Saturday, December 15, 2007
More troubles with bud.tv
Well Episode 95 still is not up on bud.tv today. Hopefully, they will get it posted over the weekend.
Friday, December 14, 2007
More from the Chat
So here are a few "gems" from the Afterworld team on last nights chat.
Their next project will be similar in webisode format, but a completely different story line called "Gemini Division". It will feature Rosario Dawson. I'm not sure if she will be actually appearing in it, or just doing voices, or if it will be an animated version of her.
The will likely be some sort of Afterworld sequel, likely taking place outside of the US.
The creators are funny guys.
They (or someone at the company) is familiar with this blog, and they like Webyters' work.
SPOILER ALERT ***DON'T READ BELOW OR RISK SOME SURPRISES BEING RUINED*** (NONE of these are MAJOR, as there was LOTS that the AW guys couldn't tell)
*************I'M SERIOUS DON'T READ BELOW, UNLESS YOU WANT TO FIND OUT STUFF BEFOREHAND.
*********THIS IS LIKE SHAKING YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AND TRYING TO GUESS WHAT THERE ARE, AND IT'S ONLY DECEMBER 13th!
****LAST WARNING ***************
Here are a few bits of info from last nights chat:
-Russ does reach Seattle.
-The end is "bittersweet"
-Lake City is a destination (not sure if they were refering to the Seattle suburb "Lake City", or to some "Lake City" that springs up in the Afterworld.
-In Episode 123 the "Jack Hastings/ultrasound photo" plotline comes back into play.
-Russ will run into Delondre again
-Russ will run into JD again <<<--- Evidently NOT JD himself, but rather the influence of JD, in an unexpected way.
-There are 2 more horsemen to deal with
-There is more to the horsemen than we think
-There are lots of little "clues"/"seeds" that have been planted all along
-The deformed child in Texas was result of the EMP
-Shutting down the EMP is very important
-The Fall and the EMP have different causes
-The New World Historians view on the Fall/EMP is on the right track (although they have some facts wrong)
-Gwen still has a role to play
-Russ' look is based on Paul Newman
Have a great day!
Their next project will be similar in webisode format, but a completely different story line called "Gemini Division". It will feature Rosario Dawson. I'm not sure if she will be actually appearing in it, or just doing voices, or if it will be an animated version of her.
The will likely be some sort of Afterworld sequel, likely taking place outside of the US.
The creators are funny guys.
They (or someone at the company) is familiar with this blog, and they like Webyters' work.
SPOILER ALERT ***DON'T READ BELOW OR RISK SOME SURPRISES BEING RUINED*** (NONE of these are MAJOR, as there was LOTS that the AW guys couldn't tell)
*************I'M SERIOUS DON'T READ BELOW, UNLESS YOU WANT TO FIND OUT STUFF BEFOREHAND.
*********THIS IS LIKE SHAKING YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AND TRYING TO GUESS WHAT THERE ARE, AND IT'S ONLY DECEMBER 13th!
****LAST WARNING ***************
Here are a few bits of info from last nights chat:
-Russ does reach Seattle.
-The end is "bittersweet"
-Lake City is a destination (not sure if they were refering to the Seattle suburb "Lake City", or to some "Lake City" that springs up in the Afterworld.
-In Episode 123 the "Jack Hastings/ultrasound photo" plotline comes back into play.
-Russ will run into Delondre again
-Russ will run into JD again <<<--- Evidently NOT JD himself, but rather the influence of JD, in an unexpected way.
-There are 2 more horsemen to deal with
-There is more to the horsemen than we think
-There are lots of little "clues"/"seeds" that have been planted all along
-The deformed child in Texas was result of the EMP
-Shutting down the EMP is very important
-The Fall and the EMP have different causes
-The New World Historians view on the Fall/EMP is on the right track (although they have some facts wrong)
-Gwen still has a role to play
-Russ' look is based on Paul Newman
Have a great day!
another critics post
as posted on Digitopia by Anna
Afterworld is an online TV series that started a few months ago. At first when it came out I was HYPED. I thought it would be perfect to report on for this class. The basic plot is:
Sometime between 5 and 6 AM EST, the world as we knew it suddenly,inexplicably, changed. After traveling to New York City on a business trip Russell Shoemaker wakes to find all electronic technology dead and more than 99% of the human race missing. Driven by a need to discover the truth and determined to return to his family, he embarks on a journey to his home in Seattle. Afterworld is the harrowing story of Russell's 3000 mile trek across a post-apocalyptic America as encounters the strange new societies rebuilding themselves. Along the way, he is forced to confront his greatest fears while unraveling the mystery of what caused this global event.
Over time, Russel figures out that something called an 'ENP' destroyed everything. Never fully explained, its something like an electromagnetic wave that was able to turn off technology and wipe out humans. But within about 20 episodes, the spastic plot line began to get to me. Every 3 or 4 episodes, a whole new subplot came up. He'd meet someone new, get chased by someone new, etc. Bascially, whoever wrote Afterworld tried to cover every single post-apocalyptic archetype ever written. There are those who respond to the disaster by pumping up their religion, retreating into nature, or just losing it because of a longing for survival. Because of these crazy subplots that just kept piling up I couldn't manage to form a coherent blog entry. Afterworld is a fun series but isn't making any general statement just yet. Any great Digital Age point it could make is lost. Eventually I lost track of episodes and I don't think I can catch up now. Sometimes, the greatest Digital Age attempts just turn to dust.
as posted on Digitopia by Anna
Afterworld is an online TV series that started a few months ago. At first when it came out I was HYPED. I thought it would be perfect to report on for this class. The basic plot is:
Sometime between 5 and 6 AM EST, the world as we knew it suddenly,inexplicably, changed. After traveling to New York City on a business trip Russell Shoemaker wakes to find all electronic technology dead and more than 99% of the human race missing. Driven by a need to discover the truth and determined to return to his family, he embarks on a journey to his home in Seattle. Afterworld is the harrowing story of Russell's 3000 mile trek across a post-apocalyptic America as encounters the strange new societies rebuilding themselves. Along the way, he is forced to confront his greatest fears while unraveling the mystery of what caused this global event.
Over time, Russel figures out that something called an 'ENP' destroyed everything. Never fully explained, its something like an electromagnetic wave that was able to turn off technology and wipe out humans. But within about 20 episodes, the spastic plot line began to get to me. Every 3 or 4 episodes, a whole new subplot came up. He'd meet someone new, get chased by someone new, etc. Bascially, whoever wrote Afterworld tried to cover every single post-apocalyptic archetype ever written. There are those who respond to the disaster by pumping up their religion, retreating into nature, or just losing it because of a longing for survival. Because of these crazy subplots that just kept piling up I couldn't manage to form a coherent blog entry. Afterworld is a fun series but isn't making any general statement just yet. Any great Digital Age point it could make is lost. Eventually I lost track of episodes and I don't think I can catch up now. Sometimes, the greatest Digital Age attempts just turn to dust.
as posted on Digitopia by Anna
Episode 94 and the chat
A big thanks to Webyter for posting the chat with the guys from the Afterworld team, that took place early this morning (or last night) depending on where you are in this world. As it was in the middle of night for me, I was only there for about the first half of it or so.
Make sure that you have a look at his posting of the chat. I have lots of thoughts and theories about this, which I'll write up later (perhaps tomorrow)...and I'm continuing to come up with questions that I SHOULD have asked. The bottomline is that everything seems to tie back together, and so a lot of the plot lines that may be "unresolved" will be touched upon. (AfterDrew is my handle in the chat if your curious).
Episode 94 continues with the fight between Russ and the Berserker. As one would expect, Russ doesn't survive with brute strength, but rather with his intellect.
The military guy who shows up the end, doesn't look familiar to me.
To me this just strengthens my theory about a strong connection between the Cartel and the US military. Did the military survive because they had the food and supplies at their bases, as well as training? Or did they survive because they KNEW what to be prepared for.
Salazar wants to give the people what they want, but Russ fighting a double bill is ridiculous. Will Ted step in to fight? Or will Russ perhaps offer to fight Salazar (against Russ' nature)?
Make sure that you have a look at his posting of the chat. I have lots of thoughts and theories about this, which I'll write up later (perhaps tomorrow)...and I'm continuing to come up with questions that I SHOULD have asked. The bottomline is that everything seems to tie back together, and so a lot of the plot lines that may be "unresolved" will be touched upon. (AfterDrew is my handle in the chat if your curious).
Episode 94 continues with the fight between Russ and the Berserker. As one would expect, Russ doesn't survive with brute strength, but rather with his intellect.
The military guy who shows up the end, doesn't look familiar to me.
To me this just strengthens my theory about a strong connection between the Cartel and the US military. Did the military survive because they had the food and supplies at their bases, as well as training? Or did they survive because they KNEW what to be prepared for.
Salazar wants to give the people what they want, but Russ fighting a double bill is ridiculous. Will Ted step in to fight? Or will Russ perhaps offer to fight Salazar (against Russ' nature)?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
a portion of the Live Chat
sorry guys I arrived late, but here is a portion of the Live Chat
(thanks to Ultima Ratio for the bits before I got there)
...
#
MartinJAbel
awesome
#
Oblong
Were you inspired by as Afterworld reminds me of classics like 'I am Legend, 28 Days later or Z for Zachariah?
#
lexluther
how much does it cost to make each episode
#
moatee
Has any of the viewer feedback influenced storylines?
#
Ronny
Can you give us a hint to the ending?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Oblong -- All of those, plus others like La Jete, Jeremiah Johnson, the Quiet Earth, The Stand...
#
moatee
What inspired the storyline for Afterworld?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Moatee -- Yes, we've added a few things to the middle and later episodes based solely on web postings by fans. For instance, some smart fan pointed out that forest fires would be raging (without any one to put them out!) in our world... so we drew a few into the backgrounds. Just one example...
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Cost of an episode is between 12 and 15K USD. Kind of depends on how many characters and BG's and such but that's the ballpark just for art. Add musin, sound and voice talent above that.
#
AfterDrew
will "Gemini Division" have the same staggered distribution? The AW website is great, but it is 10 or so episodes behind.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Ronny -- Here's a hint: it's bittersweet.
#
Ultima Ratio
Was there ever any though of connecting Afterworld to an alternate reality game?
#
lexluther
have you thought about releasing afterworld on dvd
#
GAMMER
how many more episodes are you planing to make before you tell us what caused the fall
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
The primary influence for AW was actually Broken Saints, one of the first animated web series.
#
MartinJAbel
I'll have to look that up!
#
Ronny
Did you make the show more for TV viewing or web viewing?
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
We've discussed it at length. Different kinds of games have been proposed and a mobile game is in final development now. We'll see. Brent and I both have games in our blood...in fact we met at Electronic Arts where we worked on a next gen console game that will be announced this month.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
AfterDrew -- G-D will have a similar multi-platform distribution but, hopefully, we will have ironed out all the wrinkles by then. ;) In truth, we have been trailblazing with AW and have, admitedly, made some errors. But they are being rectified!
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
AW will be on DVD after its completed its run all around the world.
