Kaz
08-23-2006, 09:45 AM
MOVE over Gollum. Max Headroom? How '80s. There's a new animated star in our midst: David Tench, the wise-cracking host of talkshow David Tench Tonight.
Much like Gollum, the weedy frog-like character from the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Tench uses cutting-edge motion-capture technology. But there is a marked difference, besides the obvious physical appearance, between the two.
"He's much more exciting than a Gollum," says executive producer Anita Jacoby. "He's walking, talking animation which can interact in real time with real guests. Gollum couldn't do that. This involves hugely exciting world-first technology. It involves various sensors or optical markers that cameras can pick up."
The cameras then translate the data into the digital character that is Tench. In practice, that means a guest can answer a question and Tench can offer a witty one-liner without any discernible delay.
The team behind the visual effects is Animal Logic, famous for their work on the Matrix films and the latest George Miller movie, Happy Feet.
Tench himself is the brainchild of Zapruder's Other Films, a company owned by Enough Rope host Andrew Denton and Jacoby.
The formula seems very similar to Enough Rope: charismatic host interviews people with interesting stories, not just visiting celebrities.
"It was Andrew's idea," says Jacoby. "I think it came from a lifelong love of cartoons."
Ten and Zapruder intend to string along viewers by not revealing who Tench really is. "It is David Tench," is all Jacoby will say.
His personality appears to be an amalgam of well-known figures. Radio's Alan Jones, former Good Morning Australia host Gordon Elliott and maybe even Ten's own Rove McManus could be in the mix. But as revealed today by columnist Jackie Lee Lewes it's actor Drew Forsythe.
While the show is played for laughs, guests may be inclined, says Jacoby, to let down their celebrity barriers. "It's what they (guests) would least expect, to be sitting opposite a cartoon and talking about your life. People become fascinated, intrigued and they start revealing more of themselves."
In the first episode, Tench was able to get former tennis player Pat Rafter to disclose a less-than-savoury relationship he once had with cane toads.
With Tench, Ten aims to secure Thursday as comedy night and develop a core, if not winning, audience in the 16 to 39-yearold demographic.
Added to the night's line-up is the second series of The Ronnie John Half Hour.
Ten has shown faith in the concept, commissioning 26 episodes. But then there are few programs as innovative as Tench.
Who knows, if it does well, Tench's ratings may even threaten Enough Rope. Is it too much of a stretch to think Tench could replace Denton as host of Enough Rope?
"I think Andrew's position as host of Enough Rope is very, very safe. I can't see Tench making a run for his job at all," Jacoby laughs.
- News.com.au
Much like Gollum, the weedy frog-like character from the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Tench uses cutting-edge motion-capture technology. But there is a marked difference, besides the obvious physical appearance, between the two.
"He's much more exciting than a Gollum," says executive producer Anita Jacoby. "He's walking, talking animation which can interact in real time with real guests. Gollum couldn't do that. This involves hugely exciting world-first technology. It involves various sensors or optical markers that cameras can pick up."
The cameras then translate the data into the digital character that is Tench. In practice, that means a guest can answer a question and Tench can offer a witty one-liner without any discernible delay.
The team behind the visual effects is Animal Logic, famous for their work on the Matrix films and the latest George Miller movie, Happy Feet.
Tench himself is the brainchild of Zapruder's Other Films, a company owned by Enough Rope host Andrew Denton and Jacoby.
The formula seems very similar to Enough Rope: charismatic host interviews people with interesting stories, not just visiting celebrities.
"It was Andrew's idea," says Jacoby. "I think it came from a lifelong love of cartoons."
Ten and Zapruder intend to string along viewers by not revealing who Tench really is. "It is David Tench," is all Jacoby will say.
His personality appears to be an amalgam of well-known figures. Radio's Alan Jones, former Good Morning Australia host Gordon Elliott and maybe even Ten's own Rove McManus could be in the mix. But as revealed today by columnist Jackie Lee Lewes it's actor Drew Forsythe.
While the show is played for laughs, guests may be inclined, says Jacoby, to let down their celebrity barriers. "It's what they (guests) would least expect, to be sitting opposite a cartoon and talking about your life. People become fascinated, intrigued and they start revealing more of themselves."
In the first episode, Tench was able to get former tennis player Pat Rafter to disclose a less-than-savoury relationship he once had with cane toads.
With Tench, Ten aims to secure Thursday as comedy night and develop a core, if not winning, audience in the 16 to 39-yearold demographic.
Added to the night's line-up is the second series of The Ronnie John Half Hour.
Ten has shown faith in the concept, commissioning 26 episodes. But then there are few programs as innovative as Tench.
Who knows, if it does well, Tench's ratings may even threaten Enough Rope. Is it too much of a stretch to think Tench could replace Denton as host of Enough Rope?
"I think Andrew's position as host of Enough Rope is very, very safe. I can't see Tench making a run for his job at all," Jacoby laughs.
- News.com.au