Interview with Trey Moore

Trey Moore is a writer for Boom Comics and has co-written "Only the Strong" in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2016 annual and "The Trial of Astronema" from "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Anniversary Special #1." 

Did you do any books before Power Rangers? 

The story in the Power Rangers Annual 2016 was my first published work. 

How familiar are you with the franchise? 

I'm very familiar with the franchise! I watched the series premiere back in '93 when it first aired. I followed the series on and off, right up until the beginning of Turbo. After that, I dropped off for a few years and came back to it when I was in college. I got nostalgic for the show and went back to rewatch it, which led to me checking out the (then) current series - Wild Force. I loved all the new stuff they were doing and went back to catch up on everything I had missed. I've kept up with the series ever since, right up to this year with Super Ninja Steel. I've also added Super Sentai and Kamen Rider to my viewing list in recent years. 

How did you get the job?   

My father got into the industry 25 years ago and I would go to conventions with him; even giving away my own homemade comics at San Diego Comic Con back in the mid/late 90's. In college, I majored in English with a specialty in Creative Writing, and tried to break into the industry a few times with little success. Shortly after Boom got the Power Rangers license, they reached out to my father to do a short story in their upcoming annual. They suggested we do a story together - a father/son thing. That was my first opportunity and I gave it my best shot, hoping that I could deliver something good enough that they would ask me back for more work. Luckily, the fans have always responded very well to my work and Boom has continued to offer me great new opportunities to tell more stories.

How is it writing for Boom?

Boom has been fantastic to me. They have been so open and encouraging of my ideas. I've worked with different editors on different stories, and they've all been very accessible and eager to talk through anything I want. I wouldn't expect that type of communication with a guy like me who's writing a few pages in one of their books. I'm very grateful to them for that! 

You mentioned your dad, how is working with your dad? Have you always had a good relationship?

I have a very good relationship with my dad. We're very similar in a lot of ways. Working with him was no different than working with any other artist. One thing I did enjoy was that there was a little more room for collaboration. With these short annual stories, I don't get much direct communication with the artist. With my dad, he could call me up and suggest ideas. For example, in my original Goldar script, Lord Zedd is the one who kills Silverback. However, it was my dad who called me up and said "I'm working on the pages and I noticed that this is Goldar's story, but he's not an active participant in it - he's just observing events and reacting. Let's get him involved. Maybe he can be the one forced to kill his brother." It was a great idea and I rewrote the scene to reflect that. I think strong communication between the writer and artist is key to a comic's success.    

You mentioned the story of Goldar’s brother that story resonated With me the most. I like how it tied in alien Rangers, Master vile and Lord zedd’s origins with the zeo Crystal. Before focusing on silverback, did you guys know Goldar was based on a Griffin in Zyuranger? And that he didn’t originally speak until a spell was cast? Also, in the first MMPR movie, Morton the pig was to be his cousin. 

Yeah, I'm well aware of the Sentai elements. I try to do nods to the original Japanese version where I can, but always focus more on the elements presented in the American version. 

What is your favorite season of Power Rangers other than MMPR? 

I have a couple of favorite seasons, but I think Time Force is the winner. I think that season did the best job of delivering both a complete story and character arcs. The tone was consistent throughout the season and all the characters were very likable (IMO). RPM is fantastic, but I think it's slightly held back by duplicating In Space's brother/sister story. In Space is brilliant, but given the job of wrapping up 6 years worth of storylines, I feel like there were some unanswered questions and lingering character threads. 

Who is your favorite ranger?

I'd probably give you a different answer every time I was asked. The obvious and cliche answer is Tommy. He's essentially Optimus Prime - the face of the franchise. I'm a huge fan of Jason/MMPR Red & Zeo Gold. Jen/TF Pink. Doggie/Shadow. Those are the big ones for me.   

Which character do you feel you found a “voice” for? 

I feel very comfortable with Karone/Astronema. I can put that character in pretty much any situation and know how she'll react to it. I also feel like I found a voice for Finster, though it sounds very different than the voice on the show. In my head, it's the same character, but we're seeing his dark side come out more when he's alone - as opposed to be surrounded by other monsters and Rita. '

Who is your favorite character, villain, ally or ranger? 

I think Astronema/Karone is one of the most well developed characters in the franchise. She may be my favorite. Her arc from the beginning of Space to the end of LG was so well done. 

 Are you working on any future stuff?

There's nothing to announce right now, but I'll be sure to let you know when there is. 

 How is fan response to your work?

The fans have been awesome to me! Every time a new story comes out, people always have wonderfully kind things to say about it. Their positive comments have helped me to feel more comfortable with what I'm producing - that I'm on the right track. Occasionally, I'll see criticism and if it's constructive, I take it to heart and try to avoid that pitfall in the future. For all the fans who have been enjoying my work, I want to do my best to live up to their expectations. 