#
lexluther
hey i just what to say you have made a great show. i'm just 13 and i tell all my friends at school about it
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Ronny - we made the show for web viewing - but we created it in HD format so that it could be seen on TV
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
BTW, the DVD will have some nice extras, like some alt endings for eps, alt (comedy) VOs, commentary tracks, some outtakes and behind the scenes of both VO sessions and art production.
#
Ronny
Ooooh what errors? Would you ever do anything wacky like make a goof reel? (I know a little chidiish)
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
That's cool Lex! I have a daughter age 12 and she loves it too.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lexluther -- Glad to hear it! As a 13 year old, I'm curious how you relate to the show -- is the Fall a fear or a fantasy for you?
#
lexluther
a bit of both
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Cool...
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
That's how it is for me too.
#
AfterDrew
will the Hastings/ultrasound plot line come back into play? for me that was a loophole that is just sitting out there waiting for resolution.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
AfterDrew -- The Hastings/Ultrasound plot line gets touched upon later, somewhere around Ep 123, I believe.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Ronny - we have some pretty funny images of BAD computer graphics - one in particular the mesh of Russ and Luther got corrupted in the data file and they merged like something out of The Thing. One of our animators kept it on his screen as a wallpaper...sick and twisted
#
MartinJAbel
haha
#
Ronny
HA that's funny :-)
#
MartinJAbel
Will you be in need of more artists at some stage? And what sort of artists might you be interested in?
#
Ultima Ratio
What in particular made Broken Saints stand out as a source for inspiration?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
The thing to remember about the AW universe is that it was set up to be like a video game. Imagine Russ is travelling through a 3-D game world, finding little clues and gaining experience for "levels" that may not come into play until later. So many clues were "seeded" way out of sequence, in terms of relevancy to the main storyline. But everything that appears IS relevant at some point or another... the question is HOW relevant? ;)
#
Vulcan Eddie
Greetings AW producer Animator I remember a post from D_ stating that you guys numbered around 15 for the production of AW,and you all pulled some freakish hours on two shifts. If its not too forward to ask,but hypothetically,how much does it cost to produce a project around the same size as say...AW?
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Yep pretty funny - another one is that it is always easier to pose and move the character files around in the viewport without their clothes on...hi resolution mesh and memory and all. So sometimes it's pretty disturbing/hilarious to walk by and see nekkid characters posed on the screen.
#
MartinJAbel
I often thought a World of Warcraft type AW game would be extremely cool.. Any thoughts? ;)
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Ultima -- Broken Saints was a serious, epic story told in short episodes only on the web. With no marketing at all, it gained a large internation audience. That was very inspiring to me!
#
lexluther
is the emp really caused by the satellites or is it actually cause by the earth
#
Ronny
What is your background? Have you always been an animator?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Martin -- We have had many discussions with several companies about an AW video game. As of now, the only thing in production is the AW mobile game coming out next spring. Soon as we make a platform or PC game deal we will def announce it.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Martin - we are currently evaluating how we do our shows...and the size of the show. We are working with outside studio Gemini - running an internal crew is a lot of fun but it is also very expensive....We look for good all around CG artists who can do at least 3 things well....model, texture, animate, visual effects and so on. Generalists!!
#
lexluther
how much will the game cost
#
MartinJAbel
excellent thanks guys
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex -- The EMP was caused by a satellite network, just as the NWH's claimed. I think that's a pretty established fact by now. Only thing is, not all of the NWH's account was true -- they deliberately changed some facts. ;)
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Don't know how much the game will cost... sorry.
#
Oblong
I really like the transformation that Russell's character goes through from someone who could barely survive, sheltered from 'real' life through technology to a hero figure who is in touch with his surroundings. Is this a comment/ moral tale on how we as people should try to be in our everyday life?
#
GAMMER
i think it would be cool if you follow the story of someone besides russ who was following him is that somethink you might be thinking of doing down the line
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Ronny - I started out as an Industrial Designer...and then came into CG and entertainment in 1991. check out my website for all the gory details. I worked for general motors as a designer and lots of computer and consumer product companies. In entertainment I've mostly done animation - worked on the Bionicle films for miramax...and also games as well working for both Disney Interactive and Electronic Arts....www.duaneloose.com
#
Ultima Ratio
There is a high amount of detail in the artwork seen in Afterworld, what was the production time like for an individual episode and for the entire series?
#
Vulcan Eddie
When did the concept form for AW? and whos brain did it fall out of?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Oblong -- Very perceptive! We really wanted Russ's journey to be one where others could live vicariously through his actions, learning from all the mistakes he makes (and yes, he makes a lot on purpose.) Part of the "theme" of AW has always been that Man has lost his ability to be self-sufficient when he detached himself from the natural world. The Fall forces Russ to deal with this possibility in ways that, we hope, will resonate with everyone.
#
Oblong
Thanks
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
That would be my brain. I wanted to explore my own fears of having to live in a world without technology and people, two of my great dependencies... ;)
#
Vulcan Eddie
heh good stuff!
#
lexluther
cool
#
lexluther
does russ ever shut down the emp
#
Oblong
I just love the grand scale of it - you guys don't do things by halves!
#
Ronny
Wow! that's impressive a lot of animation! you must really love what you do :-)
#
Vulcan Eddie
i can say that losing tech overnight would tend to spin me out a little as well :D
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Ultima - We created all the art i very hi resolution. Film resolution in some cases - this allowed us to push in close as needed to create depth in the shots. backgrounds for each chunk of 5 took about a week, as did the posing (concurrently) then once we had the assets we could finish 5 episodes in 2 days. total time 2 weeks for 5.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex -- can't/won't answer that. But I will say it becomes a very active preoccupation for him... trying to shut down the EMP.
#
lexluther
nice
#
lexluther
does he ever met that girl that was a historien again
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Ronny - yes we do love what we do. It's hard work and having good fans makes it all worthwhile....feeding the kids and paying the mortgage is nice too!
#
MartinJAbel
Do you have a storyboard or concept artist mapping out the scripts before you put it togethor?
#
Vulcan Eddie
AW animator,how did you deal with staring at a PC screen all day with out going crazier?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Another idea I wanted to explore was that of "prioritization." Are the priorities of our life today correct? Or do we value the wrong things? Talk amongst yourselves... ;)
#
AfterDrew
thanks a lot guys....I'm here in the US, and as you know...it's late! Take care!
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Does Russ ever meet with Gwen again? Yes but... oh, I better not say anything more. ;)
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Night Drew!
#
lexluther
do we ever find out how the rest of the world is doing with out tech
#
Ronny
Absolutely! The idea of going back to basics is great. Because when everything is stripped away you just need water and to keep yourself (and family) safe to survive
#
Oblong
I don' think our priorities for many people in life are correct. Sometimes it just feels like work work work.
#
lexluther
well said
#
Vulcan Eddie
and fire!
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Martin - when the writers have a solid outline we sit with them and our board artists create thumbnails of each shot using small yellow post it notes...when we leave the outline meeting we have a clear outline for the writers to complete their scripts and for us to plan the shots. We use the storyboards to make animatics - basically rough versions of the completed episode with voice over - matched to time.
#
Ronny
Sorry don't know why that appeared 3 times ;-) i guess i was stressing my point
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Russ will eventually reach a major city on the West Coast (prior to Seattle) that will give some insight into the rest of the world.
#
lexluther
nice
#
MartinJAbel
Thanks, thats pretty cool :)
#
Astroboy
Why are the majority of women good looking in Afterworld...do the ugly one disappear thanks to the EMP?
#
Astroboy
Why are the majority of women good looking in Afterworld...do the ugly one disappear thanks to the EMP?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Any theories on the Serpent Mound? How it fits into the story?
#
MartinJAbel
haha!
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Vulcan eddie - why would we want to keep from going crazy???? We have a pretty lively crew full of shenanigans...all day long. it's amazing we got it done.
#
Vulcan Eddie
EMP gets rid of uglies?*sticks his head into emp field*
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Astroboy -- LOL! Well, we take the same approach as all TV shows. We only cast hotties... in our case, digital hotties. Isn't there some theory that nobody wants to look at people worse looking than they are??
#
lexluther
serpent mound, does it have anything to do with p.g
#
Astroboy
haha
#
Astroboy
I LIKE THAT!
#
cyborg009
Wow the EMP is a mopdern day plastic surgery!
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - You may just be onto something... but don't quote me on that. ;)
#
Vulcan Eddie
hehe good stuff AW animator!
#
lexluther
haha
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
:)
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
They call me insane duane
#
Ultima Ratio
I think one thing we have all thought of from watching Afterworld is that where we are now survival isn't any where near as complicated as it could be... even if survival in the world as we know it has a different meaning.
#
Ronny
Oh that's just wrong! Am I the only chic here? I guess you wouldn't want to look at an ugly all day ;-)
#
lexluther
i got a question is this the first time the fall has happend
#
Vulcan Eddie
:( brb bbq on fire
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Very good question! It's the first time in "recorded history" that the Fall has happened, yes.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Ultima - the survival theme is an allegory of what we face everyday...about being conscious of our choices and the consequences of our actions. Russ faces those natural dragons throughout the show.
#
GAMMER
was gwen really working against russell and if so what were her orders
#
Ultima Ratio
Eddie: save me a steak!
#
Ultima Ratio
I've heard through the inter-tubes that there's a second season being planned? Have I been lied to?
#
Oblong
'Recorded history' love that idea - maybe explains some of the 'lost civilisations of the ancient world'
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
GAMMER - Can't give too much away... but Gwen was working for AND against Russ. As for her orders... you will have to wait until later in the Season.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Oblong -- Indeed...
#
MartinJAbel
Are you guys affected at all the the writers strike thats going on?
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
We are under strict orders to NOT TALK ABOUT THE SECOND SEASON....oopps that was shouting. Anyway it's an embargo on talking about it....
#
Ultima Ratio
Fair enough ^^;;
#
MartinJAbel
I think you just implied there is a second season.. ;)
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
wish we could...but we will be spanked if we do
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Martin -- No, thank goodness. Digital media is not covered by the Writers Guild - that is one of the areas they are striking over!
#
Ultima Ratio
I see what you did there! :P
#
MartinJAbel
oh good, something that isnt affected!
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lexluther
is that the people that survived only survived because they have a natural defence against what made the other people disapear
#
MartinJAbel
Did you have any inspiration for Russ's character?
#
GAMMER
i think after world rules how did you come up with it
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex -- The people who survived have... oops, can't give that one away. You'll learn all about that by end of Season 1.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Martin - on the art side our inspiration for Russ was PAUL NEWMAN....
#
lexluther
could it be a mutation
#
MartinJAbel
Paul Newman! Thats interesting :D
#
Vulcan Eddie
woot neuman
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Yes old blue eyes himself - calm, stoic, all that
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
GAMMER - AW was born from a frustration of network TV in the US. I wanted to tell a different kind of story in a different medium, using some of the storytelling techniques of TV... but inventing some new ones. Plus, I wanted to add in some video game compulsions and lite interactivity.
#
Ronny
I though he looked like the guy froom Prison Break
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - It could... or it could not. ;) Not gonna go there - sorry!
#
lexluther
how many more episodes will it be before russ gets home
#
Oblong
I heard i rumour that you guys actually photographed each location Russell travelled to - if so Wow, but also isn't that alot of work?
