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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!
The Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast is pulsing with excitement as your host ScottyP sits down with Mr. Starscream, Megatronus, xRotorstormx, and Seibertron himself to discuss the first ever PulseCon and all the amazing reveals.
Kingdom reveals were a plenty during the 50 minute toy panel from the Transformers brand team but the first thing we laid our eyes upon was the new Kingdom poster that shows some of our favorite Beast Wars and Generation 1 characters...along with a few surprises!
Earlier in the week, blueprints to a familiar ship were released.
Just when you thought your quest to collect trading cards was over, Hasbro decided to unveil new "Reveal Your Destiny" Gold Holographic trading cards that will come with all Deluxe, Voyager and Leader class figures.
Transformers Prime is celebrating its 10 year anniversary (wait, what!?) and Hasbro Pulse is giving us two new exclusives to celebrate.
Also revealed during the event were Prime Arcee and Cheetor from the R.E.D. non-transforming figure line.
We also got to see the exclusives for the second *err* I mean third planet from Amazon's Galactic Odyssey called Biosfera.
Hold Up! It's almost 5 pm - PULSECON EXCLUSIVES GO LIVE ANY MINUTE!!! AHHHHH GO, GO, GO!
Whew, glad that is over with. Changing gears...It is only fitting that with a new G1 inspired Cyclonus, we get a new Scourge right?
As this episode comes to a close, we jump back into PulseCon to chat briefly about Knockout making it into the Transformers Hall of Fame and the Entertainment Panel that brought us the new trailer for the upcoming Earthrise series coming to Netflix.
In closing, Happy 10 Year Anniversary to the Twincast Podcast! Although technically we forgot our own birthday.
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We have another video review to bring to you today, from the upcoming Wave 2 of Netflix figures. Seibertronian Praxiusprime77 pointed us towards a review by TonTon for Red Alert! He features some notable deco changes and has extensive battle damage paint applications, as is standard with most of the Netflix line.
The second Wave of Netflix figures is set to be shipping out next month, so Red Alert and his wavemates Bumblebee, Elita-One1, Wheeljack, and Impactor should be in your hands soon!
Are you going to be replacing your Siege Red Alert with this new figure? Let us know what you think below, and stay tuned for the latest news and reviews!
The Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast is back as villains Mr. Starscream, Megatronus, and the nefarious ScottyP vie for control of the galaxy. Will one be mistaken for Needlenose, or will the power of shattered glass send things into an alternate universe where all the latest Transformers news is discussed at length? It's the latter.
It's the 10th anniversary of Transformers Prime, and a commemorative boxed figure appears to be in the works. But who exactly will be in the box?
The next Titan has been revealed - we think. Hazy images of the Ark are infiltrating the inter-webs, opening up speculation on how this mystery Titan will be executed.
Shattered Glass has entered the main line, with a new Optimus Prime and Ratchet 2pk up for preorder. We nitpick.
Continuing on the redeco train, Cordon & Spinout have been announced in the Generations Selects line, begging the question, will this set beat Sunstreaker to collectors' hands?
We take this Diaclone beat to introduce the utterly surprising Diaclone Battle Convoy which looks amazing and a literal ton of fun... for $300. Tough sell for a 7" homage, but the nostalgia will not be denied.
Volcanicus is back, this time as a Takara box set in the Generations Selects line. Takara's version may sport cartoon-accurate decos, but we're just disappointed it's not Dino-pope.
Runabout is not a surprise, but will we see him in Earthrise? We raise questions about how the end of Earthrise and what to expect as we speed full throttle into Kingdom.
We briefly touch on comics with Transformers '84 #3 and the entrance of Star Saber, and generally appreciate the fun old school tone of these issues.
We close out this episode with an entertaining round of bragging rights. Enjoy!
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What an exciting time this is for Transformers fans, with a packed few weeks of news and reveals. In response, the Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast crew takes a ride on the wheel of fortune to determine cast member topic choices from the multitude available. What does that mean? Tune in to find out as Megatronus takes the driver's seat, spinning the wheel of topic fate for xRotorstormx, Cobotron, and Tigertrack. Destiny awaits!
