This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.
That doesn't mean we're done with Siege stories, however. Seibertron is proud to exclusively bring to you an interview/Q&A with actor Shawn Hawkins, who voiced Mirage in the Siege cartoon! Read on to find out what he knew about Mirage prior to voicing him, how he feels about the Transformers fandom, and find out the 'bot he originally auditioned to voice before landing the role of the disappearing Autobot illusionist, Mirage!
Shawn Hawkins: Taylor! What a great surprise to wake up to this morning! Huge thank you to you and Ryan for having me on!
Taylor: It's our pleasure! So, Shawn, Tell us a little about yourself, your career, and how you came to voice acting. Is it a main focus of your career?
Shawn: Yeah so I’m originally from Upstate New York where I started in music. Ever since I was a kid I had a guitar in my hand and ended up playing in a few bands around New York. Then I went to college in Nashville, TN for music and business and ended up touring with some bands up and down the east coast. But at one point I just knew I wanted to get back in to acting. I had been a part of some theatre in high school but was interested in film and TV. So I ended up joining the theatre department at my college and then moving to Los Angeles right out of school. It was the best decision I ever made but it was definitely a big move. I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of some really fun and creative projects in my time here. A lot of indie film work and some television stuff as well, but voice acting was something I always wanted to do. I would make voices, probably just like everyone else as a kid but for me it continued and continued haha. I did some smaller (voiceover) stuff along the way but finally got this audition for Transformers WFC and I was sold. It was an absolute blast and I’m so thankful to have been a part of it. Sharing it all with the fans has been an incredible pleasure in my life!
Taylor: What was the audition process like for the Siege series? Did you read or audition just in general, or did you always know you'd be playing Mirage specifically?
Shawn: So I originally auditioned for the role of Bumblebee. We weren't told at the time what the project was. It had a code name and character code names but I knew reading it that it sounded a lot like Transformers. Of course, then I found out it was and that I was up for Bumblebee. Then after a few callbacks, they ended up giving me Mirage. And I am so incredibly thankful they did. I feel right at home with Mirage and I love his role in the series. As well as his role with the fans! I’m excited to share the next two seasons with you all and see what unfolds!
Taylor: How much did you know about Transformers before landing the role of Mirage? How much do you know now?
Shawn: Oh man! Well I grew up watching some G1 and saw all the Bay movies but I didn’t dive in until taking on Mirage. Now I’m learning things everyday. And it is mainly thanks to the fans! The Transformers community has been so welcoming and supportive. I am amazed at the interaction we get to have together. I wouldn’t trade it for the world and I look forward to many more meaningful interactions over the years. But yes, my capacity for Transformers material just keeps growing haha!
Taylor: How much interaction have you had with Transformers fans since the series aired? Were you a fan yourself before you got the role?
Shawn: Oh man! A ton!! I love it more than anything. Getting to meet all the fans and hear their stories. I actually pride myself on running a really interactive Instagram account where I connect with the fans on a daily basis, run giveaways and answer questions. If you’d love to connect, hit me up @shawn_hawkins. I was a fan before but not to the extent that I am now. It’s a whole new ball game!
Taylor: What did you know about the character of Mirage from the original cartoon series? Did you ever listen to the original voice actor to get a feel for his interpretation of the character?
Shawn: Well I knew he was the elite and also walked both sides of the fence. I knew that I was diving in deep because Mirage had such a unique voice in the original cartoon and I wanted to live up to that but also bring my own spin to it. Our sound engineer for WFC brought some great ideas and feedback to the table in a way that made me feel comfortable and confident with what I was bringing to set. For me I envisioned him sounding a little younger and I think the WFC team did as well. It was like watching this spunky rich kid who thought he knew more than everyone else but also sometimes.. he did. Haha! I loved it. And from what I’ve heard so far, the fans have been happy with the interpretation. I can’t ever predict that but I just brought my heart and soul to it and I always said, “There’s a reason I’m here on this mission... maybe this is it!!”
Taylor: What kind of direction were you given for the character? How is direction given for voice acting? Is the director in the studio with you when you record?
Shawn: Yeah so the direction was great. The VO director, Phil Bache, the engineer and the rest of the team had a really great idea of what they wanted already which made my job a lot easier. So we would go over individual lines and what they meant and I would just give a couple takes of each that were my interpretation of that. And we would go back and forth until we got something we were happy with. But yes, the director was always in the room and the guidance was top notch. I felt incredibly comfortable and free to play as well which is something you really appreciate as a voice actor.
Taylor: What's next for Mirage? Do you know if you'll be reprising him in the follow-up series to Siege?
Shawn: What’s next?! Well I’ve got some things on the plate. I don’t know what I’m allowed to say but I believe you’ll be seeing more Mirage in the near future! I am so stoked for the next two seasons to air and to celebrate with the fans. Other than that I’ve got a few smaller projects in the works and I’m also launching a Youtube channel for the Transformers fans and community. I’m incredibly excited to share that with you all. Be sure to check me out on Instagram @shawn_hawkins for when that drops and more cool Mirage stuff!
