Dezaras Prime's Transformers: The Soap Blog

(Note: I have permission to post this here.

Hi, Dez here.
So I'm in the midst of shooting a new video, and I had the idea for a blog. Something that explained my series and ideas a little more. What made me do this series? What goes into an episode? Stuff like that.

For those who don't know I have a channel on YouTube, where I show my episodes of Transformers: The Soap. It started as a parody series, but I'm not so sure it can be branded as that now. But I'll get to that in a later entry. There's also a second series-Doctor Who: The Magnus Years but, again, that comes in a later entry.

For now, though, I want to focus on the origins of the series. The hows and whys. To do that I'm gonna take you back to 2007. Not literally, because I can't travel through time.

I actually became hooked on the 'formers in 2007, after seeing the live action movie. It made me wanna go out and buy toys. So I thought "fuck it" and did. Over the weeks my collection grew. I even took them to work sometimes. Yes when I wasn't serving a beer I was playing with a 'former. It was at work where my first video was made. Alas it is now lost, but I guess I could reshoot it.

It was a PSA (Public Service Announcement) done in the style of the G1 PSAs. It featured Ratchet and Blackout. Now I twisted this a little, making Ratchet the bad guy, so to speak.
In the PSA Ratchet is drink driving, when he runs over Puss In Boots (from Shrek. Don't ask.) Ratchet is then admonished, for his reckless act, by Blackout.

Blackout: "Ratchet you fool! I'm an evil Decepticon, and even I don't drink and drive!"

Ratchet: "So...Drinking and driving's wrong?"

Blackout: "Uh...yeah! You just killed a fucking cat!"

Ratchet: "Well now I know!"

Blackout: "And knowing is half the battle!"

With Puss dead, Ratchet quietly leaves, as does Blackout.

"I'd better go too. I'm an evil Decepticon...I might get in trouble..."

It was after this that I decided I wanted to do more. At the time my cast/collection was around 20-30. How times change. More on that later.

My first idea was a mock news show, featuring Optimus Prime and Megatron as the news readers. Grimlock would be the "weathermech". I didn't use this idea, though the Grimlock weathermech idea was used in the Season 3 premiere.

So my idea was to do a soap opera type series. Kinda like Transformers meets Neighbours meets Family Guy. I had two ideas for the title, one being the title I used. The other was Cybernation Street, a play on our British soap: Coronation Street. I decided against this, but used the name as the street where Optimus lives.
The premise was (and still is) that the wars had ended and everyone lived in peace. One of the reasons for this was because I lacked experience, in film making, and wanted to avoid complicated scenes, such as fight scenes.

Next came the idea process. Unfortunately I didn't have a computer at the time so all notes were hand written. In fact the pilot script was hand written, no mean feat, considering it was a 20 something minute script.
The first season consisted of nine stories, and I thought that would be it. At the time I'd ruled out YouTube, because it was just gonna be for friends, yet I eventually yielded. Later...

I filmed another video, which is also lost, entitled "All That Jazz". This wasn't the ATJ episode that's currently on YouTube, but it was similar. Bumblebee was still the guest, but Jazz had a different voice. It was more akin to Michael Jackson (Bo Selecta style) than the version I use now. Also the episode was completely improvised, with no editing. With the 2009 YouTube episode I pre-selected the song clips, which would be used. In the 2007 version I didn't. I used whatever was on the radio, and worked with it. Cue some awkward shit about Bee and Sam going to the opera...
I was out shopping, when my ex girlfriend spotted some WWE Micro Aggression playsets. These would be used in season 2. My 'former cast/collection was also still increasing.

There were some setbacks along the way, some great, others not so great. My then girlfriend became pregnant. I now have a four year old son. That's great. He's my world and worth delaying the series over.
Another setback was eviction. The landlord was a dick, but I was to blame also. I'm not going into that but, suffice it to say, the series was shelved, while my toys were in storage and we looked for a place to live.

We soon found a place to live and I continued planning. In 2008 my ideas expanded; my plan was to run four seasons and end it there. Yeah right! Another time. It was in '08 that I started collecting Star Wars Transformers and I had the idea to use them sparingly in season 3, before using them more in season 4. Seeing as I'm not at season 4 yet I won't divulge much more. My son was born in June and I took up wrestling training in July. The wrestling never took off, though I'm still a fan.

Aside from the cast increase 2008 was a quiet year, in terms of preparation. I attempted a couple of set designs and made another video (again lost.) This featured the Death Star Darth Vader Transformer in a John West Salmon ad. It was also in 2008 when I had the ideas for a Christmas Special and a "movie". I say movie but it'll just be an extra long episode. This took me to 35 episodes, 1 Christmas Special and a "Movie". On December 6th, 2008 I signed up to YouTube and, over the months, I got to know some great people.