What other sci-fi, fantasy and any other written work inspires you?

I try to take things from every type of storytelling I can find. I pull from movies, TV shows, cartoons, video games, music, books, comics, pro wrestling, etc. Growing up, I loved things like Star Wars, Final Fantasy, and heavier anime like Evangelion. I'm always drawn to stories that focus on characters above all else. I want to feel emotionally connected to a character. Make me cheer; make me cry! Take me on a journey. I try to do that with my stories. Even if they're only 8 pages long, I want the reader to feel something about that character by the end - good or bad. 

Who are your favorite writers in general? Not only comics. 

I really like Lewis Carroll, L. Frank Baum, JK Rowling, Neil Gaiman, and Alan Moore. The show runners on modern Doctor Who - Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat. Joss Whedon. Matthew Vaughn & Jane Goldman are a great screenwriting duo. Those are the big ones that come to mind.   

What comics did you like as a child? Have you re-read them as an adult? Has your perspective changed?

I grew up on the big ones - Batman, X-Men, Spider-Man. I've re-read most of them as an adult. The charm and nostalgia keep them enjoyable to me, but I see a lot of problems that I didn't notice as a child. Things go by too fast, there are odd logic jumps. There's a lot of big shock moments, but no time to stop and take it all in. However, they were made for a different era that wanted different things, so I always keep that in mind when looking at things from the past. 

I like that what you said about the comics and pacing. I read about manga artists and they say they rely on the reader to be judgment on time and taking breaks but I see art as fluid, you need a page of space to let you know you need to take a break. 

Yeah, every writer has their own philosophy! I approach storytelling more like a director - envisioning the flow of the story to push the reader towards the experience I want them to have. 

What PR character you wish you. Hold write for that you haven’t had the chance? 

There's quite a few that I would love to write for. I'd love to do a Jason/Tommy story. It'd be fun to do something with the Alien Rangers. Wes & Jen from Time Force. I have a big soft spot for the Ninja Storm cast. And, of course, Doggie Cruger. 

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Stay connected with the world - listen to the way people talk, how they think, and how they respond. If you want to be a writer, you need to be writing every day. Even if you don't have a job, be honing your craft. Whether you want to write comics or novels or screenplays, be doing it now. Get your rookie mistakes out of the way when no one's paying attention. If I wanted to be a musician, the first time I try to play guitar should not be in a recording studio. Same with writing; your first ever script should not be the one you publish. 

Power Rangers Ultimate Visual History Review

I know this is a few weeks late but I was busy with work and Rangerstop, here is my review. Written by Jody Revenson and Ramin Zahed, for Insight Editions which have done "Ultimate Visual Historys" for Ninja Turtles and Back to the Future and Revenson has done Harry Potter volumes. It has a touching foreword by Amy Jo Johnson. It is a behind the scenes book from the inception of Power Rangers (Saban in a hotel room) to the series humble beginnings to the juggernaut it became to getting a bit more mature (In Space to Time Force) to being acquired by Disney (Ninja Storm to RPM) to Saban Brands (Samurai to Super Ninja Steel) to now (Beast Morphers). Even a diehard fan such as myself didn't know Saban sang all Sentai songs from Goranger to Jetman, Alpha 5 being based on 50's robot toys and named after an obscure French film Alpha 60 and the literal taping of random hardware to become a new invention for Billy.

The book is thorough in explaining the plot of each season, the characters, villains, zords and the producers and writers. It shows stunning visuals, some we already know and some never before seen such as concept drawings for various things from command center, juice bar, Ninjetti table, Wild Force Animarium and Samurai wardrobe. It is inconsistent in its content of pictures, say, compared to the Super Sentai encyclopedia books as the content is not consistent (for example, Megaforce villains get a two pages but Super Megaforce villains do not). I am not being nitpicky but it gets a little glaring for someone that has ADHD or OCD which I believe (going to conventions) which is probably half of the fandom. (not a criticism but an observation)

The book is guilty of indulging a lot in the earlier seasons and movies than the later seasons but probably for the reader, who probably is guessed to be over twenty years old and probably not as intrigued to have 14 pages on Megaforce. The 2017 movie gets 14 pages. Each Saban Brands season gets 12 pages except Dino Charge gets 10. Disney seasons gets 8 pages except SPD and Operation Overdrive that get 6 each. Each Saban Entertainment season gets from 6 pages to 10. Migthy Motphin, because its 3 seasons and the movie, it gets 58. Zeo and Turbo series gets 6 pages each, Turbo movie, Lost Galaxy, and Wild Force gets 10, Space gets 12 and Lightspeed and Time Force gets 8. It probably had to do with what they had to explain and the amounts of photos. 

