View Full Version : SAFEHOUSE NEWS: Quick Interview: Bryan Konietzko, Co-Creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender
SHStaff
08-10-07, 06:33 AM
SUMMARY: <font face="ms sans serif,arial" size="2"> </font>At Comic-Con International I got a few minutes for a photo
op and questions with Bryan Konietzko, co-creator and executive producer of <i>Avatar: The Last Airbender</i>. Bryan
has also worked as a character designer for <i>Family Guy</i>,
as Assistant Director for <i>Mission Hill</i> and <i>King
of the Hill;</i> and was a Storyboard Artist and then Art Director for <i>Invader Zim</i>.
View full article (http://www.thesafehouse.org/news/SH/news_353.php)
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Nice job Fricka! Wish I could have made it to Comic-con this year. Getting a few moments of Bryan's time must have been a pleasant surprise. :)
Much loooooove for Avatar. Been watching it faithfully with my oldest (now 6 years old) for both seasons. Reruns are never dull and the overall storyline is fantastic.
I have to say Sokka is my favorite character, though the writers seem to have relegated him to comic relief lately. His character in the first season was far more complex and whimsical. Several episodes revolved around him (especially that episode with Jet and the dam.) This past season he seems to have shifted to a foppish foil for Aang and Katara.
I will be buying each season as it comes out in boxes. Haven't got the first one yet though.
I never really got into that show, but my girlfriend loves it.
I'll try to direct her to the article later today.
Tabbran
08-10-07, 08:22 AM
Avatar is totally awesome!
The PR girl who setup the photo-op was super nice and very helpful in pushing everyone out of the way to get the standup shots with the ful size Avatar poster.
likenew
08-10-07, 09:39 AM
i could never figure out when it aired, seemed like it was constantly changing, kinda like scrubs.
Darcean
08-10-07, 10:38 AM
I like Avatar, though i almost never catch it on.
Yeah, I was happy to get some interview time! At first it didn't seem like it was going to happen but I pushed for the photo at least and then showed up early (strategic move there ;) ).
It was amusing because I spoke to him literally in the middle of the Nickelodeon booth on low comfy chairs so when Nymm and More showed up they couldn't see me and sent a message saying he was at the booth and the PR gal said she'd find him for me.
Anyway, Bryan was really nice though I could tell it came as a surprise at first that he was going to talk to someone right then. At the time I didn't know his history with the other shows so didn't have questions about them but I didn't have too much time as it was anyway. I had wanted to talk to their head writer as well to tell him that some of the things Toph says are right on in terms of "blind humor". I told Bryan though and he said they had had an intern writer on staff who worked with the blind and would pass my compliment along to both.
Anyway, I might ask for a visit to Nickelodeon studios itself, I used to pass it all the time when I lived in Burbank and the word around the industry was that it looked neat inside so maybe I'll get to ask more follow up questions then.
As far as Avatar, I agree Nocte, Sokka is definitely comic relief but I do think they're still giving him some other story stuff or at least "girls" haha.
PS, I was semi surprised how many folks dressed up as Avatar characters (though there was an Avatar panel and in the schedule they said to dress up).
Points if you know the character the guy on the far right of this picture is:
http://www.thesafehouse.org/mugshots/comiccon2007/JR280831
Lenilya
08-10-07, 01:06 PM
I had wanted to talk to their head writer as well to tell him that some of the things Toth says are right on in terms of "blind humor".
Toph is my favorite character. :pulid
I seriously think that Avatar is the best thing on television right now, for any age group. I say this even though there is something of a renaissance afoot, with so many great sci-fi series running. For the first time in my life, I"m actually following four TV shows.
I've always had trouble getting into anime of any sort, and not for lack of trying. But something about Avatar managed to overcome this resistance. There is an incredible amount of depth to the world and the characters. I really like the score by The Track Team (http://www.myspace.com/thetrackteammusicandsound). Especially Leaves from the Vine (http://audio.avatarspiritmedia.net/Little%20Soldier%20Boy%20(Reprise).mp3) from my favorite episode. Oh, and Secret Tunnel! (http://audio.avatarspiritmedia.net/Secret%20Tunnel%20Song.mp3). (mp3s via avatarspirit.net (http://www.avatarspiritmedia.net/))
Favorite character is definitely Iroh, but Toph runs a pretty close second. The way she makes jokes about her blindness reminds me of my father who is blind from near birth. Also, the way she turns the handicap to her advantage in earthbending rings very true.
As I was saying, my girlfriend loves the show. I couldn't find the link to her fanart earlier, but here (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/40448651) it is if anybody is interested.
DarthEnder
08-10-07, 07:11 PM
I seriously think that Avatar is the best thing on television right now, for any age group. I say this even though there is something of a renaissance afoot, with so many great sci-fi series running. For the first time in my life, I"m actually following four TV shows.
I've always had trouble getting into anime of any sort, and not for lack of trying. But something about Avatar managed to overcome this resistance.I agree. Its one of my absolute favorite shows. Along with Heroes and Venture Bros.
Even though it's not technically anime, the shows awsomeness comes from the fact that its got all of the things that are great about action anime, and leaves out the things that are annoying about it.
Lenilya
08-11-07, 12:17 AM
I like the Chinese rather than Japanese influence. It's a great change of pace, and VERY well executed.
That, and Ba Sing Se is the best town name, ever.
edit: I was tired when i posted.
Still pretty much an anime n00b here, though I did really enjoy Nausicaa. What is "Chinese vice Japanese influence"? And why do you like the name Ba Sing Se?
I think he means Chinese, rather than Japanese, influence. But I confess, "Chinese vice Japanese" doesn't really make sense to me--that's just my guess.
Lenilya
08-11-07, 02:20 PM
I dunno, I just like that way it is said. Bah-Sing-Say. It just flows well.
Yeah, that is my favorite episode: Tales of Ba Sing Se. It means impenetrable city.
Lenilya
08-11-07, 09:38 PM
My favorite episode would have to be 'The Blind Bandit', simply for two reasons:
1.) Toph
2.) The Boulder
"The Boulder's over his conflicted feelings and will now bury you in a rock-a-lanch"
DarkOmen42
08-12-07, 02:10 AM
I first started watching it with my kids but discovered I actually liked it too, pretty damn good show.
EnolSournote
08-12-07, 06:09 AM
One of my wow moments with this show is the episode where the old uncle is walking about Ba Sing Se, collecting some items, and helping the local townspeople throughout a given day.
It turns out it is the anniversary of his son's death. He was gathering the items so he could have a quiet rememberance. He lost his son at the battle for Ba Sing Se, the one where he was the commanding general. He considers the prince as a second chance. I like what the Uncle endures to try to show the prince what is really important, and at the end of the Ba Sing Se story line the whole decision the prince needs to make chose the uncle or his desparate need to prove his worth to his father.
Enol Sournote
That's actually the only full episode that I've seen so far. >.>
DarkOmen42
08-13-07, 12:41 AM
http://www.tv-links.co.uk/listings/3/179
Part of them work.
DarthEnder
08-13-07, 02:38 AM
I especially love the battle scenes. They're pretty much the best I've ever seen in a cartoon.
It's like if you took the best fights from Naruto, and then took out the parts where the characters shout out attack names, or the show cuts away for a long flashback or someone just stopping to stare for 10 seconds without saying anything.