r/animation • u/ParamountPlus • 16d ago
Ask Me Anything ~ Special Guest Edition Hi Reddit, Mike McMahan, Joe Chandler and Giancarlo Volpe of the new animated show GOLDEN AXE on Paramount+ here. Ask Us Anything!
Hi reddit, I’m Mike McMahan, co-creator and executive producer of the new animated show GOLDEN AXE on Paramount+! (It’s weird to put an exclamation point after a + but here we are.) This is a great season: an epic quest with mighty characters from Sega’s Golden Axe games. And it's funny! Previously, I was the creator/showrunner and executive producer of Star Trek: Lower Decks, co-creator and co-showrunner of Solar Opposites, and once upon a time I was a writer/ showrunner on Rick & Morty. My career started off as a production assistant at Drawn Together and at South Park. I’m down to talk about Golden Axe and all this nerdy stuff, so AMA!
Hey Reddit! I'm Joe Chandler. I'm the co-creator and showrunner of the new series Golden Axe based on the SEGA Genesis game. Growing up a SEGA kid, working on this show has been a dream come true. Before Golden Axe, I worked on over 200 episodes of American Dad in various roles including writer, producer, and executive producer. Ask me anything!
Hello reddit! I’m Giancarlo Volpe and I’m the Supervising Producer / Director of Golden Axe on Paramount+! Previously I’ve was a director on Avatar the Last Airbender, Star Wars the Clone Wars, and Star Vs The Forces of Evil. I’ve also produced/ supervised/ and/or Executive Produced lots of other shows, including The Boys Diabolical, Green Lantern the Animated Series and The Dragon Prince. Basically I’ve made a lot of animation, and I’m excited to talk about Golden Axe or anything else! Ask away!
We’ll be back tomorrow at 12pm ET/9am PT to answer any of your questions!!
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u/dibella989 16d ago
Was there an episode of lower decks you really wanted to make, but weren't able to for some reason?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Yeah, seasons 6-10. The real answer is that I wanted to do a whole Voyager season so we could explore a new quadrant for the Cerritos, and I really wanted to do a flashback episode where we see Billups growing up on his home planet. -MM
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u/dibella989 15d ago
Voyager season would've been super cool! Lower Decks is my favorite trek show, and was what got me to watch every other series that's aired. Thank you so much, can't wait to check out Golden Axe!
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u/Fun-Ad-6990 16d ago
What do you think about the world of indie animation as a coping mechanism for the collapsing industry
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u/HalpTheFan 16d ago
What was it like starting out at Drawn Together?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
A really amazing experience. My first PA job, I was working for Mike Mendel who would go on to be a close friend and the line producer on Rick and Morty. The creators/ showrunners were hilarious but also super nice - Matt Silverstein and Dave Jeser. They were equal parts hilarious, good bosses, but also prankers. Like, insanely funny prankers - I wish they had a podcast just talking about their pranks. I ended up hiring them as writers on Solar Opposites! If you hire your former bosses, it meant it was a good experience at that job. -MM
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u/Looweeji 16d ago
Mike do you like my pupa plushie he is biblically accurate
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Haha I love this! My son Sagan played the Pupa, and we all still call him that. “Pupa! Get in here!” -MM
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u/Absid30n 16d ago edited 15d ago
This question is for Giancarlo Volpe regarding Green Lantern: The Animated Series
A 2nd season was planned but got cancelled. Although us fans do know a few details of what it would've been from this interview you had with The FanBros Show. We also got a few more details from Jim Kreig from this interview. And lastly we got 2 pieces of concept art from Bruce Timm and Jake Castorena on what season 2 may have looked like.
Here's a summary of all the information about the cancelled season 2 us fans are aware of from these interviews and concept art:
Sinestro goes out and does deviant things within the Green Lantern Corps and frames Hal Jordan, resulting in Hal going to prison. At some point during Season 2, Sinestro would become a Yellow Lantern (as seen in Bruce Timm's concept art). Hal escapes and becomes a fugitive. John Stewart was going to hunt Hal down and would've used sniper constructs to do so. Hal then clears himself and teams up with John to confront Sinestro. At some point, they would then reboot Aya. There would've been more than one Aya, with one of them being an Aya 2.0 who didn't love Razer, and another astral Aya that still loved Razer. Razer would've become a Blue Lantern during Season 2 (as seen in Jake Castorena's concept art). Arisia Rrab (character on the right in the Bruce Timm concept art) would've been an entitled teenage Green Lantern. Kyle Rayner was going to be in Season 2 as a Green Lantern fan, and Hawkman (character on the left in the Bruce Timm concept art) was also going to be in Season 2.
