Transformers Cartoon News on Seibertron.com

Transformers Prime "Operation Breakdown" Promo Image

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“Transformers Prime” is back! Tune in Saturday at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT & see the Autobots roll out to rescue Breakdown, the Decepticon, who’s been kidnapped by Silas & the agents of MECH. Do you think they’ll succeed?

Transformers Collector's Club And Hall of Fame Contest: Waspinator's Acceptance Speech

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TCC wrote:Hello! A New contest from the TCC, Shout Factory (And Waspinator...)



At this years 2011 Hall of Fame Ceremony, Waspinator was inducted as the
fans choice nominee. One thing seems to be missing... His ACCEPTANCE
SPEECH! What would he have said? Who would he have thanked? You tell us
and the BEST three "fan written" speeches will receive a Shout Factory
Transformers: Beast Wars Complete Series DVD box set.

You must be a Transformers Collectors' Club member to enter. Please
email submissions to Waspy@funpubinc.com. Please use "Waspy Speech
Contest" as your subject line. The three winning speeches will be posted
on the TCC Forums. Please keep each "speech" to 200 words or less. Other
rules and conditions will be posted on the club forums.

World Premiere: The Making Of Transformers Dark Of The Moon Kicks Off Transformers Summer on The Hub

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Toonzone wrote:

THE HUB TV NETWORK ‘ROLLS OUT’ A TRANSFORMERS SUMMER WITH WORLD PREMIERE SPECIAL
“THE MAKING OF ‘TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON”’



Only on The Hub, Special Premieres June 25 Featuring Director Michael Bay
And Interviews with Stars Shia Labeouf and Josh Duhamel
Transformers Action Summer Continues with Special
Fourth of July Marathon Featuring Back-to-Back Episodes
Of “Transformers Prime” and “Transformers Generation 1”

LOS ANGELES – The Hub television network, a destination for kids and their families, will present -- in advance of the theater debut of the eagerly anticipated blockbuster film -- the world premiere of the original special “The Making of ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’,” a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming third feature film in the hugely successful film franchise. Based on the popular Hasbro brand Transformers, The Hub Original Special offers a sneak peek at footage from the film and features appearances by director Michael Bay and original interviews with the cast including Shia Labeouf and Josh Duhamel.

“The Making of ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’” will be presented only on The Hub, premiering Saturday, June 25 (2 p.m. ET), with encore performances Sunday, June 26 (10 p.m. ET), Saturday, July 2 (12:30 p.m. ET), Sunday, July 3 (9 p.m. ET), and Monday, July 4 (12:30 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. ET). The special is produced by Hasbro Studios.

The Hub TV Network is a joint venture of Discovery Communications and Hasbro, Inc., and is available to 62 million U.S. cable and satellite households.

“Transformers: Dark of the Moon” is the third film in the Transformers franchise and the first shot in 3D. It is directed by Michael Bay, written by Ehren Kruger and produced by Don Murphy & Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce. The executive producers are Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian. The movie opens on June 29, 2011. Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Hub continues its Transformers action summer with an Independence Day special line-up of back-to-back, fan-favorite episodes of the Daytime Emmy®Award-winning “Transformers Prime” and “Transformers Generation 1.” The seven-hour marathon will be presented Monday, July 4, from 1-8 p.m. ET for fans of all ages to experience the two series together.

As an added bonus, special programming informational bits will pop up during the television episodes with trivia about the two series to test viewers’ knowledge of the epic mythology behind the Decepticons and the Autobots. Fans can also go online to Hubworld.com to see additional episodes and engage in a variety of interactive Transformers-themed games.

Nominated for six Daytime Emmy ® Awards (including two Daytime Emmy® Award wins), the Hub Original Series “Transformers Prime” continuesthe legendary battle between the Autobots and the evil Decepticons. Archrivals Optimus Prime and Megatron once again face-off in their epic rivalry for control of the Earth. The new half-hour animated series features iconic characters of the franchise as well as introduces new human characters to the action series. From Hasbro Studios, the series is executive produced by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Jeff Kline.

Interview With Transformers Prime Writer / Producer Jeff Kline - Possible Unicron in Prime?

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Toonzone wrote:Saturday at the 2011 BotCon at the Pasadena Convention Center, Toonzone News was able to catch up with Transformers: Prime and G.I. Joe: Renegades writer and executive producer, Jeff Kline, to talk about his work on those shows as well as the future of G.I. Joe: Renegades . A veteran of animated shows, Kline has previously worked on such projects as Men In Black: The Animated Series, Godzilla: The Series, and Big Guy and Rusty The Boy Robot.

TZN: In Transformers: Prime, it was an interesting decision to put Megatron out of action for about half the season. But it did open up a lot of character development for Starscream. Why did you decide to go that direction?

