JJ, a 3D graphics designer and animator, hails from Spain.  We managed to nab some of his time so our surfers could get to know him a little better, as well as get some details on this animation opus.

Botcollector:  Did you collect Transformers as a younger child?

JJ:  I always liked tranformers. I really love these robots. When I was just a child I remember the indigo and red boxes. They really exited me. I didn´t own a Transformer while I was a child because in Spain TFs were really expensive toys. Megatron for example was about $70 and it was a lot fo money to me then. So I started owning TFs when I was 14 or around there.

Botcollector:  When did you first find out about Transformers?

JJ:  When I was just a child. Even though I liked them, here in Spain most of the models never arrived. As I told you I had no money but I have a lot of friends that had a lot of them. I love the comic books series too.

Botcollector:  Do you currently own any Transformers?

JJ:  Yes I have a lot of them. I only had to wait for my friends to get older (like 14 years) and I asked them for the robots when they didn´t want them anymore. I have a lot of them. I also buy some of them right now. I got Starscream one month ago. I bought the original Optimus Prime last year. Very expensive but I got it!! Megatron, Shockwave, Soundwave, Bumblebee, Optimus Powermaster, some Insecticons, and the full Devastator!!!! I have some more but I never got Ravage :(

Botcollector:  What software packages did you use to produce this animation?

JJ:  I have used 3D Studio Max for the complete project. I have textured using Photoshop and postproducced using Combustion.

Botcollector:  How long did the whole project take?

JJ:  I started it in Fall/December. I work full time in a VFX company so I have only a few free hours/week. So I cannot say concrete hours but I have worked in it for three months. Some weeks I have done nothing, that is true. 

Botcollector:  Did you enjoy making this animation, or were there some parts that were boring or difficult?

JJ:  I have really enjoyed this work man. I wish all my jobs were like this. To me, the more difficult the better.

Botcollector:  What inspired you for the look of this Optimus, instead of the traditional red toy?

JJ:  Well, I tried some different colors, so if I find something interesting to change I simply change it. When I got the white version I thought that it was the better one. I also tried red, blue, grey and black. The black one was very nice too. I have enjoyed so much doing it that I am working in another animation right now. I am also making Megatron. I have the gun model ready.

Botcollector:  How did you do the sound that accompanied the video?

JJ:  I used some libraries I had in my studio. I have one really good one of Lucasfilm recorded inside a factory. It is awesome and has most of the sound I needed.

Botcollector:  Thanks for the time, JJ; we hope to continue hearing from you, and hopefully we'll be able to track your progress on some of these animations.

JJ:  Thanks for your time and interest!!!