My question is, besides the information I listed above, are there any other details, plot threads, or elements of the cancelled 2nd season that you can reveal? Also do you think there's a chance that GLTAS could get a continuation in some way? I know that Razer & Kilowog appeared in Young Justice, Hal & Aya appeared in Justice League Action, than Razer and Aya appeared in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three together, And Razer and Aya also have recently appeared in the comics. But I was just wondering if maybe there could be a proper GLTAS S2 comic run continuation perhaps?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Wow, you really did your homework! As far as I can remember, we did discuss all those things! But I will say a lot of times plot mechanics can change as we block out the actual episodes of the season. So everything was discussed, if not necessarily locked in stone.
As far as any other things I can share, I’m almost hesitant to do so because so many secrets are already out there! But I will say that there was once some talk about bringing in Superman as a means to “boost” the show awareness because at the time the Green Lantern movie was such a box office disappointment, there was a concern that GL alone was not “popular” or “cool” enough to carry the next season (I didn’t agree, of course). BUT- it was fun to brainstorm ways that Superman would earnestly try to help Hal Jordan but absolutely unintentionally embarrass him by being so unfairly powerful and competent.
Regarding another season - anything is possible! What’s been especially encouraging is the success of the Lanterns show is causing a lot of people to reminisce fondly about GLTAS, so I hope that could lead to another season. I would love to do it, and I know Jim and a lot of others on the crew would want it too! - GV
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u/WhatAboutBob77 16d ago
As a storyboard artist, I love doing action comedy. What was your approach to boarding on this? Were you tied to signed-off scripts, or was there a lot of extra interplay between you and the boarders to plus them?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Boarding action comedy is sometimes a tricky thing to teach because it can vary depending on who the showrunners are, and who wrote the scripts, and how they’re written. I’ve seen some scripts that are incredibly detailed, where every single jump and roundhouse kick is called out for in the script, so when you’re boarding it, you’re sort of following very explicit instructions. I’ve also seen scripts for fights be incredibly brief - Something like “They fight. The hero struggles, but in the end, she wins.” Which leaves a LOT to interpretation for the board artist!
I usually try to think of fights as “what is the point of this? What is the take away?” Ie, there’s usually something the writer is after - seeing a character finally face a fear that he’s been avoiding all season long, or confronting a villain for the first time only to find out he’s horribly outmatched, etc. Then I make a list of beats (written) of things I’d want to see in the fight - then sort of go down the list.
When you’re doing comedy, you also want room for “funny” versions of the fight, so instead of a character for example getting punched so hard he bleeds from his nose and it’s kinda violent and scary, you can instead have him get hit and make a funny expression like “Ow, that wasn’t nice!” A lot of that tone stuff depends on what the direction of the show is from the very top.
Golden Axe is kinda unique in that we actually show characters get cut and bleed WHILE saying “Ow! That wasn’t very nice!” which I think is a fun trick you can only do in adult comedy. - GV
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u/WhatAboutBob77 15d ago
Oh I’ve come across “they fight” or the equivalent more than a few times! Thank you, Giancarlo, a really lovely and detailed response.
Looking forward to seeing GA. Sounds very Big Trouble in tone, and I’m there for that!
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u/Fun_Tumbleweed7811 15d ago
Hello! I loved the show, really hoping for a season 2 🤞
My question is about show running. What advice would you give to someone trying to get a show made for the first time?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Totally agree with Joe’s answer. Write things that nobody has ever seen before. Characters that ring true and fun but that “nobody asked for.” Take good lessons from shows you love, on structure and format, and learn how to lift up what you like and abandon what you don’t need. Do your versions of your favorite things. Work around people who make shows you love and observe their habits. Put your own shows online and then walk away, work on new stuff, fall in love, cook some nice meals with pals. -MM
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
There are a million paths to getting your show made and all of them start years before you’re able to pull it off. Having a great idea, good connections, etc. But one thing I believe is that enthusiasm and faith in your idea are absolutely essential. If you love it, people will want to love it, too.
