ANIMATED SHORTS: TEN QUESTIONS WITH AVATAR'S MICHAEL DANTE DIMARTINO

[MattBrady]

TEN QUESTIONS WITH MICHAEL DANTE DIMARTINO
AVATAR CREATOR TALKS ABOUT THIRD SEASON

by Steve Fritz

Yes, this is not your standard length for an interview. Then again, creator Michael Dante DiMartino was answering back all the way from South Korea.

What was he doing there? Why putting the finishing touches on the latest season of his and partner Bryan Konietzko’s breakout show, Avatar: The Last Airbender. While the future of the animated series past the current season is still up in the air, a live action trilogy of films is also in development, with director M. Night Shyamalan at the helm.

Because of the distance involved, questions were limited to ten. Here’s what was asked:

Newsarama: What is it actually like working with M. Night Shyamalan? What do you think of what he has developed for the film so far?

Michael Dante DiMartino: We’ve met with Night a couple of times and he’s very inspiring to work with. He’s really respectful of the show and the world that Bryan and I created. Earlier this year he pitched us the outline of the first movie, which is based on the first season, and we loved it. It captured the essence of the story and the characters beautifully. In fact, he was so faithful to the story, that Bryan and I were the ones saying certain characters and storylines could be cut. So the fate of the live-action Cabbage Merchant still hangs in the balance!

NRAMA: Will we be seeing any more of the previous Avatars (besides Roku, obviously), particularly Kuruk the Water Bender and the story of his wife?

MD: Kuruk, the Waterbender and Yanchen, the Airbender do make a brief appearance in season 3, but I don’t want to give away why.

NRAMA: Did you always have Mark Hamill in mind for the Fire Lord? What was he like to work with?

MD:Mark auditioned for the role of Fire Lord Ozai along with many other actors. Good villains are tough to cast, and Mark brought a wonderful seriousness and severity to the role, without sounding over-the-top or cartoony. He has a great sense of humor and is really fun to work with. Like many people, I grew up watching Mark as Luke Skywalker, so to have him work on our show and play the main villain is amazing and also very surreal.

NRAMA: Is it me or does it seem that a major plot point off the bat is redemption and forgiveness; i.e. Zuko worrying about his father's forgiving him; Katara forgiving Hakoda and, especially, Aang on "failing" himself.

MD:You’re absolutely correct.

NRAMA: Is there any key relationships I'm missing on this point?

MD:Uncle Iroh’s story is also about redemption. After Zuko betrayed him in Ba Sing Se, Uncle refuses to speak with him. And Zuko thinks Uncle is a fool for not choosing his side, but really Zuko’s anger is just masking the fact that deep down, he knows he did a bad thing. So these two have to learn to forgive themselves and each other. And after losing his son Lu Ten to the war, and now losing Zuko to the “dark side,” Uncle feels like a failure. He does a lot of self-reflection while in prison which may or may not lead to him taking some sort of action. You’ll just have to watch to find out.

NRAMA: Can you comment on these three relationships that I pointed out, and what did it take to interweave them together?

MD:The main parallel throughout the series has been Aang and Zuko’s stories, and that parallel continues in Season 3. In “The Awakening,” Aaron Ehasz, the writer of the episode, did a great job of thematically tying all the stories together. The scene when Katara breaks down in front of her father is one of my favorite moments of the season--the writing, acting, and animation are fantastic. She seems to be angry with Aang for leaving, but really she’s been harboring all this resentment and anger at her father for leaving her years ago and it all comes out in that moment.

NRAMA: The premier episode had to set one of the darkest moods I've seen for the series. Will there ever be lighter, more comedic episodes this season?

MD: As we get toward the end of this story, the stakes are higher, so naturally the stories become more serious. But we’ve tried to balance the dark episodes with lighter ones like “The Headband,” where Aang enrolls in a Fire Nation school. Without spoiling anything, there is an episode late in the season that we think is the funniest of the series. Fans are going to love it.

NRAMA: What would you say is the hardest part of animating this series?

MD: It’s animation, so every part is hard. What’s been amazing to watch is how the quality of all the processes has improved over the course of the production. Season 3 has some of the best writing, artwork, music and sound design in the series. Everyone who works on the show continues to raise the bar with each episode and they always surpass Bryan’s and my expectations.

