Thunderbirds (2015)

[LoweGear]

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

Will they use the classic machines for this series? While TB no.2 is fans-favorite, I remember back then my favorite was that rocket thing that came out of swimming pool. It's TB no.1 if I'm not mistaken.

Yup, that's TB1.

Though yes, Thunderbird 2 is my favorite of the machines, even if 1 looks better.

And I don't think they'd want to change the machines much. They might modernize the designs so they don't look so obviously 60's, but their designs are so iconic to the series that changing them too much or replacing them outright would be cause for much outrage.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

I just realised that in the Hobbit thread, I discussed the possibility that Weta has a relatively weak CGI department compared to their cutting edge physical props and miniature departments. So I hope I am wrong there. Still, it is amusing that Weta's miniatures skill (would have been perfect in a puppetry series) and their physical props skills (perfect for live-action) are not used here.

I saw a cartoon series with a CGI friendly dragon that was animated by WETA. It wasn't bad. But now I do wonder if they really are the best people for the job now.

Funny, I was sure I was more optimistic back when the thread started...

[GuidoHunter_Toki]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

I just realised that in the Hobbit thread, I discussed the possibility that Weta has a relatively weak CGI department compared to their cutting edge physical props and miniature departments. So I hope I am wrong there. Still, it is amusing that Weta's miniatures skill (would have been perfect in a puppetry series) and their physical props skills (perfect for live-action) are not used here.

I saw a cartoon series with a CGI friendly dragon that was animated by WETA. It wasn't bad. But now I do wonder if they really are the best people for the job now.

Funny, I was sure I was more optimistic back when the thread started...

So WETA is the same people that worked on the Hobbit? Hmm, kind of worried since there were quite a few parts of the Hobbit where the CGI looked less than stellar.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by GuidoHunter_Toki

So WETA is the same people that worked on the Hobbit? Hmm, kind of worried since there were quite a few parts of the Hobbit where the CGI looked less than stellar.

I know it's unfair, but one can't help compare them to the likes of Industrial Lights and Magic, and finding them fall short.

Of course it is terribly mean to do that. Weta isn't a CGI specialist. But we can't help it.

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

I know it's unfair, but one can't help compare them to the likes of Industrial Lights and Magic, and finding them fall short.

Of course it is terribly mean to do that. Weta isn't a CGI specialist. But we can't help it.

and WETA is a terribly new SFX company compared to the CG revolutionist that is ILM.

[GundamFan0083]

Originally Posted by DRAGUN H.E.X.

wait, isn't that anime DOES NOT had to do with the Thunderbirds series? if you looked at the original japanese title?

Yes I know, but like Vallen said, it is so close to the original Thunderbirds, that it was clearly inspired by it.
Thus when the Western company got hold of it, they simply changed the name to Thunderbirds 2086.
Kind of like Voltron, the original title was Go Lion.
Space battleship yamato became Starblazers.
Gatchaman became "Battle of the Planets."
Mazinger Z being turned into Tranzor Z.
American companies in the 1980s had a tendency to change the names of anime shows back then for the Western market since all animation was treated like "kids" shows.

[Nightbat®]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

I understand. It is like watching a blacksmith forging a sword. The skills required to do things the old fashioned way is fascinating.

But that wasn't true Thunderbirds. It didn't use puppetry because it was art; it was puppetry because there was no money for special effects. Retro has its charms, but it would be a mistake to think of Thunderbirds as a Retro TV series. It was cutting edge for its time.
A new Thunderbirds cannot, and should not, evoke nostalgia. A new Thunderbirds should be futuristic.

It was made in the 60's and WILL envoke nostalgia, it's also the only reason it found sponsors, because it's another famous named cash-cow leaching off adults' (read: the people with money) memories

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by Nightbat®

It was made in the 60's and WILL envoke nostalgia, it's also the only reason it found sponsors, because it's another famous named cash-cow leaching off adults' (read: the people with money) memories

If you are making a CGI TV series like this, I find it unlikely that your market would be people who watched the show in the 60's.

You get money from those people by re-releasing Blu Ray or making film versions, like they have already done. In this case I doubt the sponsors want to attract only old fans; I expect this new show to be like how Sunrise wanted to capture the youth market with new AU Gundam series.