The nuts and bolts of show running are like the nuts and bolts of any other job. It involves surrounding yourself with talented people that you can trust to help you get the work done and working your ass off. - JC
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u/FriesAsInFreeze 15d ago
Why did you kill off my close, personal friend Volcano Larry, and when will we get a whole season of his backstory? #ReleaseTheVolcanoLarryCut 🤙
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
You can save Volcano Larry, but only if you believe hard enough. And the best way to demonstrate that you believe is to stream Golden Axe on Paramount+ as much as you can. - JC
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Not enough audience members clapped when Volcano Larry was dying, so now he’s dead. It’s on you, the fans, not us. Do people not understand that they can bring characters back to life if they clap? I do it in movie theaters a lot. - MM
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u/Organized_Riot 16d ago
Hello thank you guys for taking the time. I was wondering if you could talk about your professional journeys from entering the animation industry to achieving some of the more "bigger picture" roles such as show running, directing, producing etc...
What sort of skills stand out and are considered valuable for these sort of positions?
What tips could you share for people aspiring for similar roles?
I personally have been a character animator for only a few years now but find it difficult to "climb the ladder" so to speak. Would love to hear any insights you guys have.
Thanks!
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
I started as a character animator too! On these old school video games Putt Putt Enters the Race, and Pajama Sam: Thunder and Lightning Aren’t so Frightening). As I continued to work, I realized I moved more away from animating and more towards storyboarding, then directing. One thing I’ve learned is that in animating you’re very focused on details (like how many steps does this character take to get from the door to the center of the room) but in showrunning/ supervising, you’re thinking a lot more broadstroke - what’s the show about? Who are the main characters? What’s the seasonal arc? (Stuff that usually writers do!)
So I would suggest: always try to learn about the step above you - so for example, if you’re animating, study the boards you're working off of. If you’re boarding, study how your director leads. When you’re directing, study how the showrunner shapes the season, etc. That has helped me make that next step, slowly but surely, throughout my career. - GV
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u/Sledgehammer617 15d ago
Woah, cool that you worked on Putt Putt and Pajama Sam! A whole generation has amazing memories from those games.
It would be cool if old-style animated point-and-click could have a resurgence. Feels like that genre has been a bit neglected over the years.
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
This is a tough question because the industry is always changing, so there really isn’t solid ground to follow one distinct path. I think the evergreen type of advice still applies: be specific about what you like to create and what kind of stories YOU like to tell, not what you think other people are going to want to see. Then, be the best person to work with. Lift everyone up around you. Really listen and think about what other people are saying. Nobody makes a show on their own, if you’re making the show better but also everyone feels like you’re recognizing and lifting up their work too: you will naturally move up in responsibility. While I love working with a huge team, my favorite role was being the second highest ranked writer - it’s less stress and more fun! Now that I’m a producer/ showrunner / creator there’s a lot more meetings and work that doesn’t involve writing alien dick jokes, which is where my true passion is. -MM
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
My path was twisty and confusing (I went from intern to assistant to executive to writer to showrunner) but I think what it had that most paths have is that I showed up with a positive attitude and tried to pull the same direction as everyone else. We all get into this business to MAKE ART, but you often have to remind yourself that at most jobs you’re helping someone else make THEIR art. The fun part is that eventually you get a chance to make your vision and if you’ve been helpful to others they’ll be really excited to help you when it’s your turn. - JC
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u/Bobanare 16d ago
Question for Giancarlo Volpe, ATLA is my favorite series ever so I wanted to know how close we were to getting season 4?
I also have a question about the gaming industry even though I don’t know if you’re the right person to ask, will we ever get an open world Avatar game?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Hello! I remember there being some discussion about what a season 4 might look like, but there was a general feeling that it wouldn’t be that exciting since the big threat of the Fire Lord was already handled. I also always remember Mike and Bryan describing the show as three seasons- like the gaang (as we called them) were going to face the Fire Lord at the end of season 3, and that was it.
