I've just been sat watching the new thomas and friends that is 100% CGI and no live filming of models at all, does anyone know what happened to the original filming models and the scenic sets?
sad to see that the models they film have been swept aside by new technology, its not how i remember it from my childhood,,,,
Hi all :wave:
From reading an article in the latest Steam Railway Magazine the Thomas "bubble" seems to have burst :o
Several Preserved lines have Cancelled their "Thomas the Tank" events this year following a downturn in attendances last year
i haven't seen any of the latest Thomas programs but it is sad they have gone down the CGI route :thumbsdown:
dave :thumbsup:
I just had a thought of what happened ti the actual physical models did they end up owned by the model creators or boxed up and warehoused by the tv production company, would like to think someone is still enjoying them somewhere,,,
And voiced by Ringo Star! Those were the days :claphappy:
Most childrens stuff is CGI these days because it is easier and cheaper. Is it better? I recently introduced by boys to Thunderbirds and they are hooked. I think it says something when a show nearly 60 years old can still hold its own so well in terms of entertainment value against the latest pixellated wonders.
I don't mind CGI shows that have been created as such but moving an established show like Thomas over to it loses some of the charm. Mind you, that has been going on for a while anyway as they filmed all the original Thomas stories years ago and have been creating their own dubious tales ever since. :thumbsdown:
It was sad to see Thomas go down the route of economic rationalism... but I guess its the bottom line that HIT Entertainment was more concerned about.
Interestingly enough, my 2 girls (2yo and 4yo) seem more captivated by the CGI versions.
I sometimes force the girls to watch put older Thomas on TV - the modelling skills of its creators are just amazing.
Some of us can remember the original books from more than 60 years ago. :)
Allan
Quote from: Bikeracer on January 09, 2013, 10:12:44 PM
Some of us can remember the original books from more than 60 years ago. :)
Allan
Books - Now there's a novel idea !
:hmmm: - Is it called a Kindle coz it's good for starting fires !
Sorry I'll get me coat
Quote from: trainsdownunder on January 09, 2013, 11:56:53 PM
Books - Now there's a novel idea !
:hmmm: - Is it called a Kindle coz it's good for starting fires !
Sorry I'll get me coat
Throwing it on a fire is about the best thing to do with the new Kindle Fire.
Allan
Quote from: Fratton on January 09, 2013, 11:26:06 AM
What happened to thomas the tank engine
They completely and utterly ruined it, that's what :veryangry:
If anyone gets the bright idea to make CGI versions of the Peter Firmin/Oliver Postgate creations there WILL be fatalities I'm afraid! :telloff:
paul
Quote from: Sprintex on January 10, 2013, 08:51:33 AM
Quote from: Fratton on January 09, 2013, 11:26:06 AM
What happened to thomas the tank engine
They completely and utterly ruined it, that's what :veryangry:
If anyone gets the bright idea to make CGI versions of the Peter Firmin/Oliver Postgate creations there WILL be fatalities I'm afraid! :telloff:
paul
Psssh t chuff pssh t chuff said Ivor. Idris agrees. Perfection see link below.
Link (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=idris%20the%20dragon&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CD0QuAIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DG5ZMNyscPcg&ei=DpzuUPjLEeXb4QSJg4DYDA&usg=AFQjCNEWCGQu2wVZEy2_3d1GEV8n7pPmZA&bvm=bv.1357700187,d.Yms)
Exactly . . . perfection! Which means it doesn't need messed with by some sad button-pushing mocha latte-drinking geek who can't get a girlfriend! Same goes for Bagpuss, The Clangers & Noggin The Nog.
Paul
The original Thomas (and spare Thomas), Duck and various other locos are at Tywyn along with Rev Awdry's study and some of his layouts. Well worth a visit and you can do the Talyllyn while you are at it !
Thanks for that! I'll be in Wales in your summer - I'll keep that in mind! I used to have the original books as a little kid in the 50's (the little oblong hardback ones with the wonderful illustrations), but where they went, GOK.
Quote from: bealman on January 11, 2013, 01:48:28 AM
Thanks for that! I'll be in Wales in your summer - I'll keep that in mind! I used to have the original books as a little kid in the 50's (the little oblong hardback ones with the wonderful illustrations), but where they went, GOK.
Luckily for me the first Mrs H worked for the original publishers, so I have a few copies of the original series. I also had postcards and a map of Sodar but being greedy flogged them on e-bay and bought lots of N Gauge goodies with the proceeds the present Mrs H then bought me a boxed repro set of the books. New grandchild arriving this month , noy a hope in *** of them getting their sticky little fingers anywhere near them though !!!
Its not just the CGI that grates, its the stories.
The writers have clearly been seduced by the idea of a wider toy market, have you seen some of the things they are offering now....
[url]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thomas-the-Tank-Engine-Trackmaster-Zip-Zoom-and-Logging-Adventure-Misty-Island-/110967438679?pt=UK_Toys_Creative_Educational_RL&hash=item19d62cbd57] (http://[/url)http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thomas-the-Tank-Engine-Trackmaster-Zip-Zoom-and-Logging-Adventure-Misty-Island-/110967438679?pt=UK_Toys_Creative_Educational_RL&hash=item19d62cbd57//
Since when did railways have zip-wires?!
I used to have the Thomas show on the telly before I went to work, but only put up with a few animated episodes when "Misty Island" stories just got to annoying.
