June 9, 2002

11:50 PM

Best. Transformers. Video. Ever.CGI render of a new VW Beetle transforming into a transformer with live background [1.5 meg mpg video]. Makes me wonder if a live-action Transformers TV show would work, with real actors and CGI rendered robots. I'd certainly watch it.
posted by PWA_BadBoy (28 comments total)

Well I sure know what I want for Christmas...
posted by Lionfire at 12:03 AM on June 10, 2002

That reminds me of this guy who made a Transformer costume that actually transforms, shown here.
posted by bobo123 at 12:12 AM on June 10, 2002

Im glad transformers are making a come back, they were the best toys ever.
Give this guy a grant of a blank cheque cos i wanna see a movie like that -
posted by monkeyJuice at 12:47 AM on June 10, 2002

Rather well done.
posted by donkeyschlong at 12:50 AM on June 10, 2002

That. Is. Brilliant.
hee!
posted by gummi at 12:53 AM on June 10, 2002

I. Hate. When. People. Punctuate. Every. Word.
Imagine. Dictating. A. Telegraph. Like. This.
Or. Transmitting. One.
That. Would. Suck.
Morse. Code. Is. Tough. Enough. Without. All. The. 'Stops'.
Whatever.
Back. To. Blogging.
The. 'New'. Grammar.
posted by msacheson at 1:52 AM on June 10, 2002

Hmmm...I can see how that might be a little annoying to some. How about this: ohmygodlightenup.
posted by gummi at 2:05 AM on June 10, 2002

Wait, I don't get it:
ohm. ygodl. ight. enup.
Does that make sense?
posted by msacheson at 2:14 AM on June 10, 2002

> I'd certainly watch it.

No, you wouldn't.

Would you? Really?

> The. 'New'. Grammar.

That's the second time I've seen "the new grammar" in the last couple of days. Is it a real thing -- some trendy trend for the trendy -- or was that just a coincidence?

(Speaking of trendy stuff, what the hell is that thing on your profile page, gummi? I've seen it somewhere before, maybe in some goofy Photoshop thing, but I thought it was just a fluke.)
posted by pracowity at 4:16 AM on June 10, 2002

Autobots! Transform and roll out!
posted by jennyb at 4:24 AM on June 10, 2002

pracowity: thats some japanease tv monster called DOMO-KUN i think..
try these links.

http://drew.corrupt.net/domo.html
http://www.doebbe.com/domo-kun/
posted by monkeyJuice at 5:01 AM on June 10, 2002

The. 'New'. Grammar?

Nah. We're. All. Just. Evolving. Into. William. Shatner.
posted by UnReality at 5:47 AM on June 10, 2002

“I've got a plan to destroy all of the autobots!”

(I frequently use this quote from the show in everyday conversation to mean “I know how to accomplish a given task.”)
posted by jpburns at 5:51 AM on June 10, 2002

> ... Into. William. Shatner.

Not me, pal. And you can keep that fuzzy Japanese animated fridge with lockjaw, too.
posted by pracowity at 5:51 AM on June 10, 2002

< autobots! transform and roll out!>

More likely, (to my dismay),
"Autobots! Transform! Let's Roll!"
posted by warhol at 6:10 AM on June 10, 2002

Very cool.
posted by rushmc at 6:19 AM on June 10, 2002

I'm impressed by how the pedestrian and various cars in the background continue along in real time. Nice!

I wonder how well the car roof/windshield combination would work as a shield, though.
posted by gohlkus at 6:51 AM on June 10, 2002

Ba weep granna weep ninny bang.

or something...
posted by ODiV at 7:11 AM on June 10, 2002

Bah Weep Granah Weep Ni Ni Bong


I think.
posted by john_son at 7:16 AM on June 10, 2002

The new transformer toys are quite nice - good plastic, nice details, some are spring loaded, very complex, etc. BUT the new cartoon - Robots in Disguise is CRAP. Pokimon meets power rangers meets transformers. Its bad bad, imo.
posted by tomplus2 at 7:20 AM on June 10, 2002

That explains the noises Lura's Beetle is making.
posted by mikewas at 9:26 AM on June 10, 2002

Tomplus: OH GOD is the new cartoon absolute shit. They totally anime'd the design, and they do that damn thing where they announce what they're doing all the time. How the hell are you supposed to sneak up on somebody like that?

Besides stylistic details, the animation itself is horrible. It's on par with the old Scooby Doo cartoon. Ick.
posted by Su at 9:52 AM on June 10, 2002

The "new" Transformers was ported over from Japan, and is actually quite old which is why the animation isn't that great and why it's very anime-like.
posted by PWA_BadBoy at 9:59 AM on June 10, 2002

...fuzzy Japanese animated fridge with lockjaw...

Best description I've read of Domo-Kun to date.
posted by gummi at 12:22 PM on June 10, 2002

so
awesome...
posted by dig_duggler at 1:59 PM on June 10, 2002

That's really cool...but how did they do it?

Just take a 10 second clip of an empty lot with motion going on, and then overlay the Bug and the transformation? Seems like that would be the easiest way...kind of like laying over different cells for animation.
posted by insomnyuk at 3:07 PM on June 10, 2002

I just bought the DVD last year. Listening to Wierd Al's "Dare to be Stupid" again damn near brought. me. to. tears. ;-P

The new toys, in my insignificant opinion, suck. Give me back the metal jammies any day.
posted by adampsyche at 3:20 PM on June 10, 2002

I'm impressed by how the pedestrian and various cars in the background continue along in real time. Nice!

The pedestrian in the background is the guy who made this. If you visit the site posted in the video you'll see that this isn't a VW ad or some new series, its just a project the animator never finished.
posted by skallas at 3:52 PM on June 10, 2002