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Post by jcb on Oct 6, 2015 10:45:53 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for giving our little show a chance. I knew the changes would take adjustment, but it appears you guys have really caught on to why we made the choices we made. Imagine the vending machine scene with the gang looking very realistic. It wouldn't work. BUT the "heart" in the puppet scene with Daphne and the gang at the end DOES work - even with the more cartoony design. The new look is all about giving us MORE options as storytellers (and for me to be silly). I know you'll fall in love even more with these characters as you continue to watch.
Either way, thanks for all the kind thoughts. It really means a lot to me.
xo JCB
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Post by jcb on Oct 5, 2015 19:49:29 GMT -5
Oh, that's "Party Like It's 1889" - when they're at the murder mystery party? Game of Chicken takes place in caves underground. Sorry about the accents, they were meant to bad, of course. We didn't want to hurt your teeth, however. What irks me.is that it seems we're either portrayed as sounding like rejects from Downtown Abby or as Dick van Dyke from Mary Poppins. To be honest it isn't funny it's just frustrating and annoying. I''d better get a.mod to.move the post. Haha. I understand. They're not actually supposed to BE British, though. They're pretending for the party. And their accents are as awful as Americans pretending to sound British would be. That was part of the "joke," but I know only too well that if that has to be explained - the "joke" isn;t working. Oh well. Either way, sorry if it rubs you the wrong way. Glad you liked the first one, guvna!
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Post by jcb on Oct 5, 2015 19:09:35 GMT -5
Were there British accents in "Game of Chicken"? Yes, the accents of the gang while they were 'in character' just put my teeth on edge. Oh, that's "Party Like It's 1889" - when they're at the murder mystery party? Game of Chicken takes place in caves underground. Sorry about the accents, they were meant to bad, of course. We didn't want to hurt your teeth, however.
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Review
Oct 5, 2015 18:16:32 GMT -5
Post by jcb on Oct 5, 2015 18:16:32 GMT -5
Well, IMO this was a real let-down from the first episode, a real anti-climax. As a native English speaker the British accents were like nails down a blackboard for me and I ended up watching it with the sound off. Also the whole felt more like a bag of bits rather than a story. Finally as a Velma fan I was disappointed in she was treated in this episode, I wondered why the writers even bothered putting her in this episode. Due to the accents I'm not watching this episode again so that it all the review you'll get from me. Were there British accents in "Game of Chicken"?
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Post by jcb on Oct 3, 2015 9:49:16 GMT -5
OKay, so here we go, guys! As you've heard, starting this Monday, October 5th,every night at 7 PM on cartoon Network they will be playing a new episode of "Be Cool Scooby Doo" for the whole week! My hope is that after watching a few of them, everything will suddenly make sense - why the designs are the way they are, why we've changed what we've changed (and kept the same) and how our approach to Scooby Doo will make the characters the most, dimensional, interesting and funny than they've ever been.
We've gotten the full range of reactions to the promos and art so far from "Love it!" to actual death threats! I prefer strong reactions to shrugs, so I'm happy to shake things up in Scoobyland. I sincerely hope all Scooby fans love the show, but I know that's impossible. All I ask is that you give it a chance.
Looking forward to your thoughts, good OR bad.
JCB
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Post by jcb on Sept 21, 2015 23:19:03 GMT -5
The new promo is very Scooby/Shaggy focused, which is understandable, but misleading. I can't wait to see the reaction to the rest of the gang. This is an even, ensemble comedy show where all the characters have equal screen time and stories and arcs and runners. No one ever imagined the gang quite like this. It's awesome.
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Post by jcb on Sept 21, 2015 23:16:04 GMT -5
The latest news we got is it is, in fact, airing on Cartoon Network October 5th at 7:00. It may also repeat on Boomerang.
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Post by jcb on Sept 17, 2015 23:37:28 GMT -5
Yeah, that's an old design model created before Zac and I came on board. Ignore it.
