Another Don Murphy rant...

Warcry · Post by **Warcry** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 6:55 am

Can't say I'm overly bothered by the alt-mode changes, either. I think they're unneccessary in some cases (A twenty-odd year old Datsun would certainly draw less atttention in my neck of the woods than a shiny new-model sportscar, and F-15s are still a lot less conspicuous than most of the new-era fighter craft...) but I also don't see how it makes that much of a difference.

As long as the characters they represent are recognisable (something that has a lot more to do with head design, general torso shape and color scheme than specific vehicle modes...I mean, look at War Within) it's really a non-issue for me. But then, I'm not bothered by the idea of Sideswipe having a windshield for his chest or Tracks being yellow, so maybe I'm just crazy.

Post by **Best First** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 8:33 am

Denyer wrote:
Predabot wrote:am I the only one on this site that's even the slightestly bugged by the new alt-modes??
Pretty much. Most people seem to think that a series about changing robots can involve change.

These are the Devil's words!

Really, couldn't give a s*** about alt modes changng tbh. Crap writing and poorly laid out art, yes, anything else, not so much.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 11:45 am

I like seeing new alt-modes, I don't know about the rest of you. Like those modes in DD GI Joe/TF V2, I may not have liked all of them, but it was cool to see a new design on old TFs. Ditto for WW. I'm just gutted we never got to see Don's retro-fits for the BW characters.

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 3:11 pm

I liked those GI Joe/TF designs (not the muky DW ones) very much. As for other new alt designs, I'm not too bothered either, as long as they're sensible - as in not seeing Bumblebee as a huge yellow truck or (yeep!) a motorbike (and sidecar).

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 3:58 pm

I dont see why you have to radically alter an Alt mode.

you can just pick the modern equivlant of all the old Alt modes.

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 4:04 pm

That was kinda my point - they aren't going to go mad and change stuff too radically. Except for the Megatron 'gun to tank' thing, which is okay, I suppose.

Scraplet · Post by **Scraplet** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 5:11 pm

Autobloke wrote:I liked those GI Joe/TF designs (not the muky DW ones) very much. As for other new alt designs, I'm not too bothered either, as long as they're sensible - as in not seeing Bumblebee as a huge yellow truck or (yeep!) a motorbike (and sidecar).

Or they might make Bumblebee a new VW Bug....I think I'd rather he was a motorbike and sidecar

In general I agree with whats been said above. Where necessary modernise the alt modes, and where the old alt modes are now unlikely or hinder good story telling, scrap 'em and start again.

I think Megs should be a Fiat Punto. Mind you, there would be no room for his fusion cannon in the boot......

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 5:34 pm

i mean some of the TF names represent thier alt forms - i hope they dont miss that point...

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 6:08 pm

Autobloke wrote:I liked those GI Joe/TF designs (not the muky DW ones) very much. As for other new alt designs, I'm not too bothered either, as long as they're sensible - as in not seeing Bumblebee as a huge yellow truck or (yeep!) a motorbike (and sidecar).

What's wrong with them? I'm named B(ig) B(ertha) Shockwave because Ilike that redesign so much... Soundwave is funny, too. An Bruticus isoverly cool. A pity we saw only murky dark patches instead of TFs in that comic... Ah well, we have Don's sketches at least.

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Sat Jun 11, 2005 12:31 pm

Don't get me wrong - I saw the designs for the DW TFs for the GI Joe stuff in Wizard Magazine and they looked great. It was more DW's blotching-up of the actual comic art that bugged me. There isn't much point to the redesign if you can't see the results (TFs were mostly head shots anyway).
That said, how much actual Transformers (and transforming) was there in the final comic? There was so much crappy GI Joe that I lost track of the 'story' becauase it didn't interest me.
I've just remembered - wasn't Bumblebee a motorbike and sidecar in that story? Okay, perhaps that alt mode wouldn't be too bad.
As for Tf names representing their alt modes, you can't have Grapple without a grapple, inferno without some kind of fire reference or Skywarp without him being airborne. And Jetfire can't exactly be a car, can he? Although I think that's just me taking things too far as usual.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Sat Jun 11, 2005 2:36 pm

Autobloke wrote:As for Tf names representing their alt modes, you can't have Grapple without a grapple, inferno without some kind of fire reference or Skywarp without him being airborne. And Jetfire can't exactly be a car, can he? Although I think that's just me taking things too far as usual.

Not at all. You are quite right.

Scraplet · Post by **Scraplet** » Sat Jun 11, 2005 7:32 pm

Autobloke wrote:And Jetfire can't exactly be a car, can he?

He could be a jet-propelled car

...With Knight Rider stylee Turboboost

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 11, 2005 7:35 pm

Scraplet wrote:
Autobloke wrote:And Jetfire can't exactly be a car, can he?
He could be a jet-propelled car

...With Knight Rider stylee Turboboost

Or part of Donald Campbell's legacy.

