Rainbow Rocks Q&A With Co-Director Ishi Rudell

[Andaasonsan 3,205]

This just got posted on EQD. Oh my god, the hype is going to kill me! Gahhh!!!

 

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2014/04/rainbow-rocks-q-with-co-director-ishi.html

 

Q: Lets get the easy one out of the way. How was it like working on the Equestria Girls sequel?

A: It's been great... A lot of fun! As a new director I've been learning so much from Jayson and Jim. I've been super lucky to have them sitting in the same room as me to bounce questions of them. And I've also been blessed with an awesome crew I think every one working on the sequel to Eqeustria girls has really upped their quality this time around! People have been really passionate about this next film.
 

Q: What was the most fun and least fun thing about working on Rainbow Rocks?

A: The most fun? Everything, from giving our input on the script, to the music... We've got some awesome music in Rainbow Rocks! To working Every day next to these jokesters Jayson and Jim! Literally every day is a laugh fest! Least fun? Well there have been some late nights and stressful moments, but that's all part of the process. Nothing that's lasting in my memory as an bad moment.
 

Q: When was Rainbow Rocks first started/put into the works?

A: Around May of 2013 was when the we got the premise from Hasbro.


Q: What are some aspects you believe have been improved on from the first equestria girls film.

A: Not to biased, but I think the story is even better for EG2... And we had some great board artists who really got into the characters. Our layout team is a little more experiences this time around due to this being their 2nd crack at human characters.
 

Q: On the same note, how does Rainbow Rocks compare to the first EQG film as a whole?

A: Again, I may be biased but I think over all it's going to be a better film. Since EG1 set the stage for our new world... EG2 gets to focus A little more on the story
 

Q: Have you found yourself reading all feedback on the first Equestria Girls, positive and negative, and done some things to try to address the criticisms of the first film? Perhaps not just you, but also the writer(s

A: I personally didn't spend too much time reading all the feedback from the first film... I try not to get too caught up in the criticism. When we watched the movie in theaters it had a pretty great response from the audience. That being said, we did try to make a lot of Improvements on the first movie. I know that a lot of the feedback from the brony community was valid, but it's difficult to filter the Constructive criticism from the trolling some times. I can't speak for Meghan who wrote the 2nd script. But based on how it turned out, I'm sure she heard some of the feedback.
 

Q: Were there any hiccups/mistakes/errors in the making of Rainbow rocks?

A: Of course not.. Lol nothing worth saying... For the most part, everything has been running smoothly.
 

Q: What are some scenes/ideas that didn't make the cut?

A: Hahaha... Oh god, I wish I could tell you! But some of them had us ROTFL in the editing suite.
 

Q: It was revealed at New York International Toy Fair that, like its predecessor, the film will also get a theatrical release. Do you know if it will be in limited theaters, like for EQG1, or be released in most major cinemas?

A: Unfortunately I don't know exactly what plans Hasbro has for a theatrical release on EG2. So I probably shouldn't even speculate...
 

Q: So far, the biggest gripe people have expressed towards the upcoming rainbow rocks film is that Fluttershy only has a tambourine. Was there any other instrument considered to be given to Fluttershy?

A: Heh yes... This was something already established, and we didn't have the power to change it. We had a few different ideas for Fluttershy's instrument. Violin being one of them.
 

Q: Another thing people have noticed is that the Rainbow Rocks shorts are much more visually impressive than most of EQG1. Was this just something done for the shorts, or has Rainbow Rocks been kicked up a notch?

A: You can expect the same quality for Rainbow Rocks... Maybe even better! We had a lot of fun doing the shorts... And that fun carried over in the rainbow rocks
 

Q: Should we expect to see plenty of TV/movie references and callbacks?

A: There might be a couple... If you look close enough.
 

Q: With tons of Rainbow rocks Trixie merchandise already on store shelves, and Trixie getting her own short animation, can we expect to see her play a big role in the upcoming film?

A: I can only tell you that she will be more visible than she was in EG1.
 

Q: This is an important one. Are we going to see more or less of Flash Sentry in Rainbow Rocks, compared to EQG1

A: I think we've utilized the character properly for EG2... I hope that's good enough?
 

Q: Besides what we've seen, Pop, rock, and dubstep, are there any other styles of music we can expect to see/hear?

A: As far as the music is concerned you'll just have to wait and see... All I can say is that it's really good! Daniel really stepped it up for Rainbow Rocks!
 

Q: Was the fandom a big factor for making the decision to give dj-pon3 and Trixie bigger roles in Rainbow Rocks?

A: For the Rainbow Rocks shorts we had a little more freedom to be experimental. This is why you guys are seeing videos like Music to My Ears I think it's pretty obvious that the fandom does have a little influence on what we put out there.
 

Q: Along with EQG1, would you say that Rainbow rocks is canon to FIM?

A: Not 100%. All though the universes are obviously connected, we're trying to separate them as best we can.
 

Q: Since the portal to EQG land only opens every 30 moons, how long would you say a moon cycle in Equestria is?

A: Hmmm that's a question better left for Jayson Thiessen. I'd say it's roughly around the same as the human world, but then again, A moon rotation would vary depending on how big or small the planet it was rotating around?
 

Q: That about covers it.
Is there anything else you want tell us about Rainbow ROcks, before signing off?

