New Derrick Wyatt Interview

caitlindevi · May 14, 2009

Just spotted this link on his website, includes some images I don't think we've seen clearly before.

Transformers Animated Interview - Derrick J Wyatt (Cool) Shite on the Tube - Film, TV, Comics, Games, Books, Genre Pop Culture.

realCliffjumper · May 14, 2009

Nice find! That nod to Vangelus' head was great!

and we got nicer pictures of Star-Upper and Bumper!

Too bad Animated is over. A couple more seasons and we would have gotten season 12 Gobots!

For anyone who was wondering, the video at the bottom is just three minutes of "Transform and Roll-Out." Nothing special.

Mechafire · May 14, 2009

I never noticed how awesome the Autotrooper's head design was...

caitlindevi · May 14, 2009

Mechafire said: ↑

I never noticed how awesome the Autotrooper's head design was...
Click to expand...

HAve you noticed Autotroppers AUtobot symbol is different...it has added stripes , but not like the elite guard.

Beastbot X · May 14, 2009

The site is consistently locking up my computer. Can someone copy-and-paste the interview here?

caitlindevi · May 14, 2009

realCliffjumper said: ↑

Nice find! That nod to Vangelus' head was great!

and we got nicer pictures of Star-Upper and Bumper!

Too bad Animated is over. A couple more seasons and we would have gotten season 12 Gobots!

For anyone who was wondering, the video at the bottom is just three minutes of "Transform and Roll-Out." Nothing special.
Click to expand...

I was just starting to accept that it was over, but after reading that interview I'm not so sure anymore...the language he uses suggests even he doesn't know if its over yet or not

jtfire · May 14, 2009

caitlindevi said: ↑

I was just starting to accept that it was over, but after reading that interview I'm not so sure anymore...the language he uses suggests even he doesn't know if its over yet or not
Click to expand...

Agree totally.

realCliffjumper · May 14, 2009

Beastbot X said: ↑

The site is consistently locking up my computer. Can someone copy-and-paste the interview here?
Click to expand...

Here ya go. I posted the pictures too, because they are cool. Is that okay by forum rules? For some reason, I feel like I am doing something illegal.

coolshite.net said:

Transformers Animated Interview - Derrick J Wyatt
Derrick J. Wyatt is well known in Transformers fandom as the guy most directly responsible for making the new Transformers Animated series look so uniquely original and in the same way so timeless. Initially met with great trepidation the series has gone on to be a fan favorite with many trans-fans, both from the old school (G-1 fans) and the newer breed. (Beast wars and beyond.)
The series, now in its third (and possibly final) season, has managed to combine elements of G-1, G-2, The Movie, comics, Some of the Japanese spinoff’s, Beast wars, and even some of the “Unicron trilogy” into a cohesive and clever narative. Meanwhile it introduced entirely new characters and settings and did the unimaginable, it made the Transformers even more accessible to a new generation. Not taking its cues from the 2007 blockbuster film it struck out boldly in a new and potentially disastrous direction and it has been reaping the accolades since.
We were lucky enough to conduct this interview with head character designer Derrick J Wyatt recently through connections made through twitter and his personal blog “A Delightful Tedium.”

Derrick, can you give us a bit of background as to how you came to be the art director on Transformers Animated? You’re clearly a fan of all things transformers (i’ve seen your blog) so how does a fan get possibly the coolest job on the planet? What was your first job ?
Well, I was contacted by Sam Register about doing some Transformers development after I was done on Teen Titans, which Sam had also produced. Sam was tired of the Unicron Trilogy type TF shows, and he wanted to do something different. He wanted broader character types, and very expressive faces. So he came to be, because he wanted to see how I would reinterpret these classic characters. Sam had no idea I was a Transformers fan, but he knows now!

[Picture of Ramjet w/ new cone head]
"Liar" or as he has NEVER been known "Ramjet."

Where do you start when it comes to designing a character? Do you get a script calling for a particular character to appear and then you design the look? Or do you get to suggest characters? Is it a different process for the human characters?
It goes both ways. Sometimes Marty Isenberg will have a slot for a new character in a story, so he asks me what classic TF would fit the role he has in mind. Or sometimes I will work from the character he has created in the script. It’s the same for human characters, except that Marty creates more of them. I did come up with the Headmaster idea though.