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Sat Jun 11, 2005 9:56 pm

Wait! I got it - Jetfire can be a jetski! For the fire department. Jet. Fire.
Then even Bumblebee could kick his ass.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 11:00 pm

Autobloke wrote:Wait! I got it - Jetfire can be a jetski! For the fire department. Jet. Fire.
Then even Bumblebee could kick his ass.

...because the Fire Department often get called out to the middle of the sea.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 11:07 pm

Metal Vendetta wrote:
Autobloke wrote:Wait! I got it - Jetfire can be a jetski! For the fire department. Jet. Fire.
Then even Bumblebee could kick his ass.
...because the Fire Department often get called out to the middle of the sea.

Those oil rigs sure are fire hazards.

Post by **Best First** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:15 am

No one is proposing that Jetfire is going to be a car or anything, the impresion i get is minor tweaks or updates to what we already know.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:30 am

I wonder what Astrotrain was called before he got his Earth modes.

Post by **Best First** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:53 am

Astrocybertronianmonorail.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:47 pm

Best First wrote:Astrocybertronianmonorail.

A shuttlecraft that's launched from a monorail? No wonder his vehicle modes are so similar intoy form!

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:50 pm

or possibly Mark.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 6:01 pm

Shanti418 wrote:or possibly Mark.

yes? you called...

Autobloke · Post by **Autobloke** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:32 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:yes? you called...

Mrs Slocum: "Mr. Humpfries, are you free?"
Impactor returns 2.0: "I'm freeee!"

Post by **Best First** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:53 am

could we have some actual discussion in this topic please?

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:07 pm

So back on topic of Murphy... the guy and the brown-nosers on his board reminded me so much of a movie producer in a Monty Python sketch that I took the time and actually rewrote it...

Here goes! Well, something....

(Don Murphy's office. A room with a round table in the middle. Six writers are sitting around it with one impressive chair empty at the head of the table. They wait reverently. Suddenly the door flies open, and Don Murphy walks in, wearing a T-shirt with his own photo and munching on a hamburger.)

MURPHY: (still eating) Good morning boys.

WRITERS: Good morning, Mr Murphy!

(They run to help him into his chair.)
MURPHY: (sitting) Sit down! Sit down! Now boys, I want you to know that I think you are the best six writers in movies today. (the writers are overcome) I want you to know that I have an idea for the Transformers movie I'm going to produce, and I want you boys to write it.
(The writers run to him and kiss him)

WRITERS: Thank you, oh thank you!

MURPHY: Oh sit down! Sit down! There'll be plenty of time for that later on. Now boys, here's my idea...

THIRD WRITER: It's great!

MURPHY: You like it, huh? (looks round the table)

WRITERS: (catching on fast) Yeah, yeah, great! Really great! Fantastic! (first writer is the only one not having an orgasm about the idea)

MURPHY: (to first writer) Do YOU like it?

FIRST WRITER: (thrown) Yeah! Er... yeah.

MURPHY: (still to first writer) What do you like BEST about it?

FIRST WRITER: Oh well you haven't told us... what it is yet...

MURPHY: WHAAT!?

FIRST WRITER: (pointing at the second one) I like what he likes.

MURPHY: What do you like?

SECOND WRITER: (pointing at third writer): I like what he likes.

THIRD WRITER: (pointing at fourth writer): I like what he likes.

FOURTH WRITER: (pointing at fifth writer): I like what he likes.

FIFTH WRITER: (pointing at sixth writer): I'm just about crazy about what he likes.

MURPHY: What do you like?

SIXTH WRITER: I... I... I... agree with them.

MURPHY: Good! Now we're getting somewhere. Now here's the start of the movie... I see snow! (writers applaud) White snow!

FOURTH WRITER: Magnificient! Think of the colors!

MURPHY: And in the snow, I see ... a tree!

WRITERS: (applauding) Yes! Yes!

MURPHY: Wait, wait I haven't finished yet.

THIRD WRITER: There's MORE?

MURPHY: And by this tree, gentlemen, I see... Ravage! He's not a casette anymore, of course.

WRITERS: Of course!

MURPHY: And gentlemen, Ravage goes up to the tree, and he piddles on it.

WRITERS: Hallelujah!

SIXTH WRITER: Have we got a movie!

FIFTH WRITER: He tells it the way it is!

FOURTH WRITER: It's where it's at!

THIRD WRITER: It's out of sight!

SECOND WRITER: Steven Spielberg, eat your heart out!

FIRST WRITER: (realises Murphy's staring at him) I like it, I like it.

MURPHY:(suspicious) Oh really?

FIRST WRITER: Yeah, yeah, I swear I like it!

FIFTH WRITER.: Sir, I don't know how to say this, but I got to be perfectly frank. I really and truly believe this story of yours is the greatest story in motion-picture history.

MURPHY: Get out!

FIFTH WRITER: What?