JEFF KLINE: Quite honestly, that's the exact reason we went that direction. It was to allow for more time to develop characters that maybe hadn't been as well developed, especially our new characters that hadn't been introduced before in the universe. When you have Megatron and Optimus together, it's really hard not to focus on that relationship. We spent a lot of time with them. It almost required that we get rid of one of them for a little while to spend some time with the other characters.

TZN: At the Transformers: Prime season premiere event you noted that you wanted to keep the Autobot cast size small to give the advantage to the Decepticons. At the same time, it did not make much sense to me for Wheeljack to come and go from the Autobot team while the Autobots are in the middle of a war and need as many troops as possible. Why have Wheeljack leave when the Autobots need him more than ever?

JEFF KLINE: Because we thought that was true to Wheeljack's personality and then we could bring him back. We're like the Native Americans. We waste nothing of the buffalo. Everything that you've seen up to this point will eventually be used again. The most time and cost extensive part of CG is the upfront builds. If we built it, we're going to find a way to re-use it.

TZN: How does the collaboration and writing process with Duane Capizzi, Bob Orci, and Alex Kurtzman work, and how involved are Orci and Kurtzman in the writing process?

JEFF KLINE: Kurtzman and Orci are so much more involved than I ever thought they would be. The way it really started when we first got together to do Prime, there wasn't really a Hasbro Studios. There was some executives that had been hired and there was this need to be on the air a year later but there wasn't any other infrastructure. So for the first month or so, literally Duane Capizzi, myself, Therese Trujillo (our animation producer), [and] Dave Hartman were working out of Orci's and Kurtzman's lobby on the Universal lot. We would literally just spend at least a couple of hours a day sitting in a room just throwing around story stuff with them and some of the other people at their company. And that continued for quite a while and then we brought on four full time writers that first season: Joe Kuhr, Nicole Dubuc, Steve Melching, [and] Marsha Griffin. That was kind of the next step. We spent a lot of time and continue to spend a lot of time in writers' rooms breaking story. Most animated series do not have the luxury of a writing staff. It's mostly maybe one or two story editors and freelancers. But because the mythology of Transformers was so deep, there's twenty five years of it – the little book they handed me was six hundred pages of “These Are The Rules” – we had the movies and we didn't want to contradict anything. It really required everybody who was going to be involved sitting around at the beginning really talking through where we want to go, what we want to do. [Orci and Kurtzman] were involved in every step of that process. And the main involvement – they approve all the artwork, they are much more involved than I ever would have believed when someone first told me that they were going to do the show.

TZN: Hasbro is now producing their own shows in terms of the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises. What is this process like now compared to when you've worked on other big franchises like Men In Black and Godzilla? Is it different at all?

JEFF KLINE: It's more similar than not. I would say the one place it's different is—and I'm not a toy expert—it would seem that Hasbro for a number of their brands has created this mythology behind them that pre-exists me or pre-exists anybody buying the toy. When you buy the toy, you already get kind of story whether it's on the back of the package. There was so much more stuff to pull from on Transformers than there had been on even on some of those other franchises. Part of that is those twenty five years, but I would say the biggest difference to me as opposed to some of the other shows where the toy company is really only involved in making toys, these guys have lived with the brand for a lot of years. They are an incredible resource for us. Whenever we have questions, whenever we run big concepts by them, because they know them better than us: which characters the fans tend to associate with, what are they hearing on their e-mail chains. So they're more partner than probably any other toy company I've ever worked with.

TZN: In Prime, a new interesting character is the human antagonist Silas voiced by Clancy Brown. Going forward what can we expect Silas involving himself in the Autobot and Decepticon conflict?

JEFF KLINE: You are definitely going to see more Silas. I'm not going to tell you where it's going, because it's definitely pretty cool. But again, if we built it, we're using it. And if they turn into a zombie, we're going to use it again.

TZN: What writer gets credit for the Ghostbusters references in Prime?

JEFF KLINE: I believe Marsha Griffin actually wrote most of that riff, and I believe Duane [Capizzi] re-wrote a little bit of it. But I believe he would throw that to Marsha.

TZN: Regarding the Unicron references and the “blood of Unicron,” does that mean there is a CGI model being built for Unicron that we could ever glimpse at some point; in a flashback maybe?

JEFF KLINE: Hmm, let's see; we talk about it. I would say that we try to pay off almost everything that we talk about in some way, shape, or form.

TZN: I thought it was a great choice to begin with a five part miniseries which was evocative of a lot of cartoons in the 1980's, especially Transformers in the 80's. What was it like, basically starting with a feature length movie for the show at the beginning, and is it something you would like to do again with the show moving forward?