2009 was where it all started to take shape...and go a little tits up. As I mentioned I got to know some cool people on YouTube. They were reviewers and, while I prepared my series I reviewed some toys, as a way to familiarise myself with YouTube and its members, as well as make myself more familiar to them.
Aside from the reviews I made some other videos. Among these were the short lived "Transformers: The Missing Interviews" where the actual robots, from the movie, were interviewed. I also did some mock TV ads and skits, featuring Mini-Cons, Wolverine and Hulk (Marvel Crossovers.)
One thing I wanted to do was my own sets. I wasn't gonna be happy just having my toys in a "giant kitchen". So I set to work, finding stuff I could use. The sky/space backdrop was painted onto two big sheets of cardboard, which was an HDTV box. The polystyrene inserts proved useful as well. I painted them silver and use them as building bases. Or something. It's scenery at least. Autobot House is a Barbie house. I looked at it and thought "why not?" After all this isn't supposed to be taken too seriously. The Barbie house doubles as Decepticon House, albeit with the furniture rearranged and a conservatory. It's explained, in series. Other smaller houses were used for the Mini-Con district (Mini-Iacon.)

So everything was set, except for one minor detail: When I first joined YouTube I could only upload 10 minute videos. This presented a problem, as the pilot was over 20 minutes long. However it didn't take me long to figure out the Prologue could work as its own episode, so I split the script.

So scripts were completed, sets were designed, the cast was in place and, on April 26th, 2009, Transformers: The Soap launched...

(In my next entry I'll elaborate more on the making of Season 1, as well as what happened between seasons 1 and 2. I hope you've enjoyed reading this, because I've enjoyed writing it.)

Sooo...Entry hashtag two...

So we're past the pre-planning, and stalling, and now Transformers: The Soap is actually a thing. Yay.
(At present time I'm in the midst of shooting the season 3 finale. Everybody has their lines done. Except me. But I'm taking a break from building props. I'll get it done.)

So TF:TS launched on April 26th, 2009, with a subscriber only prologue episode, called...um..."Prologue". Originally the Prologue was to be the first part of episode 1, but time constraints meant I had to split it. Even then I had to delete some scenes, involving Mini-Cons and Unicron. Prologue was kept private, for a long time, as it was a bonus/thanks you feature for my subscribers. However, as my subs grew, I had more subs, than I could send a private video to. So I uploaded Prologue again, for the new subs.
Both videos are now public. I didn't remove the second one, because it had a few views. 236 actually. The original Prologue has 57.

So Prologue basically lays the foundations, for what's to come, which is why I still filmed it. Each Season 1 episode had a video log, to accompany it, but I'll give a few notes here, in episodic order.

(0) Prologue

This episode used footage from More Than Meets The Eye at the beginning. I no longer use actual TF episode footage, but I felt it was necessary at the time. One of the things I wanted to do was make fun of Megatron constantly claiming he'd conquer the universe. Hence Optimus Prime asking how many times he'd said it previously. I also turned the tables later. This was just a few fights that would culminate in the truce at the end. It's one of my favourites, not just because it was the alpha, and it's something I've considered reshooting. I'll explain later. I voiced everyone.

(1) The Guy Who Flies Planes (Pilot)

Aired on May 7th, 2009. It's an episode where my favourite lines kind of slipped under the radar, in favour of dialogue that I didn't think was as funny. Peace still reigns, except for Starscream. Starscream, Blackout and Arcee are the focal characters of this season, though Starscream's story rarely clashes with the Blackout/Arcee story. I voiced everyone.

(2) More Than Eats The Pie

Aired on May, 21st, in two parts. Because time limits. This episode is only around 12 minutes long, and wouldn't have been split, were it a year later. It's a one off kind of deal, though there is a slight recurring theme of Prowl getting upset, everytime something bad happens to Barricade. The idea, for an obese Barricade, came from a near 6 month search for the deluxe 2007 movie toy. Whilst looking I was able to acquire the legends class figure, and was bought the Fast Action Battler Barricade toy. I eventually got the deluxe Baz, actually after I'd got the Recon Baz repaint.
So having the FAB Baz gave me the idea to have Baz put on weight, then lost it, in Rocky style. I voiced everyone.

(3) Ratchet And Wank

Aired on June 6th, 2009. Originally titled "More Than Beats The Japs Eye". Wank is a British slang term for masturbate, if you're unaware. This dealt with Blackout's chronic masturbation problem. I don't think it's actually called "Wankus Alottus" though... I voiced everyone.