•I finally won something! And it was the ability to choose my topic to discuss first, and I picked to dabble into debate about the slew of Generations Selects reveals, preorders, and future.
What would you call our new repaint of Ramjet in tan and brown pixalated camo with the awesome nosecone/cockpit mouth deco? Does G2 Megatron stoke your fire of plastic desire? How about Bugbite, or Black Rorrichi? Are there larger selects offerings on the horizon? Hmmm…
•Next up, on the wheel of fortune topic of choice Is Cobotron, and he wants to discuss the out-of-the-blue pre-order release and announcement of ‘Galactic Odyssey’ Paradron Lifeline and Ratchet two-pack. Fate decrees your wallet will be squirming in the near future as our favorite bots travel amongst 5 planets on their journey to Earth producing exclusives for us to buy.
What exclusives could the other 4 planets hold? Why Amazon, why now? Exclusives seem to be all over the place, BUT how accessible do you feel they are?
•xRotorstormx decides next according to wheel of so many topics still left to choose from and she wants to take the driver's seat and talk about the new spacetruckin' 18-wheeler--- the Netflix Spoiler Pack #2 — Nemesis Prime with trailer and red Slitherfang set.
Is it better than the Ultra Magnus wave 1 spoiler pack? What does it spoil? Does this fulfill people’s domestic need for the Nemesis Prime repaint that they may not have gotten via Takara Tomy mall? Thank Primus there are more energon cubes to mine.
•Megatronus chose our last topic of the show… the ever important War for Cybertron KINGDOM early version toy leaks that have been free flowing over the last week. SPOILERS.If you don’t want to hear about it, maybe skip this topic…
•We end the show with some bragging rights, which lead to discussion of Earthrise Sky Lynx, Earthrise Scorponok, and the recently-released Target exclusive MPM Starscream among other TF toys.
We love our robbits. And we love you, too!
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Thanks to a press release from Hasbro, we bring you news of a new virtual event to be held on Hasbro Pulse's Youtube channel this coming September 25th and 26th- Hasbro PulseCon! This will be an event somewhat similar to HasCon, focusing on all of Hasbro's brands, which of course, include everyone's favorite transforming robots. We also get some news about when the Quintesson Pit of Judgement set will be released.
Hasbro PulseCon Promises Front Row Access via Livestream to Hasbro’s Iconic Fan Brands, Music and Entertainment September 25-26, 2020; Only on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel
PAWTUCKET, RI – August 31st, 2020 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) today announced the first-ever Hasbro PulseCon, a 2-day virtual event that gives fans unprecedented access to their favorite Hasbro brands, music & entertainment. Taking place on September 25-26, 2020 exclusively on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel and hosted by SYFY Wire on-air correspondent, writer, and producer, Jackie Jennings, Hasbro PulseCon promises fans in the US and Canada a front row seat to panels, talent appearances, brand reveals, product giveaways and more; connecting consumers to their favorite brands in an immersive, one-of-a-kind setting that, along with the eOne portfolio, will bring fans the best in entertainment, music, and toys. Announcements for new innovations and product reveals will take place for brands including Dungeons & Dragons, G.I. Joe, Magic: The Gathering, Power Rangers, Transformers as well as premiere partner brands Marvel, Star Wars™, Ghostbusters, and more.
PulseCon delivers the experience and connection of conventions for free and right from the comforts of fans’ homes. Highlights from the virtual event will consist of live unboxings, over 50 new product reveals and pre-orders, coveted Hasbro PulseCon exclusive merchandise, livestream panels featuring celebrities and audience Q&A, and surprise experiHasbro ences. “To be a part of this new virtual experience that celebrates fan culture and incorporates so many different iconic entertainment properties is truly a thrilling opportunity and I can’t wait for fans to check it out,” says Jackie Jennings, Hasbro PulseCon host.
