Hi everyone,
Just a quick update on the Auto Assembly Podcasts… we’re fast approaching the deadline on our second competition so we thought we’d give you all a reminder if you haven’t entered! We’re hoping to record the third show next week so you’ve only got seven days to get your entries in to us for your chance to win a complete set of RiD on DVD along with a couple of postcards signed by cast members Wally Wingert and Neil Kaplan!
To enter, just download the second podcast from www.autoassembly.org.uk/podcast.htm and once you’ve listened to the show, email us your answer along with your name and address by 8 00 pm UK time on Wednesday 3rd May and the winner will be the first name drawn out at random from all the correct entries!
There’s also time for YOU to be on the show! If you want to send us an MP3 with your comments and feedback on the show, or anything else for that matter, just record them and email them to us at podcast@autoassembly.org.uk and we’ll feature a selection of the best on the show. Again, we will need these by 8 00 pm om the 3rd for consideration for Show #3.
The third show is shaping up to be something rather special and our best yet. We will have another great competition, the first part of our interview with comic artist Simon Williams, the second part in our series looking at the history of Auto Assembly this time from 2001 to 2003, more great music including a song from RiD voice actor Wally Wingert, updates on Auto Assembly Target 2006 plus a guest appearance from a G1 voice actor…
Talking of Auto Assembly Target 2006, bookings are still coming in fast for this year’s convention on 3rd June in Birmingham, England and we’re expecting it to be a complete sell-out once again beating the European attendance record and we are well ahead of where we were this time last year. It’s proving to be our most international event yet with bookings coming in from all over the UK, Norway, Germany, Australia and America.
We are proud to have the biggest guest line-up ever seen at a European Transformers convention which currently has us welcoming of honour, David Kaye (the voice of Megatron in Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Armada, Energon and Cybertron), Simon Furman, Andrew Wildman, Guido Guidi, Geoff Senior, Lee Sullivan, Mike Collins, Simon Williams, and Jason Cardy.
Anyway, good luck with the competition and we’re looking forward to seeing many of you in June!
Simon and Sven
Auto Assembly Target 2006
Transformers-themed pub could be Britain’s Best Home Bar
A Transformers-themed pub is in the running to be crowned Britain’s Best Home Bar, in a competition being run by Liberty Games. The winning bar, chosen… [more]
TFNation 2019 Transformers Convention Review
This last weekend saw yet another Transformers convention take over the Metropole Hilton, in Birmingham. These weekends have become a staple of my summer… [more]
Annual Transformers Forum Meet Tour
Every year, since 2011, the nerds from TheTF.Net forum (now a Facebook group, because running a forum proved too much like hard work) have met for a weekend… [more]
Our 2019 Forum Meet took place this weekend, in Cardiff
This weekend saw our annual forum meet being held in the Welsh capital of Cardiff. Each year we meet in a different town or city in the UK, alternating… [more]
Video Footage from Transforce in 2001
Almost 18 years ago (crikey, has it been that long?) we wrote a review of our visit to Transforce in August 2001. It was a seriously hot day, but a great… [more]
Auto Assembly Podcast Show #2 Competition Deadline!
Auto Assembly: Target 2006 Charity Toy Collection
As part of our charity fundraising efforts, Auto Assembly Target 2006 is running something rather different for it’s nominated charity this year…
For those of you who don’t know, Auto Assembly Target 2006 is raising money this year for the Acorns Childrens Hospice Trust in 2006 – a small group of three childrens hospices here in the West Midlands area in the UK. Their invaluable work has sadly been struggling for funds lately and we are proud to be helping them with our fundraising efforts through our charity raffle and auction which has some fantastic items this year. However, we are also doing something else to help the charity with it’s three centres…
We will be having a drop-off point at the convention where all of you attending will be able to donate all of your unwanted toys which we will be passing onto to the Trust at the end of the convention for distribution to the three hospices where the children can make use of these during their stay. What we would love is if any of you have toys that you don’t want sitting in cupboards that we could make use of and give a new home to.
The toys can be anything from any range as long as they are brand new and still sealed. We don’t mind if you donate a single toy or a box full – just anything you can spare! The only things we must ask are that 1) the toy is new and sealed; and 2) the toy is a European or US release (to meet toy safety laws) and apart from that, it’s up to you!!
We’ve already had a number of toys donated from several ranges including RiD and Armada but as we have said, we will accept toys from ANY range so please be as generous as you can. As a way of saying “thankyou”, everyone who donates toys will be mentioned on the Auto Assembly website.