NRAMA: How does it feel to see this arc reaching its end? Do you feel like you've managed to accomplish all you set out to do? If so or not, why?

MD:It’s been five and a half years since we developed Avatar, so I feel a mix of sadness, accomplishment, and relief as we reach the end of this story arc. Bryan and I set out to create a show with tons of heart, humor, action and drama; a show that would appeal to kids and adults and boys and girls; and a show that raised the bar for American animation. There’s always things you would have done differently, but overall, I’m I feel like we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.

NRAMA: What can you possibly say/tell us about Avatar after this three-season arc? Will it have anything to do about the fate of the Airbenders?

MD: I’m not going to say anything. We’re still in the very early stages of development and ideas are very fluid at this point, but we’re still excited about the Avatar world and have other stories we want to tell within it.

Newsarama Note: The original article stated that there were three more seasons of of Avatar coming. According to Nickelodeon, that is not the case as of this time. We regret the error.

NICK READIES FIVE NEW WONDER PETS EPISODES

OK, all you kids of all ages, Nick Jr. announced it will debut five new episodes of The Wonder Pets starting this Friday, November 19. Here’s the log lines:

• Friday, October 19, "Save the Turtle"/"Save Little Red Riding Hood" - When Tuck dives into his pond, he accidentally ends up stranded on a Coral Reef in the Caribbean. Linny and Ming-Ming must rescue Tuck before the approaching rain arrives. Next, The Wonder Pets journey back into Puppetland to save Little Red Riding Hood from the Big Bad Wolf.

• Monday, October 22, "Save the Egg"/"Save the Flamingo" - The Wonder Pets head to Yellowstone National Park to rescue an egg that's teetering on the edge of a cliff. Later, The Wonder Pets get a call from a baby pink flamingo who is stuck in a marsh in a coloring book. The trio use crayons to draw a bridge and save the pink flamingo.

• Tuesday, October 23, "Save the Bee"/"Save the Squirrel" - The Wonder Pets shrink down to bee-size to help a baby bee make her first collection of nectar for her hive. Next, The Wonder Pets head to Coney Island to save a baby squirrel who is stuck in cotton candy to the tracks of a roller coaster.

• Wednesday, October 24, "Save the Chameleon"/"Save the Platypus" - Ming-Ming and Tuck aren’t speaking to each other and their feud threatens the rescue of a baby platypus who is heading toward a waterfall. Later, The Wonder Pets journey to Madagascar to help a young chameleon who is being pursued by a cuckoo hawk.

• Thursday, October 25, "Save the Dragon"/"Save the Beaver" - The Wonder Pets head to Vermont to help a baby beaver whose family’s dam has a hole in it. Next, The Wonder Pets journey back to the Magical Land to help a baby dragon who is floating away on an enchanted cloud.

All episodes will air at 10:30 a.m. eastern.

Next Column: June Foray turned 90 last September. ASIFA will be holding a special party for the Queen of Voice artists this Friday. But we celebrate with some very interesting animation people this Thursday. You’re welcome to join.

[Staredcraft]

Man oh man I was sure I heard this was the last season period! I'm so relieved to know this is just the last season of just the Fire Nation arc.

[ssava]

Michael and Bryan have created something Epic.

My twin four year old boys and I have a nightly ritual of watching an episode after dinner together (we bought both complete seasons on disc).
One boy has an Appa plush and the other a Momo plush.

It's our favorite time of day and I commend everyone involved for producing something that both kids and parent can enjoy with equal GLEE!



Michael....Bryan....when you're done with Avatar....
PLEASE give me a call! Dreamland is waiting.


Thank you guys for a wonderful show!

[Marius665]

I really like this cartoon, it's great. I like how it has it's own mythology.

[Stormking]

Avatar has become a MUST watch show for me.

It easily has the richest backstory of any show this side of Battlestar Galactica, Bab 5, or Farscape. It's always a joy to watch.

[SageShini]

For me, cartoons are dead outside of this show and one other (Ben 10...nice to have a sort of contrast), so hearing that they're not done with the series, just this "arc" is very exciting.

Now I just have to hope I don't have to wait as long to see the next season...

[Dancanread]

a truly well crafted, rich, funny, intelligent, heartful show. but the new seasons are news to me, too! as late as this summer they had said this season was the end of the regular series? can someone post a link to the announcement of more seasons?