I found intriguing reasoning of the writers such as a lower episode count in Mystic Force made producers and writers happy they could use less of the sentai footage and focus on their own. With MMPR season 1, they had to use ALL the footage. Then in other seasons that had so little budget they had no choice but to use mostly footage. Supposedly the less original footage they had to make the more high quality they could had done with it. But unfortunately with Megaforce, it looks like who is in charge is what dictates what 'high quality' is. In the case of RPM, the book claims Disney says it was just the scheduling why they fired Eddie Guzelian but Ari Boyland at Rangerstop 2016 claims it was because Guzelian didn't use all the monster suits they were ordered.

The book doesn't make the usual mistakes other Saban Brands publications do with misnaming things and only trusting fan information. They do quote and site a lot of fan websites (even mine) but mostly with interviews with actors. They used two of my interviews, one with Davi Santos and another with Ryan Carter. Unfortunately I did see one mistake. They have little pamphlets inside and one covered toys and one claimed you had to scan Power Cards" that came with the Ranger Keys which is incorrect. The cards came in the first season of Power Rangers Megaforce and the keys in Super Megaforce. All in all, a great book but if you can't cough up $50, its understandable. With most books it can just collect dust. But for me, this is a book I'll be revisiting. 

Davi Santos Interview at Pride Pop Culture Expo in Orlando

Exclusive interview I did with Davi Santos (Sir Ivan of Zandar) at the Pride Pop Culture Expo October 13, 2018.

And the panel hosted by Harris Cosplay

Sent Ryan Carter a Snide action figure!

I interviewed Ryan Carter (Heckyl) a few weeks ago...

Lavender Ranger: Speaking of action figures, did you get a Snide one yet?

Ryan Carter: No, sadly I don't have a snide action figure yet. I don't know where to start if I did want to find one! It would be a great memento to own. I have to say, if they did end up making a Heckyl figure (which is unlikely) I would probably wet my pants with sheer joy.

Lavender Ranger: I'll be happy to send you one as a gift. 

Ryan Carter: That would be amazing regarding the snide figure! I do live in Australia though, but if that's too far to send, don't worry about it. I will hopefully be in the states soon and I can pick one up then.

Lavender Ranger: I will definitely be sending you the figure. No sweat. As long as you remember we got it for you!

So after two weeks he received it and posted a picture on his instagram. Like me he likes to draw and paint. He is a talented artist. Be sure to visit him on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/ryan.j.carter/

Related: http://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2016/02/exclusive-interview-with-ryan-carter.html

Exclusive Interview with Ryan Carter of Power Rangers Dino Supercharge

Thanks to Davi Santos for making this interview possible, he contacted Ryan Carter (who portrays Heckyl on Power Rangers Dino Supercharge) for me for this interview. He was born in New Zealand (lived there for 19 years) and currently lives in Australia. I accidentally spelled Heckyl as "Jeckyl", he said, "Haha, I can't tell if your typo of "Jeckyl" is a typo or a comment on the character, but either way, Jeckyll and Hyde is a definite inspiration for the characters!" And as with the last interview, I had my grandnephew Jaiden ask questions as well!

Lavender Ranger: How did you hear about the role of Heckyl for Power Rangers Dino Charge?

Ryan: It was pretty run of the mill for me hearing about the role. I basically got an email from my agent asking if I would self tape for the character and I was like "hell yea!"

Lavender Ranger: How was the casting process? You told to prepare?

Ryan: It started with a self tape which I filmed while I was living in Australia, then the callback occurred in New Zealand. It was basically a couple hours of script readings, receiving direction from the casting directors and producers as well as doing some (pretty terrible) high kicks to show I have at least some form of co-ordination. Then they did make-up tests yada yada yada. I did meet Davi and James at my audition though, which was lovely. Davi seemed to know more about my character then I did.

Lavender Ranger: I heard there is a story of Heckyl's goggles?

Ryan: There are many! I don't know which one you are referring to, but on the first day of filming I didn't notice I wasn't wearing them until after a few takes in...which is bad. Luckily Chip was there and he added in some genius extra lines to make me randomly whipping out my goggles make perfect sense.

Lavender Ranger: The scene I referred to was Chip remembering the forgotten goggles. These goggles resemble the goggles of a villain from another Japanese series unrelated to the dinosaur one called Go-Busters. Go-Busters was skipped in favor for where the Dino Charge footage comes from. What other goggle stories are there?

Ryan: As far as the goggles go I think the idea for them just came from the costume designer, Sarah, and it's mainly a coincidence that they are similar to the Go Busters character. Haha the other goggle stories are far less interesting then the first, they mainly involve me having to quickly put on the goggles and accidentally slapping myself in the face, poking my eye or the goggles being so askew that Heckyl looked drunk.