How long did it take to find the right look for Transformers animated? Was there trepidation that the show was “too cartoony”?
It took a little while to come up with the look. I thought it might be too cartoony and pushed at first, but everyone involved seemed to be giving me positive responses, and I liked it, so we ran with it. I know there was some concern on Hasbro’s part about how to engineer these more cartoony forms, but they and Takara-Tomy really stepped up and nailed them. Their engineering skills alone have come light years ahead in the last couple years.

[Picture of Bumper, apparently.]
"Bumper" the red-headed stepchild of "Bumblebee" and "Cliffjumper."

When you look at the huge history of Transformerdom, are there any periods that you think, “Nope not even gonna go there?” Or are they all fair game when it comes to bringing them into the animated canon?
Oh, I would say all fair game! It’s almost as fun for me to take some Transformer I don’t like and redesign him in a way that makes fun of him, as it is to design some of my old favorites. Beachcomber is a good example of that. Irineo Maramba and I really exaggerated all of his worst character aspects when we did that design.

How much of the design process revolves around the transformation concept? Do you nut out a basic concept of transformation when you do the initial design or does that involve other designers?
Eric Seibenaler usually figures out a rough transformation once we’ve got rough robot and vehicle concepts. Then he sends all this info to the Takara-Tomy design team, and they come back with what they would like to do. Then (if needed) we will alter the robot and vehicle model designs to fit their needs. As I said before, they are so good, they don’t usually need us to change much at all.

Kicking off into season 3 we were presented with some pretty rock-lordish characters. When might we look forward to seeing the Gobots?
Season 12! Seriously though, I would love to put some of those guys in, if I ever get the chance.

[Picture of Autotrooper.]
"Autotrooper" are the Autobots actually "The Empire"?

When it comes to the voices used on the show and the voices springing forth from your designs, have you ever been surprised or shocked? Do you get to suggest voices or characteristics that they should have? ie did you say “Perceptor is totally Steven Hawking”?
Usually reading the script or outline will give me some idea of what the character type should be, and I try to push that so it carries through in my design. Then (if we have the rough model in time for the record) we will show it to the voice actor. Sometimes we will ask for something specific, and sometimes we will just see what they come up with. When we want a special guest star to do the voice, Marty, Matt Youngberg and I will confer and come up with a wish list of actors that we think would fit the character, and we will ask Sue Blu if they are available. I think she’s gotten our top choices every time we’ve asked! She’s amazing.
And yes, the more we thought about Perceptor the more the Stephen Hawking-esqe voice seemed to be the right one. I can’t think of any other voice that epitomizes science like that one does. Maybe Carl Sagan. Hey! That would be the perfect Cosmos voice! I’m writing that one down.

Which character have you been trying to sneak into the series unsuccessfully? Should we keep looking in the background for a hidden appearance of someone from Beast Machines?
[Picture of Steeljaw.]
"STEELJAW" animated!!!!! *Faints*

Well, Beast Machines has already had a couple characters appear. Strika, most notably. And I did try to give Jetstorm some little nods to his Vehicon incarnation. And we have at least three Beast Wars characters. Tankorr would be pretty amazing to draw. I would have fun with that. We tried to work in Cheetor, but he always seemed to get cut. Never enough time. Never enough episodes.
There are tons of other characters I would love to work in to the series, but I haven’t had the chance. Especially Decepticons. It’s always harder to get new Cons in. Blot, Hellbat, Rampage, Sky-Byte, Mindwipe, DeathSaurus, more cassettes… The list goes on and on. I’d need about 20 more seasons.

What would you like to do next? If Transformers goes in another direction what would be your ultimate job? do you have an pet projects of stuff you want to do outside of Transformers?
Yeah, I have a lot of weird interests. I love Hanna Barbera cartoons, mystery novels, super-heroes. And, of course, robots. I would love to get to draw more robots. Maybe someone will call me about an A.B.C. Warriors animated series?