“We are constantly impressed by our fan community and their unwavering passion for Hasbro brands. The Hasbro Pulse community was built with them in mind, and we’re excited to take fan-first engagement with our Pulse platform even deeper,” says Eric Nyman, Chief Consumer Officer, Hasbro. “We’re looking forward to celebrating the fans, providing community connection at a time where everyone needs it most, and ultimately delivering a peek behind the curtain on their favorite brands in a way only Hasbro can.”
Fans will also be able to get their hands on Hasbro PulseCon exclusive items, available only at Hasbro PulseCon in the US & Canada, including:
· Ghostbusters Plasma Series Tully’s Terrible Night (Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $49.99 / Available: September 2020 / Images)
· G.I. Joe Classified Series Snake Supreme Cobra Commander Action Figure (Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $29.99 / Available: September 2020 / Images)
· Power Rangers Lightning Collection Mighty Morphin Lord Drakkon Evo III Figure (Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $49.99 / Available: September 2020 / Images)
· Transformers: Generations War for Cybertron Trilogy: Quintesson Pit of Judgement 5-Pack (Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $69.99 / Available: September 2020 / Images)
· Marvel Legends Series 6-Inch Hellfire Club Collection
(Ages 4 years and up / Approx. Retail Price: $79.99 / Available: September 2020 / Images)
· Marvel Legends Series 6-Inch X-Men Marvel’s Logan & Charles Xavier Figure 2-Pack
(Ages 14 years and up / Approx. Retail Price: $49.99 / Available: September 2020 / Images)
· Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Star Wars: The Clone Wars 501st Legion ARC Troopers Figure 3-Pack (Ages 4 years and up / Approx. Retail Price: $49.99 / Available: September 2020 / Images)
· Star Wars: The Black Series Heroes of Endor Figure Set
(Ages 4 years and up / Approx. Retail Price: $109.99 / Available: September 2020 / Images)
· Star Wars: The Black Series 6-Inch-Scale Hoth Wampa Figure
(Ages 4 years and up / Approx. Retail Price: $29.99 / Available: September 2020 / Images)
Additional details and scheduling will be announced soon. To stay up to date, fans can follow @HasbroPulse on Instagram and visit HasbroPulseCon.com for more details.
# # #
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play and Entertainment Experiences. From toys, games and consumer products to television, movies, digital gaming, live action, music, and virtual reality experiences, Hasbro connects to global audiences by bringing to life great innovations, stories and brands across established and inventive platforms. Hasbro’s iconic brands include NERF, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE, POWER RANGERS, PEPPA PIG and PJ MASKS, as well as premier partner brands. Through its global entertainment studio, eOne, Hasbro is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for all children and all families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked among the 2020 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past nine years. We routinely share important business and brand updates on our Investor Relations website, Newsroom and social channels (@Hasbro on Twitter and Instagram.)
Jackie Jennings is a writer, director, and performer who was previously a staff writer on TruTV's The Chris Gethard Show, a contributing writer on TBS's The Detour, a staff writer/performer at Above Average (she directed the series Baited w/ Ziwe), and a producer on SeeSo's My Brother, My Brother and Me. Jackie currently is an on-air correspondent, writer, and producer for SyFy Wire. Jackie is represented by AGI Entertainment Media & Management.
Will you be watching later next month, fellow Seibertronians? Excited to see if PulseCon will bring any other Transformers surprises? Let us know what you think below!
Thanks to fellow Seibertronian Mindmaster, we already have some in-hand images of the very recently revealed Generations Selects G2 Sandstorm and G2 Megatron! Thanks to a post on Geek Culture, we have several in hand images of both figures, as well as an unboxing video showing their transformations (though neither has any new steps compared to their donor figures).
Preorders are up now at Hasbro Pulse, Entertainment Earth and other sponsors, so get your preorders in now! These figures are due for release in February next year, though Entertainment Earth has them listed for a December release.
