Michael Bay FiOS Ad

Michael Bay is featured in Verizon's new FiOS ad that includes the full-scale Bumblebee model, Transformers footage and things going boom. (source)

Transformers Brags About Money

Paramount bought an ad in Variety point out the success of Transformers in theatres with its $700 million worldwide haul and its 8.3 million first week DVD sales. From the ad, about the only question I have is what is fastest selling DVD of all time. (source)



As a reader pointed out, the pic shows 700 billion but re-reading the Defamer article, and how the text lines up, its safe to say that the extra zeroes where added on by them. I guess I could remove them but don't feel like it besides it might encourage the studio execs to greenlight a larger budget so even more transforming fun.

Blackfilms.com Transformers Contest

Blackfilms.com is running a Transformers contest where the Grand Prize is 3 Voyager TF toys and the Transformers: The Album. Thanks to Wilson M for the information.

Contest description:

One Grand Prize will receive the following:
1 Hasbro Transformers Ironhide Autobot
1 Hasbro Transformers StarScream Decepticon
1 Transformers: The Album

3 runner-ups each receive
1 Transformers: The Album

All you have to do is enter your information below starting June 29th thru July 6th. We'll draw names randomly on July 9th, 2007. Winners will be notified by E-mail. Only one entry per e-mail address will be accepted, and multiple entrants may be disqualified. Employees, agents, consultants and other advisors of blackfilm.com, Inc. are not eligible to participate in this contest. No one under -3 is eligible.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. GOOD LUCK! To enter, please email your Name, Address & Email Address to transformerscd@blackfilm.com with "Transformers CD and Toys" in the subject line.

All entrants MUST be residents of the United States. blackfilm.com
respects the privacy of its readers. No information submitted in this
contest will be given, copied, transferred, or sold to any third parties

GM Blogs About Transformers and the Camaro

GM has a blog. Who knew? Anyway they posted two videos about cars of Transformers. From their blog comes two video.

The left video is with Micah Jones, Interior Design Team for the Camaro, who discusses how the Camaro is a fit for Transformers since its "a bridge from the past to the present." Actually a pretty good argument if listen. Course I am biased as I think not using a Beetle was a smart decision. He also just discusses his enjoyment of Transformers in general and comes across as a genuine Transfan.

The right video is a shorter and goofier video with Tom Peters, Director of Exterior Design for the Camaro. He talks about why he thinks the Camaro was chosen as the car for Bumblebee. Thanks to Mary for the link.

Update: At the request of Paramount, GM removed the videos. Personally I don't see what the issue was. The videos talked about the Camaro and why they think it was a good choice to be in the movie. Nothing Paramount owned was even in the video (the Camaro I would think is GMs).

Sounds like over zealous lawyers cause I get the feeling there is major crackdown on anything that even sniffs of potential copyright infrigement (so beware you bittorrent folks) as they don't want to lose even 1 penny of potential sales. Course I am thinking that if your satisfied with a crappy copy of the movie on your computer screen chances are you didn't plan on going to pay and see the movie to begin with, but the lawyers, they work on the 1:1 ratio belief, ie every copy downloaded is 1 sale not made. Not true, but anyway.

Live Webcast Random Thoughts

Watching the "Live from the Web Carpet" webcast for Transformers. Its mostly pre-taped interviews lightly mixed with red carpet interviews. While watching, here are some random thoughts and notes at least until get to bored. If hit the site, along the top are some links, under "Videos" is the pre-taped video interviews they used.

- Turns out DeSanto collects comics, 35000k worth. He needs to hit me up as I could add another 10k to that size. Make it something really brag worthy.
- Rachael Taylor has a sexy accent and looks.
- No new movie clips shown that haven't already been online.
- Funny, at one point the host is right next Peter Cullen and doesn't know it. He isn't a known "face" so not really surprised missed him.
- Already tired of hearing "Live from the Web Carpet" said over and over.
- Linkin Park "We like to focus on many things." when it comes to music. The difficulty in spitting it out makes me thinks its more of "I listen for opportunities for some green." Can't blame em, I would to.
- I am thinking ET or E! will have a more concise summary of the sales pitches and the "look at me"s of the red carpet on their shows tomorrow. Not sure if slogging through those programs is worth it though.
- Why talk about who is walking around if are not actually talking to them? Typical red carpet interview style just strange to me.
- Megan Fox, also hot, still not digging those bizarre tattoos she has. I suspect those are cost her jobs as its something that has to be dealt with on any project she does, ie cover em, figure way to explain via character, and see most casting directors just deciding not worth the trouble.

Well obviously I got bored. No new ground was covered. All the clips are online and the interviews where the same information repeated. Not knocking the site though, if didn't have this blog, it would have lots of new info so for newbies playing catch-up it was probably be darn good.

