Transformers: Prime (cartoon)
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Transformers: Prime is an upcoming computer-animated television series that will air on The Hub in late 2010. There are 26 episodes scheduled for the first season,[1] and another three have been outlined by the screenwriters.[2]
It will be "rightfully huge."[3]
Story
Optimus Prime's Autobots live on Earth as a pre-emptive measure against the return of the Decepticons. There are recurring humans but the focus is on the Transformers, as the show delves into what it is to be a Prime. Though in continuity with Exodus and War for Cybertron, its Earth-bound backstory is reminiscent of the live-action film series.[4]
Cast
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
|---|---|---|
On August 6, 2010, a press release announced the cast of Transformers: Prime, along with several other Hub shows. The release confirmed James Remar, Josh Keaton, Kevin Michael Richardson and Markie Post as additional cast members. Who, precisely, they would be playing was not mentioned.[12] Michael Bell and David Sobolov auditioned for parts. Bell auditioned for Ratchet and "General Fowler."[13]
Production
The show runners are Jeff Kline, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Additional production staff include principal character designer Jose Lopez and supervising director Dave Hartman.[14] Orci and Kurtzman explained the show offered them a better chance to delve into the Transformers' mythology than the live-action film series did.[4] The producers created a 350-page show bible, incorporating aspects of various continuities for writers to utilize.[6] Susan Blu was the casting director, but was replaced as voice director following a death in her family.[15]
According to Ken Christiansen, the show's design aesthetic was formed by Hasbro Studios hiring freelance conceptual artists like himself. The submitted artwork was given Lopez's staff to be examined, and they incorporated the ideas they liked best.[16] Digitalscape provided the CG production.[17] Lopez said the animation would be a "groundbreaking mix of 2D animation and CGI".[18] The show's CG models will be subject to battle damage during episodes.[6]
Other staff members include:
- Vince Toyama and Jevon Bue - background designers.
- Christophe Vacher - color designer.
- Augusto Barranco - concept artist.
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jeffreycombs.com
- ↑ My experience at Botcon 2010 at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando, FL. blog post by Melvin L. Clermont
- ↑ Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 34
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 LIVE! Transformers Prime Panel @ SDCC 2010, July 22, 2010
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 BotCon 2010 Hasbro panel
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Botcon 2010 Transformers Prime Panel Coverage
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Transformers Prime Cast and Show Info, TFW2005.com, September 8, 2010
- ↑ (Update) The Rock Lending His Voice To Transformers: Prime, Not G.I.Joe: Renegades, TNI.com, September 8, 2010
- ↑ YouTube video of Blum announcing his role at Sacanime
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Round Up Info and Images from SDCC Transformers Prime Panel
- ↑ Seibertron.com - Transformers Prime: A new voice actor for a new character!
- ↑ THE HUB TAPS POPULAR TALENT FOR UPCOMING ORIGINAL SERIES, August 6, 2010
- ↑ Interview with Michael Bell with the Moonbase2 Podcast
- ↑ TFormers BotCon 2010 Hasbro Studios Panel Coverage
- ↑ Tformers.com's coverage of the SDCC Transformers Prime panel, July 22, 2010.
- ↑ August 2010 blog post by Ken Christiansen
- ↑ Announcement on Digitalscape, also asking for job applicants.
- ↑ Jose Lopez speaks about Prime's animation style