[Staredcraft]

Originally Posted by Dancanread

a truly well crafted, rich, funny, intelligent, heartful show. but the new seasons are news to me, too! as late as this summer they had said this season was the end of the regular series? can someone post a link to the announcement of more seasons?

Yeah I know WHERE was this stated?

[Staredcraft]

Originally Posted by SageShini

For me, cartoons are dead outside of this show and one other (Ben 10...nice to have a sort of contrast), so hearing that they're not done with the series, just this "arc" is very exciting.

Now I just have to hope I don't have to wait as long to see the next season...

Oh I agree, there have hardly been any good shows left anymore. Any of those that WERE good (Danny Phantom, Kim Possible, Jake Long, Juniper Lee) have ended (well three of the four had series finale's, June was just plain canceled)

But of course it seems that Kids these days have just developed very poor taste in cartoons otherwise why else would they flood the market with these lame shows that follow the Spongebob Formula?

I mean there is at least one of these shows that is pretty dang good (up until the last few seasons but it's going to do better now that it's creator is back full time with the upcoming new season) and that's Fairly Odd Parents!

Seriously what is up with kids these days that they can't keep their attention on shows that are action packed and have great storylines? Seriously!

[Steve Magnum]

Hey Steve,

Thanks for posting the Interview!

[GohanWinner]

Good interview! Avatar quickly became my favorite animated series, possibly ever, after I finally sat down and watched it after season one ended. I was always interested, but I hate starting to watch a show in the middle of a season, which was my only other choice. So when a marathon of the show came on I just sat and watched it all day.

Season three has been pretty good so far, but Sokka's Master is hands down the best of the new batch. The scenes with Uncle Iroh? Holy moley, that reveal of his at the end was crazy. Genuinely excited for the movie, even though my initial reaction was "wtf?!?" I'm still a bit leery on it, but I'll hold my breath for it. As for what's next after Avatar ends...it'll be sad to see this batch of characters go, but if the quality stays the same I'm sure it'll be worth watching!

Can't wait to get my hands on the Book 2 box set. Would have gotten it last night but for some reason Best Buy had it listed at 90 bucks!

[shrike3000]

An amazing show and great interview. Anyone not watching this show just because it is on NICK is missing out. I used to be one of you. Pick up the first DVD, you will be glad you did.

[Kingbobb]

We fell into this show after seeing posts about it, and how good it was. True words and all...

This is one of the few non-PBS shows (and Disney Playhouse) that we not only are comfortable having on in front of our kids, but we actually sit down to watch together. At 2 years, our oldest is still unable to get most of the show, so us adults are actually enjoying it more than the kids.

I don't know that I've ever seen a serialized cartoon with more compelling and real characters, ever. It's entertaining. Funny, dramatic, heartwarming, heartbreaking, hopeful, and just about everything you could want from a show. I've some doubts about a big-screen version, but I do look forward to seeing where these creators go from here.

Edit: One rant is on Nick...they have a habit of bumping their times up and down a few minutes. And with the aformentioned kids, we can only really watch TV if it's recorded, so I occasionally miss the very beginning or ending of an episode.

[Xero]

I started watching this show with my nephew, and like Andre 3000 it's now one of my MythTV favorites.

BTW kids love regular Naruto but they don't seem to be able to get into Naruto: Hurricane Chronicles, might be the subtitles.

[Marius665]

Did any one see the episode when Opa got captured by the sand benders? The sand benders beneded sand, so would that make it another element? And would Ang have to learn sand bending also?

[Davy]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

As fans now obviously know, the series has been extended beyond this year for at least three more seasons.

I'm a big fan of the show, and this is the first I've heard of it. I went to look it up on the Avatar Wiki:

In an interview with Steve Fritz for the Beckett Unofficial Pokemon Collector magazine, Bryan Koneietzko confirmed that Nickelodeon has signed on for an additional three seasons, meaning that if all seasons are produced, Avatar would have a run of at least six seasons total.[9] However, both he and co-creator Mike DiMartino have repeatedly also confirmed that there will be no season four nor other additional seasonal arcs to their current storyline. Although the co-creators do go on to state that they have other plans in regards to the continuation of their expanded universe.

Oh, the news broke in a Pokemon magazine, which, of course, we all read (at least we should have, since Steve did the interview ). Have you mentioned this in previous columns here, Steve, or just forget that you did that interview somewhere else?

