Kamen Rider Dragon Knight: Interview Final

[nerefir]

I figured it was just because they were the main characters :laugh:

 

[HerbPenguin]

That was a good read, thanks to Keith and Nathan for putting that together (and for using some of my questions). It was neat to see that Nathan's thoughts on the best and worst scenes just about lined up with my own.

Other than that, I'm not too surprised that time and budget were the reasons behind most of the show's shortcomings. In show business, the biggest problems usually come down to money, or prominent cast and crew leaving prematurely (and that often involves money too). I don't think that the compromises they came up with always worked, but the show is what it is.

The original vision of KRDK sounds fascinating, I really wish I could see it in some form. I'd probably buy a novelization of the original story by Nathan, but there's no way in hell a publisher would pick it up now

 

[Wheatley]

Why does 4Kids think "I'm gonna tear you to pieces" is too violent? I've heard that in many action cartoons, especially from 80's and 90's.

 

[Poweranimals]

I thought that was relatively obvious.

"Ryuki" translates to "Dragon Knight" (Alternatively "Dragoon") and "Knight" is a Knight. As "Dragon Knight" fits as an easily translated name, and "Knight" is redundant in that sense, they added "Wing" to the title. And as both are the most "Knight-ish" in appearance (such as the design of the helmet visors, reliance on swords and shields/cloaks/armour) and are the main protagonists, the theme naming works, just as it did in Kamen Rider Ryuki originally.

That still doesn't make sense from a storytelling standpoint.

 

[Dizagaox]

Half the budget of Power Rangers? Try a quarter. PR's NZ stunts team were one of the best in the world, and had worked on major productions like The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix Trilogy before joining Power Rangers full-time.

 

[ShinnGun]

Half the budget of Power Rangers? Try a quarter. PR's NZ stunts team were one of the best in the world, and had worked on major productions like The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix Trilogy before joining Power Rangers full-time.

Are you talking about Alpha Stunts? They are also involved in KRDK and Yuen Wo Ping doesn't work for Alpha Stunts.

 

[Quark]

which answers were you unsure about?

When it all boils down, money is the factor in everything. But at the same time, I often wonder if it was absolutely necessary to film so much action footage. A lot of it was slow and boring, and perhaps taxing on the budget. Not sure how big of a slice it took from the budget pie. I do recall him mentioning the drama scenes cost less. But I notice they didn't use a whole lot of Japanese footage either. Had they used more, it would have saved on their budget as well.

You could say "action is what kids wanted" but I think it might have been better to make the kids "want it more" by holding back on it a little. though the final battle was epic, I wish it had a bit more pyro, set damage, more effective hits. Less is more in dramatic fights. But this was a budgetary deal.

Alot of your points hit on the ":eyebrow:" moments I had while reading. The point of a show like this is you have lots and lots of disposable special effects you can use to pad out a majority of your show. Then for big moments in the series and the finale, you have the money to film something spectacular. Of course that would mean having to compromise your 'vision' of the show to fit footage, but from sounds of it, they did a helluva lot of compromising anyway.
Also, I just don't know what he means by not having enough time to offer up explanations and backstories in-show. There was so much dead air that could have been used more appropriatetly. It was either commentary or a special feature (I don't remember), but I remember one of the writers of Beast Wars saying they tried to stray away from 'just a dialogue scene' or 'just an action scene.' They tried to incorporate both and make an interesting scene where you're learning something and the characters are moving forward towards some goal. I think this would have benefited them greatly. Let's burn through some Ryuki footage, and possibly include some dialogue that actually matters to the plot or furthers our understanding of the character in some way.
I don't get what went wrong, unless they were just re-writing everything on the fly because they could never afford to do anything the way they wanted to. Didn't they realize they didn't have the budget for trudging through the wastelands of Ventara or destroying polluting factories? You don't try to make Revenge of the Sith on A New Hope's budget.
edit: Also, I agree the final battle needed more. I was wanting a 10 and we got a 5.

 

[Keith Justice]

This was a first time outing for this team. There was a limited amount of time to shoot everything and a more limited than usual budget.

Given all the characters they had to juggle using Ryuki footage, all the actors, and all the plots it definitely makes sense that they couldn't fit in everything. With what they had, I feel they did a remarkable job and far better than MMPR's first try at a show.

Part of the reason why it didn't take off like MMPR is that times have changed. MMPR struck at just the right time so they could go as goofy as they liked and sell out like crazy.

KRDK... it's a different time. They had a small budget and a lot of characters and a limited amount of time to do it all. Believe me.. these guys worked mad overtime and to the bone to bring it all together. So it's understandable on their first try that there were a few loose ends.

What you're talking about above as to why they didn't do this or that here or there is 20/20 vision in hindsight.

 

[Quark]

Given all the characters they had to juggle using Ryuki footage, all the actors, and all the plots it definitely makes sense that they couldn't fit in everything. With what they had, I feel they did a remarkable job and far better than MMPR's first try at a show.

But... MMPR makes more sense than Dragon Knight. How does that even happen? MMPR was a fun, colorful, exciting and above all inviting world. Dragon Knight appealed to one group: Adult fans who really wanted a Kamen Rider adaptation. Power Rangers at least had the sense to appeal to a large audience.

Part of the reason why it didn't take off like MMPR is that times have changed. MMPR struck at just the right time so they could go as goofy as they liked and sell out like crazy.

How did MMPR sell out? And sell out to who? Besides, if you're implying 1993 was the magic year where a goofy show was acceptable... uhhh.

 

[Keith Justice]

MMPR..... made more sense? Really........ really?

As for sell out.. I mean its toys and merchandise. Flew off the shelves. As for the year itself... don't know about that specifically, but the time was perfect for those kind of shows where fucking Beatleborgs and Masked Rider even did well.