MURPHY: If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a yes-man! Get out! (fifth writer leaves, others go very quiet) I'll see you never work again. (to sixth writer) What do you think?

SIXTH WRITER: Well... I...

MURPHY: Just because I have an idea it doesn't mean it's great. It could be lousy.

SIXTH WRITER: It could?

MURPHY: Yeah! So what d'ya think?

SIXTH WRITER: It's lousy.

MURPHY: There's an honest man, you see, he spoke his mind. He said my idea was lousy. It just so happens my idea isn't lousy so get out you goddam Nazi bastard, get out! (sixth writer exits) You... (looking at fourth writer)

FOURTH WRITER: Well... I think it's an excellent idea.

MURPHY: Are you a yes-man?

FOURTH WRITER: No, no, no, I mean there may be things against it.

MURPHY: So you think it's lousy, huh?

FOURTH WRITER: No, no, I mean it takes time.

MURPHY: (really threatening) Are you being indecisive?

FOURTH WRITER: Yo. Nes. Perhaps. (runs out)

MURPHY: I hope you three gentlemen aren't going to be indecisive! (they try to hide under the table) What the hell are you doing under that table!

FIRST WRITER: We, uh, dropped our pencils.

MURPHY: Pencil droppers, eh?

WRITERS: No, no, no, no!

MURPHY: Right. Now I want your opinion of my idea... (thinks for a time then quickly points at first writer) You!

FIRST WRITER: Oh... (faints)

MURPHY: Has he had a heart attack?

SECOND AND THIRD WRITER: Erm...

MURPHY: If there's one thing I can't stand, it's people who have heart attacks.

FIRST WRITER: (recovering immediatly) I feel fine now.

MURPHY: Well, what do you think?

WRITERS (point at each other) No you asked him, not me! /No, he asked you!

MURPHY: I changed my mind. I'm asking you, the one in the middle.

SECOND WRITER: The one in the middle?

MURPHY: Yep. (phone rings, he turns away as he answers it). Hello, yes, yes, yes, no, I don't wanna hear a word about IDW, yes, yes, no, yes... (turns back to see writers trying to put the other in the middle and end up sitting all in one chair) What the hell are you doing?

SECOND WRITER: I was, uh, thinking.

MURPHY: Get back to your seats immediatly! (turns back to phone) Yes, yes, yes he's an I-Pod now, yes... (writers grab second writer and hold him in the middle) Yes ,bye. (puts down phone) Right, you. The one in the middle, what do you think?

SECOND WRITER: (panics) Er.. umm...

MURPHY: Come on!

SECOND WRITER: Slag.

MURPHY: Did he say slag?

FIRST AND THIRD WRITERS: Yes.

MURPHY: What does slag mean?

SECOND WRITER: It means... it's a great-idea-but-possibly-not-and-I'm-not-being-indecisive!

MURPHY: Good. Right... (to third writer) What do you think?

THIRD WRITER: Er. Slag?

MURPHY: OK...

FIRST WRITER: Yeah. Slag for me too.

MURPHY: So all three of you think slag, huh?

WRITERS: Yes!

MURPHY: Well now we're getting somewhere! No wait! A new angle! In the snow, instead of the tree, I see Megatron, and instead of Ravage I see Optimus Prime. And Prime goes up to Megatron and they have a battle to the finish! Slow cuts! Matrix-style visuals! Special effects that will make George Lucas tear his hair out! And then Optimus thriumphs and he says something cool like... (looks at third writer)

THIRD WRITER: Er... It's over! Finished!

MURPHY: Do I look like Simon Furman to you? Get out! (Third writer leaves, MUrphy looks in mirror) Gotta get a new wig... (to second writer) Optimus says something cool that will make little kids say 'WOW', like...

SECOND WRITER: Slag?

MURPHY: That's the stupidest idea I ever heard. Get out! (second writer leaves) Prime defeats Megatron and says... (looks at first writer)

FIRST WRITER: Er...er...er...I can't take it anymore. (runs out)

MURPHY: I like that! I like that, 'I can't take it anymore!', and then Megatron says 'I'm a very rich film producer and I need lobotomy' and then Optimus transforms into an ice-cream truck and shoots Megatron with a huge snowcone. And then I'll play the role of Spike so we won't need DiCaprio... (turns on laptop, starts typing) 'My dear fans and loyal bootlickers, I have come up with the idea of the movie myself today, so the writers are fired. It'll be an idea that will leave you jaw-dropped and I can guarantee you'll be talking about this movie for years after you have seen it!' (thinks, picks up phone) Hello Bay? Is that you? Well, you're fired, I'll direct myself.

Post by **Denyer** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:14 pm

I'm wondering how I can sneak that in as a legitimate news item...

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:19 pm

Or perhaps I could post it on Murphy's board,.,,

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:19 pm

That was quality.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:21 pm

Good lord!

That was acctually funny! And do post it on Murphy's board.

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:26 pm

BB, Mr. Shockwave, I tip my hat to you sir.