Taylor: What's next for you professionally?
Shawn: Professionally, I’m going to take a nice vacation haha. We have planned to go visit some family in Sedona Arizona here in October to just relax and reconnect. I keep myself pretty busy all the time so remembering to relax is important for me. But lots of cool things. I’m working on that Youtube channel and I also oversee a couple small businesses as well as audition regularly here in LA. There are a few films and shows on the horizon so I will have to keep you all posted! Thank you guys so much for having me and keep up the awesome work you’re doing at Seibertron! Such a pleasure to chat with you and connect with the fans.
And as for keeping connected with fans, Shawn has some exciting news for you, Seibertronians!
We wanted to do a special GIVEAWAY with everyone who keeps up with Seibertron. I will be giving away a signed Mirage figure from the WFC Netflix series to one lucky winner. If you’d like a shot at winning this you just have to follow Seiberton (Instagram @seibertroncom) and go over and give a follow to @shawn_hawkins. After you follow me, shoot me a DM with the word SEIBERTRON! So stoked to get to meet you guys and good luck with the giveaway! We will run this for two weeks from the date of posting. Much love to you all and thanks for letting me be a part of your world! )
Many thanks to Shawn for your time and talent, and willingness to share with us some fun insights into the world of a Transformers voice actor!
Paramount Home Media and Seibertron.com have teamed up for a special Bumblebee 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Grand Prize Giveaway Contest. One lucky winner will receive a grand prize courtesy of Paramount. This prize package will feature the new Bumblebee Movie on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray plus a Bumblebee branded hat, backpack and hoodie (as shown in the picture on Seibertron.com).
You can enter every day in order for more chances to win. A winner will be announced on Monday, April 8th, 2019. The winner's information will be shared with Paramount in order for the prize to be received.
Thanks to an email from James Eatock, we have news that there are now several original G1 Production Art pages that have been posted by Eatock himself, and that now several are up for auction on Ebay! These original Production arts feature characters that showed up in the Sunbow cartoon, and feature some pretty neat things, such as the 1983 (you did read that right) design for Bumblebee and the original art for Mirage, before his show look was finalized and changed fairly significantly.
Most of the art pieces are just for show now, but there are 6 pieces that have currently made their way to Ebay, and include shots of Prowl, Ravage, and some scenery used in the show. The current auctions also include over 200 other art pages from other shows, are available and up for Auction on Ebay, with all the auctions ending on Sunday.
Check them out some of the highlighted Transformers art below, and let us know what you think of these Production art pieces, and if you intend to bid on this historical pieces that are on Ebay, or may make their way to Ebay soon!
It is that time of year again folks, the time of year when we get ready to vote for this year's nominees for the Transformers Hall of Fame! This announcement is to let everyone know that from now up until June 29 the Hall of Fame is open to nominees for Favorite Transformers Character and for the 2018 Toy of the Year. The nominee cannot be someone who has already been inducted, and you can see a list below along with the nominee information.
So get your nominees in and let us know who you think deserves to be in the Hall of Fame next!
Hi Transformers fans!
It’s that time again to make your voice heard in the Transformers Hall of Fame vote for 2018! Hasbro is asking fans to help nominate inductees into the Transformers Hall of Fame within two categories. The categories are:
· FAVORITE TRANSFORMERS CHARACTER (Fictional Robot Character)
· 2018 TRANSFORMERS HASBRO TOY OF THE YEAR
As you know, no characters who have already been inducted within the ‘Favorite Character’ category will be considered for nomination. A list of inducted characters can be found at the bottom of this email.
The new category ‘Transformers Toy of the Year’ was introduced in 2017 to provide fans an opportunity to share their passion for the figures that have been the heartbeat of the brand for over 30 years. This category will continue in 2018 and is meant to celebrate the new product within the calendar year and the ongoing efforts of the Hasbro Transformers team to fulfill the desires of our many fans around the world with innovative and exciting toys. All nominations for this category must be toys newly released by Hasbro in 2018 and can include figures that have not yet hit shelves in the calendar year, but have been announced.
We ask that you poll your readers to determine the characters they wish to be considered for each category of the Transformers Hall of Fame and share your Top 3 nominees for each category (six nominees total) including the number of votes with us no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, June 29th.
Please rank your outlet’s polling results list in order of who received the most votes for each category. All polling result lists will be combined together, each outlet getting an equal voice. The combined values will be used to generate the final ballot of three choices for each category. Details will follow regarding the official voting process in the coming weeks.
Winners of the final polling will be announced at SDCC during the official Transformers brand panel on Thursday, July 19th at 11am in Room 29AB.