Lavender Ranger: In "Forgive and Forget," we discover Heckyl has revealed his true name to the Rangers, why do you think didn't give him a fake name?

Ryan: As much as Heckyl is very cunning, I think he is also a bit cocky. He is very confident and has total faith in his plan and doesn't think the rangers are very smart, so spending time on a fake name and a disguise when they don't know who he is to begin with, would be a waste of time (and a little cliche and tacky in his opinion).

Lavender Ranger: How different is it interacting with costumed characters in Sledge's ship and normally dressed characters?

Ryan: Well I spent most of my time talking with stunt actors in suits. All the lead stunt actors were Japanese and they were some of the most amazing, talented, hard working people I've ever met and acting with them was a ball. They used their skills to make those massive plastic suits into real characters, which made my job a lot easier. Of course acting with the rangers was great as well, they're also very talented at what they do.

Lavender Ranger: Speaking of stunts, did you get to do any stunts?

Ryan: The stunts were almost entirely done by the pros, but I was lucky enough to do a few fight scenes and some minimal stuff at the head and tail end of the stunts (aka I pretend to get blasted, Aki the stunt guy does 4 flips through the air, then I fall 3 feet to the floor). 

Lavender Ranger: You have done stage work before, what was your favorite production?

Ryan: Ummm, that's a tie between two productions. One when I was younger and acting in New Zealand in a show called Exchange where I got to play a collection of completely insane characters ranging from a 13 year old bratty German kid to a wannabe american cowboy. The other was Rausch, just before I did rangers. It was a small show with a short run but the material, the cast, crew and director were all fantastic.

 

Lavender Ranger: How did stage prepare you for Power Rangers?

Ryan: I think for a character like Heckyl theatrical training comes in handy. Chip wanted a big, expressive personality and all the stage work I had done helped me to be comfortable in that "bigness".

Lavender Ranger: Have you ever watched Power Rangers before? If so, what season?

Ryan: While I was growing up in NZ Power Rangers was never on TV (I think it was due to some parents being waaaay to over P.C and it wasn't show due to apparent violence) so instead I watched a lot of Dragon Ball, The Simpsons and any weird creepy horror movie I could get my hands on.

Lavender Ranger: Did you know Snide is modeled after the Power Rangers Dino Thunder villain Zeltrax from 2004? He also has an action figure. Fans are upset that Snide and Zeltrax aren't connected. Any idea why that costume was selected for Snide?

Ryan: Yes, I did know that Snide is based on a previous character, but I don't know much about the season the original character came from. I think that the costume portrayed everything they wanted Snide to be, vicious, strong and reckless, as well as the links to Heckyl's style. Snide also looks very different from any villains that have come on Dino Charge so far so I think that helped too.

 

Lavender Ranger: Other than I, have you had any interaction with the Power Rangers fans? Were you warned about how we can get (notorious for being intense) by the other actors?

Ryan: Haha I was warned about the ranger fans! So far all the interactions have been lovely though. Lots of nice fan art and people seem to enjoy the character (at least I hope they do!)

Lavender Ranger: Have you ever been to the United States?

Ryan: No! I haven't been to the US but am planning on going over soon, sometime this year I hope!

Lavender Ranger: Some ADR is done in the US, I assume your ADR is done in New Zealand? 

Ryan: My ADR is done in Sydney where I am currently living, but they do ADR all over the world for the rangers wherever they are at the time. Its' so much fun though, I love ADR.

Here are my grandnephew's questions:

Jaiden: Do you have a pet?

Ryan: I always have pets! In Sydney my flatmates have a little dog called Skitch, so she is kind of like my current pet. Big dogs are my favorite though, in New Zealand my family have always had Labradors, the one we have now is a failed guide dog called Charlie....we also have 2 cats, but they just eat, sleep and ignore humans.

Jaiden: Do you have a car?

Ryan: In NZ I have a car...I don't have the best track record as a driver though...my cars are often stolen or totaled.

Jaiden: This question for Heckyl, are you a good guy or a bad guy?

Ryan: That's a hard question. I don't think anyone is strictly good or bad. Even characters like Sledge and Fury think that their actions are justified. In the eyes of the Power Rangers (and most sane human beings) I am definitely a bad guy though.

Jaiden: For Heckyl, If Power Rangers defeated you, will you become a good guy?

Ryan: If the Power Rangers defeated me I would probably of been blown up into a million pieces...but if they asked me to join their team I would have to politely refuse the offer.

Jaiden: If you were a Power Ranger, what color would you be?

Ryan: The color blue or black. Sadly those colors are taken and I don't think that Koda or Chase will be giving up any time soon.