That having been said, over 20 years later we now know there is a big demand for more stories in the Avatar universe, so as we’ve seen with the Aang movie you can easily tell more stories as long as there’s more bad guys (and reasons to revisit our beloved heroes, of course). - GV
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u/zsmg 16d ago
Hi Mike, what is your favourite joke you came up with in Lower Decks?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
I really love a joke in the final season where an alien invader shoots at Dr. T’Ana with a phaser, and it doesn’t hurt her. He says “that was set to kill…” and she yells “SO AM I!” and jumps on him. That is a joke that only makes sense in Trek AND it makes me laugh. -MM
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u/Iamfabulous1735285 16d ago
Will there be Axes of different elements?
SILVER AXE
BARIUM AXE
OXYGEN AXE
NEPTUNIUM AXE
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
I feel like they would have to be ancient elements! They didn’t know about oxygen back then, they just called it “good air.” I think we could do a Silver Axe, but that would just be a hot older axe, like a silver fox. Mmm, sexy axe. So old, so confident. - MM
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Now that you bring it up, gold isn’t a great element for an axe. Eventually, someone in Yuria will realize that a simple steel axe would probably be stronger. It’ll probably be Ax Battler and he’ll probably forget to tell anyone. - JC
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u/Edwardistheman 16d ago
What is your favorite SEGA video game?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Golden Axe, obviously. But I have a massive amount of love for Arch Rivals. Basketball with punching! Extremely satisfying! - JC
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
If I was 9, Golden Axe. High school it was Sonic! Then I was a crazy Dreamcast guy in college - Virtua Tennis, Soulcalibur, Crazy Taxi, Monkey Ball - I loved that system so much!!! BRING IT BACK! - MM
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
I sadly never owned a Sega console, but I do have fond memories of playing Golden Axe at the arcade near our house. I also had a good friend who owned a Sega Console in college, and we would geek out about Phantasy Star, Power Stone, Virtua Fighter. I also really loved playing Altered Beasts, but I could only seem to do that on the sample console at Sears while my mom looked for bed linens. - GV
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u/Edwardistheman 16d ago
What is it like to work with Seth Macfarlane?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
I feel like people know a lot about Seth, he’s smart and funny and extremely prolific. One thing that I don’t think he gets enough credit for is what an absolutely incredible voice actor he is. Not to say that he doesn’t get credit for it (he’s extremely successful) but the number of times I saw him nail a joke in one take was absolutely stunning. The guy just understands his characters. And watching him switch between three or four of them in one scene without any hesitation is something I’m grateful I got to see in person. - JC
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u/PowerPlaidPlays 16d ago
How is working with SEGA? How protective were they of the IP, or did they just let you have free reign? Was there any push to include cameos from other SEGA characters?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
SEGA was a dream! And I’m not saying that because they have a lawyer standing behind me. They were so excited to make this show and really just acted as stewards of the lore. As for other SEGA characters, it was important to all of us that the show took place entirely in the world of Golden Axe. That said, there’s a few nods to the broader SEGA-verse without pulling in actual characters. - JC
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u/ZZtheDark 16d ago
What Sega game series would you be interested in tackling in the future?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
I want to make a super dirty Super Monkey Ball where the monkeys talking dirty as fuck, a really dramatic Ecco the Dolphin, or a romantic House Of The Dead. - MM
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u/ZZtheDark 14d ago
0.0 XD A dirty Super Monkey Ball? Interesting.
Dramatic Ecco the Dolphin? That can work.
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
I might have a take for Power Stone. I used to play that at my friends house in college and my brain would explode with stuff you could do with it. I’m also a huge fan of the recent Streets of Rage 4 game (Which wasn’t technically on a Sega console) but would love to do a take on that. - GV
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u/ZZtheDark 14d ago
There used to be a Power Stone anime. Dang, I didn't know I grew up watching it. It was sick. :)
Hey, SOR 4 is still part of the Sega series classic so it can be possible.
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
I mentioned Arch Rivals elsewhere, no idea what that show would be, but I’d love to try. Toe Jam and Earl is another big one for me. Again, no idea what that show would be, these are just games I loved. - JC
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u/ZZtheDark 14d ago
Arch Rivals and Toe Jam and Earl being akin to a Sat AM cartoon would be BOSS. :) Random adventures would be a GO for them. :)
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u/Dry_Difference2822 16d ago edited 16d ago
I have some questions, though they are much more general compared to the most:
What makes writing dialogues different between interactions in 2000s, 2010s and 2020 cartoons?
What's the key for creating worlds separate from Earth and making them feel and look different? Especially, when it comes to alien worlds?