#
Jedi
has the story for afterworld been decided along time ago, or have the viewer reactions or theories come into play in driving the direction?
#
lexluther
are you guys all in the same building
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Russ will not get to Seattle until the last week of Season 1. And he won't go home until the end of that week.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Jedi - The main story was laid out long ago. But we left in lots of room for fans to help flesh out the details of the world. I gave an earlier example of how fans have already affected the episodes, but the REAL place we work their comments in is in the journal entries.
#
Vulcan Eddie
As a fan of the alone in the dark game series ,i can appreciate the atmosphere that you guys came up with,and the set up of the clues/investigation.Is any other series in the works using this type of animation?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Yes, we have an small animation studio/production facility in Santa Monica, CA.
#
webyter
Q for AW Producer ... as this is a web series, re-runs seem to be out of the question, as episodes are always available, in some form or another, the question is will these episodes always be available, or will they drop off the scope at some stage in time?
#
lexluther
good question
#
Ultima Ratio
AW very quickly deals with a lot of the worlds current issues (politics, climate change, over population, etc) and replaces them with an entirely new set. Was that an intentional choice or a side effect of the concept?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Vulcan - Yes, as mentioned earlier, we have another series in pre-production right now called "The Gemini Division," starring Rosario Dawson.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Oblong - Brent worked with a talented production designer, Michael Decourcey, who went from coast to coast before the production started and shot 15000 images...we used some of them in the show. Photographs of environments, buildings and such are the main basis for our backgrounds
#
Vulcan Eddie
thanks for that,got in a little late :p
#
GAMMER
are you thinking about creating any AW episodes following someone else
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Webyter - Good question. I think the plan is to keep the episodes posted, at least on the AW site, until the DVD release... at which time it behooves us from a businss standpoint to take them down.
#
Vulcan Eddie
Which one of you was the basis for the bezerker?
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Ultima - current issues are constantly in our minds when we create art and story. Our jobs is to create the myths and legends for our time.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
BTW, if any of you haven't checked out the AW Blog run by Webyter it's very cool -- do have a look!
#
webyter
ahh so please define a web series ?
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lexluther
where will i be able to buy the dvds and how much
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Vulcan Eddie - you ask the most interesting questions...that would neither of us....the berserker was based on...well that would be telling....
#
Vulcan Eddie
:D
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Les luther - DVD sales are unknown at this point. It's been talked about.
#
lexluther
will a new world goverment form in afterworld
#
Ultima Ratio
AW Animator - that's a good point. I think that's what has made AW as popular as it is.
#
Vulcan Eddie
or was it all a conspiracy to trigger the nwo??
#
Frankie
how about doing it from another country ... instead of america
#
Frankie
like australia lol
#
GAMMER
i think it would be cool to follow gwen's story
#
Vulcan Eddie
lol
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Lex - there are several versions of a new world government forming I think...the New World Historians, New Eden...PArthia and so on.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
"A web series" is one that uses the web as it's primary source of distribution. So, even though the show is broadcast on Sci-Fi Channel, AW was always meant to be a multi-platform show... with our website as the nexus point - the place where you could watch episodes, explore the storyline in other ways, and chat with other fans about the story.
#
Frankie
hehehe
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
GAMMER - Gwen will weave herself back into the main story pretty soon. She is a pivital character in our universe.
#
webyter
will the episodes drop off myspace and youtube?
#
cyborg009
Will we know the secrets to Afterworld by the time Russell reaches Seattle?
#
GAMMER
thanks
#
lexluther
is gwen working for someone else besides the historians
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Webyter - Not 100% certain, but I think the episodes will eventually drop of MS and YT... residing only on the AW site until the show has run its course worldwide AND until the DVD is actually released.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Frankie - we've explored other countries a bit- certainly kept it open as a possibility - the episodes in Ghana for example....and some things coming up point in that direction. I think that one of the great things about this story is that it is a universal fall and all countries will have their own stories to tell....start writing! :)
#
Ultima Ratio
*does the math on Australia's popuation after the fall* about 4000 people in Sydney and 21000 in the entire country... that makes for a pretty empty landmass :P
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Cyborg -- You will know SOME of the secrets. You will know how the Fall occured and who was behind it... but not WHY.
#
Frankie
sheesh ya dont ask much ... lol
#
GAMMER
i was about to ask that
#
cyborg009
Ahhh..... so do we have to wait for Season 2..... and thus your spanking!
#
Vulcan Eddie
terra nullus?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex -- Gwen is a complex character. Suffice to say she is working for a number of people... ;)
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
the first rule of fight club is -Don't talk about season 2
#
MartinJAbel
lol
#
Vulcan Eddie
:D
#
cyborg009
I think I am in fight club. I will live my own season 2 and make it up!
#
lexluther
how many seasons are you making
#
Vulcan Eddie
So has anything come out about the populous that has dissapeared ?
#
Ultima Ratio
Speaking of Fight Club, Tyler Durden's vision for the future is kind of similar to AW
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
cyborg - yes I will come back i n two weeks and if it's not done then....
#
Vulcan Eddie
lol
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Right now we are only focused on Season 1. We just finished production last week. After the holidays we will start contemplating Season 2...
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Tyler Durden for President in 2008!
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
ultima - that movie and the book that inspired it is a favorite of mine. Our lives are what we make of them.
#
Vulcan Eddie
adam segal is on the tube now lol
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Vulcan - You will eventually learn what happened to the "missing" portion of the population.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Really -ADAM!!!!
#
Ultima Ratio
That's good to know. I'm a die hard Chucky P. fan. \o/
#
Vulcan Eddie
lol yup
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Our Adam??
#
webyter
Q Galaxy Girl: Will SciFi Australia be leaving the episodes available for us for an indefinite period or will they drop off here soon?
#
Vulcan Eddie
yup
#
Vulcan Eddie
its a select moment interview
#
lexluther
what caused the rain in the first episode
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
What's He wearing? LOL
#
Ultima Ratio
Soylent Green!!
#
MartinJAbel
good question Lex!
#
Vulcan Eddie
blue t-shirt lolz
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - The rain will be explained later in the season (you're coming to hate that answer, aren't you?)
#
Vulcan Eddie
hes selling it pretty hard there D_
#
Vulcan Eddie
:D
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Any theories/guesses on how the Four Horseman storyline pays off?
#
Ultima Ratio
hm, haven't seen the horsemen in a while
#
Vulcan Eddie
are they aspects of humanity made flesh?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Vulcan - You are far more imaginative than us!
#
Oblong
Hopefully the people of New Eden will beat the horseman to death and free themselves.
#
Vulcan Eddie
eeeep shh shh,my mrs will want me to do things..
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Never fear, there are FOUR Horseman and we've still got two more of those nutjobs riding around out there somewhere...
#
lexluther
are the horse man they linked to why the people disapeared
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
LOL!
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
And we may have seen them...just didn't know it.
#
Ronny
My computer is slowly dying but just wanted to say that it was great to talk to you and thanks for taking the time to talk - you guys must be tired overe there. Congrats on a really great show its great to see a well written plot and beautiful design
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - No, the Horseman are linked to why people RUN!
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
By Ronny - thanks for stopping by
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Thanks, Ronny! Glad to call you a fan.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
See you in Seattle... ;)
#
cyborg009
We are still here! Is Will smiths movie "I am A Legend" a follow on to Afterworld or did AW pioneer the way for the blockbuster?
#
Oblong
The horsemen are a bit too KKK for me - very scary.
#
lexluther
there crasy
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Onlong - the resmblance is purely intentional
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
I AM LEGEND is based on an old book (50's I think) by Richard Matheson. It's already been made into a movie three times.
#
Oblong
Saw the trailer for I am Legend - the lonely New York streets looked sooo eerie. It would be so weird to be Russell and wake up to that.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Some say that I am Legend is the best Vampire book aver written
#
Oblong
I've read it and I think it is.
#
cyborg009
Do you think AW sparked the revival?
#
Ultima Ratio
J.D. might not really be their master... the horsemen of the apocalypse weren't really known to work for people if you know what I mean... >_>
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Cyborg - no we didn't - It's been in development for 6 or 7 years.
#
lexluther
do we see delundra again
#
webyter
YES
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
Not sure anyone already ask about this..but can you give some insight about the Ferrel Boy?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Ultima -- That's the question about the Horsemen... are they really otherworldly or just doing JD's bidding?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Obviously Webyter knows more than most...
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
I for one would like to see Delondre again - -
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
...or he's just guessing. ;)
#
Vulcan Eddie
lol
#
cyborg009
So where to after Afterworld??
#
Ultima Ratio
I'd be inclined to say they're just men in armor on horses... but at this stage anything is possible lol
#
lexluther
i bet there mutants
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Ultima - I'd be inclined to agree...but we may be surprised
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
The Feral Boy. He represents one of the first survivors to manifest "psychic" powers -- there will be others. The question is, why are these changes in humans occuring? Were they accidental or intentional? Talk amongst yourselves... ;)
#
Vulcan Eddie
Russ needs a tricorder....
#
lexluther
yeah
#
webyter
I would GUESS that Delondre was their at the beginning and will be there at the end, but always in the background, somewhere ... and the Feral Boy is still looking for batteries for his light sabre
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Cyborg - Already mentioned it, but after Afterworld our company is currently in pre-production on another multi-platform series called 'The Gemini Division," starring Rosario Dawson.
#
Jimmyville
So how did you pick the cities for Russ to visit in afterworld? Are they your team's home towns, or just places you liked on the map?
#
lexluther
whats with the light sabre
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Russ would love a tricorder! In fact, he would love any piece of tech about now... ;)
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Jimmyville - Darts and map of the USA
#
Vulcan Eddie
so much for my theory on a pattern LOL
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Lightsaber - we're all children of George Lucas
#
MartinJAbel
Will Russ find any technology that does work? (sorry if I havent seen an episode where he does) lol
#
lexluther
your so right
#
cyborg009
Random Journery? How did Africa get on the map of the USA?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Webyter - A very logical guess. Only time will tell if you're correct. As for Feral Boy and his lightlabre... he's got bigger fish to fry these days. ;)
#
MartinJAbel
weird double post.. sorry
#
Ultima Ratio
*Thinking out loud* Evolution doesn't always work, on one end we get Liam on the other we get that mutated baby. Telepathy would be a natural way to overcome communication problems if traditional tech isn't operable...
#
Jedi
i feel bad for Russel.. will he ever find a nice town where everyones getting along great, treat him well, and he can simply put his feet up & relax.. or is he doomed to always wander into towns in crisis that need his help (or worse yet want him dead)?
#
lexluther
i think there all mutants
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Martin -Some tech does work and Russ will continue to unravel the mystery why. Batteries and non-integrated circuitry for example
#
Vulcan Eddie
perhaps normal evolution kicked back in properly due to the lack of electro-pollution ?
#
MartinJAbel
oh cool, so Is it possible to get cars working?
#
lexluther
yeah dont you remember
#
Ultima Ratio
or the fact that people now have the technological safety blanket snatched away...
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Jedi - stay tuned...he almost finds a nice town...but...