Update:
TFW has a post from someone that attented the premiere. Click here to read, has spoilers. Probably the part that is most important "one shall stand, one shall fall". Oh yeah, probably very much to the annoyance of Hasbro, Brawl is still named Devastator.

Burger King Commercial

The commercial use of the Transformers continues. I guess this means they have gone mainstream. Does that mean Transfans are no longer geeks? Anyway, its a cute commercial and overall it seems like the advertisers are having fun with the concept as using it in pretty creative way overall. They don't come across as boring. Thanks to Maximus for the link (and all the others she kindly provides).

Justin TV Live From Transformers Premiere

According to a post on TFW2005, if your a fan of Justin TV, Mooncricket Films is broadcasting from the LA premiere of Transformers as of now. No telling what may or may not see. Could just become a wall of heads, who knows but if your bored maybe something interesting will happen.

Click here to find out more.

Transformers Chevy Commercials

Chevy has introducted two new commercials involving Transformers to advertise "Transform Your Ride" deals. The commercials are amusing and one involves Optimus "my bad" Prime and the other Blackout. Thanks to Maximus for the links.

With Blackout

With Optimus Prime

With Megatron


Update: Thanks to Trailer and Maximus for pointing out another ad, this time featuring Megatron. Also here is another Megatron commercial. The only difference to the above is the advertised vehicles and its a man picking up the car from the valet.

CBS Radio's Live Webcast for Transformers Premiere

CBS radio sent an email to me about a new website they are launching called "Live from the Web Carpet." After reading about the site figure site readers will want to know about it cause the first installation will be from the red carpet premiere of Transformers with interviews from the cast and producers outside the Mann National Theatre. Sure its basically an extended advertisement for the movie (as all press filled premieres tend to be), but I will happily eat that junk up cause seems like might be fun and interesting.

The webcast starts on June 27th at 9:30 EST / 6:30 PST at Web Carpet Live.

The full press release:

CBS RADIO LAUNCHES "LIVE FROM THE WEB CARPET,"
A SERIES OF ONLINE SPECIALS BROADCAST FROM THE MOST TALKED ABOUT MOVIE PREMIERESExclusive Video Presentations To Include Interviews With The Stars, Behind The Scenes Footage And Clips From The Featured Film

Debut Webcast From Premiere Of "Transformers," The Michael Bay Film Starring Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson And Josh Duhamel, On Wednesday, June 27

Earth has become the battleground pitting good versus evil in the highly anticipated Michael Bay film, “Transformers,” debuting in theaters this July. CBS RADIO stations will serve as the online destination for complete coverage of the movie’s Los Angeles premiere on Wednesday, June 27 (6:30PM, PT) as part of the Company’s latest series of web specials, “LIVE FROM THE WEBCARPET.” The half-hour program will be streamed live on more than 100 station websites spanning all CBS RADIO markets and formats, and available on-demand following the broadcast.

Hosted by Leo Quinones, host of the popular Film Freak radio show broadcast in Southern California, the debut episode of “LIVE FROM THE WEB CARPET” will capture all the excitement of the long-awaited premiere of “Transformers” and feature interviews with cast members including Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, John Duhamel, John Turturro, and John Voigt, celebrities attending the premiere at the Mann National Theater, highlights from the movie, commentary from Executive Producers Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg, behind the scenes footage and a look at some of the spectacular props.

HBO Asia First Look At Transformers

"0JazzMeister0" of TFW2005.com has uploaded the 20 minute long version of HBO Asia's First Look for Transformers. The file is 266mb in size. Click here for U.S. HBO First Look schedule.

Be aware that historically the First Looks are more extended advertisements then behind the scenes, where everyone talks about how exciting the movie will be, the difficult stunts the actor committed to (forgetting to mention insurance company has to sign off on it so probably very safe) and generally take turns patting themselves and each other on the back. Between all that thought there might provide some behind the scenes stuff that might be interesting. This also means that when Transformers pops up on cable in about a year it will be on HBO and Cinemax.

HBO Asia First Look file

Transformers for 48 Hours

According to Mania.com, Transformers will play 48 hours straight at the top 10 theatres in the country. Neat idea, only problem is the failure to mention what 10 theatres and what to days.

The article:

We already knew that Transformers was getting pushed ahead of its release date to Monday, July 2nd. This gives Pixar's Ratatouille only 3 days and Live Free or Die Hard 5 days (Six if you include midnight showings). It seems to go beyond that for Transformers though. They're literally invading theaters planning to overrun the box office competition.

A source inside the industry has informed me that while Transformers opening on Monday gives it a sizeable advantage over its competition, it also has something else going for them.He goes on to tell me that Paramount & Dreamwork's film will also have 24 hour straight showings in the top 10 movie theaters in the country for 2 days straight.