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Post by jcb on Sept 17, 2015 23:36:17 GMT -5
Well, you're out of luck! JCB confirmed a second season a while back. Wabbit will probably have another season as well. Wow, without knowing the ratings and reviews it will get? That's like what happened with those new fantastic four films, now look what happened. Well, I wish these guy's luck. So far the older fandom, the ones who watched the classic episodes have hated the animation. Question: Why did you guy's choose this type of animation? You watches the older episodes, what did you think about them and other versions? How do you compare your show with the others? Wait, the first episode is out already in other places? I'm curious yet. How would you rate the characters in this series guy's? October premier date makes sense, Halloween has always been it's time of the year for Scooby on cartoon network. I've talked about this before, but here's the deal: we chose this particular style because it allows us the most creative freedom to do any kind of storytelling and scenes we want to do. If they appeared more realistic, some of the sillier, more slapstick, absurd humor would come off as awkward, while at the same time, just like the Simpons, you CAN do very real, poignant, heartfelt scenes and beats as well. It offers us the largest palette for character and storytelling, I just saw some animatics for some newer episodes and they work SO well are REALLY funny, but totally heartfelt. The gang has never bee so real, so human - best friends who actually act like best friends. They get annoyed with other and tease each other, but you know they have each other's back and love each other. Again, this a completely CHARACTER DRIVEN series. A fun sit-com where the chargers solve mysteries. Its ABOUT the chargers and not about the mysteries - that's just the background and what they're doing under which the character stories are playing out. When it's really working, it's amazing. Yeah, it's different, but so was every single Scooby series compared to the others. The look my be strange right now, but it totally make sense once you see what we are now able to do with these characters. When I watch the older animation styles. I see restriction. I'm a comedy writer, so I want to be able to explore all kinds, tones and styles of comedy. This look allows us to do that incredibly well. We're still finding the best way to make the episodes. There's so much to service in these stories, but so many of them really work and all of them have new, classic scenes and character moneys that are as good and funny and intense as anything I've ever seen on an animated show. Sophisticated and silly/smart stuff made for all ages to enjoy. I think (hope) people will just "get" why the look had changed as soon as they absorb a couple of episodes. It'll just make sense.
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Post by jcb on Aug 3, 2015 16:51:34 GMT -5
I didn't like Fred of the original series for being too bossy and forcing Shaggy and Scooby to bait, this one sounds like the original Fred. Not sure how I feel about that. Now I have a question, while I am not too fond by the lack of Scooby dialog but how much screen time does Shaggy get again? Just curious, thanks. I totally understand your feelings about Fred, but, keep in mind, we never really understood WHO Fred was. Why Fred did what he did. What about him makes the other follow his leadership, even if they go out of their comfort zone. We're exploring these characters in a way never done before. Our Fred is a fully dimensional human who has faults and we will learn who he is as we go along and hopefully understand and forgive him his faults, like all great characters. The other question is why do Shaggy and Scooby follow along? They can just say no. Why don't they? There is a complex dynamic happening between these five characters, best friends, out there doing good, each for their own reasons. I'll be curious to see how you feel as it develops.
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Post by jcb on Jul 14, 2015 21:52:00 GMT -5
Oh, about the article - a correction: I think they misunderstood Zac about how much Scooby speaks. We try to hold Scooby to 4 or 5 words per SENTENCE, not PER EPISODE. Basically, we try never to have Scooby say more than 4 words (5 only if 4 is IMPOSSIBLE) and then another character has to speak or something else has to happen before he can say ANOTHER 4 words. Thanks for that approach, by the way. I know many would say that Scooby's the star, and he should have more lines. I always look back at the effort made in the original series, where Scooby's language skills were limited. His verbal communication would come as quick, often unintelligible utterances, forcing the character to be more physically expressive. While a fan of 'Mystery Incorporated', Scooby's expanded vocabulary just seemed wrong. There were a few times in the second season that he'd go into these long-winded (and usually very serious) monologues that seemed incredibly out of character. Sure, he's a talking dog, but just a few words at a time is enough to set him apart of his canine peers. I totally agree (obviously, since I chose to do it this way). I also felt Scooby talking in long paragraphs felt off-character in MI. While it's certainly a challenge to hold him to 4 words, I (we've) found that it gets easier and easier to find a 4 word combination which allows him to express himself in any situation and convey any emotion. Sometimes I make him very erudite and cerebral in 4 words and, along with Frank's timeless "Scooby voice," it's hilarious to hear it coming back through the studio speakers. The funny thing about people thinking he's the "star of the show" is that he never was supposed to be in the original. The guy in charge decided after the fact to name the show after the dog. The show is about a group of teenagers who solve mysteries with a talking dog. It's like saying "Big Bang Theory" is about Sheldon. It's not, but he's the big breakout character. Honestly, in the original SDWAY, Shaggy and Scooby didn't have too much competition for popularity in terms of the other characters' personalities. In "Be Cool" I have a feeling everyone will have a different favorite character.
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Post by jcb on Jul 13, 2015 10:54:06 GMT -5
Oh, about the article - a correction: I think they misunderstood Zac about how much Scooby speaks. We try to hold Scooby to 4 or 5 words per SENTENCE, not PER EPISODE. Basically, we try never to have Scooby say more than 4 words (5 only if 4 is IMPOSSIBLE) and then another character has to speak or something else has to happen before he can say ANOTHER 4 words.
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Post by jcb on Jul 13, 2015 2:58:31 GMT -5
Looking forward to the new series! I've seen Kate as Emily from "The Big Bang Theory," and I'm interested to hear her Velma voice! Thank you, jcb, for giving us all these updates and for being on the forum! My pleasure, Doo. Thanks for "Adminning".
