How Pony is Formed: Production and Business Thread

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Re: How Pony is Formed: Production and Business Thread

Postby Just Scuds (?) » Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:04 pm

Nissl wrote:Yeah, I was a bit surprised at that given that a lot of the fans didn't particularly love the Build-a-Bear designs


I wonder how much of this was Bronies vs. kids and who likes RD vs Pinkie? And how many bought both?
And I wonder why they went with Pinkie and RD in the first place since Twilight is the lead character. Maybe because of their colors?

Picking Twilight as the third pony now - I guess they have to pick a unicorn and Rarity isn't as popular and rendering her mane ... Not for mass production :vogue:

Edit: just checked Build-a-Bear's site, and yep, Pinkie is the #1 seller with RD at #5. They're the only licensed toys in the top 20, not to mention the most expensive. I notice Build-a-Bear has recently added Spongebob and Monsters Inc. lines. Wonder if that is due to the MLP success. I don't recall seeing any licensed stuff there before, but perhaps my memory is being selective.

There's Star Wars costumes for the bears. Disney Princess bear as a tie in is a bit of a stretch, and bears themselves are kind of a tired old standby - there are lots of other non customizable bears, but one RD in a Hot Dog costume.
:allears: Isn't marketing and product design fascinating?


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Not the same as Sibs leaving Pony - being a fan is different than producing the show itself.
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:01 pm

Scuderia Ferrarity wrote:Picking Twilight as the third pony now - I guess they have to pick a unicorn

If that were the case, wouldn't they have to pick Rarity? :gotcha:
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Postby Nissl (?) » Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:10 pm

Looks like Larson just finished up working on pony S4, or at least a long run of TV show episodes that included some pony, while McCarthy is currently writing on an episode. Huh. Maybe she's putting the finishing touches on the finale or something?
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Postby Nissl (?) » Fri Jun 21, 2013 11:49 pm

Hasbro indirectly retracted the claims about Build-a-Bear sales being the best ever or the initial run selling out in two weeks. Maybe something else minor changed too, but none of the major product announcements did.
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Postby parchivist (?) » Sat Jun 22, 2013 5:43 pm

Nissl wrote:Looks like Larson just finished up working on pony S4, or at least a long run of TV show episodes that included some pony, while McCarthy is currently writing on an episode. Huh. Maybe she's putting the finishing touches on the finale or something?

As Head Writer, I believe she has editorial responsibilities. The upshot would be that she sets the deadlines for submission for the other writers, which will have to be set early enough to give her time to perform any final editing. As all efficient work occurs at the 11th hour*, it would not surprise me if she were still working on her episodes after the deadlines for all the other writers had passed.

* I have tested this empirically. A lot.

EDIT:
On the other hand:

Meghan McCarthy wrote:My two favorite words right now: “Locked Script”


Though I've no idea whether this means for the whole season or just a particular episode.
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Postby Lorce (?) » Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:59 pm

I'm kinda doubting it's still all about scripts. At least to me this and this sounds like a few stages beyond writing already (with the see/watching there ^^).
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Postby Mr. Big (?) » Sat Jun 22, 2013 11:26 pm

These are the only logical explanations that I can think of:

1. The time spent on writing was split (ie: the first half were written in 2012, the second half in early 2013).
2. Season 4 was originally 13 episodes, but Hasbro decided to extend it to 26, so they had to write 13 more episodes later.
3. They're actually working on season 5, but they want to keep that under wraps, thus whenever the staff talks about writing on something, they cover it up by saying it's for season 4.
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Sun Jun 23, 2013 2:56 am

Mr. Big wrote:3. They're actually working on season 5, but they want to keep that under wraps, thus whenever the staff talks about writing on something, they cover it up by saying it's for season 4.

There's no way this is actually the case, but I totally believe it anyway. :party:
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Postby Mr. Big (?) » Sun Jun 23, 2013 3:00 am

I should add another one:

4. Season 4 is actually 65 episodes long; akin to 1980s-1990s when 65-episode seasons were actually common in cartoons.
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Postby parchivist (?) » Sun Jun 23, 2013 3:43 am

Or perhaps "Locked Script" indeed refers to the whole season (or at least the finale) and production on the early episodes has already started? (I mean, it /must/ have already started if they have at most 6 months to showtime.)
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Postby Headless Horse (?) » Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:00 am

:scootawoo: "6 months to curtain, Ms. McCarthy!"
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Postby SlateSlabrock (?) » Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:31 am

5. A nine-month break between the first and second halves of season 4, a la Doctor Who :nngh:
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Postby Killing Vector (?) » Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:57 pm

6. 50-60% of the episodes will be dribbled out at the rate of one a month (if we're lucky) a la Gravity Falls. :facehoof:
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Postby Nissl (?) » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:48 pm

It's been a long time since I would post every random MSM article about the fandom, but I was a bit amused/interested to hear that the top seller at the Hot Topic they interviewed is MLP men's swim trunks.
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Wed Jun 26, 2013 3:16 pm

Wow, I only counted one horse pun ("the men are so excited they come dressed as their favourite pony, trotting around the shop") in that article. Good on them for showing some restraint.
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Postby Headless Horse (?) » Wed Jun 26, 2013 3:50 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote:Good on them for reining it in.