JEFF KLINE: I think Kurtzman and Orci came on maybe around Labor Day 2009, and the idea was to get on the air before the end of 2010. Most CG shows, even a lot of simple one, have a two year production cycle – Kung Fu Panda's of the world and such. So we had half the time to do a CG show – the most complicated one ever attempted for television, quite honestly. So knowing we had to get on the air in 2010, the idea of getting on with 13 episodes was impossible. We decided if we could get on with a miniseries—maybe it will be three episodes, maybe it will be five—and then pick up the series a month or two later and give the other studio time to catch up. Again, a lot of your initial expensive time is spent on that upfront buildup. I think literally the day before the first part of that miniseries aired was the day the network got it, maybe three or four days before. Polygon is our Japanese [animation] studio, and they're incredible. They're the only guys that could have pulled this off. But the miniseries grew out of both necessity, but then once we had it we were like, “Oh, let's really blow it out. Let's make it five. Can we do five by the end of the year?” “No, but let's try anyway.”

TZN: And you did it.

JEFF KLINE: And we did it, which means now they expect it from us every year. That was stupid.

TZN: So would we see another miniseries again at some point?

JEFF KLINE: I don't think we'd do five episodes, but you are definitely going to have multi-parters coming up. Already, if you look at the storytelling there are groups of episodes you could put together and that are thematically related. It's important that each episode live on its own. You want people to be able to come to the show as new viewers at any point during your airing and be able to catch up and be interested. But we like telling complicated stories. We like showing growth of character over time. We like turning a really important piece of Transformers mythology into something more than a one-off. So I think within the body of the season we build toward in our minds, something of a miniseries at the end of every season.

TZN: As a writer and producer, what do you prefer: a longer season of twenty six episodes where you get to tell a fuller, longer story arc but is more work or a more lean and abbreviated thirteen episode season?

JEFF KLINE: I always prefer more. It's the thing where once you're in the middle of it, you're damning yourself for wanting more, because those last couple [episodes] are always the hardest. But knowing you have twenty six, you can actually roll character stuff out slowly and actually grow relationships; that's always better. Also, it's easier to get the best crew because you are offering more episodes. It's easier to work a slightly better deal with your post house because you're guaranteeing them more episodes. Every penny is onscreen. The more episodes you know you are going to do up front, the better you are going to be all around.

The Hub Revises Fees For Animation Fare

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The Hollywood Reporter wrote:The Hub launched in October and has so far not made a big splash in the ratings against established kids players, such as Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network. Discovery and Hasbro executives have repeatedly said that the former Discovery Kids channel, much like Discovery's venture network OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, which has seen increasing investments from Discovery, will need time to find an audience.

The Hub pays license fees for content, and Hasbro Studios, which is owned by Hasbro, is a provider of "a significant amount of the content" that plays on The Hub, according to Drew Crum, analyst at Stifel, Nicolaus. Among the Hasbro Studios shows on the network are Transformers Prime, My Little Pony Friendship is Magic and G.I. Joe Renegades.

Transformers Japanese Collection-Headmasters Press Release

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TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION HEADMASTERS
Featuring 35 Episodes and Exciting Bonus Content in a 4-DVD Set
ON DVD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NORTH AMERICA!

IN STORES NATIONWIDE ON JULY 5, 2011 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY
This summer, loyal fans and collectors can finally bring home a new installment of the ongoing animated saga of TRANSFORMERS as FORTRESS MAXIMUS, SCORPONOK and rest of the Headmasters make their U.S. home entertainment debut in TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION Headmasters DVD set from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc.

THE TRANSFORMERS Headmasters is the first part of the rare Japanese trilogy that followed the popular Generation 1 animated series. Available for the first time in North America, this collectible 4-DVD set features the complete action-packed episodes from the Headmasters series and contains the original Japanese language tracks along with updated English subtitles, a rare art gallery and more! Poised to attract an audience of pop culture enthusiasts, kids and parents who grew up with the American animated series, TRANSFORMERS: The Japanese Collection Headmasters is priced to own with a suggested retail price of $29.93.
Check out additional details after the jump!

TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION Headmasters 4-DVD Set

Synopsis:
Optimus Prime lives again, the energy of the Matrix has been released and peace reigns on Cybertron . . . but all that is about to change with the startling arrival of the newest breed of Transformers warriors the Headmasters! Bonus Features Include:
Original Japanese Audio
English Subtitles
Art Gallery

Technical Information
Street Date: July 5, 2011
Not Rated: For All Audiences
Suggested Retail Price: $29.93
4-DVD
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Japanese, English, stereo

About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world-class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as THE TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multiplatform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is http://www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.

Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable best of compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit http://www.shoutfactory.com.

Botcon 2011 Hall Of Fame Ironhide Inductee Video

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Beast Wars Season 1 DVD Commercial

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Ark Addendum Update - Brainstorm's Transformation Sequence

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Jim Sorenson wrote:And what is normal, for me, if not character models? This time, I bring you another Ark Addendum transformation sequence. This is for Headmasters Brainstorm. While there are really only two intermediate steps in this transform, the second one (step 3 of 4) is pretty action packed. Hope you enjoy!

The Hub Summer Promo - Watch Megatron Sing

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