(4) Starscreamer

Aired on June 18th, 2009. This one was risky, as it dealt with homosexuality, and the fears of homophobia. One of my tasks was to present these in a comedic light, whilst not being seen to be homophobic myself (which I'm not.)
As it happens the gamble paid off. The episode was well received, even my gay friends enjoyed it, and liked the prospect of a gay Transformer. Starscream and Thundercracker have become two of the series' more popular characters. Guess I'd better include them more in future. I voiced everyone.

(5) Ultra Magners

Aired July 3rd, 2009, in two parts, because time. This one's a mixed one for me. While I enjoyed doing the episode, in 2009, I am less fond of it now. On one hand it paved the way for my Doctor Who series, but on the other hand it deals with alcoholism-something which claimed the life of my mother, nearly two years later. Magners is a brand of cider, over here. Probably elsewhere too. At the time this was the longest episode, at nearly 17 minutes. I voiced everyone, except Sideswipe, who was voiced by Bradley's grandfather.

(6) All That Jazz

Aired July 17th, 2009. Unlike the "prototype" ATJ episode I did in 2007, this one was scripted, with pre-determined songs/responses, for Bumblebee. Due to budget I had to use the couches, from Autobot/Decepticon House, as the couches for the talk show. So I decided to write it in, as Jazz "borrowing" Prime's furniture. This is the shortest TF:TS episode. I voiced everyone. Well except for Bee's musical responses.

(7) Primal Instinct

Aired on July 31st, 2009. Split for time. Original title was "Beast Wars: The Soap". I actually wish I'd kept that title now. Had the idea when I bought 8 BW toys, for £2 each. I used Apache, instead of B'Boom, because I preferred it, especially in Leo Prime's presence. BW II nod there. Blackout and Starscream's stories continue also. I voiced everyone.

(8) Blackout Loves Arcee?

Aired on August 14th, 2009. The idea was actually Bradley's mother's. She'd suggested Arcee's promiscuity, because she didn't like female TFs, and also suggested getting pregnant by Blackout. However, being the twisted fella that I am, decided to switch it, based on Blackout's housing of the Scorponok figure. Coz I'm weird like. So the revelation, at the end, is that Blackout is pregnant with Arcee's child...Yeah... I voiced everyone.

(9) Sex, Lies And Transormer-Tapes

Aired on 24th August, 2009. In two parts. Time. Season finale.
Starscream comes out to Megatron, who isn't really bothered, Blackout gives birth to a scorpion, and Ultra Magnus returns, only to leave with the Doctor.
I took a different direction with this episode, as feedback from Jon Bailey suggested I should take a different route, audio wise. He claimed (rightly) that live audio wasn't the best direction, as the pause clicks detracted from the product. This episode was my first attempt at an audio overlay, where I'd film the episode, but dub a seperate audio track over it, afterwards. It's a method I use today, but the first attempt wasn't so successful, because it was too quiet. It was another new thing, that I wasn't used to and, looking back, I realise I should've experimented first. It would work better later. I voiced everyone, except Ultra Magnus, who was voiced by Jon Bailey.

Here is a quick view count (as of today) with likes/dislikes.

Prologue 1. Views: 57. Likes: 12. Dislikes: 0

Prologue 2. Views: 236. Likes 2. Dislikes: 0

The Guy Who Flies Planes. Views: 1500. Likes: 16. Dislikes: 1

More Than Eats The Pie. Views (P1): 559, (P2): 425. Likes: 6 (each, for parts 1 and 2). Dislikes: 0 (on either part.)

Ratchet And Wank. Views: 646. Likes: 11. Dislikes: 0

Starscreamer. Views: 716. Likes: 11. Dislikes: 0

Ultra Magners. Views (P1): 473, (P2): 434. Likes (P1): 7, (P2): 5. Dislikes: 0 (on either part.)

All That Jazz. Views: 467. Likes: 11. Dislikes: 0

Primal Instinct. Views (P1): 504, (P2): 488. Likes: 4 (each on both parts.) Dislikes: 1 (on part 2.)

Blackout Loves Arcee? Views: 1372. Likes: 7. Dislikes: 0

Sex, Lies And Transformer-Tapes. Views (P1): 3851, (P2): 2433. Likes: 3 (each on both parts.) Dislikes: 1 (on part 1)

So, with statistics and stuff out of the way, I'd like to talk about what went into making these episodes. I've talked about pre-planning and set design, so I'll skip by that. Sometimes, however, I'll need extra props.