A: I can tell you that Jayson and I just viewed the first act, and we were extremely happy with how it turned out. We've got an OTS that's going to blow your socks off... Thanks to amazing boards and layouts by Tony Cliff Our layout team has done such an awesome job on this movie, thanks to Christopher Lienonen and Steph Mahoney. You'll especially want to keep an eye out for Chris Morrill, who's storyboard panels are a work of art! All in all I think you guys will enjoy Rainbow Rocks... And for those of you who are afraid it interferes with the regular season of MLP, don't be! No matter what, the team here at DHX is going to bring you the best quality entertainment we know how to! And we're very lucky to have an amazing relationship with Hasbro entertainment, who give us the freedom to do so.

[Scootalove 10,689]

When I saw this Q&A, the hype has been increased!

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

Q: This is an important one. Are we going to see more or less of Flash Sentry in Rainbow Rocks, compared to EQG1 A: I think we've utilized the character properly for EG2... I hope that's good enough?

 

 

Excuse me, I can barely contain my glee.

 

Q: Since the portal to EQG land only opens every 30 moons, how long would you say a moon cycle in Equestria is? A: Hmmm that's a question better left for Jayson Thiessen. I'd say it's roughly around the same as the human world, but then again, A moon rotation would vary depending on how big or small the planet it was rotating around?

 

Gosh darn it, they still haven't figured that out?! You can't just keep referring to that term when measuring time without ever clarifying what that term means. "Welp, geez, Twilight, it's been twelve turnips since we defeated King Sombra!"

Edited April 28, 2014 by CITRUS KING46

[undead nightmare 7]

Sounds like this won't be a complet fail of a movie after all

[Dattebayo 2,850]

I want to ask him one:

 

"What did we do to deserve this?"

[ReverseFaller 2,484]

I'm so hyped for this movie.

 

Equestria Girls was good and all, but this movie seems like it's going to be a lot better.

 

The only thing I don't really like about this movie so far is that they turn into pony hybrid thingies when they play music. (The mane 6 that is.) It might not be so bad though.

[Sonicrules831 520]

Reading this just makes me more and more hyped! I'm so excited for this movie

[Sir Wulfington 276]

What does "not 100% canon even me?" I don't understand, it's either set in the same canonical universe as FIM or it isn't (and by universe I mean overall story universe, not alternate worlds within the same universe), there's no  partially-canon. With how they said the comics are "as close to canon as can be" and now this, I'm really wondering if they know what the word "canon" actually means. Why can't they just say yes or no?

Edited April 29, 2014 by Sir Wulfington

[Andaasonsan 3,205]

What does "not 100% canon even me?" I don't understand, it's either set in the same canonical universe as FIM or it isn't (and by universe I mean overall story universe, not alternate worlds within the same universe), there's no  partially-canon. With how they said the comics are "as close to canon as can be" and now this, I'm really wondering if they know what the word "canon" actually means. Why can't they just say yes or no?

Digging it up is a pain, but I remember Meghan McCarthy saying that she was new to the concept of canon and it's not a term that they use in the writer's room.

 

So it's probable, that yeah, they don't understand the term.

[Moost 164]

THIS MOVIE BETTER BE WORTH IT OR I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL STICK THIS BABY IN THE MICROWAVE. Don't take that to offense of course, it's just a joke.

This movie will rock, get it because Rainbow Rocks. Ah forget it. JUST DON'T BUCK UP, MORONS OVER AT HASBRO.

[Sir Wulfington 276]

Digging it up is a pain, but I remember Meghan McCarthy saying that she was new to the concept of canon and it's not a term that they use in the writer's room.

 

So it's probable, that yeah, they don't understand the term.

 

That's actually pretty shocking, its a very important part of fiction and I would think they'd know about it. Like, how could they not, as writers? Or is it that they understand what the word means (what dictates the characters, setting and lore that are apart of the same fictional universe), but not that actual word for it? Sounds like they don't understand the concept at all, which is baffling.

Edited April 29, 2014 by Sir Wulfington

[Andaasonsan 3,205]

That's actually pretty shocking, its a very important part of fiction and I would think they'd know about it. Like, how could they not, as writers? Or is it that they understand what the word means (what dictates the characters, setting and lore that are apart of the same fictional universe), but not that actual word for it? Sounds like they don't understand the concept at all, which is baffling.

Well Meghan McCarthy has also said that Twilight actually experienced the stuff that happened in Equestria Girls, so I think they do have something of a concept of what stuff is "real".

 

I think they're just new to having to  think about fanboys who worry about stuff like this. The appearance of bronies was kind of a surprise after all.

[Sir Wulfington 276]

Well Meghan McCarthy has also said that Twilight actually experienced the stuff that happened in Equestria Girls, so I think they do have something of a concept of what stuff is "real".

 

I think they're just new to having to  think about fanboys who worry about stuff like this. The appearance of bronies was kind of a surprise after all.

So you're saying they never really took their writing seriously? Well.....that would explain.....a lot. It wouldn't surprise me if they just write for fun, hence the continuity errors and plot holes in the show thus far. Would explain why they don't have anyone making sure stuff like that is avoided. A lore-master, if you will. Surely if you aren't making sure to keep the continuity in check and holes non-existant it's because you don't care or don't think things through. 

 

And most bronies don't seem to care either, unfortunately.

Edited April 29, 2014 by Sir Wulfington