Don’t forget, with Auto Assembly Target 2006 now less than two weeks away, you need to book quickly to guarantee your places if you want to pre-register and get early entry to the convention! The international cut-off date is now CLOSED because of the time it will take to get your confirmation packs in time for the event, although if you live in mainland Europe there may be time if you book within the next couple of days although this is at your own risk.
While we have officially closed the postal bookings for the UK as well because of the time needed to clear cheques through our bank, we are making daily visits to our bank to pay cheques in so again there is still some time but online bookings are the most convenient for us and the fastest way to pre-register.
The FINAL cut-off date for UK online bookings is SUNDAY 28th MAY and this will allow us to post your confirmation slips on Tuesday 30th May which will ensure that they should reach you by Thursday 1st June at the latest. We must stress that, if you book after this date then we can not guarantee that your packs will reach you in time for the convention so you are booking AT YOUR OWN RISK.
There is a chance that we will have on-the-door places, but these will be limited and we will post details on the Auto Assembly website, forum and issue details through all major Transformers websites as to the estimated number of on-the-door places available on Saturday 27th April 2006. However, as we are well ahead of where we were this time last year, you will need to arrive early! If you are likely to be travelling a distance to the convention, pre-register!!
With TWELVE DAYS to go before the convention, please ensure that you send your bookings to us NOW to avoid disappointment for what is going to be Europe’s biggest Transformers convention EVER!
Simon and Sven,
Auto Assembly Target 2006
Auto Assembly Podcast – Be On The Next Show!!
Hi everyone!
We’ve been really pleased at the support everyone’s given us so far for the Auto Assembly Podcast and we’re glad that everyone’s enjoyed the first two shows. We’re busy working on the third one at the moment and it’s shaping up to be our best yet and now we’re going to give all of you the chance to get involved…!
We’ve had some great feedback through the Auto Assembly Forum over at http://autoassembly.proboards7.com and through the emails you’ve been sending us but we want to give you the chance to have your say on the next show! If you want to have your views heard on the next podcast, here’s your chance! What we want you to do is record your comments about the show – questions, suggestions or comments in general starting off with your name – and email them to us as an MP3 file to podcast@autoassembly.org.uk and we’ll feature a selection of them in the next show.
Please keep the language clean and to make sure that we can use them, save your MP3s at 128kbps or higher and put “Podcast Comment Submission” in the subject field of your email. Please do NOT send your files to us as WAVs or in any other file format as we will not be able to use them and try to keep your comments to under a minute in length if possible to give you the best chance of being included in the show. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length although we will NOT remove words to change what you are saying.
Don’t forget, there’s still time to enter the competition from show #2 to win a full set of RiD on DVD and we’re looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you at Auto Assembly Target 2006 on 3rd June (and there are still places if you haven’t already booked!)!
Simon and Sven
Auto Assembly Target 2006
Transformers Live Action Game Announced TODAY
We just received a press release from our Games Industry friends stating what we’ve all suspected, but were waiting to hear.
Hasbro Taps Activision to Publish Range of Video Games Based on the TRANSFORMERS Franchise and Live-Action Film from DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures
PAWTUCKET, R.I., Feb 13, 2006 The Hasbro Properties Group, the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE HAS) and Activision, Inc, (NASDAQ ATVI), a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software products, announced today a license that grants Activision the global rights, excluding Japan, to develop console, handheld and PC games based on Hasbro’s renowned TRANSFORMERS brand. The first game will be tied to the much-anticipated July 4, 2007 movie release of the live action TRANSFORMERS film from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures.
IDW Transformers #0 Hits record Sales
IDW Publishing Reaches New Sales Plateau with The TRANSFORMERS #0
San Diego, Calif. (October 5, 2005) — A new era for TRANSFORMERS is set to begin this October, with the release of IDW Publishing’s all-new THE TRANSFORMERS #0 issue! And that debut issue, which hits comic shops across the land on October 19, brings with it more than just a new take on the �Robots in Disguise.� THE TRANSFORMERS #0 has also already become the top-selling title in IDW�s 5-year history. TRANSFORMERS is under license from the Hasbro Properties Group, the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE HAS).
Initial orders for The TRANSFORMERS #0 are right at the 100,000 copies mark, a publishing milestone for IDW.
�A new TRANSFORMERS series from a new publisher is a bit of an unknown, so I�d like to thank comic retailers for the faith they�ve shown in us and the new book,� said IDW�s Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall. �Retailers and the fan community have been amazingly supportive of our early efforts, and come October 19, they�ll be rewarded for their support in the form of an exciting new generation of TRANSFORMERS comics.�
THE TRANSFORMERS #0, written by fan-favorite TRANSFORMERS writer Simon Furman and featuring the stylized renderings of artist E.J. Su, presents the �Prelude to Infiltration,� a 16-page set-up for the first 6part arc. The book also features interviews with the creators and a look at artist Su�s approach to the title. This $0.99 premiere issue will then be followed by the monthly title, beginning with THE TRANSFORMERS #1, a 32-page, $2.99 comic launching in January 2006.