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Feral Boy's lightsabre was just meant to be his "weapon" - a kid's toy he armed himself with in the days after the Fall. Because he thought he created the Fall and had no fear, the lightsabre became a symbol of his power... something he left behind when he went away with Russ and Gwen. Really, it was just meant to be an homage to SW but we've caught a lot of grief for it... ;)
#
Ultima Ratio
martin: ethanol moded electrics seems to work
#
Vulcan Eddie
every young boy needs his lightsabre,screw the critics!
#
Ultima Ratio
whoops the internet ate the plus sign
#
Ultima Ratio
whoops the internet ate the plus sign
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Vulcan - Very good answer. I like your reference to "normal" evolution.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Martin - Cars ?? I don't want to spoil the story for you. But Russ discovers lots of interesting circumstances and tech that continues to work in unexpected ways.
#
lexluther
i like the idea of the steam trains i wonder if they will get any sailing boats
#
Vulcan Eddie
heh,ive missed a few episodes,but it doesnt stop me from hatching theories lol
#
MartinJAbel
Ok, Im just going to have to catch up.. argh!!!!!!!
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
lexluther - hmmm...Wind power...the smell of the salt air...the wind in the face...international adventure....hmmmm
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Martin - If you are attention challenged we do offer RECAP episodes. ;)
#
webyter
in WAR of THE WORLD the movie staring our fav hero (tom) he fixed a car by replacing the whats-it on the starter thingy, could Russ not do this and switch off the car just before each EMP blast hits, and restart after
#
MartinJAbel
nope I am determined to watch them all.. one by one..
#
Vulcan Eddie
if the network of satellites sends out a emp pulse every so often and it covers the world....why doesnt this net-work take itself out?
#
Ultima Ratio
I just had the best idea. Steampunk Afterworld.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Martin -- A man after my heart... oops, don't take that the wrong way. ;)
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
We love SteamPunk!
#
MartinJAbel
lol
#
cyborg009
Help me out Steampunk?
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Webyter - Mr Cruise switches out the points and coil.....your theory is sound!
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Vulcan - Obviously the engineers behind the network were very smart people. ;) In truth, there is some evidence that a Black Box weapon as described in AW does actually exist!
#
Ultima Ratio
cyborg: replace electricity with cogs and steam
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Steampunk - mad max..Warhammer 40000
#
Vulcan Eddie
shudders......more worse than h.a.a.r.p?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Somebody whose fingers are not as cramped as mine please explain SteamPunk to Cyborg...
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Much worse than HAARP.
#
lexluther
what about the deformed child .was that caused by the emp
#
Vulcan Eddie
:(
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
According to Larry - our resident walking encyclpedia (who was also a weapons designer for Los Alamos Labs) animator - sucj weapons do exist.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
The reference material I found was one of the inspirations for the show... another piece of dangerous technology desgined to wipe out technology!
#
Ultima Ratio
Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and speculative fiction which came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used?usually the 19th century, or alternate history stories.
#
Vulcan Eddie
reminiscent of escape from los angele's !
#
Ultima Ratio
(thanks wikipedia!)
#
GAMMER
you guys really make a great show but how about giving away some ansers about the new world historians i beg you please
#
MartinJAbel
I still dont understand how 99% of the population can just vanish.. surely someone would have seen what happened?
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
HAARP is similar in that it bombards the atmosphere with hi intensity electromagnetic radiation...similar to an EMP but it's more pernicious.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - What caused the deformed baby boy remains a mystery, but I'd put my money on the EMP.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Gammer - what do you want to know about the NWH?
#
GAMMER
please i must know about the new world historians i need ansers
#
lexluther
the emp raditation could break down cells on the subatomic level if it's strong enough
#
Ultima Ratio
p.s. cyborg 009? Are you a fellow anime fan by any chance? >_>
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Some people, like Delondre and JD, did witness the event. And you will meet others who saw the event even more dramatically. But it happened fast at a time when most people were asleep so...
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
hihihihih
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
The NWH are bent on rewriting history to suit their world view. Knowledge is power to them.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Maybe. But is that enough to disappear billions of people?
#
Vulcan Eddie
yea haarp sets up a resonant pulse in the ionosphere using it as a gigantic capacitor (not the fall weapon)
#
Ultima Ratio
If only Russ could get his hands on a VCR :P
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
we love anime
#
webyter
yes it happened at about 5.00am in New York but what about elsewhere
#
lexluther
there must be another factor
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
Hey Guys..all this Chat is awesome! Busy Busy...if the AW Crowd is up for it we will continue for another 10 minutes?
#
GAMMER
got to go
#
webyter
time is relevant?
#
cyborg009
Newbie! : (
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
By Gammer thanks for coming by
#
Vulcan Eddie
aaargh i gots to go,but thanks for the answers guys,and good luck with the future!
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
10 minutes more is good...
#
cyborg009
Brill
#
Ultima Ratio
Cyborg: weren't we all once? ^^
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
GOOD!thanks guys...let's bombard them with the last questions!
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Webyter - The Fall happened between 2am and 5am in the US (depending on timezone.) So the % of people who were awake to witness it is very small. Elsewhere in the world it's a different story, but for now we're only focused on the Russ's experience in the US.
#
lexluther
is the mound and other landmarks related
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - There is great significance in the Serpent Mound. That is all I will say. (read about it online)
#
webyter
ah so we may focus on other parts of the world later?
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
My favorite episode # 28
#
Jimmyville
Do you find that people love watching an episode per day.. or do they sit down and watch a week at a time? For your next series, are you keeping to same 3 minute episodes or are you thinking longer format?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Webtyer - That's the plan!
#
Oblong
Why hasn't Russell had any girlfriends it's all so platonic? I mean what are the odds his wife survived?
#
webyter
Yes the Serpent Mound must be significant, any connection to the Aztecs?
#
cyborg009
The combination of missing population with a lack of technology....evolves into dealthly diseases, consipiracty theories, religious zealots, terroists etc. Is there any hope for the New Wolrd being an impovement on the last one?
#
lexluther
and the egypitans
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Jimmyville - the poll we did showed that the audience on youtube and myspace preferred daily episodes 12 to 1. We're keeping the episodes 'bite-sized'
#
Ultima Ratio
It's surprising how much can fit into 3 minutes.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Oblong - Russ is old fashioned. But honestly, he really wants and needs to believe that his wife is alive... he has some regrets about their relationship that he wants to resolve.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Webtyer - There are myriad connections to the SM. Not just the site itself, but also what it represents.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
cyborg - I think that HOPE is one of the main themes in the storyline.The world devolves somewhat...but humanity and kindness, love and compassion survive and thrive. And of course Russ is driven by hope...hope that his family is alive.
#
Oblong
Relationship regrets......interesting.
#
lexluther
i got to go to sleep, school tomorrow. thank you so much for talking to me and keep up the great work .
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Ultima - What is surprising is how HARD it is to write three minute episodes. We usually write twice that much and then trim the episodes down -- "shaving the beard" is what we call it. That creates the eliptical nature of the voice over, which we've come to rather like.
#
Jedi
Are there any characters in Afterworld that are based on you two?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Night Lex! See you in Seattle... ;)
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Ultima - I have come to enjoy the simplicity of the short time...and the clarity it gives when we create the art....no fat.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
One by one they fall away... :(
#
Oblong
I like that - the idea of hope.
#
webyter
Afterworld ... is just the beginning, what is next, is Gemini a spin off?
#
Ultima Ratio
There must be a lot that can't quite fit in. Is that one of the reasons the journal exists?
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Well - if you want to see what Duane looks like - look at Robert Casey's license. Lots of hoo haw about how old I am. Hah!
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
"Gemini" is completely unrelated to AW. It will be a combination of live action and AW-style animation, again with an interactive web site and multi-platform release. The story, however, will be a little darker...
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Ultima -- Exactly. The story was always designed to be spread across the episodes AND the journals.
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Oblong - me too ...and second chances as well as hope
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
How about three more questions!
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Use them wisely...
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
last three.
#
webyter
the whole concept of Afterworld has been good, the roll has had obvious probs, but congrats to you all, I can't wait to see the series credits
#
Ultima Ratio
argh so hard.
#
Ultima Ratio
argh so hard.
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
Sorry Afterworld fans, but that's all the time we have for today's chat. I'd like to thank Brent & Duane for their time today - and we look forward to what's next for Afterworld.
A transcript of today's chat will be available on the SCI FI website shortly.
#
cyborg009
Is the human race evolving? if so to what? more people?
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
ops sorry go on
#
Ultima Ratio
Okay, I'm going to cop out and have you guys ask yourself a question!
#
webyter
Galaxy Girl is really Gretal in disquise
#
Jedi
before you go i did just want to say how much i've enjoyed afterworld.. you guys have greated an amazing series.. looking forward to what happens in Series 2 :)
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Cyborg -- The hope is that the Fall will ALLOW the human race to evolve. The opportunity is there... will we take it?
#
MartinJAbel
Why does eli like Taffy so much?
#
cyborg009
I know I know ...series 2
#
Oblong
Thanks for making such an excellent series. Love the interactivity. Looking forward to series 2. Will there be Afterworld the Movie if so will Tom Cruise play Russell?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Is Afterworld the future of media? By that I mean, will 3 min, multi-platform series become the next wave of entertainment?
#
MartinJAbel
Oh thanks for talking tih us guys its been a pleasure
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Webyter - we had a great crew. We'll get the credits thing sorted. Thanks for being online with us everyone! Stay tuned for more madness. - Eli's taste for taffy is out of this world.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Tom Cruise???? I'd rather have Katie Holmes play Russell... ;)
#
cyborg009
Yo lo you rock!
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
Ok guys a big thanks to the Afterworlders and see you next Chat..that was EXCITING!! SCI FI ROCK!!!!!
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
zzzzzzz snore
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Eli likes the simple pleasures in life -- his story will be resolved shortly.
#
Jimmyville
Thanks guys!
#
cyborg009
Sleep well!
#
Ultima Ratio
Thanks all! It must be late in the states! Please get some rest! >_>
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Alright... it's 2:15 am here... it's time for me to "fall" into bed.
#
webyter
if Russ had never taken the trip he would not of had THE FALL
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Thanks for all the great questions! Let's do this again after Russ arrives in Seattle. I'm sure you'll have even more questions then... ;)
#
cyborg009
Will we know the answers to teh secrets of Afterworld by the time Russell reahes Seattle!
#
Jedi
good night guys.. looking forward to the rest of series 1 :)
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Last answer Cyborg: yes... and no. G'nite!
#
Ultima Ratio
\o
#
webyter
so how do they switch this chat off
#
cyborg009
hopefully it comes back!!
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
Ok Guys I have an idea....those guys inside the Chat room can talk amongst yourself as long as you want, who leaves wont get in anymore....what do you think?
#
webyter
sounds good to me
#
Ultima Ratio
Sounds good to me.
#
Ultima Ratio
hive mind!
#
webyter
last to leave turns off the light
(thanks to Ultima Ratio for the bits before I got there)
...
#
MartinJAbel
awesome
#
Oblong
Were you inspired by as Afterworld reminds me of classics like 'I am Legend, 28 Days later or Z for Zachariah?