Interview: Davi Santos/Sir Ivan the Gold Dino Charge Ranger

I had the rare instance to do another interview with a Ranger. Here is my written interview with Davi Santos I traded with him via e-mail. He was very understanding and a great guy to answer my questions. Not only my questions but my grandnephew Jaiden's.

L.R.: What was your first acting experience?

D.S.: A short film with Alex Flores when we were about 13 about self-harm. We had a lot of prosthetics on our arms. We joke about the project today because it never came out.

L.R.: When did you get the 'acting bug' or first felt you wanted to be an actor? Also same about writing? What came first acting or writing?

D.S.: The last year of drama club before budget cuts in Elementary school, I was the lead of the school play. There was no experience like it, and I knew I was in love. Started journaling at 12, never stopped. I suppose the stories started in middle school when we were prompted with creative writing assignments. The style leaked into my personal writing.

L.R.: On Lone Prophet, you co-wrote, produced and starred as Dante, how did that project come along and how was that experience?

D.S.: I teamed up with then SUNY Purchase Film student Sebastian Rea to write and produce a docu-fictional film that challenged the opponents of the Dream Act by telling an intimate story. We were revved up by governmentally sanctioned injustice that was happening to our friends and loved ones. We were teenagers and we didn't have a budget so we drew our guerilla-do-it-yourself-production values from director Robert Rodriguez's book (Rebel Without a Crew). It took four years to complete, and we learned innumerable lessons about filmmaking, made great relationships, felt positive about the work we were doing cinematically and socially, made lots and lots of technical mistakes, but we were proud of the passion driven first time feature experiment that we followed through.

For more check out Loneprophet.com

L.R.: Do you like to wear different hats like writing, acting, producing, editing?

D.S.: Not necessarily at the same time, but I love wearing different hats. Each one informs the other, and satisfies another dimension of expression.

L.R.: You were on my older sister's favorite show "Switched at Birth," she's deaf, did you know Sign Language before then and did you get to meet Katie Leclerc?

D.S.: I worked with Katie on my episode, she was a very personable, polite and talented. My character on the show didn't use sign language.

L.R.: You were a child when Power Rangers first aired, what was your first exposure to the show?

D.S.: The TV show when I was about four or five, the toys, bedsheets, Halloween costumes, the works.

L.R.: Since you are a fan of Mighty Morphin, I know you guys know as much as we do for the new reboot movie which is nothing. What are hopes for the movie? Are you looking forward to see it?

D.S.:  I hope the movie is targeted for a slightly older audience, so that it appeals to the ones who were around during the original Mighty Morphin, that it is technically strong, but most of all that at least the story is compelling.

L.R.: Besides Dino Charge, what is your favorite Power Rangers season?

D.S.: Season One although RPM had an interesting apocalyptic twist.

L.R.: Have you had a chance to meet past Ranger actors? If not, which ones do you look forward to meeting?

D.S.: Oddly enough I trained with Hector [David Jr., Mike of Power Rangers Samurai] one evening in Los Angeles and had met John Mark [Loudermilk, Noah of Power Rangers Megaforce] and Ciara [Hanna, Ciara of Megaforce] through mutual friends. I worked with Christina [Masterson, Emma of Megaforce] on a Coke commercial. She was my big sister before production; we met up for coffee one day, and she answered a lot of questions about the living logistics, filming abroad for 8 months.

L.R.: That's great Christina Masterson was happy to help you on tips of surviving (let's say) New Zealand. I've met Christina, she's a sweetheart. Would you ever want to go back to New Zealand?

D.S.:  I loved my experience in New Zealand and I would certainly be happy to return; in fact, I look forward to it.

L.R.: Describe your first impressions and experience on the set of Dino Charge?

D.S.: Since Sir Ivan appears midseason, Rangers had already begun filming and I was excited to start. First day shooting was the medieval flashback in chainmail, riding a horse by a waterfall, and a sword fight in the forest, it was pretty epic.

L.R.: How heavy is it and is it uncomfortable?

D.S.: It was heavy the first two days and then I got used to it. Always a relief to take it off though.

L.R.: What is your favorite episode of Dino Charge so far? I know you can't spoil anything so which one you like from this season?

D.S.: The friendship episode where we went down that giant Sand dune, but eight times with two drones over us and an old-style open air Humvee taking us to the top each time. That was an extraordinary day.

L.R.: Who is your favorite Dino Charge villain so far?

D.S.: Definitely Heckyl. There's a stylistic correlation with Sir Ivan and Ryan [Carter] also does a terrific job playing a madhouse of a fun character.

L.R.: Do any of the other Rangers play pranks on each other?

D.S.: Our days would be long so sometimes we would be pretty slaphappy towards the end, and got a lot of laughs in. The Halloween Episode, we pranked under the ghost sheets, but I cant really disclose here what we all did.