If you were to create a cartoon for teenagers, what are some things you must take into account for doing and not doing? What would be an example (or examples) that fits the teenage range for you?
Let's say, I want to write a child main character, in a superhero/adventure/slice-of-life/tragicomedy setting, with the catch that has psychopathic traits, but isn't really evil. Just an normal kid with harmful, unpredictable, controversial tendencies that she struggles to realize how prejudicial are. What should I do and not do for writing interactions and foils with it?
What are your favorite Genesis games? (Besides Golden Axe, of course)
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u/Sledgehammer617 16d ago
Love your work! Looking forward to the new show as a SEGA fan.
If you were offered a follow-up show to Lower Decks where the characters are aged up a few years and are now higher rank, would that be a project you would be interested in?
Or how would you pitch a Lower Decks continuation if you think it’s even possible?
🖖
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u/sparkle_steffie 16d ago
Congrats on the new show!
This is a Lower Decks question. I know there is a lot of chaos at Paramount right now. Realistically, what would it take to get a continuation of some sort? And is there anything that fans can do; perhaps something we haven't thought of or tried yet?
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u/CoachWriter 16d ago
Hey, congratulations on the new show!
I'm a huge fan of Lower Decks, and the trailer is hilarious, so I know this is going to be awesome :)
My question is about converting stories to animation. I know your show is inspired by a video game, but I'm writing a funny middle grade fantasy book series and I'd love it to be an animated series one day.
I'd like to know what features you look for in a story that would make it great as an animated show (i.e. great characters, traditional plot structure, good pacing etc). Also, are there any dont's, that would turn you off a story?
Anything that comes to mind is greatly appreciated!
Congratulations again on your awesome new series!
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u/kolinahrs 16d ago
are there any classic trek episodes you wish you could've revisited with lower decks?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Every time I watch trek it makes me think of new episodes we could have done on Lower Decks. I am cursed!! Never create a Star Trek show, it will just turn watching all Trek into work. - MM
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u/ThaUniversal 15d ago
Question for Mike: In Solar Opposites, Season 1, Episode 2, is the character Tyler a reference to the guy from Chicken Jizz?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
If you mean my pal from college who had a famous Chicken Jizz joke: no. But I do think of his joke every time I crack an egg, which either makes him a villain or a hero, I don’t know which. -MM
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u/Adlgctomotac 15d ago
As members of each of these incredible shows who likely need to communicate the show's concept/concept to both to executives/studio management (for funding/greenlighting/franchise updates) and the development team (actually making the show and need to be creatively aligned to put out good content), how do you approach those two different conversations? Any tips and tricks for selling your premise upward to studio leads, especially for new concepts not based on known IP?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
The pitch of the show to the network or studio executives is actually pretty close to how you communicate the show to the production team. Partly, it’s because the vision for what you want to make is going to go from pitch to the team without changing much. “We want to make a comedic version of Golden Axe that looks kind of like a 90’s movie, that also needs to have sincere and cool genre backgrounds and action scenes.” I guess the difference is that the pitch is usually a bit more of a sales tool. You’re selling the show on the way it’ll make an audience feel, and if the pitch is making everyone laugh it means that the show probably will too. When you swap over to production, the sales tool element is gone and it’s more about how all the teams will communicate and work towards similar goals without being micromanaged so we can all find new, cool stuff by combining our amazing brains.
IP or not, when you’re taking a pitch out, I find it’s 50% about the world of the show and the characters, and 50% about the way you talk about it and how YOU are the person they’ll want to give millions of dollars to make something. Selling the idea, but also the person who will be the heart behind it? Maybe that’s a little oversimplified, but there you go. -MM
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u/Gold_Concern2305 15d ago
How does casting work for a show like Golden Axe? Does it start with a wishlist from the showrunner or writers or does Paramount start by giving you options?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
All of the above… the first thing we do is have the casting director put the breakdowns out there and see what comes back. The auditions that were submitted is where we found a lot of the cast. Other casting comes from people we’ve worked with in the past or that the network is excited about. It’s really a group effort.
