Firefly- The Animated Series

POSTED BY: Mangolo
UPDATED: Friday, February 2, 2007 15:08
VIEWED: 35432
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MANGOLO

Wednesday, January 10, 2007 11:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DonCoat:
I'd welcome it, but I would hope it would serve as a bridge to more live action (big screen or small).

Some may remember the animated Star Trek series. Aside from its rather poor animation quality, it was actually quite solid, and brought in new science fiction concepts that went beyond the ST-TOS series. For instance, it had a truly non-human character that didn't look like a man in a rubber face prosthesis, and used stories from well-known SF authors like Larry Niven. While those specific items are not applicable to Firefly, the concept is: animation can allow things (like ultra-dangerous stunts) that live action can't.

All in all, it was a very sweet little tidbit that filled a gap (in real time, not so much in fictional time) between the series and the first movie.

I do have a number of concerns, however. First would be to maintain the quality of storytelling of the original. I can't see this going anywhere without Joss (or his blessing), and you'd have to get at least part of the original writing team involved.

Second, you could not target this at children. Firefly was very much an adult themed show and any continuation would have to be the same. I sure don't see FF as a Saturday Morning show (even though the ST animated series was). That's problematic, since the only successful adult-themed animated shows have all been comedies (Flintstones, Simpsons). And the more adult the themes, the less likely the success (witness the struggles of Futurama and Family Guy). So I wonder where a network client would think to slot such a show. Would any take a chance on this in prime time, given the risk?

Third, you say the CG would be the same as on a live action show... but isn't it the CG that's the expensive part? I don't understand the economies here. And how would you fit animated actors into the very realistic CG?

Finally (and no offense), who are you? Do you have a track record in the industry? Have you sold any shows of any kind to anyone, anywhere? The last thing this franchise needs is another perceived failure, and Joss (knowing that) would be unlikely to put his trust and cooperation in some upstart outfit. Now, if you were a Miyazaki-caliber studio, that would be one thing; otherwise...

So as I see it, you face a very tough road full of potholes. If this proposal is anything but pie-in-the-sky, I'm all behind it -- but you'll have to "show me the money" before I get all excited-like.

I totally understand your concerns:
1. We'd only move forward with Joss and his writing team involved

2. We'd market this to the same audience that FFTOS was targeting. Indeed, this is not a proven animation market. We did fail at our attempts to make a seperate animated TV show with the same demographic, but our financial situation has changed and the venues for the show has changed. Time slots are going to be a secondary market. Downloads and on demand television will be dominant, especially for our market demographic.

3. CG tends to be expensive, but compositing between CG and live action is just as expensive. The blend between the CG and our style of animation seems to work fine. Obviously it wouldn't work with other styles of animation.

4. We are an independent studio. We'd finance this on our own. We have had a track record of successful productions in many parts of the industry. I think waiting for the networks to come around on this show is not realistic nor letting them have any control would be prudent (given the history). We do have connections with Miyazaki's studios, but design would come from ourselves and Jean Moebius Giraud who is working on our current project with us.

AKASHA

Thursday, January 11, 2007 12:05 AM

I would watch it as long as it wasnt Saturday morning garbage. Fox has proved that nightime animated series can work.

MANGOLO

Thursday, January 11, 2007 12:07 AM

Artwork from animation samples below

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Second Image removed by request

This is the style and quality of the animation. This is not your typical cel nor CG work.

BEX

Thursday, January 11, 2007 12:20 AM

Hmmm, it is a very intresting propersion you've put forword, I must confess I like the idear alot, but I, as with everyone here would be worried about it being balled by the network's, if you spin this thing wroung.

It's a nice idear but I can't see it gettin off the ground so to speek, go with my blessing's, but I dont think the network's will go with it.

Still aiming for the impossible is what the BrownCoats are all about
Good Luck with it.
Bex's
xxx

The Operative: Are you willing to die for your beliefs?
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: I am...
[they draw. Mal fires first, and the Operative is forced to take cover]
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: 'Course, that ain't exactly plan A.