Retailers who attended the recent Diamond Retailer Summit in Baltimore were treated to the first published copies of the #0 issue, which was further noted by its special Summit-only cover. And the faithful TRANSFORMERS fans who attended BotCon 2005 in Frisco, Texas, likewise had the chance to check out the special issue. Soon, fans the world over will be able to do the same. And thanks to the support from comics retailers and fans alike, they�ll be able to do so every month for years to come.
The TRANSFORMERS #0 debuts October 19, 2005 at the special introductory price of $0.99. Issue #0 will feature two covers by artist E.J. Su, and variant covers from James Raiz and Milx, all shipped in equal quantities. In addition, there will be two special wraparound incentive covers, one by Ed McGuiness and one for the BotCon convention by Hasbro�s design team. Finally, E.J. Su provided special covers for both Diamond Retail Summits (both by E.J. Su).
The TRANSFORMERS #1 will launch in January 2006 with a cover price of $2.99.
About IDW Publishing
IDW PUBLISHING is a division of Idea + Design Works, LLC, a revolutionary creative service company with a wide range of clients. Among their best-selling titles are CBS�s CSI Crime Scene Investigation; Konami�s Metal Gear Solid; and Fox�s Angel. IDW has films in development at Sony Pictures, Dimension Films, and Paramount Pictures.
ABOUT THE HASBRO PROPERTIES GROUP
The Hasbro Properties Group (HPG), the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc., (NYSE HAS), translates one of the industry�s richest portfolios of brands into a world of fun and excitement for children and adults globally. Through a host of publishing, lifestyle and entertainment platforms, HPG is able to surround fans worldwide with consumer products that expand Hasbro�s core brands, such as G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, DUEL MASTERS, MONOPOLY and CANDY LAND, beyond the toy and game aisle, creating rich lifestyle experiences.
Official Movie Release Date Announcement!
Announcement taken from Transformers.com
TRANSFORMERS WILL BE MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE AT THEATRES NATIONWIDE ON 07-04-07
The live-action �Transformers� movie has been set to open nationwide on 07-04-07, it was jointly announced today by DreamWorks Pictures, Hasbro, Inc.
(NYSE HAS), and Paramount Pictures.The feature, based on the globally popular Transformers franchise, will be directed by Michael Bay (upcoming �The Island,� �Armageddon�) from a screenplay being written by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (upcoming �The Island�). Steven Spielberg (�War of the Worlds�) is executive producing the film, with Lorenzo di Bonaventura (upcoming �Four Brothers�), Tom DeSanto (�X-Men� and �X2 X-Men United�) and Don Murphy (�The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen�) serving as co-executive producers.
In making the announcement, DreamWorks head of distribution Jim Tharp stated, �Under the direction of Michael Bay, and with Steven Spielberg executive producing, we know that �Transformers� is going to be the kind of explosive action movie that is perfect for the height of the summer movie season. By staking our claim on the 4th of July, 2007, we ensure that we not only have the time to make this movie the way it should be made, but also to build excitement and awareness leading up to its release.�
�Fans around the world have wanted a Transformers live-action movie for a long time and we are thrilled to work with DreamWorks and Paramount to bring this legendary saga to life on the big screen,� said Brian Goldner, President of Hasbro�s U.S. Toy segment. �With some of the entertainment industry�s best talent on board for this film, fans will experience Transformers in a way that is incredibly powerful.�
DreamWorks will distribute the film domestically, while Paramount will handle the international release. Hasbro will work with the production team and DreamWorks on all aspects of the film�s creative development, marketing and promotions, and will manage merchandising in conjunction with the release of the film.
This week, DreamWorks is launching the official �Transformers� movie website (www.transformers.com) at Comic-Con International, being held from July 13 � 17 in San Diego, California. �Transformers� will also be making its presence known in a big way, with a huge 18-wheeler truck sporting the instantly recognizable Transformers logo dominating the area around the DreamWorks booth�and much of the convention floor�letting thousands of fans know that �Transformers� is coming to the big screen on 07-04-07.
