TTV Interviews Merlin Mann - Part 1

Hapori Tohu · May 21, 2015

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You've probably heard about Merlin Mann, the writer of the BIONICLE web animations. TTV (The Three Virtues) had the privilege to interview him and while much of it isn't even about BIONICLE, it was a very interesting read. Of course, there is some BIONICLE talk in it as well and this is just the first half of the interview, so there is more to come. Merlin addresses the creative process behind the animations and even the unfortunate leaks. You can listen to it

or read the transcript here.

View the full article

Jobber · May 21, 2015

TTV is lord.

Jam Pot Studios · May 21, 2015

TTV is lord.

Not really.

While I'm not a fan of the 2015 animations at all, it's interesting hearing more about Mann's career and development, and how that fed into the creation of the animations.

Edited May 21, 2015 by Jam Pot Studios

Rooster Nui · May 22, 2015

Yeah, his career is interesting. I had no idea he had previously worked on some books. I guess that's why he's the writer for the animations.

Oh, poor LoSS...

Toa of Gallifrey · May 22, 2015

That was a great interview! I really like Merlin Mann and how he spoke, and it looks like they had a lot of fun.

Toa Zaz · May 22, 2015

I sure hope he's right about how this was testing the waters and the success should lead to bigger things next year. Anyhow, at least he sort of acknowledged how insanely low-budget and scant the media output this year has been. Good interview, Disney stuff was definitely interesting, too bad you didn't talk about Bionicle more but it was ok.

ComicGuy89 · May 22, 2015

I read the transcript, and it was quite illuminating. It is clear from the interview that LEGO is putting a lot of effort into trying to find out what works with Bionicle. I especially appreciated that he acknowledged the continuously evolving nature of the 2015 line, it demonstrates that they're willing to continue experimenting and refining the project to see what fits.

It was a refreshingly honest and eye-opening interview. Can't wait for more from this team!

Tarvaxx · May 22, 2015

Hahaha, I like Mesonak specifically for his humorous pessimism. XD

Anyway, there was quite a lot of information in this interview, and I can't wait for the next part.

**Mesonak** · May 22, 2015

Hahaha, I like Mesonak specifically for his humorous pessimism. XD

Oh thanks!

It was an absolutely wonderful interview. Merlin Mann's a great guy and the talk gave me great confidence (as if I needed more after NYCC) that despite all the flaws with BIONICLE 2015, the team has a great respect for the line and wants to see it succeed. Part 2 has a lot more interesting BIONICLE discussion and that should be releasing later today.

-Mesonak

ComicGuy89 · May 22, 2015

Oh wow, there's more? That sound great, I can't wait for it to be released!

Prowl Nightwolf · May 22, 2015

Yeah, his career is interesting. I had no idea he had previously worked on some books. I guess that's why he's the writer for the animations.

Oh, poor LoSS...

Wait what about the Lord of Skull Spiders? What do you know!?

Toa of Gallifrey · May 22, 2015

Merlin said that he lives up to his abbreviated moniker. xD

Rooster Nui · May 22, 2015

Yeah, his career is interesting. I had no idea he had previously worked on some books. I guess that's why he's the writer for the animations.

Oh, poor LoSS...
Wait what about the Lord of Skull Spiders? What do you know!?

I don't know anything new. I was just stating my sympathy for what was stated about him and his "label" by Merlin at the end of the first part.

~kh · May 22, 2015

Good interview, Disney stuff was definitely interesting, too bad you didn't talk about Bionicle more but it was ok.

There's way more Bionicle stuff in Part 2! We had to split it because of length. I'm finishing up the transcript right now, and the video should be up soon, so look forward to that!

Xabla · May 23, 2015

I love listening to TTV. And I just listened to this one.

Was it really that long?

**Nidhiki of the Shadows** · May 24, 2015

This was a pleasant listen! TTV did a good job interviewing Merlin Mann and covering all their bases regarding the new BIONICLE animations. Very informative and really cool to hear where Merlin came from. His experience is great and I'm glad he's working on the new line!

-NotS

Prowl Nightwolf · May 24, 2015

Yeah, his career is interesting. I had no idea he had previously worked on some books. I guess that's why he's the writer for the animations.

Oh, poor LoSS...
Wait what about the Lord of Skull Spiders? What do you know!?

I don't know anything new. I was just stating my sympathy for what was stated about him and his "label" by Merlin at the end of the first part.

Yeah I watched the Pod Cast after seeing your post and heard that near the end. So not nice. The Lord of Skull Spiders has had it rough enough as is without people kicking it while its down.

Good interview, Disney stuff was definitely interesting, too bad you didn't talk about Bionicle more but it was ok.

There's way more Bionicle stuff in Part 2! We had to split it because of length. I'm finishing up the transcript right now, and the video should be up soon, so look forward to that!

Watched that part too. goes into much greater detail about Bionicle and the berating of poor Lord of Skull Spiders.