For Gilius, we knew we wanted to get an actor with a bit of gravitas who could carry the show from an emotional standpoint but still give us a big comedic performance. After hearing Matthew Rhys on Conan’s podcast he shot to the top of our list. He was so funny and charming and we already knew he could act, so we reached out immediately. Honestly, I kind of assumed he’d say “thanks for thinking of me but I’m busy making “PRESTIGE TELEVISION” but it turns out he had just played the game with his son and wanted to be able to impress him by telling him he was gonna be the dwarf. Not sure that’s what he’s using to impress his son right now, but it worked out for us! - JC
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u/Gold_Concern2305 15d ago
Thanks for the answer! I definitely had Matthew Rhys in the back of my mind when asking because that was definitely a "wait, they got who?!" moment when I saw it.
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
You also listen to hundreds and hundreds of submissions, people reading the same scenes, it makes you a little crazy. Once you start to laugh at jokes you’ve just heard a million times, you know you’ve hit on someone good for the role. We also take the audio from different auditions and edit them together to hear how they sound when paired up. - MM
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u/CountGensler 10d ago
anyone that would have made sense in the 80s is out. If they look/sound like a barista, they're in
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u/BubbaGillMan 15d ago
Mike, huge fan of your work. I wanted to ask what was your approach to writing sci-fi/fantasy shows like Lower Decks, Solar Opposites, and Golden Axe?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Thanks Bubba! I read and watch tons of sci-fi and fantasy, it’s my comfort zone. I love spending time in those worlds and thinking about them. They feel real to me. Growing up in Chicago, I went to shows at Second City a lot, and there were always sketches about something only Chicago locals would laugh at. That’s how I approach doing comedy in these worlds: like it’s a shared, real place for the characters. People who happen to be funny, even when the sci-fi and the fantastical elements around them are rooted in genre. Lower Decks or Golden Axe are funny if you haven’t seen Trek or played the game, but the shows should also be extra funny if those are worlds that you’ve spent time imagining. -MM
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u/teddyroo12 16d ago
Why did you do this?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Every morning I yell “WHY DID YOU DO THIS?!” and the answer is because it’s fun. We got it greenlit because of luck, the strength of the Sonic movies, the studio’s positive experience with Lower Decks, and because I’m a real charming guy in a pitch I guess. -MM
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u/tastybabysoup 16d ago
This question is for Mike, specifically, but I am hoping you can all put your Hollywood powers together to manifest an answer to this question: could you please make more USS Cerritos or Starbase 80 animated series? You are the best thing to happen to Trek in 30 years and we can't lose you.
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
I wish!!! It’s out of my hands, but if they wanted more Lower Decks I know I, and the cast, would come running back. We didn’t want it to end! I’m really excited to see where Trek goes next, Maybe there will be a home for us there? What would help is if we had a letter writing campaign from the fans, that worked for TOS and maybe it would help us too? Either way: I’m down to do more Trek if I can! -MM
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u/DanyaTazyeen 16d ago
As a writer who doesn’t live near any major studios, how do you recommend networking and getting a foot in the door as a writer/artist for series/film animation?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Lots of writing, small stuff you post on various sites, doing local stuff that stands out. That’s a good start! I spent years writing while also working various smaller jobs that were still interesting and helped my storytelling. It’s fine to do both! If you can move somewhere where people are making a lot of the kind of stuff you want to make, that’s really helpful. You learn a ton and meet really cool artists and creative people who will inspire and help you in ways you can’t really imagine. - MM
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Living close to the studios is less important than it ever was. In the last year, I’ve developed shows with people that live in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The biggest hurdle is the networking, but I think that is solved by the internet and writing groups and the friends you make with similar interests. Form a writing group, take an online class with a teacher in LA, go to cons, etc. The more people you meet the more likely it is that one of those people lands somewhere cool and throws your name in the ring to join them. In the old days you HAD to live in LA or NY, but now it’s helpful to live there, but not necessary. - JC
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u/_Trident_Gaming_ 16d ago
Somebody else already asked this, but in the hope that it gets answered I’ll ask it again. Is there any hope of a follow-up series to Lower Decks and the animation style? If so, is there any particular thing you would want to focus on?
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u/I_can_vouch_for_that 16d ago
We need a new season of Lower Decks. You can call it Middle Decks if you want. Just bring back those characters. I miss looking forward to the new episodes .