As a reminder, below are the previous inductees into the Hall of Fame. If you have any questions about eligibility, feel free to reach out.
Roll out!
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:
Fictional Character Inductees:
As an update to the Takara Tomy Quad Barrelled Shotgun campaign story which we first covered here, we now have in hand images of the tiny tiny Optimus Prime colour-themed gun, as seen in the Transformers: The Last Knight scenes in which Optimus attacks Bumblebee - shown in the promotional images as being wielded by the Studio Series version of the figure, which is closer to Revenge of the Fallen.
The Shotgun is part of a promotional Takara Tomy campaign that sees a purchase of 4000 Yen in the specified period (from 21st April) granting you the accessory. The images come from Singapore based Facebook page Planet Iacon, and have been mirrored for your viewing convenience - check them out!
Thanks to a post on Dengeki Hobby, we have news that there is a new Takara Tomy campaign happening, this time for a chance to own a special edition quad barreled shotgun! The Shotgun shown as the campaign award appears to be a redeco of the shotgun mold that came with Age of Extinction Hound, but done up in Optimus Prime red and blue flame colors. According to he Dengeki article, the gun is meant to represent a gun used by Prime while he was brainwashed and fighting Bumblebee in The Last Knight, though in the promotional images it is shown with the Studio Series Revenge of the Fallen Optimus Prime figure, for promotional purposes with a new figure obviously.
The campaign will begin on April 21st and will run until stock is depleted. In order to get the shotgun, you must buy 4000 yen worth of product from select Japanese stores, the names of which will most likely be available a little bit closer to the start of the campaign.
Check out the shotgun below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!
It's that time again to make your voice heard in the Transformers Hall of Fame vote for 2017! Hasbro is asking fans to help nominate inductees into the Transformers Hall of Fame within three categories. The categories are:
Click on each of the three links above to cast your nominations from our lists.
As you know, no characters who have already been inducted within the 'Favorite Character' category will be considered for nomination. In a fun twist this year, in celebration of the release of Transformers: The Last Knight and the 10 year anniversary of the film franchise, any character that appears in the films is eligible for nomination in the 'Favorite Movie Character' category regardless of their nomination or induction previously (if Megatron can win for G1 and Beast Wars, it is only fair!). A list of inducted characters can be found at the bottom of this post.
The new category '2017 Transformers Toy of the Year' is being introduced to provide fans an opportunity to share their passion for the figures that have been the heartbeat of the brand for over 30 years. This new category is meant to celebrate the new product within the calendar year and the ongoing efforts of the Hasbro Transformers team to fulfill the desires of our many fans around the world with innovative and exciting toys. All nominations for this category must be toys newly released by Hasbro in 2017 and can include figures that are yet to hit shelves in the calendar year, but have been announced.
Participate in EACH poll so that we can determine the characters Seibertron.com's citizens wants considered for each category of the Transformers Hall of Fame. We'll share the Top 3 nominees for each category (nine nominees total) including the number of votes with Hasbro by 5pm on Sunday July 16th.
We will rank all of your polling results list in order of who received the most votes for each category. All polling result lists will be combined together, each Transformers fansite outlet getting an equal voice. Hasbro will use the combined values to generate the final ballot of three choices for each category. Details will follow regarding the official voting process in the coming weeks.
Winners of the final polling will be announced at HASCON, the official Hasbro Fanmily Event (September 8-10th in Providence, RI), during the Transformers Hall of Fame Dinner Event on Friday the 8th!
As a reminder, below are the characters and people who have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame. If you see a notable character missing from one of our lists, please let us know so that we might consider adding it.
After the Transformers-themed Chinese Coca Cola cans, as reported here, we now also have another company joining The Last Knight's promotional campaigns, as spotted by TFW2005 member Shark! Crush Soda not only has art of Bumblebee, Barricade, Megatron, and Optimus Prime, it also features a promotional free movie ticket with three 12-packs bought. Check out the images below!
After the first sighting of the Transformers: The Last Knight partnership with Schick (Wilkison Sword in UK, for those keeping up to speed on brands) - as reported here - we have received some information and commercial clip for the new line of men's razors with a Transformers theme, featuring the company's "mascot" Hydrobot.
You can check out more information below on how far the partnership actually goes, including an IDW comic, money contests, movie perks, and watch the commercial clip featuring the tiny sharp hero and a bigger, more Optimus Prime shaped one, in 'Fist Bump'! Also, stay tuned for more on that comic front...
Schick Hydro announced today its partnership with the ultimate super hero franchise, Transformers, featuring the ultimate alliance of 'Technology That Transforms'. The partnership features:
Dedicated TV Commercial: The collaboration launches with a new TV commercial directed by renowned filmmaker and Transformers veteran, Michael Bay. The exclusive spot features the Schick Hydro 5 razor transforming into the Schick Hydro brand super hero, Hydrobot, with a fist bump from Optimus Prime for protecting mankind one face at a time.
