Transformers Contests News on Seibertron.com

Exclusive! Q&A With Shawn Hawkins, Voice of Mirage in Netflix's War for Cybertron: Siege Series

Date: Monday, September 28th 2020 8:29pm CDT
Categories: Cartoon News, Event News, Site Articles, People News, Digital Media News, Interviews, Contests
Posted by: Bounti76

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Views: 206,471

Greetings Seibertronians! Even though the Earthrise toyline is in it's waning stages, and the Siege cartoon dropped on streaming service Netflix just a couple of months ago, we got a trailer for the upcoming Earthrise cartoon this weekend at Hasbro PulseCon.

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!

New Soundwave DJ Statue + Contest to Win It

Date: Tuesday, June 23rd 2020 12:59pm CDT
Categories: Collectables, Contests
Posted by: william-james88 | Credit(s): Mighty Jaxx

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Views: 79,763

You're gonna have to be quick if you want to win this new Soundwave statue, since you have less than 24 hours to participate. This is a contest from Mighty Jaxx.

You will find the details below along with how you can buy this limited statue if you don't win (or don't care to participate). You will also find images of this bust below.

SOUNDWAVE FLASH PHOTO CONTEST DETAILS

Have you heard? The incredible Transformers x Quiccs: Soundwave bust is releasing on 24 June at 9am EST! The first of its kind Transformers bust features Soundwave at the turntables, he's bringing the sickest Decepticon beats to this party!



We're running a FLASH PHOTO CONTEST right now on Instagram Stories! Take part and you could walk away as the winner of a Transformers x Quiccs: Soundwave bust. Contest details as follows:

STEP 1

Take a photo on IG Stories of your Transformers toy collection OR Quiccs toy collection. Doesn't have to be Mighty Jaxx toys!

STEP 2

Add the official Transformers x Quiccs: Soundwave sticker to your photo. Search for the sticker with "Mighty Jaxx Soundwave" (https://mightyjaxx.rocks/blogs/news/sou ... st-details)



STEP 3

Tag @mightyjaxx in your photo and post your IG Story!

You have to tag us for us to receive your submission, so don't forget to do that before posting.

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Take part in the IG Stories Flash Photo Contest now! Happening for only 24 hours, will you be the lucky one to walk away with a Transformers x Quiccs: Soundwave bust?

The winning submission will be announced on the Mighty Jaxx Instagram Story on 24 June, 5pm SGT. This blog post will also be updated with the winning entry.



Transformers x Quiccs: Soundwave available for order on 24 June, 9am EST

$249 with free shipping // 6" tall, 8.5" wide vinyl bust // Limited edition of 500

First 100 orders receive an exclusive signed Soundwave poster by Quiccs