#
lexluther
how much does it cost to make each episode
#
moatee
Has any of the viewer feedback influenced storylines?
#
Ronny
Can you give us a hint to the ending?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Oblong -- All of those, plus others like La Jete, Jeremiah Johnson, the Quiet Earth, The Stand...
#
moatee
What inspired the storyline for Afterworld?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Moatee -- Yes, we've added a few things to the middle and later episodes based solely on web postings by fans. For instance, some smart fan pointed out that forest fires would be raging (without any one to put them out!) in our world... so we drew a few into the backgrounds. Just one example...
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
Cost of an episode is between 12 and 15K USD. Kind of depends on how many characters and BG's and such but that's the ballpark just for art. Add musin, sound and voice talent above that.
#
AfterDrew
will "Gemini Division" have the same staggered distribution? The AW website is great, but it is 10 or so episodes behind.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Ronny -- Here's a hint: it's bittersweet.
#
Ultima Ratio
Was there ever any though of connecting Afterworld to an alternate reality game?
#
lexluther
have you thought about releasing afterworld on dvd
#
GAMMER
how many more episodes are you planing to make before you tell us what caused the fall
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
The primary influence for AW was actually Broken Saints, one of the first animated web series.
#
MartinJAbel
I'll have to look that up!
#
Ronny
Did you make the show more for TV viewing or web viewing?
#
AW Animator (Speaker)
We've discussed it at length. Different kinds of games have been proposed and a mobile game is in final development now. We'll see. Brent and I both have games in our blood...in fact we met at Electronic Arts where we worked on a next gen console game that will be announced this month.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
AfterDrew -- G-D will have a similar multi-platform distribution but, hopefully, we will have ironed out all the wrinkles by then. ;) In truth, we have been trailblazing with AW and have, admitedly, made some errors. But they are being rectified!
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
AW will be on DVD after its completed its run all around the world.
#
lexluther
hey i just what to say you have made a great show. i'm just 13 and i tell all my friends at school about it
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Ronny - we made the show for web viewing - but we created it in HD format so that it could be seen on TV
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AW Producer (Speaker)
BTW, the DVD will have some nice extras, like some alt endings for eps, alt (comedy) VOs, commentary tracks, some outtakes and behind the scenes of both VO sessions and art production.
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Ronny
Ooooh what errors? Would you ever do anything wacky like make a goof reel? (I know a little chidiish)
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AW Animator (Speaker)
That's cool Lex! I have a daughter age 12 and she loves it too.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lexluther -- Glad to hear it! As a 13 year old, I'm curious how you relate to the show -- is the Fall a fear or a fantasy for you?
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lexluther
a bit of both
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Cool...
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AW Producer (Speaker)
That's how it is for me too.
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AfterDrew
will the Hastings/ultrasound plot line come back into play? for me that was a loophole that is just sitting out there waiting for resolution.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
AfterDrew -- The Hastings/Ultrasound plot line gets touched upon later, somewhere around Ep 123, I believe.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Ronny - we have some pretty funny images of BAD computer graphics - one in particular the mesh of Russ and Luther got corrupted in the data file and they merged like something out of The Thing. One of our animators kept it on his screen as a wallpaper...sick and twisted
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MartinJAbel
haha
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Ronny
HA that's funny :-)
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MartinJAbel
Will you be in need of more artists at some stage? And what sort of artists might you be interested in?
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Ultima Ratio
What in particular made Broken Saints stand out as a source for inspiration?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
The thing to remember about the AW universe is that it was set up to be like a video game. Imagine Russ is travelling through a 3-D game world, finding little clues and gaining experience for "levels" that may not come into play until later. So many clues were "seeded" way out of sequence, in terms of relevancy to the main storyline. But everything that appears IS relevant at some point or another... the question is HOW relevant? ;)
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Vulcan Eddie
Greetings AW producer Animator I remember a post from D_ stating that you guys numbered around 15 for the production of AW,and you all pulled some freakish hours on two shifts. If its not too forward to ask,but hypothetically,how much does it cost to produce a project around the same size as say...AW?
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Yep pretty funny - another one is that it is always easier to pose and move the character files around in the viewport without their clothes on...hi resolution mesh and memory and all. So sometimes it's pretty disturbing/hilarious to walk by and see nekkid characters posed on the screen.
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MartinJAbel
I often thought a World of Warcraft type AW game would be extremely cool.. Any thoughts? ;)
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Ultima -- Broken Saints was a serious, epic story told in short episodes only on the web. With no marketing at all, it gained a large internation audience. That was very inspiring to me!
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lexluther
is the emp really caused by the satellites or is it actually cause by the earth
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Ronny
What is your background? Have you always been an animator?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Martin -- We have had many discussions with several companies about an AW video game. As of now, the only thing in production is the AW mobile game coming out next spring. Soon as we make a platform or PC game deal we will def announce it.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Martin - we are currently evaluating how we do our shows...and the size of the show. We are working with outside studio Gemini - running an internal crew is a lot of fun but it is also very expensive....We look for good all around CG artists who can do at least 3 things well....model, texture, animate, visual effects and so on. Generalists!!
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lexluther
how much will the game cost
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MartinJAbel
excellent thanks guys
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex -- The EMP was caused by a satellite network, just as the NWH's claimed. I think that's a pretty established fact by now. Only thing is, not all of the NWH's account was true -- they deliberately changed some facts. ;)
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Don't know how much the game will cost... sorry.
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Oblong
I really like the transformation that Russell's character goes through from someone who could barely survive, sheltered from 'real' life through technology to a hero figure who is in touch with his surroundings. Is this a comment/ moral tale on how we as people should try to be in our everyday life?
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GAMMER
i think it would be cool if you follow the story of someone besides russ who was following him is that somethink you might be thinking of doing down the line
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Ronny - I started out as an Industrial Designer...and then came into CG and entertainment in 1991. check out my website for all the gory details. I worked for general motors as a designer and lots of computer and consumer product companies. In entertainment I've mostly done animation - worked on the Bionicle films for miramax...and also games as well working for both Disney Interactive and Electronic Arts....www.duaneloose.com
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Ultima Ratio
There is a high amount of detail in the artwork seen in Afterworld, what was the production time like for an individual episode and for the entire series?
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Vulcan Eddie
When did the concept form for AW? and whos brain did it fall out of?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Oblong -- Very perceptive! We really wanted Russ's journey to be one where others could live vicariously through his actions, learning from all the mistakes he makes (and yes, he makes a lot on purpose.) Part of the "theme" of AW has always been that Man has lost his ability to be self-sufficient when he detached himself from the natural world. The Fall forces Russ to deal with this possibility in ways that, we hope, will resonate with everyone.
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Oblong
Thanks
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AW Producer (Speaker)
That would be my brain. I wanted to explore my own fears of having to live in a world without technology and people, two of my great dependencies... ;)
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Vulcan Eddie
heh good stuff!
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lexluther
cool
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lexluther
does russ ever shut down the emp
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Oblong
I just love the grand scale of it - you guys don't do things by halves!
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Ronny
Wow! that's impressive a lot of animation! you must really love what you do :-)
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Vulcan Eddie
i can say that losing tech overnight would tend to spin me out a little as well :D
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Ultima - We created all the art i very hi resolution. Film resolution in some cases - this allowed us to push in close as needed to create depth in the shots. backgrounds for each chunk of 5 took about a week, as did the posing (concurrently) then once we had the assets we could finish 5 episodes in 2 days. total time 2 weeks for 5.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex -- can't/won't answer that. But I will say it becomes a very active preoccupation for him... trying to shut down the EMP.
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lexluther
nice
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lexluther
does he ever met that girl that was a historien again
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Ronny - yes we do love what we do. It's hard work and having good fans makes it all worthwhile....feeding the kids and paying the mortgage is nice too!
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MartinJAbel
Do you have a storyboard or concept artist mapping out the scripts before you put it togethor?
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Vulcan Eddie
AW animator,how did you deal with staring at a PC screen all day with out going crazier?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Another idea I wanted to explore was that of "prioritization." Are the priorities of our life today correct? Or do we value the wrong things? Talk amongst yourselves... ;)
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AfterDrew
thanks a lot guys....I'm here in the US, and as you know...it's late! Take care!
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Does Russ ever meet with Gwen again? Yes but... oh, I better not say anything more. ;)
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Night Drew!
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lexluther
do we ever find out how the rest of the world is doing with out tech
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Ronny
Absolutely! The idea of going back to basics is great. Because when everything is stripped away you just need water and to keep yourself (and family) safe to survive
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Oblong
I don' think our priorities for many people in life are correct. Sometimes it just feels like work work work.
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lexluther
well said
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Vulcan Eddie
and fire!
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Martin - when the writers have a solid outline we sit with them and our board artists create thumbnails of each shot using small yellow post it notes...when we leave the outline meeting we have a clear outline for the writers to complete their scripts and for us to plan the shots. We use the storyboards to make animatics - basically rough versions of the completed episode with voice over - matched to time.
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Ronny
Sorry don't know why that appeared 3 times ;-) i guess i was stressing my point
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Russ will eventually reach a major city on the West Coast (prior to Seattle) that will give some insight into the rest of the world.
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lexluther
nice
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MartinJAbel
Thanks, thats pretty cool :)
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Astroboy
Why are the majority of women good looking in Afterworld...do the ugly one disappear thanks to the EMP?
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Astroboy
Why are the majority of women good looking in Afterworld...do the ugly one disappear thanks to the EMP?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Any theories on the Serpent Mound? How it fits into the story?
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MartinJAbel
haha!
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Vulcan eddie - why would we want to keep from going crazy???? We have a pretty lively crew full of shenanigans...all day long. it's amazing we got it done.
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Vulcan Eddie
EMP gets rid of uglies?*sticks his head into emp field*
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Astroboy -- LOL! Well, we take the same approach as all TV shows. We only cast hotties... in our case, digital hotties. Isn't there some theory that nobody wants to look at people worse looking than they are??
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lexluther
serpent mound, does it have anything to do with p.g
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Astroboy
haha
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Astroboy
I LIKE THAT!
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cyborg009
Wow the EMP is a mopdern day plastic surgery!
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - You may just be onto something... but don't quote me on that. ;)
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Vulcan Eddie
hehe good stuff AW animator!
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lexluther
haha
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AW Animator (Speaker)
:)
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AW Animator (Speaker)
They call me insane duane
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Ultima Ratio
I think one thing we have all thought of from watching Afterworld is that where we are now survival isn't any where near as complicated as it could be... even if survival in the world as we know it has a different meaning.
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Ronny
Oh that's just wrong! Am I the only chic here? I guess you wouldn't want to look at an ugly all day ;-)
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lexluther
i got a question is this the first time the fall has happend
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Vulcan Eddie
:( brb bbq on fire
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Very good question! It's the first time in "recorded history" that the Fall has happened, yes.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Ultima - the survival theme is an allegory of what we face everyday...about being conscious of our choices and the consequences of our actions. Russ faces those natural dragons throughout the show.
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GAMMER
was gwen really working against russell and if so what were her orders
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Ultima Ratio
Eddie: save me a steak!