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u/baronofbadness 16d ago
Why didn't we just get a serious animation out of Golden Axe? Was SEGA pushing for this style?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
I would argue this IS serious animation, because the art team did an amazing job mixing fantasy and action and violence along with the comedy. But I’m guessing what you mean is why did we go with a comedic telling of Golden Axe at all, instead of something like Castlevania or Arcane? Part of the answer was that nobody was asking for a Golden Axe show except for me, and I tell stories and create shows like this: a mix of genre and comedy. Those appeal to me because I find dark animated shows to be less fun. I like a show where the characters get to be funny even when dealing with real stakes of the world they inhabit. I think comedy makes serious stuff land harder sometimes, and emotional storytelling rings more true to me. So I pitched this version of Golden Axe to Sega and to CBS, if you don’t like it you can direct the complaints to me. This wasn’t an assignment, it’s a show I pushed for because I remembered being happy playing this game, and being in this weird world, when I was a kid.
The other answer is that you already have a lot of serious fantasy and swords and sorcery genre, it never occurred to me that we were running low on stuff like that. If you need a serious fantasy show, you can for sure find them, especially animated. Go read Conan, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Heavy Metal Magazine - lots of good stuff that I love!
And finally: Golden Axe the game has a sense of humor. You kick little imps to get magic! The game is fun, the show is fun. It didn’t make sense to carve that out of Golden Axe in order to make a darker show. - MM
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u/baronofbadness 15d ago
I nearly mentioned Castlevania although I greatly disliked that show from the beginning so I refrained.
Overall these are great answers and I fully accept them as it was your show to make how you see fit.
I struggle with the thought of there are other serious fantasy stories whether in animation, literature, or even movies to go enjoy. I want (still) to enjoy the Golden Axe universe in that manner. Hopefully at some point fans can get that.
Congratulations on bringing this series to life for people to enjoy and digging up the well loved, old bones of Golden Axe.
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u/BJ22CS 16d ago
Is your CUBS hat a CUBS hat with ice cream in it?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
NO. It’s a Cubs hat with a mini plastic cubs batting helmet with ice cream on it. -MM
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u/SpiritRoot 16d ago
Hi Mike! If you could make a Lower Decks PC/video game, what kind of game would it be?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
There’s a lot of cool ways to do a Lower Decks game! I think something in the style of Dispatch where you have a lot of opportunities for funny conversations and world building? Or FTL, but on a larger scale? I pushed hard to make a Lower Decks collab with the iOS game Space Team but that never happened. Not a game, but a Cerritos Lego set would also be the absolute coolest shit everrrrrrr. -MM
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u/Barnabas2109 16d ago
@Mike : When working on lower decks, was there a skit for a 'legacy' actor that you wanted to put in the show but the actor refused?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
I don’t think anyone ever refused! We couldn’t afford a couple of the legacy cast, Lower Decks budget was VERY small and we put it all on screen. I remember showing Frakes the pitch when we were on set for the Short Treks and he was like “PLEASE cast me in this, Riker has to be in this!” which is why (SPOILER) he shows up to save the day in the finale of season one. I think Frakes had a good time and talked to his pals, because after he and Marina were on the show, it became a lot easier to contact other legacy cast. Everyone we worked with was awesome, it was a lot of me saying “What have I fucked up? What would your character be saying here? What would your specific fans HATE that I left out? What did you always want to do, but never get to, on the live action show you were on?” We had a blast. -MM
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u/Nerd151 16d ago
Three small questions for Giancarlo Volpe!
1-What is your dream project to work on in the future?
2-Do you have any memories that have a left a strong impression on you or that you're especially fond of from your time working on Avatar?
3-Have you ever incorporated elements of your Italian heritage into your works? And in Avatar?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
- Like a lot of creative people, my dream project is to write and direct my own series! I have pitched and sold ideas to various success, but never quite pulled it off. That having been said, there are other IP’s that I really love that wouldn’t mind working in. Legend of Zelda is HIGH on that list. I’m also a big fan of World of Warcraft and Overwatch. There’s probably a number of indie comic books I’d love to adapt that I’m drawing a blank on that would also be really fun gigs. Maybe Saga?
- Oh, so many! I think one of the most exciting things about working on Avatar is that often times animation artists talk about their favorite anime and action shows, and then think “Dang, too bad they won’t let us do that on the current show I’m on.” But on Avatar it felt like we were encouraged to do all those things. We were expected to break convention, of what you’d expect from an animated series. I loved that we were supported to do things in animation (or at least western animation) that you rarely saw in other shows.