:smirk:
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Postby Tears (?) » Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:16 pm

She’s found Bronies, usually single, computer-savvy men struggling socially, get three uses out of the show: Socializing, escape/avoidance and conflict resolution.


I am not computer-savvy :colbert:
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Postby Robotzor (?) » Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:26 pm

Tears wrote:
I am not computer-savvy :colbert:


You haven't leveled up to Brony Service Technician, it'll unlock when you do.
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Postby Nissl (?) » Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:36 pm

Equestria Girls seems to be performing well in theaters.

article wrote:Those expectations have been exceeded, with packed houses and numerous sell outs by exhibitors in major markets, leading partners to add more showings in both the morning as well as evening times, giving fans more opportunities to experience the film in theatres.

“We have screened similar animated family films before and never had this level of attendance,” added Jenn Rustin of UltraStar Cinemas, based in southern California. “It exceeded expectations and we were pleased to have such a strong turnout of guests who thoroughly enjoyed the movie.”
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:39 pm

Too bad we don't have any actual numbers. If EqG is doing well relative to "similar animated family films" like that one person said, it's probably still not approaching feature film ticket sales.
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Postby Wylie (?) » Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:58 pm

Hopefully that will cause people in boardrooms to think "Wow, we should do a movie for Friendship Is Magic without the whole Equestria Girls shtick and see how that does!" instead of "Hey, people really love Equestria Girls and want to see more of it!"

I'm not optimistic on that point. :-/

On the other hand, I want them to settle down the TV schedule. If there's going to be a Season 5, I want it to start in September or October instead of having to deal with Long Ponyless Year again.
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Postby The Doctor (?) » Mon Jul 01, 2013 11:05 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote:Too bad we don't have any actual numbers. If EqG is doing well relative to "similar animated family films" like that one person said, it's probably still not approaching feature film ticket sales.


From the sounds of it, I bet it has some really good per-theater numbers. Heck, it might have some of the highest the past two weeks.
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Postby Jupiter (?) » Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:49 pm

Nissl wrote:Equestria Girls seems to be performing well in theaters.

Huh, I guess "I'll see how bad this is before it bombs" x 300 000 = Success.
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Postby EquestriaGuy (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 2:45 am

Well, since nobody else is gonna post it, there's a new writer. His name is Josh Haber. His only known history as a writer is 2 episodes of Kaijudo.

https://twitter.com/mktoon/status/355924538258767873
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Postby Mr. Big (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 2:51 am

Okay, so the following writers are involved in season 4:

Meghan McCarthy
M.A. Larson
Dave Polsky
Amy Keating Rogers
Corey Powell
Natasha Levinger
Josh Haber
Charlotte Fullerton & Betsy McGowan

Do we have everyone now?

Interesting that two of them, Levinger and Haber, are fairly new to writing with little prior experience.
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Postby Jyu (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:05 am

Welp, I guess that mean Merriwether is most likely not writing for season 4. I would have liked to see some more episodes from her. Still though, it seems we have quite a few writers for season 4. If Charlotte Fullerton and Betsy McGowan are only writing one episode together, that leaves 25 episodes, so I wonder how many episodes each writer wrote? Something around 3 to 4 each possibly.
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Postby Passport Clean (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:08 am

Mr. Big wrote:
Interesting that two of them, Levinger and Haber, are fairly new to writing with little prior experience.


Does that worry you Mr. Big?

Also, welcome back EquestriaGuy! :party: ... I hope. Wasn't expecting you back so soon. Is everything alright?
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Postby Mr. Big (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:13 am

Passport Clean wrote:
Does that worry you Mr. Big?

Not particularly. Everyone has to start somewhere, and if FiM is your professional debut, good for you!
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Postby EquestriaGuy (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:19 am

Jyu wrote:Welp, I guess that mean Merriwether is most likely not writing for season 4. I would have liked to see some more episodes from her. Still though, it seems we have quite a few writers for season 4. If Charlotte Fullerton and Betsy McGowan are only writing one episode together, that leaves 25 episodes, so I wonder how many episodes each writer wrote? Something around 3 to 4 each possibly.