L.R.: What are you planning to do this holiday season?

D.S.: I am taking an exploratory trip to Mexico!

L.R.: Have you ever been in Mexico before?

D.S.: I don't think that one weekend in Tijuana counts.

L.R.: One last question from Lavender Ranger. Are you aware of this "Tan Ranger" debate? Some fans don't like that the American or New Zealand suit is not the same as the Japanese suit, it is like a light tan, which some fans refer to as "Tan." What do you think about it? Did you notice the difference on the set or in post production?

D.S.: Are you referring to the Gold Suit? Yes although the color is better in the Japanese version, the dimensions are stronger in the American/NZ.

Here are my six year-old grandnephew Jaiden's questions:

Jaiden: Do you have a pet? A goldfish? If not, a puppy?

D.S.: My first pet was a goldfish I did enjoy feeding him when I was little. I would love a puppy, maybe someday.

Jaiden: What is your favorite color?

D.S.: My favorite colors for as long as I can remember, has been red, and I think it has something to do with the show.

Jaiden: Do you like being a superhero or do you want to be an enemy?

D.S.: You can't really be a superhero without being somebody's enemy, that being said I want to be a superhero, but playing an enemy sure is fun.

Jaiden: Do you have a car? What kind?

D.S.: I'm from New York, where you dont need a car, but considering Im moving to Los Angeles, I may have to get one very soon. Going Green can only get one so far in that town. No offense Riley.



Legacy War WILL be shot for Power Rangers by Toei

 

Zeo Ranger V of TokuNation posted this:

Earlier this year rumors began to circulate that an interview with TOEI executive Takeyuki Suzuki for Hyper Hobby magazine mentioned the possibility of filming brand new Legend war footage for Power Rangers' 20th anniversary, with all pre-Zyuranger teams removed. Now, courtesy of Henshin Justice Unlimited user Nerefir the interview has been translated, and does indeed suggest that TOEI will be filming new footage for the anniversary. The translated portion of the interview has been included below.

HH: 2012 is also the 20th anniversary of Power Rangers, isn't it. 

Suzuki: At first we got an offer from America to do something like "199 Heroes," but of course Power Rangers started with Zyuranger, so the characters before that don't exist. "So just get rid of those parts." (laughs) We can't do that either, so the discussion became "Let's just film new footage with the 20 years' worth that we do need." 

HH: Power Rangers has already been reimported and dubbed with the voices of the actors that played in the Japanese original. That's very interesting.

 Suzuki: Yes, once you get used to it, it's very interesting. But there's a cost to getting the actors to dub, so we can't really do it much. 

HH: Lately they have events even in Taiwan. In Asia, it's not really "Power Rangers," is it?

Suzuki: I suppose. Originally they would just broadcast the Japanese version in east Asia. They've been doing that in Taiwan for 7 years now. It's not really profitable, but they wanted to try it out, so they did it. It's gotten an unusually good reaction.

HH: So then, what are the prospects for sentai, including Power Rangers, in 2012?
Suzuki: In America it will be the 20th anniversary of Power Rangers, so they have to put forth a lot of work. In preparation for that, they asked us to "film the parts with the sentai (from Zyuranger on) in Japan." We're currently setting up for that. 

Lavender Ranger says: They say 2012 but they must mean 2013. So they haven't filmed the Legend War. It says 199 heroes but they probably mean Legend War. I hope they remember to exclude Dairanger and add Titanium Ranger, Phantom Ranger, Shark Ranger, Bat Ranger and Elephant Ranger (Spirit Rangers). In an interview with a Sentai producer, he said Bandai America has input and given that Japanese artists from Plex designed Titanium Ranger and the others, I am hoping someone tells Toei to add them.

http://www.tokunation.com/showthread.php?t=2709

Highlighting Kamen Rider Producer

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/culture/AJ201112260057

Highlighting Kamen Rider producer Naomi Takebe, the article has no new news but describes how she has changed Kamen Rider and the much disputed handsome Riders and other such things.

Interview with Alan Palmer (Corcus the Black Aquitar Power Ranger) Part ONE

Exclusive Henshin Grid Interview!!!
Very little people know about the Aquitar Rangers, even fans. For those who don't know, during Season three there was a 12-episodes mini-series Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers which featured five new Power Rangers, based on Ninja Sentai Kakuranger. The Aquitar Rangers were aliens from the planet Aquitar, they live on water. Alan Palmer played Corcus the Black Ranger. Alan Palmer has created two musicals known as Fabulous Divas of New York and Fabulous Divas of Hollywood. He has choreographed, directed, acted, written, sung and much more. He has mostly been known for his stage work and his own shows, of his few television work includes Xena Warrior Princess and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Lavender: Are you currently doing? You said you had two shows. What are they about?

