"Rat Trap"

by **Aegis** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 12:29 pm

Sorry, I can't help it - Rat Trap is one of my favourite episodes and I'm dying to know what you all think of it

by **shaqui** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 12:36 pm

It's an intriguing episode, and far beyond the scope of the original series. In CGI terms it was outstanding. I like the characterisation, and the facts the Mysterons are still something of a background in this. I always felt the original series missed out by not returning to Mars (even though 'TV21' did it a number of times).

But Kim felt it fell down in terms of the whole Spectrum team going down to Mars. Even as far back as the Apollo missions (in real terms) and Zero X (in Anderson terms) there would always have been a crew member in orbit...

And whilst it was pretty to look at, I'm not sure Mars has any live volcanic activity. I'm a pedant, I know...

But still loving the series, despite the quibbles. Definitely the best thing to come out of the Anderson stable since 'Space:1999' in my book.

by **shaqui** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 12:38 pm

On the subject of 'TV21' Aegis, are any of the crew fans of the comic, or the annuals? I was wondering if they ever looked back to them for inspiration or homage?

by **Clya Brown** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 12:39 pm

Oh yes - I liked that one. For the first time I felt the new Scarlet is actually becoming defined as a character in his own right, as opposed to being just one more comic-book super-hero. The script was first-rate, and the action sequences superb. As promised, the CGI appears to be going from strength to strength, even down to little things like Destiny's walk being unmistakably female, despite her being fully clad in a space suit. It was just a tiny thing, but that really impressed me. If the animation team can recreate a level of detail like that successfully, there isn't going to be much they can't do, and if I was wearing a hat right now, I'd take it off to them.

How did everybody else feel about it?

by **ROBE** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:01 pm

Yes I loved it and so did Holly on MOM (who is the other reason for watching MOM). The story is as good as any live action Science Fiction show like Stargate. Spectrum personnel in cool looking space suits and big guns magic!

by **shaqui** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:04 pm

ROBE wrote:Yes I loved it and so did Holly on MOM (who is the other reason for watching MOM). The story is as good as any live action Science Fiction show like Stargate. Spectrum personnel in cool looking space suits and big guns magic!

Yeh it was a bit 'Terminator' in parts but the RAT itself was the highlight. Nice to get away from a wholly human form and have something like that. Loved the way it kind of flipped over and righted itself.

Who would have designed that, Aegis?

by **Aegis** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:10 pm

Hi Shaqui!

The RAT was designed by our uber-talented Director/Concept Art Director, Dominic Lavery as were many of the great vehicles in the show including the Bison, Rhino and Falcon.

Whilst I'm on the subject, great though the RAT design is, it's the animation which brings it alive and I have to say the animators did an amazing job with it - all the RAT's animation was keyframed and I think the results are stunning - hats off to them (and the rest of Scarlet Team) for a great episode

by **shaqui** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:12 pm

Aegis wrote:Hi Shaqui!

The RAT was designed by our uber-talented Director/Concept Art Director, Dominic Lavery as were many of the great vehicles in the show including the Bison, Rhino and Falcon

In that case, tell him job well done!

Well done all of you in fact!

How far into production are you now, BTW?

by **shaqui** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:15 pm

Actually, just wondered again - if Dominic Lavery designs it, does he also determine how it might move as well? The RAT sometimes moved in wholly unexpected ways...

by **Aegis** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:16 pm

Nearing the end now... I believe we're finishing up around mid-July :cry:

by **Aegis** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:22 pm

The movement comes about as a collaboration between the Director, the CGI Director (Team Leader) and the animators - often, a Director may have a precise idea of what he or she wants and then again, sometimes the animators have the freedom to experiment a little. During the making of Rat Trap the animators had quite a few ideas on how to use the Rat's design to create some interesting movement and I think the results speak for themselves

by **shaqui** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:30 pm

Aegis wrote:Nearing the end now... I believe we're finishing up around mid-July

Really? Any signs that production will continue into a second series? Or onto something new?

I'd like to think the creative team will continue, as it seems to be working well.

by **shaqui** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:32 pm

Quickie from Kim - you mentioned 'Rat Trap' is one of your favourites Aegis, but not why?

by **ROBE** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 2:01 pm

Nice to see that the series has kept its "adult" stories from the original 60s show. Any other cartoon series would have had the Spectrum rescue team arrive in time to save the base's crew, but not this show. :cry:

by **Kambei** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 2:28 pm

Absolutely loved the episode. The design of the RAT was fabulous. Reminded me of some of the better Japanese manga I've read. Aegis, is anyone there a fan of Masanume Shirow, by any chance? The RAT's articulation was superb. Hopefully we will see a toy of this.