Skyline2uk
Quote from: Jerry Howlett on January 10, 2013, 10:48:10 AM
Quote from: Sprintex on January 10, 2013, 08:51:33 AM
Quote from: Fratton on January 09, 2013, 11:26:06 AM
What happened to thomas the tank engine
They completely and utterly ruined it, that's what :veryangry:
If anyone gets the bright idea to make CGI versions of the Peter Firmin/Oliver Postgate creations there WILL be fatalities I'm afraid! :telloff:
paul
Psssh t chuff pssh t chuff said Ivor. Idris agrees. Perfection see link below.
Link (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=idris%20the%20dragon&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CD0QuAIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DG5ZMNyscPcg&ei=DpzuUPjLEeXb4QSJg4DYDA&usg=AFQjCNEWCGQu2wVZEy2_3d1GEV8n7pPmZA&bvm=bv.1357700187,d.Yms)
thanks for posting that link Jerry.absolutely brilliant.after many years since watching the original programs a certain childish innocence shines through.it's a shame it's been lost.
I still have the first edition books somewhere in the attic. I was a child of the late
50's ealy 60's.
I also enjoyed the Ringo Starr narrated versions on the TV but do not bond with the recent commercialisation with new characters and non realistic storylines.
I think the final nail in the coffin was a couple of years ago in the local IKEA where they had TTTE on in the kiddies section in the resteruant. The phrase from the Fat Controller was along the lines of 'he (an engine) needs his breakfast, and I want my crumpet'!.
OK hopefully over the head of the children watching it but maybe not in the etchic of the good Reverend?
He isn't referred to as "the fat controller" anymore not PC enough???!!! They call him sir top-ham hat only now,,,, bloody PC brigade,,,,
Yeah... but I bet he still likes his crumpet... :whistle: (Apologies to the late, great Rev)
I know what has happened to Thomas. Like most things railway in this country, Thomas has been privatised, franchised and now sold to a foreign company who intend to re-spray him a different colour (pink or some-other garish livery) then claim that actually his new livery will make him faster thus making him more punctual. However for the privelage of riding on Thomas, Annie and Clarabell (whom also got resprayed in the new franchise and modernised to include 90% 1st class seats & 10% std class) one must re-mortage the house and forsake the kids inheritance money.
Thomas is still very much on the scene, and coming to a re-franchised mainline station near you soon. :P :smiley-laughing:
:laughabovepost:
Good one, Owl
Having got up early the other day, and still trying to work out my new Ponysonic combi box, I found I was watching Thomas. Where did all those new characters/locos come from? My memories of the books (some time ago, so the mind may have forgotten), there were only a few locos and oddment wagons/coaches, but now there are hundreds, it seems.
If they re-made Noggin the Nog (a change of name might be required there), they would no doubt have an armour clad four piece band singing ABBA songs.
Talking of T the T engine were the models O gauge?
Also was the voiceover after Ringo left by someone from
the Boys from the Blackstuff ?
it was Michael Angelis who is married to Gail from coronation st i believe.
I believe the models were Gauge 1 as they needed the space for the RC for the eyes and steam effects.
Michael Angelis has done some of the more recent voice over work and he was indeed also in the Boys from the Blackstuff .
Just found out via Wikipedia that all the Thomas models used in making the programme from 1984 until its switch over to CGi in 2008 are now on display a Drayton Manor theme park with their Thomas World exhibition.
Thomas the king is dead long live the new king. http://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/news/british-american-rail-services-taps-into-a-new-gold-mine (http://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/news/british-american-rail-services-taps-into-a-new-gold-mine) :goggleeyes:. Cheers john.
It'll be Chuggington next - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuggington (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuggington) - I actually warmed to this quite a lot when my boy was a bit younger - nice mix of US, Japanese and British-inspired locos, although a short on the kettle front.
Wonder if they will ever be an n-gauge licencee for this somewhere in the world (unlikely in the EU with small parts legislation for toys...)?
I can see them going past toys as in the program the sections of track look and are laid like toy track, almost designed with toy marketing from the start,,,
Live out your dream be "Wilson"
http://www.fashionforfun.com.au/chuggington-wilson-toddler-child-costume-2.html?utm_source=myshopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Toys+Games&utm_term=Rubies+Costumes+Chuggington+Wilson+Toddler+Child+Costume (http://www.fashionforfun.com.au/chuggington-wilson-toddler-child-costume-2.html?utm_source=myshopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Toys+Games&utm_term=Rubies+Costumes+Chuggington+Wilson+Toddler+Child+Costume)
:laugh:
Well if they bought out Polar Express and Chuggington characters in N gauge you could make a very interesting layout!
Certainly be a crowd pleaser at exhibitions. :thumbsup:
Well, maybe not for the rivet counter brigade...
Quote from: Fratton on January 21, 2013, 05:09:58 PM
I can see them going past toys as in the program the sections of track look and are laid like toy track, almost designed with toy marketing from the start,,,
Those were my thoughts exactly when I first saw it... but then was so disappointed with the actual toys and what limited potential they had to begin with as they launched plastic rail in a couple of different gauges that was incompatible with anything else. More recently it does seem that they've seen sense and you can get them in brio/bigjigs wooden railway gauge I think... still, I very much doubt my dream of someone doing really mass market franchises in n gauge that we can strip for chassis/working parts on the cheap will ever be fulfilled >:D