Dragon Ball Z Light of Hope

[fadeddreams5]

So wait, these guys think capsules are lame, so they opted them out altogether?

If they're used in live-action as they are in the series (i.e. The whole throw + POOF thing), then yeah, it would be lame seeing that on-screen. However, any film creator can re-envision this concept into something really cool. For example, each individualized capsule converts into something in particular (e.g. motorcycle), rather than actually contain something on the inside. When you click it and throw it, it transforms in the way a seed grows into a plant in fast-motion.

That said, a lot of time may end up going on that unnecessary CGI effect, so maybe they aren't suitable for this project.

[DerekPadula]

It'd be easy. Take a practical effect using a real-life capsule prop, throw it, then add a smoke explosion or a CGI poof, with a cut to the object having appeared once the smoke clears.

And if they wanted to make the entire thing CG, then all things considered, this is the easiest effect in the entire series. DBZ requires a lot of post production, and capsules would be a drop in the bucket.

They just don't like it because they just don't like it. There's no logical or budgetary constraint.

[Super Saiyan Swagger]

Ah, creative differences. It can really affect film projects and the people involved but it is very common among filmmaking.

I can definitely tell that you were heavily invested into this project, so seeing you being replaced as a screenwriter is disheartening to read.

I'm still looking forward to what Robot Underdog do next with Episode 2 & 3 but I have the feeling that it'll be missing a lot of the heart that was present in Episode 1.

But for what was present in the writing for Episode 1, you did a mighty fine job .

[DerekPadula]

Yes, this took a lot out of me. And it's a bit tough to get back into the groove of writing my Dragon Ball books, which I put on the back burner to invest time and energy into the scripts.

I'm glad you enjoyed episode 1, and thanks for the kind words.

[FortuneSSJ]

This was a dick move from them. You did the best you could and episode 1 script turn out to be great.
Its a shame you can't continue. Let's see if the quality will keep up without you.

Anyway, keep doing your work. And thanks for episode 1!

[Neo-Makaiōshin]

@DerekPadula, i have a question, is the episode 1 a 100% representation of your script for that episode ? i say this because i know that the team couldn´t get enought funding when they tried Indiegogo.

[DerekPadula]

@DerekPadula, i have a question, is the episode 1 a 100% representation of your script for that episode ? i say this because i know that the team couldn´t get enought funding when they tried Indiegogo.

No, episode 1 is not a 100% representation of my script, but it's at least 80% there. There were scenes that were modified without my knowledge or were cut out prior to or during the production. Either they didn't want to film them, didn't have the money to film them, felt they didn't work well while filming them, or the actors couldn't pull it off. There were also location changes due to budget constraints. I think it would have been more meaningful if the content remained intact, but I have never made a movie before so I took it as a normal part of the process. And the budget was so small that I had to let that slide so long as the essential content remained. Above all, I was just glad to be a part of the team.

In other words, they filmed as much as they could within their constraints, and what they did film stayed mostly true to the script, but I wasn't a part of the production process, so there were some errors and some content that never made it to the screen.

However, they told me a few nights ago during our final conversation that they felt the first episode was weak because of the script. And it's like, "Really? Then why didn't you tell me the script was weak before you started filming? Then I could have improved it." You should have seen the script they came to me with before I joined the team. It was awful, and even they recognized it was bad, which is why they contacted me in the first place.

That said, I'm aware that my script for episode 1 wasn't perfect. I had never written a screenplay before, and there was one line that was left in as an oversight, and another I would have preferred to modify. But I'm proud of 99% of it, and from a narrative perspective it's sound. But nobody at RUD expressed their unhappiness to me before it was greenlit, so I didn't get feedback to the contrary. Throughout this entire process I repeatedly asked for more feedback on the writing, but I never got what I needed.

Episode 1 was a learning process. None of us were perfect, from the director to the actors: we all improved during the process, just as anybody does. In response to its success, I trained hard to increase my writing ability for episode 2 and 3. I approached it like a Saiyan does. And I think the scripts for both episodes were dramatically better than the first. Unfortunately, they want to do their own thing.

In hindsight, while episode 1 doesn't have a perfect script, it's probably for the best that they didn't provide feedback or change requests, given what they're doing to episode 2 and 3.

Thank you for asking this question.

[VintageSaiyan]

The acting being piss poor might have something to do with it being "weak".

[Marco Polo]

A live-action film/show is never a 100% representation of the written script. Change and tweaking are part of the normal process.

I don't really mind the lack of capsules since there weren't capsules in the original Trunks special to begin with (if there were, it was very forgettable because I don't remember them in it).

This news is a bit upsetting but I'm still looking forward to the two episodes; hopefully they still end up being good.

[Saiga]

I only just got around to watching this now, it's pretty late of me.

