ALL SCI-FI

[Pow]

Filmation Studios considered doing an animated TV series of Ark II at one time.

An animated TV show based upon a live action show is able to accomplish visuals that were cost prohibitive for a live action show.

We saw that with Star Trek: The Animated Series.

Space Academy would have also been a good candidate as an animated show.

[Bud Brewster]

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That's sounds very interesting, Mike.

You're aware, of course, that I'm less enthusiastic about cartoon animation than some folks, except when it's the high quality kind in the classic Disney films.

Conversely, I'm [u]more[/i] enthusiastic about CGI animation than some folks. CGI movements are smoother than lower-budget cartoon animation, and the three-dimensional look of the CGI characters and objects is something that appeals to me artistically.

Highlights, shading, and shadows are important if a piece of artwork is meant to look three-dimensional.


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CGI can do that, but cartoon animation inherently looks flat. It can't be helped, because of the way the animation cells are painted.

My point is that I'd prefer a CGI animated version of Ark II to a cartoon animated series — assuming, of course, that it was done well (at least in my own opinion. ).
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Pow]

I can understand your not being a fan of the type of animation that Saturday morning cartoons were doing with their serious projects, as opposed to comedic cartoons, back in the day, Bud.

I enjoy ST:TAS because they did manage to create some marvelous stories, reunite the most of the original cast for the voiceovers, and it was based on one of my favorite live action sci~fi TV shows. Some episodes created some nifty visuals along the way. Stuff they would not have been able to ever create for the live action series.

I can also see the weaknesses & limitations of the animation that was done in that era.

You, being a fine artist yourself, may see things I don't consider or know enough about, that really bothers you. And that can interfere with your enjoyment of the episodes.

I am greatly impressed by what CGI can do these days, and the general advancements in animation. It's light years beyond the Saturday morning stuff we grew up with.

I always look forward to seeing the DC superhero Animated movies that are direct-to-dvd. The animation techniques they can achieve nowadays blows my mind.

I was very impressed with what they did for the Starship Troopers CGI TV series...and that was over 20-years ago.

I saw on Youtube a short animation series called "Parallel Man" and was awed by the look of it.

So I'm fully with you that an animated Ark II back in the 70's or early 80's when they were considering doing the animated version would probably not stand up very well today. Perhaps like ST:TAS they might have created some rich stories, but the animation would not look all that wonderful.

Thought } In this new (CGI) Ark II, how about a flying ark? It would still be referred to as Ark II. It would be a brand new design. This iteration would be much larger than the ground vehicle so that it could carry more desperately needed supplies and equipment. A sort of Thunderbird 2.

It could carry (guest stars) specialists for a particular assignment that would require their unique skills. They could have a working clinic on board.

The fact that this vehicle flies could allow it to get to very difficult areas where a ground vehicle would be useless trying to cross the apocalyptic terrain.

The flying ark could have some form of land vehicle that could go to locations where the larger flying ark is unable to land.

[Krel]

Filmation pioneered the use of limited animation. Simpler drawings, simple, repeating backgrounds, and simplified animation. This allowed them to make the cartoons on a weekly schedule.

The "Starship Troopers" CGi show failed, not because it wasn't good, or popular. It failed because they couldn't render fast enough to complete the episode to fit a weekly schedule.

When it comes to limited animation verses CGI, limited animation is always going to be faster, because it is simpler.

David.