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Ultima Ratio
I've heard through the inter-tubes that there's a second season being planned? Have I been lied to?
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Oblong
'Recorded history' love that idea - maybe explains some of the 'lost civilisations of the ancient world'
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AW Producer (Speaker)
GAMMER - Can't give too much away... but Gwen was working for AND against Russ. As for her orders... you will have to wait until later in the Season.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Oblong -- Indeed...
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MartinJAbel
Are you guys affected at all the the writers strike thats going on?
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AW Animator (Speaker)
We are under strict orders to NOT TALK ABOUT THE SECOND SEASON....oopps that was shouting. Anyway it's an embargo on talking about it....
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Ultima Ratio
Fair enough ^^;;
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MartinJAbel
I think you just implied there is a second season.. ;)
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AW Animator (Speaker)
wish we could...but we will be spanked if we do
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Martin -- No, thank goodness. Digital media is not covered by the Writers Guild - that is one of the areas they are striking over!
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Ultima Ratio
I see what you did there! :P
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MartinJAbel
oh good, something that isnt affected!
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lexluther
is that the people that survived only survived because they have a natural defence against what made the other people disapear
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MartinJAbel
Did you have any inspiration for Russ's character?
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GAMMER
i think after world rules how did you come up with it
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex -- The people who survived have... oops, can't give that one away. You'll learn all about that by end of Season 1.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Martin - on the art side our inspiration for Russ was PAUL NEWMAN....
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lexluther
could it be a mutation
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MartinJAbel
Paul Newman! Thats interesting :D
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Vulcan Eddie
woot neuman
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Yes old blue eyes himself - calm, stoic, all that
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AW Producer (Speaker)
GAMMER - AW was born from a frustration of network TV in the US. I wanted to tell a different kind of story in a different medium, using some of the storytelling techniques of TV... but inventing some new ones. Plus, I wanted to add in some video game compulsions and lite interactivity.
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Ronny
I though he looked like the guy froom Prison Break
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - It could... or it could not. ;) Not gonna go there - sorry!
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lexluther
how many more episodes will it be before russ gets home
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Oblong
I heard i rumour that you guys actually photographed each location Russell travelled to - if so Wow, but also isn't that alot of work?
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Jedi
has the story for afterworld been decided along time ago, or have the viewer reactions or theories come into play in driving the direction?
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lexluther
are you guys all in the same building
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Russ will not get to Seattle until the last week of Season 1. And he won't go home until the end of that week.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Jedi - The main story was laid out long ago. But we left in lots of room for fans to help flesh out the details of the world. I gave an earlier example of how fans have already affected the episodes, but the REAL place we work their comments in is in the journal entries.
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Vulcan Eddie
As a fan of the alone in the dark game series ,i can appreciate the atmosphere that you guys came up with,and the set up of the clues/investigation.Is any other series in the works using this type of animation?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Yes, we have an small animation studio/production facility in Santa Monica, CA.
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webyter
Q for AW Producer ... as this is a web series, re-runs seem to be out of the question, as episodes are always available, in some form or another, the question is will these episodes always be available, or will they drop off the scope at some stage in time?
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lexluther
good question
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Ultima Ratio
AW very quickly deals with a lot of the worlds current issues (politics, climate change, over population, etc) and replaces them with an entirely new set. Was that an intentional choice or a side effect of the concept?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Vulcan - Yes, as mentioned earlier, we have another series in pre-production right now called "The Gemini Division," starring Rosario Dawson.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Oblong - Brent worked with a talented production designer, Michael Decourcey, who went from coast to coast before the production started and shot 15000 images...we used some of them in the show. Photographs of environments, buildings and such are the main basis for our backgrounds
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Vulcan Eddie
thanks for that,got in a little late :p
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GAMMER
are you thinking about creating any AW episodes following someone else
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Webyter - Good question. I think the plan is to keep the episodes posted, at least on the AW site, until the DVD release... at which time it behooves us from a businss standpoint to take them down.
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Vulcan Eddie
Which one of you was the basis for the bezerker?
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Ultima - current issues are constantly in our minds when we create art and story. Our jobs is to create the myths and legends for our time.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
BTW, if any of you haven't checked out the AW Blog run by Webyter it's very cool -- do have a look!
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webyter
ahh so please define a web series ?
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lexluther
where will i be able to buy the dvds and how much
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Vulcan Eddie - you ask the most interesting questions...that would neither of us....the berserker was based on...well that would be telling....
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Vulcan Eddie
:D
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Les luther - DVD sales are unknown at this point. It's been talked about.
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lexluther
will a new world goverment form in afterworld
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Ultima Ratio
AW Animator - that's a good point. I think that's what has made AW as popular as it is.
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Vulcan Eddie
or was it all a conspiracy to trigger the nwo??
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Frankie
how about doing it from another country ... instead of america
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Frankie
like australia lol
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GAMMER
i think it would be cool to follow gwen's story
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Vulcan Eddie
lol
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Lex - there are several versions of a new world government forming I think...the New World Historians, New Eden...PArthia and so on.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
"A web series" is one that uses the web as it's primary source of distribution. So, even though the show is broadcast on Sci-Fi Channel, AW was always meant to be a multi-platform show... with our website as the nexus point - the place where you could watch episodes, explore the storyline in other ways, and chat with other fans about the story.
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Frankie
hehehe
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AW Producer (Speaker)
GAMMER - Gwen will weave herself back into the main story pretty soon. She is a pivital character in our universe.
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webyter
will the episodes drop off myspace and youtube?
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cyborg009
Will we know the secrets to Afterworld by the time Russell reaches Seattle?
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GAMMER
thanks
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lexluther
is gwen working for someone else besides the historians
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Webyter - Not 100% certain, but I think the episodes will eventually drop of MS and YT... residing only on the AW site until the show has run its course worldwide AND until the DVD is actually released.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Frankie - we've explored other countries a bit- certainly kept it open as a possibility - the episodes in Ghana for example....and some things coming up point in that direction. I think that one of the great things about this story is that it is a universal fall and all countries will have their own stories to tell....start writing! :)
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Ultima Ratio
*does the math on Australia's popuation after the fall* about 4000 people in Sydney and 21000 in the entire country... that makes for a pretty empty landmass :P
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Cyborg -- You will know SOME of the secrets. You will know how the Fall occured and who was behind it... but not WHY.
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Frankie
sheesh ya dont ask much ... lol
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GAMMER
i was about to ask that
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cyborg009
Ahhh..... so do we have to wait for Season 2..... and thus your spanking!
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Vulcan Eddie
terra nullus?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex -- Gwen is a complex character. Suffice to say she is working for a number of people... ;)
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AW Animator (Speaker)
the first rule of fight club is -Don't talk about season 2
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MartinJAbel
lol
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Vulcan Eddie
:D
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cyborg009
I think I am in fight club. I will live my own season 2 and make it up!
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lexluther
how many seasons are you making
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Vulcan Eddie
So has anything come out about the populous that has dissapeared ?
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Ultima Ratio
Speaking of Fight Club, Tyler Durden's vision for the future is kind of similar to AW
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AW Animator (Speaker)
cyborg - yes I will come back i n two weeks and if it's not done then....
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Vulcan Eddie
lol
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Right now we are only focused on Season 1. We just finished production last week. After the holidays we will start contemplating Season 2...
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Tyler Durden for President in 2008!
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AW Animator (Speaker)
ultima - that movie and the book that inspired it is a favorite of mine. Our lives are what we make of them.
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Vulcan Eddie
adam segal is on the tube now lol
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Vulcan - You will eventually learn what happened to the "missing" portion of the population.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Really -ADAM!!!!
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Ultima Ratio
That's good to know. I'm a die hard Chucky P. fan. \o/
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Vulcan Eddie
lol yup
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Our Adam??
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webyter
Q Galaxy Girl: Will SciFi Australia be leaving the episodes available for us for an indefinite period or will they drop off here soon?
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Vulcan Eddie
yup
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Vulcan Eddie
its a select moment interview
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lexluther
what caused the rain in the first episode
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AW Animator (Speaker)
What's He wearing? LOL
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Ultima Ratio
Soylent Green!!
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MartinJAbel
good question Lex!
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Vulcan Eddie
blue t-shirt lolz
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - The rain will be explained later in the season (you're coming to hate that answer, aren't you?)
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Vulcan Eddie
hes selling it pretty hard there D_
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Vulcan Eddie
:D
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Any theories/guesses on how the Four Horseman storyline pays off?
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Ultima Ratio
hm, haven't seen the horsemen in a while
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Vulcan Eddie
are they aspects of humanity made flesh?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Vulcan - You are far more imaginative than us!
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Oblong
Hopefully the people of New Eden will beat the horseman to death and free themselves.
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Vulcan Eddie
eeeep shh shh,my mrs will want me to do things..
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Never fear, there are FOUR Horseman and we've still got two more of those nutjobs riding around out there somewhere...
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lexluther
are the horse man they linked to why the people disapeared
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AW Producer (Speaker)
LOL!
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AW Animator (Speaker)
And we may have seen them...just didn't know it.
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Ronny
My computer is slowly dying but just wanted to say that it was great to talk to you and thanks for taking the time to talk - you guys must be tired overe there. Congrats on a really great show its great to see a well written plot and beautiful design
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - No, the Horseman are linked to why people RUN!
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AW Animator (Speaker)
By Ronny - thanks for stopping by
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Thanks, Ronny! Glad to call you a fan.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
See you in Seattle... ;)
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cyborg009
We are still here! Is Will smiths movie "I am A Legend" a follow on to Afterworld or did AW pioneer the way for the blockbuster?
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Oblong
The horsemen are a bit too KKK for me - very scary.
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lexluther
there crasy
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Onlong - the resmblance is purely intentional
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AW Producer (Speaker)
I AM LEGEND is based on an old book (50's I think) by Richard Matheson. It's already been made into a movie three times.
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Oblong
Saw the trailer for I am Legend - the lonely New York streets looked sooo eerie. It would be so weird to be Russell and wake up to that.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Some say that I am Legend is the best Vampire book aver written
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Oblong
I've read it and I think it is.
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cyborg009
Do you think AW sparked the revival?
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Ultima Ratio
J.D. might not really be their master... the horsemen of the apocalypse weren't really known to work for people if you know what I mean... >_>
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Cyborg - no we didn't - It's been in development for 6 or 7 years.
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lexluther
do we see delundra again
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webyter
YES
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Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
Not sure anyone already ask about this..but can you give some insight about the Ferrel Boy?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Ultima -- That's the question about the Horsemen... are they really otherworldly or just doing JD's bidding?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Obviously Webyter knows more than most...
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AW Animator (Speaker)
I for one would like to see Delondre again - -
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AW Producer (Speaker)
...or he's just guessing. ;)
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Vulcan Eddie
lol
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cyborg009
So where to after Afterworld??
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Ultima Ratio
I'd be inclined to say they're just men in armor on horses... but at this stage anything is possible lol
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lexluther
i bet there mutants
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Ultima - I'd be inclined to agree...but we may be surprised
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AW Producer (Speaker)
The Feral Boy. He represents one of the first survivors to manifest "psychic" powers -- there will be others. The question is, why are these changes in humans occuring? Were they accidental or intentional? Talk amongst yourselves... ;)
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Vulcan Eddie
Russ needs a tricorder....