Whats Derrick J Wyatt do when he’s not drawing awesome pictures of characters with huge chins?
Drawing characters with medium and no chins. Watching cartoons. Reading books and comic books. Playing with toys. The normal adult stuff.

or alternatively

Have you ever used friends or family as character inspiration? What does someone have to do to see themself immortalized in transformers animated style?
[Colored picture of Star-Upper’s head.]
"Star-Upper" the KANGAROO BOXING TRANSFORMER... no shit.

I put my cousins’ dog, Lucy, in Transform and Roll Out. Other than that you generally have to work on the show, or have a really weird looking head.

And here’s a few questions from the peanut gallery i make no bones about it. they don’t make much sense…
what about the dude and the sword and the thing?
What now?
You’re the Head designer, did you start at the bottom as a feet designer? Who does your bodies?
Oh dear…
Whats with the big chins?
Good for extra storage.
Click to expand...

wasp819 · May 14, 2009

defo seen bumbper in the animated show but still no hubcap?

SoundFire Prime · May 14, 2009

Sweet pictures! Gives me just a tiny bit of hope that Animated isn't over.

Mechafire · May 14, 2009

caitlindevi said: ↑

HAve you noticed Autotroppers AUtobot symbol is different...it has added stripes , but not like the elite guard.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I noticed it.

Beastbot X · May 14, 2009

Thanks for the copy-and-paste. Good interview, it was interesting to see some of the characters he had wanted to get in the show but wasn't able to. (BLOT! Sky-Byte, that's him!)

Empir3 · May 14, 2009

Gotta love the DJW, i always enjoy his interviews

xNotMyFuturex · May 14, 2009

Yea those pictures are definitely a glimmer of hope as far as the show continuing. I would really like to see the show get a forth season, especially if it means we get some more toys. After watching "This is Why I Hate Machines", I've been dreaming about a leader class Grandus.

girafeswordsman · May 14, 2009

STAR UPPER! He actually looks really freaking cool.

Incepticon · May 14, 2009

I'm liking how the Autotrooper's design is apparently the Cybertronian mode of Ratchet/Ironhide with a G1 Prowl deco. That's a clever way to squeeze out of some pretty cool repaints if the Cyb. Ironhide toy ever becomes a reality.

Bgrngod · May 14, 2009

Steeljaw is awesome! I love these designs.

Kaymac · May 14, 2009

I read the whole interview, very interesting. The Autotrooper's appearance is...unexpected, considering what series he's an homage to. I like the Autotrooper design, very cool, I think a toy of it would be nice. Also, the whole thing about Cheetor being cut makes me sad. If there are Animated Predacons, why not some Maximals?

Silent_Magnus · May 14, 2009

An Animated Cosmos with a Carl Sagan-esq voice?
GENIUS!

AniProwl · May 14, 2009

I'm getting confused here. Derrick Wyatt is hinting that Animated might not be over while Kickback keeps telling us it's over by drilling it in our head. Who should I belieive is right?

The show's head character designer OR a very reliable inside source?

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New Derrick Wyatt Interview

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Attached Files:

DJW.jpg

Ramjet.jpg

Bumper.jpg

Autotrooper.jpg

Steeljaw.jpg

Star-Upper.jpg

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New Derrick Wyatt Interview

caitlindevi Sculpticon

realCliffjumper Well-Known Member

Mechafire Abyss Watcher Moderator News Staff

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Beastbot X Old skool. In a lot of ways.

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jtfire Well-Known Member

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Attached Files:

DJW.jpg

Ramjet.jpg

Bumper.jpg

Autotrooper.jpg

Steeljaw.jpg

Star-Upper.jpg

wasp819 L-I-V-I-N

SoundFire Prime Well-Known Member

Mechafire Abyss Watcher Moderator News Staff

Beastbot X Old skool. In a lot of ways.

Empir3 Bedstructicon Empir3

xNotMyFuturex Well-Known Member

girafeswordsman Well-Known Member

Incepticon |-+-|

Bgrngod Autocon

Kaymac I'M REALLY FEELIN' IT!

Silent_Magnus Taint of Primus

AniProwl Banned

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