I really enjoyed the first episode, the ki blasts still don't quite do it for me - I feel they really need to match the shape of the manga's ki blasts to look right, rather than just having a straight line. But the hand to hand combat looked much better than I was anticipating, that was really good.

Each of the characters shown so far look really good, I'm pleased that Trunks' hair colour looks good in live action. That's really appreciated. I do with this had him as a Super Saiyan already like the manga version instead of the anime special. The anime making Trunks' ascension its own subplot was a good way to serve a longer story, but I'd prefer him as a Super Saiyan already to see how that could play out in a longer story. It'd also make both the decision to bring him along and his fights make a bit more sense.

Other things I really liked was showing more of the resistance, and Gohan and Trunks stalling the Androids so they could escape. I prefer this to the TV special having Gohan show up after everyone is already dead and accomplishing nothing.

I also wanted to say that the short scene of Gohan and Trunks playing around in their training was a very nice addition.

I'd have really looked forward to the future episodes if you had continued writing, DerekPadula, but I am very apprehensive after reading your post about the creative differences leading to your departure from the project. I just don't see how it will retain the same quality if those Dragon Ball elements aren't kept moving forward.

[DerekPadula]

I'd have really looked forward to the future episodes if you had continued writing, DerekPadula, but I am very apprehensive after reading your post about the creative differences leading to your departure from the project. I just don't see how it will retain the same quality if those Dragon Ball elements aren't kept moving forward.

Thanks for your understanding. The weird thing for me is that some of those Dragon Ball elements I wrote will be in episode 2 and 3, and most of 2 will seem true on first glance; especially the introduction. General audiences will probably enjoy it, but hardcore fans with an analytical and perceptive mind will recognize what's out of place right away, like new characters that don't belong there, or out-of-personality dialogue that doesn't ring true to who they are. I wrote the scripts for the hardcore fans.

That said, the combat and special effects will be impressive regardless of the story, so a lot of people will say "ooh" and "ahh" to those moments. I have no doubt in the production value or the passion of everyone involved. But again, my responsibility is the story. Alas, here we are.

[Marco Polo]

You could release your scripts so we know what the changes are. They're yours after all, not theirs.

[DerekPadula]

I'll probably post the scripts on my site as each episode comes closer to the release date.

I may also turn them into a manga and post them online for fans to read, with the help of Malik from Dragon Ball New Age.

[Neo-Makaiōshin]

I'll probably post the scripts on my site as each episode comes closer to the release date.

I may also turn them into a manga and post them online for fans to read, with the help of Malik from Dragon Ball New Age.

Please do

[sangofe]

So Derek, your scripts won't be used for episode 2+?

[DerekPadula]

Unfortunately the answer is no but yes.

I poured 2 years of my life into writing the scripts and giving them my absolute best ideas, draft after draft. It was all in good faith, but now they're taking those scripts and changing them enough so that they feel I don't deserve a writing credit. That means you'll see some things about it that ring true, such as the scenarios that the characters are placed in, but then other things that don't ring true. They're also setting themselves up so that they can take credit for the parts that you like while claiming I had nothing to do with those parts.

Lessons learned: Don't work without a contract. Never work for free. Don't work with people who aren't true fans.

[fadeddreams5]

I may also turn them into a manga and post them online for fans to read, with the help of Malik from Dragon Ball New Age.

Not for nothing, but wouldn't that be too similar to the History of Trunks manga? >.>

Very interested in reading the scripts though!

[DerekPadula]

It wouldn't be the same as the History of Trunks manga, but I can't say more about it without giving something away or opening a can of worms on what it means to adapt an existing work. In short, it would have value to fans.

[Malik_DBNA]

I'll probably post the scripts on my site as each episode comes closer to the release date.

I may also turn them into a manga and post them online for fans to read, with the help of Malik from Dragon Ball New Age.

'Cuz I'm his buddy

In all seriousness, it did bother me to know what went on behind the scenes with this fiasco. Derek has helped me out so much and has done nothing but try to further myself and Dragon Ball New Age, and to see people take advantage of him the way they did was distressing and upsetting. I feel like I should have been able to do something to help, it bothers me that much. As much as it stinks that his work is no longer being represented in glowing rectangles across the globe via YouTube, I'm glad that this heartbreaking portion of his life is behind him.

Just be ready for Youmacon, bud We have masses to educate and entertain!

[sangofe]

Unfortunately the answer is no but yes.

I poured 2 years of my life into writing the scripts and giving them my absolute best ideas, draft after draft. It was all in good faith, but now they're taking those scripts and changing them enough so that they feel I don't deserve a writing credit. That means you'll see some things about it that ring true, such as the scenarios that the characters are placed in, but then other things that don't ring true. They're also setting themselves up so that they can take credit for the parts that you like while claiming I had nothing to do with those parts.

Lessons learned: Don't work without a contract. Never work for free. Don't work with people who aren't true fans.

Wow, what douches... And I had so much faith in this project thanks to you and that first episode...