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lexluther
yeah
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webyter
I would GUESS that Delondre was their at the beginning and will be there at the end, but always in the background, somewhere ... and the Feral Boy is still looking for batteries for his light sabre
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Cyborg - Already mentioned it, but after Afterworld our company is currently in pre-production on another multi-platform series called 'The Gemini Division," starring Rosario Dawson.
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Jimmyville
So how did you pick the cities for Russ to visit in afterworld? Are they your team's home towns, or just places you liked on the map?
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lexluther
whats with the light sabre
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Russ would love a tricorder! In fact, he would love any piece of tech about now... ;)
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Jimmyville - Darts and map of the USA
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Vulcan Eddie
so much for my theory on a pattern LOL
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Lightsaber - we're all children of George Lucas
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MartinJAbel
Will Russ find any technology that does work? (sorry if I havent seen an episode where he does) lol
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lexluther
your so right
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cyborg009
Random Journery? How did Africa get on the map of the USA?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Webyter - A very logical guess. Only time will tell if you're correct. As for Feral Boy and his lightlabre... he's got bigger fish to fry these days. ;)
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MartinJAbel
weird double post.. sorry
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Ultima Ratio
*Thinking out loud* Evolution doesn't always work, on one end we get Liam on the other we get that mutated baby. Telepathy would be a natural way to overcome communication problems if traditional tech isn't operable...
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Jedi
i feel bad for Russel.. will he ever find a nice town where everyones getting along great, treat him well, and he can simply put his feet up & relax.. or is he doomed to always wander into towns in crisis that need his help (or worse yet want him dead)?
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lexluther
i think there all mutants
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Martin -Some tech does work and Russ will continue to unravel the mystery why. Batteries and non-integrated circuitry for example
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Vulcan Eddie
perhaps normal evolution kicked back in properly due to the lack of electro-pollution ?
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MartinJAbel
oh cool, so Is it possible to get cars working?
#
lexluther
yeah dont you remember
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Ultima Ratio
or the fact that people now have the technological safety blanket snatched away...
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Jedi - stay tuned...he almost finds a nice town...but...
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Feral Boy's lightsabre was just meant to be his "weapon" - a kid's toy he armed himself with in the days after the Fall. Because he thought he created the Fall and had no fear, the lightsabre became a symbol of his power... something he left behind when he went away with Russ and Gwen. Really, it was just meant to be an homage to SW but we've caught a lot of grief for it... ;)
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Ultima Ratio
martin: ethanol moded electrics seems to work
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Vulcan Eddie
every young boy needs his lightsabre,screw the critics!
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Ultima Ratio
whoops the internet ate the plus sign
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Ultima Ratio
whoops the internet ate the plus sign
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Vulcan - Very good answer. I like your reference to "normal" evolution.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Martin - Cars ?? I don't want to spoil the story for you. But Russ discovers lots of interesting circumstances and tech that continues to work in unexpected ways.
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lexluther
i like the idea of the steam trains i wonder if they will get any sailing boats
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Vulcan Eddie
heh,ive missed a few episodes,but it doesnt stop me from hatching theories lol
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MartinJAbel
Ok, Im just going to have to catch up.. argh!!!!!!!
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AW Animator (Speaker)
lexluther - hmmm...Wind power...the smell of the salt air...the wind in the face...international adventure....hmmmm
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Martin - If you are attention challenged we do offer RECAP episodes. ;)
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webyter
in WAR of THE WORLD the movie staring our fav hero (tom) he fixed a car by replacing the whats-it on the starter thingy, could Russ not do this and switch off the car just before each EMP blast hits, and restart after
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MartinJAbel
nope I am determined to watch them all.. one by one..
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Vulcan Eddie
if the network of satellites sends out a emp pulse every so often and it covers the world....why doesnt this net-work take itself out?
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Ultima Ratio
I just had the best idea. Steampunk Afterworld.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Martin -- A man after my heart... oops, don't take that the wrong way. ;)
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AW Producer (Speaker)
We love SteamPunk!
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MartinJAbel
lol
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cyborg009
Help me out Steampunk?
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Webyter - Mr Cruise switches out the points and coil.....your theory is sound!
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Vulcan - Obviously the engineers behind the network were very smart people. ;) In truth, there is some evidence that a Black Box weapon as described in AW does actually exist!
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Ultima Ratio
cyborg: replace electricity with cogs and steam
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Steampunk - mad max..Warhammer 40000
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Vulcan Eddie
shudders......more worse than h.a.a.r.p?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Somebody whose fingers are not as cramped as mine please explain SteamPunk to Cyborg...
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Much worse than HAARP.
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lexluther
what about the deformed child .was that caused by the emp
#
Vulcan Eddie
:(
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AW Animator (Speaker)
According to Larry - our resident walking encyclpedia (who was also a weapons designer for Los Alamos Labs) animator - sucj weapons do exist.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
The reference material I found was one of the inspirations for the show... another piece of dangerous technology desgined to wipe out technology!
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Ultima Ratio
Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and speculative fiction which came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used?usually the 19th century, or alternate history stories.
#
Vulcan Eddie
reminiscent of escape from los angele's !
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Ultima Ratio
(thanks wikipedia!)
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GAMMER
you guys really make a great show but how about giving away some ansers about the new world historians i beg you please
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MartinJAbel
I still dont understand how 99% of the population can just vanish.. surely someone would have seen what happened?
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AW Animator (Speaker)
HAARP is similar in that it bombards the atmosphere with hi intensity electromagnetic radiation...similar to an EMP but it's more pernicious.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - What caused the deformed baby boy remains a mystery, but I'd put my money on the EMP.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Gammer - what do you want to know about the NWH?
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GAMMER
please i must know about the new world historians i need ansers
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lexluther
the emp raditation could break down cells on the subatomic level if it's strong enough
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Ultima Ratio
p.s. cyborg 009? Are you a fellow anime fan by any chance? >_>
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Some people, like Delondre and JD, did witness the event. And you will meet others who saw the event even more dramatically. But it happened fast at a time when most people were asleep so...
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
hihihihih
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AW Animator (Speaker)
The NWH are bent on rewriting history to suit their world view. Knowledge is power to them.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - Maybe. But is that enough to disappear billions of people?
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Vulcan Eddie
yea haarp sets up a resonant pulse in the ionosphere using it as a gigantic capacitor (not the fall weapon)
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Ultima Ratio
If only Russ could get his hands on a VCR :P
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AW Animator (Speaker)
we love anime
#
webyter
yes it happened at about 5.00am in New York but what about elsewhere
#
lexluther
there must be another factor
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
Hey Guys..all this Chat is awesome! Busy Busy...if the AW Crowd is up for it we will continue for another 10 minutes?
#
GAMMER
got to go
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webyter
time is relevant?
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cyborg009
Newbie! : (
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AW Animator (Speaker)
By Gammer thanks for coming by
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Vulcan Eddie
aaargh i gots to go,but thanks for the answers guys,and good luck with the future!
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AW Animator (Speaker)
10 minutes more is good...
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cyborg009
Brill
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Ultima Ratio
Cyborg: weren't we all once? ^^
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Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
GOOD!thanks guys...let's bombard them with the last questions!
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Webyter - The Fall happened between 2am and 5am in the US (depending on timezone.) So the % of people who were awake to witness it is very small. Elsewhere in the world it's a different story, but for now we're only focused on the Russ's experience in the US.
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lexluther
is the mound and other landmarks related
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Lex - There is great significance in the Serpent Mound. That is all I will say. (read about it online)
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webyter
ah so we may focus on other parts of the world later?
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AW Animator (Speaker)
My favorite episode # 28
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Jimmyville
Do you find that people love watching an episode per day.. or do they sit down and watch a week at a time? For your next series, are you keeping to same 3 minute episodes or are you thinking longer format?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Webtyer - That's the plan!
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Oblong
Why hasn't Russell had any girlfriends it's all so platonic? I mean what are the odds his wife survived?
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webyter
Yes the Serpent Mound must be significant, any connection to the Aztecs?
#
cyborg009
The combination of missing population with a lack of technology....evolves into dealthly diseases, consipiracty theories, religious zealots, terroists etc. Is there any hope for the New Wolrd being an impovement on the last one?
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lexluther
and the egypitans
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Jimmyville - the poll we did showed that the audience on youtube and myspace preferred daily episodes 12 to 1. We're keeping the episodes 'bite-sized'
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Ultima Ratio
It's surprising how much can fit into 3 minutes.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Oblong - Russ is old fashioned. But honestly, he really wants and needs to believe that his wife is alive... he has some regrets about their relationship that he wants to resolve.
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Webtyer - There are myriad connections to the SM. Not just the site itself, but also what it represents.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
cyborg - I think that HOPE is one of the main themes in the storyline.The world devolves somewhat...but humanity and kindness, love and compassion survive and thrive. And of course Russ is driven by hope...hope that his family is alive.
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Oblong
Relationship regrets......interesting.
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lexluther
i got to go to sleep, school tomorrow. thank you so much for talking to me and keep up the great work .
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Ultima - What is surprising is how HARD it is to write three minute episodes. We usually write twice that much and then trim the episodes down -- "shaving the beard" is what we call it. That creates the eliptical nature of the voice over, which we've come to rather like.
#
Jedi
Are there any characters in Afterworld that are based on you two?
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Night Lex! See you in Seattle... ;)
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Ultima - I have come to enjoy the simplicity of the short time...and the clarity it gives when we create the art....no fat.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
One by one they fall away... :(
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Oblong
I like that - the idea of hope.
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webyter
Afterworld ... is just the beginning, what is next, is Gemini a spin off?
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Ultima Ratio
There must be a lot that can't quite fit in. Is that one of the reasons the journal exists?
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Well - if you want to see what Duane looks like - look at Robert Casey's license. Lots of hoo haw about how old I am. Hah!
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AW Producer (Speaker)
"Gemini" is completely unrelated to AW. It will be a combination of live action and AW-style animation, again with an interactive web site and multi-platform release. The story, however, will be a little darker...
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Ultima -- Exactly. The story was always designed to be spread across the episodes AND the journals.
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Oblong - me too ...and second chances as well as hope
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AW Producer (Speaker)
How about three more questions!
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Use them wisely...
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Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
last three.
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webyter
the whole concept of Afterworld has been good, the roll has had obvious probs, but congrats to you all, I can't wait to see the series credits
#
Ultima Ratio
argh so hard.
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Ultima Ratio
argh so hard.
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Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
Sorry Afterworld fans, but that's all the time we have for today's chat. I'd like to thank Brent & Duane for their time today - and we look forward to what's next for Afterworld.
A transcript of today's chat will be available on the SCI FI website shortly.
#
cyborg009
Is the human race evolving? if so to what? more people?
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
ops sorry go on
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Ultima Ratio
Okay, I'm going to cop out and have you guys ask yourself a question!
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webyter
Galaxy Girl is really Gretal in disquise
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Jedi
before you go i did just want to say how much i've enjoyed afterworld.. you guys have greated an amazing series.. looking forward to what happens in Series 2 :)
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Cyborg -- The hope is that the Fall will ALLOW the human race to evolve. The opportunity is there... will we take it?