Introduced in 1984, the Transformers brand took the world by storm with its compelling saga of the Autobots versus the Decepticons. The innovative �Robots in Disguise� resulted in a tremendously successful toy line from Hasbro and Takara, comic book series, television program and an animated feature film. More than 20 years later, a new generation has discovered the excitement of the Transformers brand and its legendary characters, including the two leaders of the opposing sides Optimus Prime and Megatron. Today, the franchise features a popular toy line, an animated series on the Cartoon Network and a chart-topping comic book series from IDW Publishing.
DreamWorks SKG was formed in October 1994 by its three principal partners�Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen. The studio is actively involved in the production of live-action motion pictures and network and cable television programs, and the distribution of live-action and animated feature films, as well as home video entertainment.
Hasbro (NYSE HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys, such as MONOPOLY and G.I. JOE, ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.
Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc. (NYSE VIA and VIAB), one of the world�s largest entertainment and media companies and a leader in the production, promotion, and distribution of entertainment news, sports and music.
TRANSFORMERS Resin License Announced
First 4 Figures TRANSFORMERS Resin License Announced – Introducing the TRANSFORMERS BATTLEFIELD Concept – April 18, 2005Contact Alex Davis, 00(44)208-446-3865, info@first4figures.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TRANSFORMERS Statues On The Horizon From First 4 Figures
First 4 Figures is proud to announce the creation of 12 inch statues of Transformers under license across Europe from Hasbro Properties Group.
“The TRANSFORMERS brand is a favorite among kids and collectors around the globe and we are very excited to be working with Hasbro,” said Alex Davis, Director of First 4 Figures. ” We are proud to announce the introduction of the “TRANSFORMERS BATTLEFIELD” concept, an innovative collection of statues that evoke the essence of the Transformers brand. Our flagship TRANSFORMERS BATTLEFIELD range will feature a multitude of VS dioramas. Each one will feature two TRANSFORMERS in a physical brawl. The bases of the dioramas themselves will interlock with the rest of the series’ bases to create the ultimate in battle scenes between the major characters from the Autobots and their adversaries the Decepticons.” The statues will be sculpted by the talented “Mad” Alterton and will stand around 10 inches tall, excluding the base.
Product previews will be available from July, with the first in the series launching at retail Q3 2005.
Visit the First 4 Figures’ official website, http://www.first4figures.com for more information.
About First 4 Figures
First 4 Figures is a subsidiary of Puzzle Productions. Puzzle Productions manufactures and markets high quality resin figures under the brand name First 4 Figures. Included in its product line up includes famous licenses such as WWE, MAGIC THE GATHERING, and TRANSFORMERS.
The Hasbro Properties Group (HPG), the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc., (NYSE HAS), translates one of the industry’s richest portfolios of brands into a world of fun and excitement for children and adults globally. Through a host of publishing, lifestyle and entertainment platforms, HPG is able to surround fans worldwide with consumer products that expand Hasbro’s core brands, such as TRANSFORMERS, DUEL MASTERS, MY LITTLE PONY, MONOPOLY and CANDY LAND, beyond the toy and game aisle, creating rich lifestyle experiences.
Hasbro Enters into Agreement with Movie Producers Tom DeSanto and Don Murphy for Full Length, Live Action Transformers Movie
This time it’s from the horse’s mouth so to speak, it’s official. Oh my god, panic stations… This from Hasbro
PAWTUCKET, R.I.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 11, 2003–Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE HAS) announced today that it entered into an agreement with the highly successful
producers Tom DeSanto (X-Men and X2 X-Men United) and Don Murphy (currently
producing 20th Century Fox’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) for a
full length, live action movie based on Hasbro’s enormously popular TRANSFORMERS
brand.“TRANSFORMERS enjoys an amazing fan base worldwide, and we believe that
we can create an incredibly fast-paced, exciting movie that will be appealing
to anyone who loves action films,” said Don Murphy.“TRANSFORMERS is one of those rare properties that has been embraced
by a generation around the world. Like X-Men, TRANSFORMERS offers an amazing
mythology with all the elements to create a successful ongoing franchise,
iconic characters, global themes, and a world that has never been seen before
on screen,” said Tom DeSanto.“The property has been successful in every arena it has played in throughout
the world – toys, comic books, television – and we now believe it’s time to
take TRANSFORMERS to the next level, and into a live action event movie,”
continued DeSanto.“We’re thrilled to have entered into an agreement with the very talented
and accomplished Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto,” said Brian Goldner, President
of Hasbro’s U.S. toys group. “TRANSFORMERS is a natural for the big screen,
and both Tom and Don have the track record and skill to bring to life a TRANSFORMERS
movie that will be action-packed and flawlessly executed.”
Here’s the link for the full press release on Hasbro’s web site.