BEX

Thursday, January 11, 2007 12:20 AM

Hmmm, it is a very intresting propersion you've put forword, I must confess I like the idear alot, but I, as with everyone here would be worried about it being balled by the network's, if you spin this thing wroung.

It's a nice idear but I can't see it gettin off the ground so to speek, go with my blessing's, but I dont think the network's will go with it.

Still aiming for the impossible is what the BrownCoats are all about
Good Luck with it.
Bex's
xxx

The Operative: Are you willing to die for your beliefs?
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: I am...
[they draw. Mal fires first, and the Operative is forced to take cover]
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: 'Course, that ain't exactly plan A.

SIGMANUNKI

Thursday, January 11, 2007 12:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mangolo:

That is what we'd shoot for. The big issue (besides Fox blowing the promotion of the series) is cost versus audience. Firefly had a solid audience, but not quite large enough to support its big budget (all sci-fi is expensive) We could do the animated series for less than half of the live action budget and still have the same CG work (all the space ship stuff would look exactly the same as the live series)

Let me know if you have more questions or concerns.

So, it'll be along the lines of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, except higher resolution?

----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

CYBERSNARK

Thursday, January 11, 2007 1:37 AM

Being a huge animation fan, I'm really excited at the idea.

As you said, it's not a proven demographic in network television, but the success of adult-aimed anime series (Witch Hunter Robin, Ghost in the Shell: Stand-Alone Complex) proves that there is a market for it, and the success of teen-aimed shows (Justice League Unlimited, Avatar: The Last Airbender) demonstrates that long, intricate arcs are possible even in a half-hour serial.

Maybe pitch it to the specialty networks (I can see Cartoon Network or Sci-Fi being interested stateside, and there are Browncoats at Space up here in Canada). As long as Joss and the BDH are available (and the money's good), I can't see them turning it down.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

DOCTROID

Thursday, January 11, 2007 2:03 AM

As far as I'm concerned an animated series would have a lot to prove. An analogy with the Star Trek animated series has been made -- I never saw the animated ST, but it seems to me ST is far less about individual people and more about abstract ideas than Firefly is. Mal, Kaylee, and the rest are, to me, much more rounded, interesting characters than Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. A big part of Firefly's appeal is the degree to which we care about the people in it, and I think it'd be hard to maintain that quality in an animated show.

But not impossible.

I'd watch it. At least long enough to decide whether it worked for me. That is, I'd watch it if (as you say would be the case) Joss and his team were solidly behind it. I wouldn't insist on the original cast, though I'd strongly prefer it.

As to whether I'd support a push to get an animated series made -- maybe. If you could persuade me that doing it would not reduce significantly the chances of getting a new (Joss-backed) live action series or movie.

If you can get past those doubts, I think I'd be a diehard fan of such a show. But... those doubts are not minor ones!

BONANACROIN

Thursday, January 11, 2007 2:25 AM

I am a fan of animation, particularly of CG japaniese anime. I do remember the Star Trek animated series (SO Help ME I'M OLD!) It was nice in and of itself with great storys but it just didn't have the same flavor as the "live show". If such a venture was atempted I would like to make a couple of suggations.
One: The characters, the Ship, and the 'Verse must be painted with the same animated brush-stroke.
Two: The stories need to have some continuity from one episode to the next. When I watch Firefly the next episode takes place where the last episode left off, If Jayne got stabbed in the leg he is limpin the next day unless they were in the black for a couple months. I enjoyed that about the show.
Three: This might sound blasphemous but a possibility might be to have a differant crew. Ow! Should have seen that commin. My reason for this is the fact that Wash and Book are dead, I liked Book but he wasn't intrigal to the crew, Wash on the other hand was not only the best pilot but Zoe's husband. It will be a long story line before I will believe Zoe will smile again.
Thats my take on the idea I hope it was useful.

I died my Browncoat black for those whom hve gone before..

THOLO

Thursday, January 11, 2007 8:34 AM

Sign me up!!!

I just hope it is not the last form of Firefly/Serenity. Ya know, I hope it helps make another movie, tv show or direct to DVD lilve action. But to help fill the void, bring it on!!

Thanks

Keep Flying!!

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