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MartinJAbel
Why does eli like Taffy so much?
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cyborg009
I know I know ...series 2
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Oblong
Thanks for making such an excellent series. Love the interactivity. Looking forward to series 2. Will there be Afterworld the Movie if so will Tom Cruise play Russell?
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Is Afterworld the future of media? By that I mean, will 3 min, multi-platform series become the next wave of entertainment?
#
MartinJAbel
Oh thanks for talking tih us guys its been a pleasure
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AW Animator (Speaker)
Webyter - we had a great crew. We'll get the credits thing sorted. Thanks for being online with us everyone! Stay tuned for more madness. - Eli's taste for taffy is out of this world.
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Tom Cruise???? I'd rather have Katie Holmes play Russell... ;)
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cyborg009
Yo lo you rock!
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Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
Ok guys a big thanks to the Afterworlders and see you next Chat..that was EXCITING!! SCI FI ROCK!!!!!
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AW Animator (Speaker)
zzzzzzz snore
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Eli likes the simple pleasures in life -- his story will be resolved shortly.
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Jimmyville
Thanks guys!
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cyborg009
Sleep well!
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Ultima Ratio
Thanks all! It must be late in the states! Please get some rest! >_>
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Alright... it's 2:15 am here... it's time for me to "fall" into bed.
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webyter
if Russ had never taken the trip he would not of had THE FALL
#
AW Producer (Speaker)
Thanks for all the great questions! Let's do this again after Russ arrives in Seattle. I'm sure you'll have even more questions then... ;)
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cyborg009
Will we know the answers to teh secrets of Afterworld by the time Russell reahes Seattle!
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Jedi
good night guys.. looking forward to the rest of series 1 :)
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AW Producer (Speaker)
Last answer Cyborg: yes... and no. G'nite!
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Ultima Ratio
\o
#
webyter
so how do they switch this chat off
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cyborg009
hopefully it comes back!!
#
Galaxy Girl at SCI FI Channel
Ok Guys I have an idea....those guys inside the Chat room can talk amongst yourself as long as you want, who leaves wont get in anymore....what do you think?
#
webyter
sounds good to me
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Ultima Ratio
Sounds good to me.
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Ultima Ratio
hive mind!
#
webyter
last to leave turns off the light
Episode 93: Showtime!
Holy smokes!
Russ gets in to the fight, and it is not looking good.
Salazar clearly knows more than he's let on...he's not just a "pimp in Vegas".
How did he know about the EMP effect on the Berserker? Perhaps just from having his thugs watch the Berserker...but that wasn't long, so they figured it out quick or else knew something ahead of time. Maybe there are more "berserkers" in the prison in Las Vegas?
It is not supposed to be a fight to the death, but will anyone stop the Berserker?
Obviously so, because they aren't going to kill off Russ in this fight.
Still will Ted jump in to save Russ? OR will Russ get to the patch? Or will the fight end because Russ is out cold? (which still wouldn't stop the Berserker).
There is a lot going in Vegas. I wouldn't be surprised if Russ misses the transport to Portland that leaves tomorrow.
Russ gets in to the fight, and it is not looking good.
Salazar clearly knows more than he's let on...he's not just a "pimp in Vegas".
How did he know about the EMP effect on the Berserker? Perhaps just from having his thugs watch the Berserker...but that wasn't long, so they figured it out quick or else knew something ahead of time. Maybe there are more "berserkers" in the prison in Las Vegas?
It is not supposed to be a fight to the death, but will anyone stop the Berserker?
Obviously so, because they aren't going to kill off Russ in this fight.
Still will Ted jump in to save Russ? OR will Russ get to the patch? Or will the fight end because Russ is out cold? (which still wouldn't stop the Berserker).
There is a lot going in Vegas. I wouldn't be surprised if Russ misses the transport to Portland that leaves tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Episode 92: Debt Security
Wow!
Another great episode.
So Ted it seems was just in that plush office for his conversation with Russ.
Salazar is so Las Vegas! The white suit is such a perfect touch.
Not a lot of mystery in this episode, but some great plot developments.
So if there are "Freedom Fights"...and obviously these aren't being sold on Pay-Per-View, then people must be coming to Vegas and buying tickets to the fights. So how much of the rest of Vegas is alive with gambling? It would seem a long way to go just to see a few fights....and people must be paying to see the fights, or else it is purely for the Cartel/Salazars enjoyment.
So will Russ fight to get Teds freedom? Perhaps he will if Ted promises to stop using his name in association with the Suicide Squads. But still Russ is such a pacificist, that I don't think friendship with Ted is going to enough to draw him into a fight. Salazar wants the celebrity that Russ has. That could definitely be something that Russ uses to negotiate with to find a way out without fighting.
So does anyone have more details on this chat in Australia? I heard it is at 730pm (but since there are several time zone in AUS, I'm guessing that is Sydney time? Can anyone confirm?). If so, that would be 130AM for me.
Thank you!
Another great episode.
So Ted it seems was just in that plush office for his conversation with Russ.
Salazar is so Las Vegas! The white suit is such a perfect touch.
Not a lot of mystery in this episode, but some great plot developments.
So if there are "Freedom Fights"...and obviously these aren't being sold on Pay-Per-View, then people must be coming to Vegas and buying tickets to the fights. So how much of the rest of Vegas is alive with gambling? It would seem a long way to go just to see a few fights....and people must be paying to see the fights, or else it is purely for the Cartel/Salazars enjoyment.
So will Russ fight to get Teds freedom? Perhaps he will if Ted promises to stop using his name in association with the Suicide Squads. But still Russ is such a pacificist, that I don't think friendship with Ted is going to enough to draw him into a fight. Salazar wants the celebrity that Russ has. That could definitely be something that Russ uses to negotiate with to find a way out without fighting.
So does anyone have more details on this chat in Australia? I heard it is at 730pm (but since there are several time zone in AUS, I'm guessing that is Sydney time? Can anyone confirm?). If so, that would be 130AM for me.
Thank you!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Episode 91
WOW!
What a great episode. The best that I can recall off the top of my head.
So the Cartel and Graves and CAN get Russ closer to Seattle...and they seem to be a reasonably benevelont group.
I love the irony about Vegas being used a prison...all the glitz and glam now a prison. The Cartel is taking credit for the Wordwalls....interesting, but if they could use Morse Code, wouldn't more people have figured things out? The Cartel has such "advanced technology"...maybe it's because they solely focused on re-building, instead of hanging on to the past, or getting sidetracked with nukes, or cults or whatever.
I still suspect that there is some association with the US Military. Perhaps not formal, perhaps just a few survivors we soliders who knew how to survive and had lots of supplies. Or perhaps they might know a lot more about the fall and might have perpared specifically for it.
The guy at the table is Ted Murphy from the Memphis episodes (at the blood clinic).
Now clearly Russ would want to disassociate himself from Ted or any other terrorist, but will the Cartel believe him? Will there be some guilt by association? Russ is a pretty bad spot now.
To remember Ted Murphy's name, I had to go back to the Afterworld.tv website....and it is a great website...it's a shame that they can't post their own videos first.
As I was poking through that site, a few other names/thoughts came back to me...what is going to come of the Jack Hastings/baby plotline.
What caused the fall? The Cartel are doing a great job of putting things back together after the fall...but no new theories on what caused it. (so I'm having to make up my own).
What a great episode. The best that I can recall off the top of my head.
So the Cartel and Graves and CAN get Russ closer to Seattle...and they seem to be a reasonably benevelont group.
I love the irony about Vegas being used a prison...all the glitz and glam now a prison. The Cartel is taking credit for the Wordwalls....interesting, but if they could use Morse Code, wouldn't more people have figured things out? The Cartel has such "advanced technology"...maybe it's because they solely focused on re-building, instead of hanging on to the past, or getting sidetracked with nukes, or cults or whatever.
I still suspect that there is some association with the US Military. Perhaps not formal, perhaps just a few survivors we soliders who knew how to survive and had lots of supplies. Or perhaps they might know a lot more about the fall and might have perpared specifically for it.
The guy at the table is Ted Murphy from the Memphis episodes (at the blood clinic).
Now clearly Russ would want to disassociate himself from Ted or any other terrorist, but will the Cartel believe him? Will there be some guilt by association? Russ is a pretty bad spot now.
To remember Ted Murphy's name, I had to go back to the Afterworld.tv website....and it is a great website...it's a shame that they can't post their own videos first.
As I was poking through that site, a few other names/thoughts came back to me...what is going to come of the Jack Hastings/baby plotline.
What caused the fall? The Cartel are doing a great job of putting things back together after the fall...but no new theories on what caused it. (so I'm having to make up my own).
Episode 90
Well, it's a bit late, on account of Bud.tv having their usual (once every 2 weeks or so) issues...and compounded by the fact that I went out of town for the weekend.
Episode 90 seemed like things got back on track in the Afterworld
?who is Graves
Is he really with the cartel? perhaps like a regional manager or something?
It is possible that Fishman was a just a rogue agent for the cartel who was abusing his power, and the cartel is more of a trading organization than an extortion group.
Russ is now riding with the cartel and his "special code" can take him anywhere that the cartel goes. Which would make it far to easy for him to get at least close to Seattle, so I see something going wrong there.
Then again with only 40 episodes left and he's got to get to NORAD (per mySpace) and he's probably going to have a few episodes with his family, and there have to some episodes to set up season two...maybe faster transportation is needed.
So the cartel and their vehicles are still subject to the EMP, so does that mean that every 47 minutes they pull off of the road and disable the battery/alternator/etc?
they are driving military vehicles, which means that their base of operations is a probably military base...which would be a great place to go for supplies, etc in the event of fall.
So far Russ has ran into more people/groups that want to hurt him than help him. Some how I think that Graves has more to do with this. I mean he could have just had Russ killed or locked up, so maybe he wants information...maybe he wants to help...maybe the cartel has something against the New World Historians?
I'll find out in about 5 minutes when I watch the next Ep!
Episode 90 seemed like things got back on track in the Afterworld
?who is Graves
Is he really with the cartel? perhaps like a regional manager or something?
It is possible that Fishman was a just a rogue agent for the cartel who was abusing his power, and the cartel is more of a trading organization than an extortion group.
Russ is now riding with the cartel and his "special code" can take him anywhere that the cartel goes. Which would make it far to easy for him to get at least close to Seattle, so I see something going wrong there.
Then again with only 40 episodes left and he's got to get to NORAD (per mySpace) and he's probably going to have a few episodes with his family, and there have to some episodes to set up season two...maybe faster transportation is needed.
So the cartel and their vehicles are still subject to the EMP, so does that mean that every 47 minutes they pull off of the road and disable the battery/alternator/etc?
they are driving military vehicles, which means that their base of operations is a probably military base...which would be a great place to go for supplies, etc in the event of fall.
So far Russ has ran into more people/groups that want to hurt him than help him. Some how I think that Graves has more to do with this. I mean he could have just had Russ killed or locked up, so maybe he wants information...maybe he wants to help...maybe the cartel has something against the New World Historians?
I'll find out in about 5 minutes when I watch the next Ep!
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