Yes, that's correct. The top 10 theaters in the country will be showing Transformers around the clock for 2 days straight from Monday thru Wednesday. 48 straight hours of coverage on all their screens.

This is going to be an invasion, Maniacs.

Transformers Via Satellite AT LA Film Festival

ENEWSI.com is reporting that the LA Film Festival will screen Transformers via a satellite feed. This will apparently be one of the first times a digitial feed has been done for a film. The screening will be on June 27th at 8:15PM in four theatres at the Westwood Village.

From the article:

L.A. Film Festival -- Microspace Communications Corporation (Microspace), the leading distributor of digital cinema via satellite, today announced that it will deliver the North American premiere of DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures' release of "TRANSFORMERS" to the L.A. Film Festival on June 27, 2007.

The exclusive pre-release screening of "TRANSFORMERS" will represent the first time a motion picture has been delivered via satellite to the L.A. Film Festival. The distribution will be one of the largest film premieres in history and will be screened simultaneously to thousands of viewers.

"Digital delivery is a key element in the change to digital cinema," said Jim Tharp, president, domestic distribution for Paramount Pictures. "We are so pleased to partner with Microspace for satellite delivery of TRANSFORMERS at the L.A. Film Festival."

"Satellite delivery of motion pictures continues to gain significant traction among studios and exhibitors as return-on-investment is realized," said Curt Tilly, manager of digital cinema distribution at Microspace. "The quality and reliability that digital delivery yields, enables both studios and exhibitors to feature the highest quality presentation the first time and every time."

Microspace collaborates with studios, content preparation companies and exhibitors to utilize satellite distribution and its benefits. The proven workflow and electronic delivery of Microspace's satellite distribution provides the industry with a turn-key solution for content delivery and minimizes the potential issues and costs associated with physical delivery. Through the use of two discrete satellite systems, movies and keys are delivered on-time, every-time at Microspace connected theatres.

The North American premiere will be open to 4,000 people across four theaters in Westwood Village where they will view the Autobots(R) and Decepticons(R) battle it out. The premiere will take place on June 27, 2007 at 8:15 p.m. "TRANSFORMERS" will open in theaters nationwide on July 3, 2007.

For centuries, two races of robotic aliens - the Autobots(R) and the Decepticons(R) - have waged a war, with the fate of the universe at stake. When the battle comes to Earth, all that stands between the evil Decepticons(R) and ultimate power is a clue held by young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). An average teenager, Sam is consumed with everyday worries about school, friends, cars and girls. Unaware that he alone is mankind's last chance for survival, Sam and his friend Mikaela (Megan Fox) find themselves in a tug of war between the Autobots(R) and Decepticons(R). With the world hanging in the balance, Sam comes to realize the true meaning behind the Witwicky family motto - "No sacrifice, no victory!"

DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures Present, in Association with Hasbro, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy Production of a Michael Bay Film, "TRANSFORMERS" starring Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Anderson, Megan Fox, Rachael Taylor with John Turturro and Jon Voight. Directed by Michael Bay from a story by John Rogers and Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman and a screenplay by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman, the film is based on Hasbro's Transformers(TM) Action Figures. The producers are Don Murphy, Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce and the executive producers are Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian. The director of photography is Mitchell Amundsen. The production designer is Jeff Mann. The film is edited by Paul Rubell, A.C.E. and Glen Scantlebury. The costume designer is Deborah L. Scott. The music is by Steve Jablonsky. The music supervisor is Dave Jordan. The special visual effects are by Industrial Light & Magic. This film has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor and language.

Update:
From ENI: The first 8,000 tickets for next week's TRANSFORMERS release sold out in eight minutes in Los Angeles.

Transformers on Second Life

According to a press release from Paramount Pictures International, Transformers will have a presence on Second Life in the form of a Sector 7 section. Second Life is some kind of online virtual world thing. I have never used it so nothing about it.

The press release:

Paramount Pictures International Brings TRANSFORMERS to Second Life
LONDON, June 21 /PRNewswire/ --

- Q&A with Director Michael Bay, Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura and the Cast From TRANSFORMERS Launches "Sector 7" TRANSFORMERS Experience Within Virtual World Second Life

In anticipation of the worldwide release of TRANSFORMERS, Paramount Pictures International will be launching "Sector 7", an immersive 3-D experience within the fast-growing online community known as Second Life.

A live Q&A with the film's director, Michael Bay, producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura and the cast from TRANSFORMERS will launch the experience to an invited global audience of press and fans.

In a first for an event of this profile, the Q&A will also be broadcast live as a video stream available for anybody to view both within Second Life and on the web.

Following the Q&A "Sector 7" will open to the public, giving each of Second Life's 7 million residents the opportunity to:

- Explore the high-security "Sector 7" underground facility featured in the movie and rebuilt within Second Life.