Step one is a script.Keep in mind I had to adhere to time constraints, when I started. Not anymore, but sometimes I wonder if that's a bad thing...
The scripts are basic, as I know what I'll be doing, when I shoot the episodes. No elaborate camera descriptions here.

Once I'm satisfied with the script I set the stage (literally) and film the episode. This can be the longest process, as it involves positioning toys. Sometimes toys that won't stand. When I have the correct positioning I record. Back in season 1 I recorded the audio live, as well. I used a camera phone, so video quality was rather bad.

(As I mentioned above, I now record a separate audio track, which I overlay in post production.)

Once filming has wrapped I edit the video, trimming out the excess and piecing the footage together. Sometimes this can take multiple efforts, as I may need to overlay extra audio (music, SFX etc.) This means publishing a first cut, then importing said first cut, into Movie Maker, and adding the extra audio. If I need SFX AND extra audio that means making (and importing) a second cut. Sometimes the uploaded video with be a third cut. I didn't use green screen in this season, so I'll go into that later.

Once everything's done I upload to YouTube. Job done.

I also shot a couple of mock commercials, used in the episodes I had to split. They were fun.

Regarding the reshoot comment I made earlier: Some of my best writing was in the season 1 episodes, but production values were low. I was learning, new to this whole format. Ever since I began improving I've had the idea of "revisiting" this season. Reshoot everything, record fresh audio tracks and generally tidy it all up. I'm not sure when, or even if I'll do this, but it might be a fun little thing to do. Of course that would mean revisiting Ultra Magners...

So Season 1 was done. My product was finally out there! All was good. In Soapland at least. Real life? Not so much...

(In the next entry I'll talk more about the problems that occurred, between Season 1 and Season 2.)

...I don't know how I missed the original post in this thread, but I did. I learned a lot about you in the process, 'bro! Thoroughly enjoyable read. I find it hilarious that Puss 'N Boots was too slow to get out of the way of someone as slow as Ratchet running him over. Even more hilarious that Ratchet, being the medic that he is, would just drive off. Also the part about the Autobots and Decepticons sharing a Barbie house was just too funny, reminded me of "Real World" meets "Jersey Shore", ala Transformers style!

I gotta divert some time from my schedule to check out your episodes you've uploaded. Even though I've subscribed to your Youtube channel, I have to be honest and say I haven't set any time aside to sit down and enjoy them yet, but I plan too. It's definitely high up there on my "to do" checklist, especially reading this thread and seeing where you went and what you had to go through to get this far.

Thanks bro. Season 1's well scripted, IMO, but it's presentation is primitive. Maybe I'll revisit it, once the series ends.

Ok so we've covered the origins, the problems, and the overcoming of said problems. Then we covered Season 1. Now, in entry number 3, I talk about Season 2 and the problems between the seasons.

There was relief, at the end of Season 1, along with a vigour. I had accomplished my task of bringing my project to the screen, and was raring to go on Season 2, announcing a January 2010 release.

However, personally, things weren't so great. My relationship, with my (then) girlfriend, was falling apart, eventually leading to us splitting up. What made this worse was the fact that we have a son together. I didn't take not living with my son very well.

I'm not going into details, too much. It'd be easy to say "I could've done this better", or "She should've done this", but what would that accomplish? Absolutely nothing. Besides it's personal, and better left that way.

I realise that now, but at the time it was a different story. I was bitter, twisted, consumed with anger. I moved out, maintaining constant access to my son, and a civilised relationship with his mother. On the surface I was fine but, underneath I was broken. I don't mind talking about my issues, but I'll leave everyone else out of it. I met a couple of other girls (individually), but neither were right for me. Didn't help matters. The following few months were rough, involving alcohol, drugs and sharp instruments. Not around my boy though. I wasn't that stupid. The Soap was still on my mind, but being pushed further back. Which presented a problem, as Christmas was coming and I had a special planned...

So here I was, in a new home, trying to figure out how to film this extra long episode. It was tough. I was over schedule and under motivated. Still I was hoping for an early January release, however I fell ill in early January. I had tiny blisters on my tonsils, that not only affected my voice (an important element) but it also sapped my strength, to degrees where I could only stay awake for 20 minutes a day.
Eventually I dragged my ass to the doctor, got some penicillin, went back to bed and (literally) sweated the illness out. Five hours later I felt fine, after 6 days of being ill.

So I'm feeling better but this damn Christmas Special still isn't ready. For the next couple of months I struggled on, both personally and "professionally" (best word I could think of). Still, I finally got it done, airing part 1 on February 26th, 2010. Part 2 aired on March 5th, but Part 3 wouldn't air until March 26th. Part 4 didn't air until May 5th. Rather late for a "Christmas Special", but I didn't have regular internet so...