Avatar is a great show. The past two episodes ("The Painted Lady" and "Sakka's Master") were both excellent. The only animated show that comes close for me right now is Naruto.

Davy

[Steve Magnum]

Originally Posted by Marius665

Did any one see the episode when Appa got captured by the sand benders? The sand benders beneded sand, so would that make it another element? And would Ang have to learn sand bending also?

Sand bending is a form of earthbending. So no, Aang wouldn't have to learn a fifth element. It's covered under earthbending. Toph can probably do it. But she was too busy keeping the library from sinking at the time Appa was being kidnapped..

[Davy]

Originally Posted by Kingbobb

Edit: One rant is on Nick...they have a habit of bumping their times up and down a few minutes. And with the aformentioned kids, we can only really watch TV if it's recorded, so I occasionally miss the very beginning or ending of an episode.

I've had this problem as well. Especially during their weeklong "Avatar Superstar Spectacular" a month back. By airing 15 minute recaps at the beginnings of the 3rd and 4th days, they set every episode off by 15 minutes, and so their escape from the spirit library was cut from my DVR, as well as the climactic battle of the season 2 finale (fortunately I'd seen it at the end of last season). That's a major problem when trying to build hype for a new season.

But more than that, it's a HUGE problem with both NICK and Cartoon Network. I had the same problem with the Naruto Marathon on Cartoon Network (although they time adjusted during commercials so by the end of the marathon they'd caught up). But even worse was the 2nd Hellboy movie on Cartoon Network. I'd recorded it the first day it aired, and watched the whole movie, but the last 5-10 minutes weren't recorded! Pissed me off considerably, and I've never gotten to see the end of that movie yet. Those two channels can't get their timing right on the programming guides. Don't they realize that many people (especially parents) tape these shows for later watching for their kids? I know they play their schedules fast and loose, but it's like they don't care.

Davy

[Davy]

Originally Posted by Steve Magnum

Sand bending is a form of earthbending. So no, Aang wouldn't have to learn a fifth element. It's covered under earthbending. Toph can probably do it. But she was too busy keeping the library from sinking at the time Appa was being kidnapped..

Plus, she mentioned that the sand kept shifting under her feet, rendering her effectively blind. So it's probably not her strongest bending skill.

Davy

[nickmarino]

Avatar is the best show out. it's the only thing other than a comic book or an online column that i follow religiously. i talk about it every week on my podcast because each new episode is always so exciting. for those of you who aren't watching this, give it a shot and see if you don't get hooked. this isn't some "kids cartoon," it's an animated epic.

[Marius665]

Originally Posted by Steve Magnum

Sand bending is a form of earthbending. So no, Aang wouldn't have to learn a fifth element. It's covered under earthbending. Toph can probably do it. But she was too busy keeping the library from sinking at the time Appa was being kidnapped..

thanx, I've been wondering that for a while now

[Xysmurf]

This show is great, and I've never missed even one episode. Even the repeats are still great watching because you catch something you may have missed before. Avatar is truly the greatest cartoon being produced today, and sets the standard by which all other cartoons can be measured by. When new cartoons are being created, writers and producers should ask themselves, "How can we make our show as great as the Avatar." Truly great character development, rich animation, action galore, humor, what more could you ask for. I mean they actually studied asian fighting styles so they could get the fight scenes right....what more could ask for?




Sorry to gush, but I love love love this show.

ps If you record the show, you have to make sure that you record an extra five minutes after the show. The new episodes have an Avatar short episode afterwards that lasts about 3 mintues, and they make all the characters look similar to the "Tiny Titans."

[Marius665]

any one ever notice that Ang has an arrow like the Red Tornado on his head?

[dave roman]

Glad to see Avatar getting some attention. It's been surprising how many people still haven't discovered what an amazing series this is.
Hope people check out the Avatar comics magazine that's still on newsstands for the next 2 weeks or so.

[sfritz]

Originally Posted by Davy

[indent]
Oh, the news broke in a Pokemon magazine, which, of course, we all read (at least we should have, since Steve did the interview ). Have you mentioned this in previous columns here, Steve, or just forget that you did that interview somewhere else?

Davy

Davy - I try to keep what I do for Beckett's and for Newsarama as separate as possible. -s