A.P.: I have been touring my new musical that I wrote, Fabulous Divas of Hollywood since returning from Edinburgh Scotland with the Fringe Festival. I am in a musical entitled Bye, Bye Birdie. It is an amazing 1950's musical and I am playing the role that was originated by Dick VanDyke. I am also doing a musical entitled Schoolhouse Rock Live, based on the old cartoons which teaches kids about Nouns, counting, planets, science and more. I am working on a couple of television pilots which I am assisting in the writing and also instructing Glee camps around the United States. But my biggest job is being a dad to my two AMAZING kids!

Lavender: When did you get into acting? Did you have the 'acting bug' from a young age?

A.P.: I started acting when I was four years of age. My parents took me to see a tour of Peter Pan and I fell in love with the lights, sets and applause. I have not stopped performing since that time.

Lavender: What was the first stage show you ever saw? Which is your favorite?

A.P.: Peter Pan was the first stage show and it was the most magical experience! My favorite show to do was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I have done over 1,000 performances of that show. My favorite show to watch is a tough one because I LOVE to see theatre. My husband and I go to New York a couple of times a year and see 10 shows in a week. I don't care if it is the best thing to hit Broadway or the worst thing in community theatre, I truly enjoy watching people do what they have a passion for. It's an addiction.

Lavender: As an openly gay actor, do you notice any stigma or are things easier these days? I think there is more stigma over actors who have mostly played feminine characters playing a leading heterosexual male role.

A.P.: I have played both leading men and more feminine roles. It is more fun playing a bit flamboyant roles because they have color and depth and I feel like I am playing against type. I did a couple of those Showtime after hours series and I never said that I was gay but the director brought me back in after my first one because he said that gay men tend to do better love scenes with women for some reason. I think it is still a very closeted industry due to fantasy. Straight women want want to think that the leading men they are watching are straight men and gay men want to think that the leading men they are watching might be gay, it's a fantasy and that is what sells tickets to the films or gets viewers. It's a bit different with gay women. Straight men fantasize about two women all of the time and women are not intimidated by gay women, look at Ellen.

Lavender: You sing, act, and write, do you feel slightly disappointed when you only are doing one element?

A.P.: I do all of the above plus produce, direct and choreograph, simply to keep me working. I feel blessed to have been given a gift to do all of the above because I don't know what I would do if I hadn't. It truly is a gift and I am just borrowing.(as they say in A Chorus Line) I love the chance to do just one element or all. I just LOVE to work.

Lavender: Fabulous Divas of Broadway was all drag, would you do it again? What has the response been from women of your portrayal?

A.P.: I Have done it again with my new show Fabulous Divas of Hollywood. I am also working on the Fabulous Divas of Television! I started doing impressions when I was very young. I would give friends and family celebrity impressions for their answering machines as presents. Then when I got to an age that I couldn't play the leading man roles that fit my higher vocal range, I had to invent a show that would showcase my talents and give me the flexibility to set my own hours so that I would be able to spend a lot of time with my kids. Anyone that knows me is aware that my least favorite thing about shows is costume changes, and makeup. So, drag would be the last thing that I would normally do. I started out doing the show in a tux and just doing the impersonations but it just added to the interest with the audiences. A lot of people get "Drag Queen" and impersonators mixed up. I am only playing a role on stage and not out on the town in a dress. My costume designer, Curtis Jerome is amazing! he is such a pro and makes each character that much more believable.

Lavender: Do your kids know you were a Power Ranger? What they think about it? Have they ever seen the show?

A.P.: My son knows that I was a Power Ranger but has not seen any of the episodes. He was more interested in me being a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. He was born right after. My daughter is too much into fairies and such...Hmm!
 

Lavender: When were you a Ninja Turtle and which one? 

A.P.:  Michael Angelo, the PARTY turtle! 

Lavender: You mentioned Glee camps, what does that entail? And where are they located and where can people join?

A.P.: I travel around to different states and do workshops with youth. They work on acting, singing and dancing as well as social skills and comfort in their own shells. I enjoy this so much! As a matter of fact a young kid came to my first day of a new Glee camp today. He shared with the group that he was a HUGE fan of GLEE. His favorite character is Kurt. I asked him why Kurt was his favorite character. He said it was due to his style, song choice and character. At break he came up and told me it was also because he was gay. I was very impressed in this young man to be as comfortable in his own skin to tell his family and community that yes, he is 13, but he is still proud to be who he is. I cautioned him to be very selective with whom he shared that information with. I told him that there are a lot of people out there that may look upon him in a poor light and might say hurtful things or worse. It is only because they are not learned in this subject, have not been exposed to this subject or have been raised to hate people that are not like them or that they do not understand.   