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Post by jcb on Jul 13, 2015 2:55:41 GMT -5
Sooo, I've first seen Kate like almost a year before 10th March 2014 (date that I will remember like forever since they announced Be Cool) in 'Scrubs'. I had a weird feeling about her, like trust me, I've never ever seen that show, I've just randomly watched that only episode which had featured Kate playing weird funny songs with the guitar and she was sooo funny I had to know what was her name in the end credits. So happy for her! I wanted to say hi to jcb and thank you for what you're doing. I actually have some really stupid fan request so I'm obviously not getting offended if you'd call me 'demented', 'retarded' or whatever (I actually want you to just do it, I'm so dumb): - So, my only idols in my life are Scooby-Doo and Tove Lo (you know that 'Talking Body' singer or 'You're gone and I gotta stay high blablabla') and I would like just kill myself if I'd see them together! Is there any chance to let her sing something in Be Cool Season 2? (God kill me I'm so stupid!) - One of my favorite Scooby thing has always been 'The Scooby-Doo Project' and it is something I would never get tired of rewatching. Basically it's a 'The Blair Witch Project' parody and it's shot like in first person. I've always dreamed of another thing like that like a 'Paranormal Activity' you know, shot in first person, maybe with Fred's new camera or Velma's phone. It would be sooooooo darn cool! is there any chance you could write something like that for season 2? I'M DONE KNOW YOU CAN REPORT ME! After 'Be Cool' announcement I befriended Hillary Harmon Powell on Twitter and we write to each other pretty often! She is just so nice and I'm planning to meet her someday. So one last thing for everybody. Zac Moncrief posted an article on Twitter of Be Cool from the SDCC Magazine but it wasn't really readable so if you want to read it, I'm copying it on Be Cool's Italian Wikipedia page (yeah, I'm Italian) tomorrow from an Higher quality pic. (Since I have no idea how to post that pic on this blog!). I love that article and how it described Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Fred is just like over the top. Believe me, I've been freaking out reading it and had goosebumps (or it was probably my sleepiness since here is 2.30am). Really can't wait for the premiere!!! Haha. Hi scoobylover, great post. I'm always thrilled to hear people be so excited about Scooby and the show (and Kate, of course) and the last thing I'm gonna do is judge (or report!) anyone for their inner geek fandom about ANYTHING. You don't become a creative person without being a HUGE fan of the things that inspired you to create in the first place. Embrace your demented self. That's what makes you unique. Unfortunately, while I am contributing songs to the series, I'm not the person really in control of the music side of things. I'm not exactly sure how that conversation would go, but I have a feeling it would NOT go like this - Me: "Yeah, uh, an Italian fan of Scooby named "scoobylover" requests we get Tove Lo to sing one of the romp songs because they, you know, like her a lot." Warner Exec: "Scoobylover? You mean, the Twitter friend of Hillary Harmon Powell? Are you kidding me? Tove Lo will sing EVERY song for the duration of the series!" That said, I will certainly float the idea to Zac. It will probably depend on HIS feelings about Tove Lo (I don't know anything about her, personally). HE can have that conversation with the Warners exec. As for doing a "Paranormal Activity" parody, I'm not very big on direct, specific parody. When I do any parody at all, I try to aim more general and at "genres" (tossing in specific references occasionally, if it seems tasteful) because I prefer the timeless to the possibly dated work you can end up with when focusing too narrowly on one movie today's pop culture may know, but would be too distant a reference 20 years from now. Those "Scary Movie," "Epic Movie," blah blah parody movies are dated 2 years after they're released. I mean, the jokes literally don't make sense any more if you don't remember or weren't around during Brittany Spears shaving her head, or whatever. Also, a "Paranormal Activity" parody, specifically, seems pretty difficult for our show to pull off since that movie series is defined by its style - that single, static camera shot and long and tense, fuse-burning sequences, which is sort of the opposite of the style which defines our show. I don't mind the idea of doing a SCENE with a nod to "Paranormal," so, again, I'll keep it in mind and if it ever feels contextually appropriate, maybe I'll play around with it. Thanks for your enthusiasm and interest. I hope you'll love the show as much as we do. xo JCB
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Post by jcb on Jul 9, 2015 22:30:08 GMT -5
I gotta be brutally honest, I've never heard Kate Miccuci's voice. But if JCB says she's a fitting Velma, I can only trust his opinion. I got used to Stephanie D'Arbuzzo (Velma's voice actor and puppetter in "The Mystery Map") in just the 45 minutes of the movie, I'm sure I'll get used to a new Velma voice over the first 2 episodes. I'm glad though Mindy Cohn won't be leaving the franchise. She's one of the best Velmas around. Can't wait to see the new show! Thank you for all the info, JCB, and hope you stick around with us till the show hits its second season! Thanks! Yeah, well, that's the point about Kate. She's PERFECT for our, new Velma. From the beginning, I began writing with Kate in mind and she's fused with character to create a totally original take on Velma that is still absolutely Velma to the core.
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