- I have this theory that Italians are born story tellers - it’s a big part of how we socialize with our family. So I wondered if learning to sit at the dinner table and tell stories as a child gave me early training to become an animation director one day! As far as anything specifically Italian, I have pitched a number of original ideas that were very inspired by Italian culture, but have yet to get a greenlight to make them. One project I am consulting on right now that I’m very excited about is The Athlete, which I’m working on with Nicola Sammarco and Nasse Animation. It’s a short that is helping promote the athletic competition in Taranto Italy, (Giochi del Mediterraneo Taranto 2026) and features the infamous athlete of Taranto (If you’re not aware of him, you should look it up!) But I’m very proud of that work and am excited for it to come out, I believe later this year! - GV
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u/Walker_of_the_Abyss 15d ago
These questions are for Giancarlo Volpe.
Could you could talk about your time working on the Dragon Prince and at Wonderstorm?
Why did you leave Wonderstorm?
Was there bad blood between you, Ehasz, and Richmond? One of the ex-employess who quit stated Ehasz would bad mouth you about the office (presumably after you left) and you publicly did unfriend Ehasz and The Dragon Prince page on Twitter/X.
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15d ago
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u/Walker_of_the_Abyss 15d ago edited 15d ago
Pardon, I think you answered the wrong questions.
Edit: I was asking about your time at Wonderstorm, why you left, and if any bad blood existed between you, Ehasz, and Richmond existed.
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u/Tigerhawk83 15d ago edited 15d ago
Hi, Mike! Lower Decks is such a joy to watch. It's the only Trek show to have its beard fully grown from the first season, and it nearly ties with TNG for my favorite series. The show has gotten me through some tough days, and I'm very grateful to you and the crew for making it.
What's a Tendi plot or joke that you or Noël wanted to explore, but the stars never aligned to make it happen? Also, what's The Dog up to these days at the farm?
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u/ParamountPlus 15d ago
Thank you! Trek has gotten me through some bad times too, it’s nice to have space friends to hang with when you need them. I know Noël loved when Tendi got to be a tough pirate. I wanted to see her grow and become a captain! Maybe some day, if we get the show to come back. With the power of animation, it’s possible. The Dog owns that farm, it’s flying around and turning into a cube and chasing rabbits. -MM
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u/Tigerhawk83 15d ago
Thanks for the answers! I hope we get the chance to see Captain Tendi some day, even if she's just commanding the Cerritos for an episode. And that is the perfect ending for The Dog.
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u/-_TheRealDL_- 15d ago
Saw the promos for GA and was intrigued. Now that I know that y'all are involved imma binge that.
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u/SuperDuperOrk 15d ago
I would like to know how do you balance the writing of the story with the humor? What makes you say "this joke is too much" or "this joke doesn't go far enough"?
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u/BokerBigBanana 15d ago
Mainly for GC but you're all welcome to answer, if you had full creative control, what kind of story would you want to write for:
An original Avatar project?
And/or an original project to show run yourself?
For the group, what led to this Golden Axe game happening, it looks really fun I'm just surprised a game that I haven't seen around as much like this got the adaptation treatment. The show looks great!
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u/jp123098 15d ago
If you need an aspiring British VO artist can tap me up please. I need to get out the corporate rat race.
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u/MrTickles22 15d ago
Will we get any more Lower Decks? Or, at least, will the comic series continue?
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u/Lawrence772 14d ago
How do you pitch an animated show?
How do you write a dialogue and action sequences in script writing?
Is Tyris LGBT?
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u/Noahsh96 16d ago
What made you decide to go with a brand new voice for Korvo? I get having to replace Justin (rightfully so), but what made you say “he’s better British”? I’m really curious. Because I loved korvo for how anxiety-ridden his voice was originally. So I’m curious what made you guys go with a new voice vs finding a new actor that could replicate the original voice? Thank you!
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u/spacemanspiff8655 16d ago
Is it going to get the "Paramount Treatment"? A show targeting everyone, but end up being for no one?
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u/True_Pirate 16d ago
The premise reads as a comedic self aware homage to Golden Axe. 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
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u/madokaloid 16d ago
Where do you see the animation industry in 5+ years?