Are you excited to have some modern G2 goodness in your collection? Let us know what you think below!
The Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast is back with Counterpunch, Scotty P, Tigertrack (until his network defeats him) and Rotorstorm as they stoke the fire and fan the flames of all the latest reveals, rumors and reviews in the Transformers universe. Scorponok's arrival also leads us into some laid back toy talk that looks at the latest stuff you might have - or be on the hunt for.
The Micromasters continue their reign in Transformer Earthrise as Hot House is the latest Generations Select figure to be unveiled during Hasbro's new Transformers Tuesday event.
The team talks about what other Micromaster bases they'd want to see in Generations.
Up next, Earthrise Scorponok has finally made its way onto some store shelves/online and into the hands of most of the crew.
Knok and Skar's companion, Doubledealer, Sky Lynx, and even more Micromasters round out the feedback on Earthrise's second wave.
In a new topic titled "hunting season", the cast shares what they're on the lookout for. To find what they want, they'll need a little obscurity, a little completionism, and a lot of luck.
We close out this episode with an entertaining round of bragging rights. Enjoy!
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Thanks to transformers_va, one of our own fellow Seibertronians, we've been directed to Hasbro Pulse, and their latest update on War for Cybertron Unicron!
Transformers fans! We’re excited to bring you an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at packaging and instructions development for Unicron!
We're treated first to a closer look at the packaging and an unboxing video for the Chaos Bringer, showing us just how he'll look when he arrives at the doors of those who backed him via the crowdfunding effort late last year.
We then are taken through the process of designing the instruction booklet for Unicron, which is a whopping 32 pages long! Mark, a Senior Graphic Designer for the project, goes into the details of how instructions are made, and his process of working with the prototype at home to develop the instructions.
Q: Can you walk us through the typical Transformers instructions process?
A: Our development process actually begins a year before our toys hit in-store retail and “online” shelves. Since the early 1980s, Hasbro has partnered with Takara Tomy, located in Japan, for the development of the Transformers brand’s toys. This all starts with “TT,” as we call them, providing us with reference CADD images or videos, called photosteps, that show how to convert each Transformers figure. From there, I review each conversion assembly, step-by-step, marking-up TT’s photo steps with my own comments and recommendations for improvement that will make the most sense for our consumer.
If you needed further proof of the size of Unicron's box, the Brand Manager, Rachel, shows that a six foot tall human can easily fit inside.
And finally, the engineer's best assistant, Charlie, shows us that this box is definitely kitty-approved.
You can read the entire post with its informative Q&A, by clicking on any of the above pictures.
Thanks to Hasbro giving us another thorough update on the process of bringing the largest-ever Transformer to life. He's not due out until January 2021, but that's only 5 short months away! Share your thoughts about this latest update below!
"You should have worked with me... now.. I.. cannot.. help.. how.. much.. they.. will... suffer..."
"Starcream is just a weapon to be wielded." "If you ask me, he's more like a tool."
"Another one of your secret experiments that we know nothing about? Tell me more."
Just what you didn't know you wanted, but are getting anyway! The Twincast podcast crew takes a turn at discussing the newest, hottest Transformers Media; the recently released Netflix Transformers War For Cybertron: Siege. Don't miss out on ScottyP, Cobortron, and Tigertrack sharing some of their takeaways after watching the greatest Transformers show released on Neflix on July 30th, 2020.
If you are listening to this episode, you SHOULD ALREADY HAVE WATCHED the new Netflix series. The crew shares many spoilers throughout all 6 episodes including the finale!
In this episode, the 3 crew bots discuss many elements of the freshly unpacked show including plot and sub-plots, characters, voice actors and direction, surprises, wishes, and more...
-The crew also takes time to answer a listener question, this time from Mr Micromaster, who asks..."What are some characters you would like to see in Generations Selects and what molds would you like to see them use." This is a really fun question considering what we have, and what we've seen rumored, and we'd love to hear some of your ideas in the thread, too.
-And there's just enough time for some braggin' rights.
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