http://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2011/10/interview-with-alan-palmer-corcus-black.html 

Interview with Alan Palmer (Corcus the Black Aquitar Power Ranger) Part TWO

 EXCLUSIVE HENSHIN GRID INTERVIEW!
Season three there was a 12-episodes mini-series Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers which featured five new Power Rangers, based on Ninja Sentai Kakuranger. The Aquitar Rangers were aliens from the planet Aquitar, they live on water. Alan Palmer played Corcus the Black Ranger. Alan Palmer has created two musicals known as Fabulous Divas of New York and Fabulous Divas of Hollywood. He has choreographed, directed, acted, written, sung and much more. He has mostly been known for his stage work and his own shows, of his few television work includes Xena Warrior Princess and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Lavender: How did you get involved in Power Rangers? How old were you at the time?

A.P.: I was directing a theatrical piece that the casting director for Power Rangers happened to be a producer on and I went to the audition not knowing she was the casting director at my callback, she was there but didn't say anything to them which I have always appreciated. I like to get things on my own merit. The rest is history. I can't remember how old I was at the time.

Lavender: How was it under that Aquitarian makeup that made the Aquitar Rangers?

A.P.: The whole makeup experience was so much fun with the Aquitar series. I loved getting plaster poured over my whole head and watching the entire process with the masks with fittings and the painting and the color coding of the makeup that went under the masks. The costumes were a bit hot when we would shoot outside but not bad and the crew treated us very well.

Lavender: For the short time you were on the show, but was there camaraderie between you and the other Aquitar Rangers?

A.P.: I met my dear friend Rajia on the show and we have stayed very close. We don't get to see each other very often but we do speak frequently.

Lavender: Have you been bugged by Power Ranger fans before? We fans know your character Corcus didn't get any characterization or personality at all. Basically only had a few lines, right?

A.P.: You know, I feel like I had a lot of back story. They didn't give me a lot of lines but gave me some very fun opportunities to do physical comedy. It is harder to bring something to the table that is not written but it is a lot of fun coming up with back stories. I don't ever feel like I am being bugged by fans. It is nice to think that something I did 15 years ago still holds up and is still appreciated.

Lavender: Please indulge me, what was your backstory then? I was going to ask what does an actor do if there is not written on the page? Was there anything they told you about your character and anything you feel his backstory was about?
I was looking at Corcus as a follower, he was the one always observing and taking in information, processing it and then being able to help the other Aquitar Rangers whenever they were in need. They never gave me ANY INFORMATION about my character. Delphine was the only one that they really worked on and Karim (Cestro) was her right hand man. I think we were just placed in the scene due to the footage that they received from Japan had five rangers fighting.

Lavender: David Yost (Billy the blue Ranger) came out last year and he also revealed of homophobia occurring on the set of Power Rangers. I was 11 when PR first came out and 15 when I came out of the closet and never imagined anything that happening on that set. For the short time you were on the show, did you ever sense or hear anything among those lines?

A.P.: It's funny that you bring up David. I was not aware that he had come out. He was the only ranger that worked with us and our 12 episodes. I have always been very open and never cared about who knew I was gay. It is such a small part of who I am and I hate labels. I think he saw me as a bit of a threat and probably didn't want to be seen socializing with someone who was gay, but I can't say. I don't think I ever noticed any homophobia on set. Everyone that I worked with were so professional and wonderful. I never had a run in or heard a harsh word.

Lavender: Were you aware that the Aquitar Ranger footage came from a series called Ninja Sentai Kakuranger and they were ninjas that had 60's Batman-esque onamonapia graphics? The Super Sentai series that Power Rangers come from Japan and has been airing since 1975 and now they are celebrating their 35th anniversary (Called Pirate Sentai Gokaiger) in which the present team turn into teams from past years. Gokaiger might get adapted in two years or so for Power Rangers, if Saban ever calls you to guest star, would you be interested?

A.P.: I had No idea! That is sooo cool! I would work with Saban in any aspect. I have nothing but wonderful memories.

Lavender: Rajia Baroudi (Delphine), Karim Prince (Cestro) and David Becon (Aurico) were asked to return to Power Rangers Zeo for cameos, were you aware of that and were you asked to appear as well? (By the way David Bacon was not asked to return for the Red Ranger teamup 'Forever Red' in which his character Aurico did return).

A.P.: I have been so busy that I have not paid too much attention to who was asked to do what or for that matter would not be hurt if I were never asked back. It was a great time and if they called to ask me to do something for the show and I was free, I would love to do it, but I am not holding my breath or waiting by the phone. I wish everyone the very best and hope for great things for everyone involved actors, crew, fans and Saban.

http://henshingrid.blogspot.com/2011/10/interview-with-alan-palmer-corcus-black_11.html