[RichardFromMarple]

Star Fleet (X Bomber) could almost be crossover between Anime & Gerry Anderson's puppet shows, with a little dash of Star Wars to spice things up.

Me & my brother had a good reason to be up early on Sunday mornings to watch it, creepy yet thrilling at the same time.

IIRC The original Japanese screening of Stingray had a "bonus" episode mostly of clips (clip shows seem popular on Japanese TV) with some specially shot footage to link it all.

[Nightbat®]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

If you are making a CGI TV series like this, I find it unlikely that your market would be people who watched the show in the 60's.

Then don't call it thunderbirds?
That way, 'dads' won't be inclined to take junior to the cinema or give them money for it


The charm of thunderbirds made it survive all the cartoons and CGI that have come and gone the past 50 years

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by Nightbat®

Then don't call it thunderbirds?
That way, 'dads' won't be inclined to take junior to the cinema or give them money for it


The charm of thunderbirds made it survive all the cartoons and CGI that have come and gone the past 50 years

It's going to be on TV. Why would they go to a cinema?

[Ithekro]

So Thunderbirds are Go?

NicoNico

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm19825919

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

[Solafighter]

^I prefer the Strike Witches version.

Every single time, I hear 'Thunderbirds', I think it's about the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds.

[Nightbat®]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

It's going to be on TV. Why would they go to a cinema?

You catch my drift, it's not like I'm gonna make my kids enthusiastic for "cow and chicken" but rather for cartoons from my own childhood

Again, the charm and legacy of Thunderbirds was that it was a puppetshow
Redoing the muppet show in CGI would recieve the same criticism

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by Nightbat®

You catch my drift, it's not like I'm gonna make my kids enthusiastic for "cow and chicken" but rather for cartoons from my own childhood

Again, the charm and legacy of Thunderbirds was that it was a puppetshow
Redoing the muppet show in CGI would recieve the same criticism

Anderson would have disagreed.

As I said earlier, there was a reason he refused to make another puppetry series once he could afford hiring actors. He used puppets because that was all he could have at the time. It was not an artistic choice, and he hated it.

[AnimeFan188]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

Anderson would have disagreed.

As I said earlier, there was a reason he refused to make another puppetry series once he could afford hiring actors. He used puppets because that was all he could have at the time. It was not an artistic choice, and he hated it.

Yet when people look back at that show, they think "oh yeah, the one with the
puppets".

If Thunderbirds had been done in live-action back then, would still have been as
memorable?

[Ithekro]

How many of Anderson's live action shows were memorable? Space 1999?

[RichardFromMarple]

Originally Posted by Ithekro

How many of Anderson's live action shows were memorable? Space 1999?

Some Fanderson Buffs rate UFO higher, it didn't quite have the budget of Space 1999 but is considered to be better written.

[Nightbat®]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

Anderson would have disagreed.

As I said earlier, there was a reason he refused to make another puppetry series once he could afford hiring actors. He used puppets because that was all he could have at the time. It was not an artistic choice, and he hated it.

Unfortunately for him, the people watching the show DIDN'T hate it

And guess who's opinion counts most to make something "Iconic"?

This is just another show riding on the coattails of its famous predecessor for money
Nothing grand like "honoring the original" about it

And as AnimeFan188 stated, would Thunderbirds have survived if it was just another cartoon or real life series?

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by Ithekro

How many of Anderson's live action shows were memorable? Space 1999?

Poor guy. All he wanted was to make life action, but now people remember him for the puppets.

The likes of UFO did matter though. Anno was a fan, and that's why he put UFO references in the Evangelion TV series. Including the opening, where you have quick flashing scenes just like the UFO opening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CvURidpkCY

And as AnimeFan188 stated, would Thunderbirds have survived if it was just another cartoon or real life series?

Well, here you are discussing how you want the franchise to stay in the past rather than allowing it to live on as a CGI animated series. So I am not sure if you actually want the franchise to survive or not.

The paradox is that NOW, it is actually more expensive to use puppets, as there isn't a puppetry industry anymore. The only reason to use puppets now is to attract the older crowd, not the kids they have in mind.