Hoo boy, how do I answer that without getting too spoilery?

My guess is
Larson 5
AKR 5
Haber 3
Levinger 2
Polsky 4
McGowan 2
McCarthy 2
Powell 3


Passport Clean wrote:


Also, welcome back EquestriaGuy! :party: ... I hope. Wasn't expecting you back so soon. Is everything alright?

Thanks. I'm good
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Postby Wayoshi (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 4:04 am

Too spoilery?

I thought it was confirmed McGowan only helped with 1 episode, also Fullerton's only?

Also, where the hell did this writer come from? Are both Natasha & Josh people Meghan just knew (Josh has LA on his Twitter)? I just feel antsy handing things off to complete unknowns. Even Powell had prior experience with some type of stuff, and so did Savino.

EDIT: Just how much does @mktoon watch the show? Sounds like some general cartoon writer for some website, meh media :bluh:
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Postby EquestriaGuy (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 4:19 am

Wayoshi wrote:Too spoilery?

I thought it was confirmed McGowan only helped with 1 episode, also Fullerton's only?

Also, where the hell did this writer come from? Are both Natasha & Josh people Meghan just knew (Josh has LA on his Twitter)? I just feel antsy handing things off to complete unknowns. Even Powell had prior experience with some type of stuff, and so did Savino.

EDIT: Just how much does @mktoon watch the show? Sounds like some general cartoon writer for some website, meh media :bluh:


Fullerton developed the story for McGowan's first episode, now she's exclusive to Ben 10. It's unknown how many McGowan wrote.

Haber wrote for Kaijudo, so that puts him up there with Powell for experience, so I expect 3 from those 2. McGowan and Levinger don't really have jack, so maybe 2 a piece.
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Postby Chaos Sonic (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 8:13 am

Who is @mktoon again? I know I'm following him on Twitter, but I don't even remember why. :pinkieshrug:
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Postby EquestriaGuy (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 8:48 am

Chaos Sonic wrote:Who is @mktoon again? I know I'm following him on Twitter, but I don't even remember why. :pinkieshrug:



He's the VP of Global Marketing for Hasbro Studios. He sings S4 songs at the gym which we won't hear for a year.
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Postby doodlesplat (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 10:52 am

@mktoon is Mike Vogel
"Vice President of Development for Hasbro Studios" source: collider.com interview
"VP of development and scripted entertainment for Hasbro Studios" source: twitter
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Postby EquestriaGuy (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 11:35 am

doodlesplat wrote:@mktoon is Mike Vogel
"Vice President of Development for Hasbro Studios" source: collider.com interview
"VP of development and scripted entertainment for Hasbro Studios" source: twitter


ah, ya, that's the title
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Postby Dexanth (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 1:18 pm

EquestriaGuy wrote:

He's the VP of Global Marketing for Hasbro Studios. He sings S4 songs at the gym which we won't hear for a year.


Please tell me there is an actual story here.
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Postby EquestriaGuy (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 1:25 pm

Dexanth wrote:
Please tell me there is an actual story here.


He tweeted once that he was singing S4 songs in the showers at his gym. I'm jelly as all hell.
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Postby Fizzbuzz (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 2:41 pm

Jyu wrote:Welp, I guess that mean Merriwether is most likely not writing for season 4. I would have liked to see some more episodes from her. Still though, it seems we have quite a few writers for season 4. If Charlotte Fullerton and Betsy McGowan are only writing one episode together, that leaves 25 episodes, so I wonder how many episodes each writer wrote? Something around 3 to 4 each possibly.

Are we sure she's out? Remember, of all the writers, she's always been the most quiet and withdrawn. It's not like she's on Twitter or at conventions dropping hints about S4 or anything.
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Postby Jyu (?) » Sun Jul 14, 2013 11:40 pm

Fizzbuzz wrote:Are we sure she's out? Remember, of all the writers, she's always been the most quiet and withdrawn. It's not like she's on Twitter or at conventions dropping hints about S4 or anything.


We're not sure she's leaving, but based off the number of writers we already know who are writing for season 4, there doesn't seem like much room for Merriweather. Unless, some of the new writers are only writing a couple episodes.
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Postby Shadowman (?) » Mon Jul 15, 2013 2:18 pm

Now, I've the maximum respect for Meghan and Jayson.... but, anyone else here thinks that to give the MLP writer position to two newbies in the writing world is a big.... risk?
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