- Collect the first of series of official TRANSFORMERS avatars being given away free to "Sector 7" visitors.

- Interact with a wealth of rich-media production material including stills and video exclusives.

- Discover a wide selection of other free avatar accessories, virtual merchandise and hidden 'easter egg' give-aways.

Paramount Pictures International is working with the creative marketing agency Picture Production Company (PPC) to create the TRANSFORMERS experience within Second Life.

Transformers will open in cinemas across the UK & Ireland on JULY 27th

(source)

$5 Transformers Buck

Went by Best Buys today and found more info about the Transformers $5 concession bucks. Its essentially a $5 coupon to use buy concession food from participating theatres from 7/4/07 to 7/31/07. Note its starts the 4th, not the 2nd but hopefully be honored anyway. As far as participating theaters, AMC is not involved. To find out if other theatres will honor it, can go to www.hollywoodmoviemoney.com. Do a search and if your threatre shows up, your probably good and if not, then assume they will not accept it.

Best Buys Transformers Ad

Based on the weekly ad I found online at Best Buys, the Transformers marketing department has dropped a ton of money on them. If there is a TV screen, there is an image ad for Transformers but with the wrong opening date of 7/4/07. In addition there is an add for "Free Transformers Concession Cash" with the purchase of DVDs on sale for $6.99 (pic on left, click to make bigger). I have absolutely no idea what the $5 in "concession cash" coupon means or what theatres will accept it.

Chevy: Rise of the Autobots

I think this site has been up for a while but forgot to post about it until Melvin L sent a link reminding me. The site apparently has exclusive footage and game that allows you to build your own Autobot. In the initial registration, it has a cute inside joke where you can name your Autobot and given a drop down list to as a suffix of -imous Prime, Maximus, Magnus, Supreme, -obot, -abot, -icus, -otron, -lock, -oplex. Want to accuse them of being simplistic...but really its kind of disturbing just how many Transformers names end in one of those suffixes (but not required).

After registration, choose a Chevy car as base Autobot and then play the game for upgrades. Its mostly for fun and if there is Transformers footage, etc on the site, I couldn't find it. Under Extras, there is a wallpaper but its of the Chevy robots not G1 or movie robots. Basically its just a site to goof off on.

Rise of the Autobots

Transformers Asian Junket Description

Michael Bay and Megan fox apparently went on a Transformers press blitz in Korea recently, maybe this weekend not really sure. Someone posted about it over on some forums along with some pics.

The write-up is from a very excited Transfan with fondness for leet speak so just roll with it. The highlights (taken wholesale from the post):
- some uber-n00b asked about a changed ending and that this one is more subdued and not emotional...
micheal bays reaction was classic:
"subdued??!! you've got to be kidding me!! The final 30 minutes is pure action!! I have to say. you are just WRONG....

- Micheal Bay did say they would do a Transformers 3....4....5 and on if they got a good reaction from the crowd... which I immediate screamed out "HELL YA!!!" (which rung out as everyone else was silent lol ). Micheal bay responded with a "Alright! there you go!" lol

- Why did you cast Megan fox?
Micheal Bay: Blah blah "scowered many countries...saw over 600 women for the part" ..blah blah... blah... "and well, look at her!!"

So that was the "important bits". The part I like is the pics below as it shows how this thing was treated as an event there. Here, the equivalent of a tour among the talk shows - Leno, Letterman, etc with last stop at the Daily Show. There its this light show and over the top thing. Bet the stars like it though. Wonder what the after party is like...

To read the entire write-up and view all the pics, click here. Pics I grabbed courtesy of UnrealAddicts.


(source)

Transformers Mountain Dew Commercial

Creative commercial from Mountain Dew for Transformers related contest. Worth a few for shear amusement. Best part is its about Transformers...without actually showing anything from the movie. The advertisement exec that came up with it must be a Transfan.

MTV Movie Awards Tonight

Don't forget the MTV movie awards are on tonight at 8:00pm EST, with a pre-show at 7:30pm. The rumor is some exclusive Transformers footage will be show during the pre and live show. Also, its been hinted at that MTV will not repeat this constantly like they have in the past. On the bright side though, I am sure the Transfans of the internet will have the TF footage posted to YouTube by tomorrow, which I will happily embed on this blog.

Transformers Official Site Updated

The Transformers movie official website has updated with new design, backgrounds, games and the like. Its gives you the option to choose Autobots (protect) or Decepticons (destroy) which then displays an interesting background image while the flash loads. From there, you have nine (not all available) options to choose from. Site has wallpapers, IM icons, pics, trailers and so forth. As far as I can tell the content is the same regardless of faction chosen, the background images are just different.