right there. Was he very hands on with your performance?
Peter Cullen: Yeah. We collaborated and he was very encouraging. He had a calm control that gave me a confidence and the level of relaxation that… just great ideas. I could well understand why he is the director he is. He is everything of that, a pleasure to work with… a real pleasure.

Quint: Now you mentioned that Optimus has more of a sense of humor in this one, is there anything else? Optimus has had many iterations in the past… Is there anything besides the sense of humor that’s kind of new and different about Optimus in the movie?
Peter Cullen: I think that any changes that were made were subtle and defined in the area of well… that the human relationship with the mechanical becomes more believable as they go into the more human qualities for him for sample. On another level, his size, compared to a human being is huge, so there will be minor subtleties in sound to compensate for that for that size and on a big screen outlook, you are going to feel that in the theater and it wouldn’t make sense to have Prime’s voice… I was a little hesitant at first when they said they were going to give me a fuller sound and then when I heard it I realized perfectly (what they meant). The only thing I cared about was did they maintain his characteristics and they did, so I felt great.

Quint: Was there any difference in how you personally approached the character?
Peter Cullen: Not at all, no. Prime is Prime and yeah, he still has all the traits that were first initiated in the break down, the first character breakdowns that I read back 1983 or 84. He hasn’t changed one bit. Hey if it’s not broken, don’t fix it!

Quint: What’s next for you? I can imagine that this movie is kicking off such a demand for more Optimus stuff, because I know that for the video game that you have done…Peter Cullen: Which is fantastic… I saw some stuff on it. It’s brilliant! It really is… and yeah, you’re right there are other things too, like commercials… Optimus Prime is stepping out of the box you know, he’s even doing Burger King…

Full article here.