The episode was called "Transformers: Actually" and followed the formula of Love Actually, dividing the story into several seperate mini stories. They were:

Optimus Prime's quest to find out why Santa Claus isn't in the bible. He recruits Ironhide to help him. They get fitted with "Pretender" disguises (something I rarely used since) and go to the north pole, where they meet Batman.

Megatron being afflicted with an illness: DK (David Kaye) Syndrome, which alters his voice drastically. I used a Beast Wars Megatron type voice for this. His voice returns, at an inconvenient time.

Grimlock attempting to win the role of Baby Jesus, in the nativity.

Blackout's struggle to find a suitable Christmas present for his scorpion son.

Starscream and Thundercracker wanting to win the Iacon Christmas Decoration Award. Also they want to adopt a Mini-Con.

The episode is Unicron's first TF:TS appearance, though he was scripted for a scene in the prologue. It was cut, for time, but I'll re-add the scene, should I revisit it.
With this story I managed to get the audio balance right, though the video was still grainy and unclear. Perhaps I should revisit this too...Still it was a step in the right direction, I guess.

Here is the view/like/dislike count for the four parts (as of April 5th, 2013)

Part 1. Views: 324. Likes: 4. Dislikes: 0

Part 2. Views: 123. Likes: 0. Dislikes: 0

Part 3. Views: 152. Likes: 1. Dislikes: 0

Part 4. Views: 114. Likes: 1. Dislikes: 0

So not too shabby I suppose. I'm just glad I got it out there. Despite making it I was still having personal troubles. However I'd soon find myself overcoming these, as you'll learn when I make my next entry.

I take it, a most of the bottled up issues are now off your chest with that post?

I came to terms, with the aforementioned events, a long time ago. The purposes of mentioning them was an attempt to explain the the problems I face, on my project, aren't always related to the project.

It wasn't a "wah wah bitch moan" post, it was merely an honest account of the troubles that affected the project.

In other words, you just wanted to have a good old fashion Rant to clear your chest and help you to think on what you want to do!

No. This is a chronological account of events that transpired, during the making of my series. I only started the blog recently, so some events are nearly six years old or, in the above case three years old. They've long since past, I only mentioned them because they're part of the history. No ranting, no getting stuff off my chest (I have inhalers for that), just a sequence of events that shaped, not only my life, but the life of my series.

Christmas is year 'round for me. No, not the gifts, but the spirit of giving and the true meaning behind it all. So it wouldn't matter when they came out, 'bro, I'd still enjoy them! As far as what you've went through...thanks for sharing that. I've been a drug addict (off and on) for over 20 years and while I'm clean now (12+ months), I still deal with bullshit in my life that makes me want to go back to using again. Still going to drink a few every now and then, though regardless. Lol.

I suck at responding to threads and I don't want you to take that as me not being interested. I just tend to miss shit a lot and that's one of the reasons why I haven't been as active in Vortex of Variety. I can spend literally all day having a Post Whore festival when me and someone else is online at the same time replying to one another in there.

Six, the best way to stop is to, well close your bowser window and go and do something else, like watch a youtube video for example!

Dez whatever issues you have cross your path in life, just remember you got friends here that will listen and not judge.
Same for you Six... I hope you don't fall back. But if you do... you got friends here to help you get back on your feet. You're doing a great job and keep up the good work.

When I say, drug addict, I don't want that to be misconstrued as me being on heroin (never done it) or a crackhead (done that maybe once or twice, didn't like it). My problem was with weed. Love smoking it. Can't lie. I have had my binges with meth but can usually will myself to stop doing that after I've had a weeks worth of sleep. So far I'm doing pretty good though with not getting high on the reefer....

weed should be legal anyways. That shit helped my mother with her cancer for many many years.

Galvatron wrote:weed should be legal anyways. That shit helped my mother with her cancer for many many years.

I don't smoke it much but I'm aware of the medicinal value and agree that it should be legal.

I'll have another entry up soon. Not saying "don't talk weed" but you might be interrupted

Dezaras Prime wrote:I'll have another entry up soon. Not saying "don't talk weed" but you might be interrupted

for derailing the thread, 'bro. Can't wait to see the next entry!

i seen the one posted on facebook. Friggin funny shit

Sixshot wrote:

Dezaras Prime wrote:I'll have another entry up soon. Not saying "don't talk weed" but you might be interrupted

for derailing the thread, 'bro. Can't wait to see the next entry!

No need to apologise bro, just be aware that I'll rerail(?) it from time to time

RERAIL!!