Limited Edition Collectible Razors: Fellow fan men can experience a great shave with the new, limited edition, collectible Schick Hydro handles, featuring fan favorite Autobots and Decepticons (Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron). Available now at your local mass, drug and grocery retailers.
One-of-a-kind Comic Book: The book features a dedicated Transformers storyline, unveiling the origin of the Schick Hydro brand super hero (Hydrobot) alongside Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron. Authored and illustrated by industry notables, John Barber and Steve Kurth, the book will be available in digital form in early May on the IDW and Transformers Comic Book apps.
In-Store Offers/Promotions: Fans can also get in on the action at participating Walgreens stores, where they can 'Shazam' different in-store displays for a chance to win $5,000 in May and get free movie tickets beginning June 4 (with a $15 purchase of Schick Men's Razors or Edge Shave Gel).
If you're a Singapore-based Transformers fan, and the SuperFan IMAX event wasn't enough to quench your robot thirst, you have a chance at some more goodies and movie perks with The Last Knight Midnight Madness! Taking place on April 28th, at midnight, the Vivo City Toys'R'Us will be giving out hourly prizes, costume prizes, movie tickets, and more, according to their terms and conditions as shown below.
This further confirms the news by Hasbro that - while the 24th was the date for movie toys to be shown by retailers, their actual international sale date is indeed Friday 28th April. Confusing? Definitely. Marketing? Absolutely. Time to go hunting? For sure! Make sure to use our Sightings section to help each other out, and let us know if you'll be joining in in Singapore!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
1. Receive Transformers Goodie Bags, Movie Passes and Movie Poster
The first 500 fans in queue will receive a Transformers Goodie Bag filled with Transformers merchandise and more.
The first 50 fans in the queue will receive Transformers: The Last Knight - a pair of in-season movie vouchers.
The subsequent 50 fans (ie 51st - 100th) in queue will receive exclusive Transformers: The Last Knight double sided movie poster.
This promotion is only exclusive to the Midnight Madness event on the 28th April 2017 from 0000- 0300 hours.
One redemption per person per queue ticket. Failure to produce queue ticket disqualifies the person from redemption.
2. Participate in our Hourly Lucky Draw! Stand a chance to win a pair of Movie Premiere tickets each hour from 27 April, 2300hrs to 28 April, 0200hrs!
•Only participants in the queue will be entitled to participate in the Hourly Lucky Draw conducted by the Management.
•For prizes unclaimed, the Management reserves the right to redraw for next winner after 15 minutes.
3. The Best Dressed: Spread the hype and dress to impress with your Best Dressed Transformers outfit and stand to win Transformers product hamper worth $200 and Toys “R” Us vouchers worth $100. (Total prize value of $300)
•The Management reserves the right to amend or withdraw any terms without prior notice.
•The Management reserves the right to select no winners in our sole and absolute discretion and is not required to provide any explanation for winners selected.
•Prizes won by the successful winner are not transferable or exchangeable for cash, credit or in kind. The Management may at its discretion replace or substitute any of the prizes with another prize of equal or similar value at any time without prior notice being given.
4. Meet & Greet: TF5 Optimus Prime & Bumblebee Mascots
Get up-close with TF5 Optimus Prime and Bumblebee Mascots
By participating in the Meet & Greet with Transformers Mascots, participants hereby agree to disclose image/photo taken during the event to be used on the web for promotional purposes
This promotion is only exclusive to the Midnight Madness event on the 28th April 2017.
5. Participate and share about our event and TF5 movie toys on your Facebook pages to stand a chance to win a pair of Movie Premiere tickets! Simple share and comment “Like and Shared!” with the hashtag #TF5MidnightMadnessSG to double your chances winning! 5 pairs to be won from 27 April, 2200hrs to 28 April, 0000hrs!
The Management reserves the right to amend or withdraw any terms without prior notice
The Management reserves the right to select no winners in our sole and absolute discretion and is not required to provide any explanation for winners selected.
Facebook post sharing has to be made public to be eligible to participate in this contest.
The Management will inform winners via email.
Goto Page: 1, 2, 3>> 25 total news articles in this section, 10 per page.
These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
VOID RIVALS #2 Cvr ...
TRANSFORMERS #22 C ...
TRANSFORMERS ESCAP ...
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
VOID RIVALS #6 Cvr ...
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
Transformers LAST ...
COBRA COMMANDER #1 ...
THE TRANSFORMERS # ...
Transformers REIGN ...
TRANSFORMERS #41 R ...
TRANSFORMERS #21 R ...
TRANSFORMERS #27 R ...
TRANSFORMERS BEAST ...
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
)
![[Valid RSS]](/images/rss/valid-rss.png "Validate Seibertron.com's RSS feed"){kind=small}
