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!
"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.
"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.
"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?
"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?
"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.
Transformers Animated is currently screening on Saturday mornings on Cartoon Network in the U.S. and the dvd’s are available in ALL regions.
Purchase Now – Help (Cool) Shite
So (Cool) Shiterino’s, how do you feel about TF animated? Are you like me and completely rabid for it? Or has it missed out of your favourite Transformers character? Is Sari going to start turning up in Hentai soon or will Professor Sumdac put his adorably small foot down? LET US KNOW!
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A.B.C. Warriors animated series would kick several shades of ass. Make someone do it!
wouldn’t it just?! and with derricks awesome cartoony art style? bizarrely cool!
in fact the more i think of it, derrick j wyatt’s take on anything 2000 A.D. would be bizarrely awesome. Cartoony Judge Dread?
hells yeah!
Awesome interview, Q!
So sad to think that the day after tomorrow is the beginning of the end. I’m hyped as hell to see what this finale has in store, but I’m hoping that there is something afterwards to keep up going.
I’d love to see some direct to DVD movies, in the style of Transwarped. I know a few other cartoon series did that.
Terrible show. Cancel it and bring G1 back or base the new show on the movie.
Actually Animated is way better storywise than G1. sorry, to admit it but at least animated does not follow the attack, retreat style story line the like the G1.
No.
Shut up.
If you had reasons for believing this show is bad, you’d argue your point, rather than just “Shut up”
Ah i wouldn’t worry too much dane, i have noticed that the folks who really love the show will be all polite and such and those who hate it will just shut down on it straight out.
Its not exactly worth losing sleep over.
I know. I just find it kinda frustrating that the people who hate TFA give no other reasons for hating it than the usuual “ZOMG IT RAEPD MAH CHILDHUD!” nonsense
Great interview. Thanks!
And as a big fan of G1, I have to say I love TF Animated. It’s the only recent TF series I’ve actually made a point to watch every week. Great writing, great action and great characters (new and old). Too bad it may be ending soon, I think it could easily go for another couple of seasons, at least.
“Is Sari going to start turning up in Hentai soon or will Professor Sumdac put his adorably small foot down?”
Actually, she already does show up…
aaaand there it is… i was afraid of that… as soon as she grew up i was suddenly aware that she was now fair game…
i’ve read transformers slash fiction where rumble and a chick got it ON… and it was WRONG daddy wrong.
This is the Internet, sir. She was always fair game.
Nice interview. Transformers animated is just keeping up to times and the newer generation kids love it. That is what important.
I like to think that its friendly for the new generation but it still has SO much awesome for us older fans. Rattletrap, theres something for the Beast wars fans. I had No clue that Jetstorm was in any way a reference to the Beast Machines character. awesome incarnate!
i just hope and PRAY that its not dead yet. Its a faint hope but a fervent one! i would love to see them expand the universe, include minicons, or even gobots! make it a big love-in for all the fans. hell even find a way to tie it in to G1/beastwars continuity! (not that i know how that would work)
but you’re right so long as there is a new generation of fans to keep the brand alive we’re sittin’ pretty!
Q
Awesome interview, really love hearing some insight into the industry from him. =D
I really do hope the series can continue on after the movie. So many things are left unresolved and I doubt the last 2 eps are going to conclude all the loose holes. Not to mention TFA figures are more appealing then the movie ones. Love TFA~!
I grew up with generation one and I’m really digging these new adaptions to the characters.The story while slightly similar has also improved a great deal…..The idea to mash up the story lines was a fantastic idea and it simplified it as well as gave it depth…which is odd but I am fond of it.
The character designs are off the wall and are simple and great, though I can see why it would be canceled.
I personally don’t watch it on Cartoon Network as of it’s time slot.
I ussually end up watching it online……
It’s only ever on very early in the morning and only shown once each day.
It could be a marketing gold mine if it’s put on at a later time slot.
After all with the new movie coming out kids will be dying to see more, and the cartoonish touch will probably draw them in.
Great interview! I’m always glad to see more chatlogs from the DJ Dubbadubba.
LOL Sky-Byte! He’s great.
Fantastic interview. I love this show. Used to hate it because the design. Then I actually, you know, WATCHED it. Which is what all those other haters should do LOL. I’m disappointed that it’s off the air soon. I can only hope that the upcoming cartoon is half as good as this one is.