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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2012 13:14:15 GMT -7
I've been wondering this for almost the entire time since I learned of Amber's existence: Was Amber's design (as in her looks) ever finished, or were they never moved beyond the prototype? Also, was her background revised after they opted not to go ahead with releasing her to the marketplace? The reason I ask this particular question, is because the impression I've gotten is that Alchemy II never went ahead because she was coming off too "token female" rather than a character in her own right, and the background story briefly mentioned here (scroll down to the Amber concept drawing), with the phrase " She was going to be Teddy's veterinarian lady friend who of course took care of the animals in the forest.", comes off sounding a bit token to me - as does all the pink! So, yeah, I'm just curious as to whether these aspects were part of why they never got Amber out there, and, if that is the case, if they ever completed her design and background behind the scenes to a degree that they would have been happy to bring to market. Does anyone know? (I expect that Josh might, but probably can't say anything much about it - that being so, I'm more just wondering if there's any further publically-known info about Amber.  ) EDIT: I'm also idly curious as to whether or not she has a known surname, but that doesn't really warrant its own topic, so I guess I'll just add it here. |
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Post by kaylathehedgehog on Apr 11, 2012 15:03:47 GMT -7
I know there was a prototype toy made of her, but it was little more than Teddy with longer hair and a pink ribbon. As far as I'm aware, she didn't get past that stage.
As for the surname, I don't know. When I used her in one of my fanfics, she didn't get a surname until she married.
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Post by TRO Admin on Apr 11, 2012 16:56:39 GMT -7
Another great topic. Animation Fascination's description is right in it's the basement floor of the story... but there was a lot more too it than that. I don't know how much of it is for public consumption, so I can't really say much more, but there was more to her than just being a caretaker of the animals. As far as why she wasn't ever released - that was two fold. They weren't extremely happy with the design. Amber was almost literally Teddy Ruxpin with a pink wardrobe and eyelashes. And by the time Amber was in development Worlds of Wonder started having some major financial difficulties, which made further design and release of a product they were happy with impossible by the time WoW finally filed for bankruptcy. This wasn't the only casualty of WoW's troubles. There was a few minutes of test footage made for a Teddy Ruxpin theatrical movie that would've taken off from where the TV series ended. I was lucky enough to see it a few years ago, and it would've been great. I wish WoW had been more fiscally responsible. Of course the stock market crash in '87 and junk bonds and the Savings and Loan scandals of the late 80's didn't help matters much. I don't recall ever hearing anything about the story or the background of the character being any part of why she wasn't released. In fact, I think it's an awesome story that I hope someday we will get to see as part of a T.R. big screen production  The appearance of the talking toy version of Amber was the only thing people had concerns with. She is much prettier in artwork As with a lot of these questions, I'm going off memory from conversations that happened between 1 and 15 years ago, so don't quote me - but I believe Amber does have a surname. What it is I can't remember. One day soon I'm going to jot down some questions and hopefully do another interview with Mr. Forsse. |
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Post by kaylathehedgehog on Apr 11, 2012 16:59:29 GMT -7
Argh! Curse that stock market crash!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2012 17:51:03 GMT -7
Thankyou very much. It's good to know that the description given there is incredibly basic, and that there's more to Amber than just that! All too often, female characters get relegated to simplistic one-trait roles, never get to be part of adventuring and so on, and never have anything more to them than fulfilling stereotypes that usually don't exist in reality - it's annoying.  (On TV Tropes, flat, dull characters in that vein are typically referred to as "The Smurfette", haha...) I've seen the prototype photograph. I didn't like the pink, but I really do like her hair - I think that that works really well. What?! Does the footage exist anywhere where we can see it?  (Also, agreed about WoW... They could have gone so much further if they hadn't saturated their own market with clones and wannabes!) Again, I'm glad that there's more to the story than the one line that I quoted before. It's also interesting to know that artwork of her actually exists - the concept drawing shown on Animation Fascination is downright terrifying, if you ask me! I can't wait until the day when we get to see and hear Amber's story for ourselves. ;D (I'm also incredibly curious about Amber's tapes, but since they're apparently so utterly, ludicrously rare, I doubt I'll ever see/hear them in my lifetime!) Please add that one to your list - I'd love love love to know what it is. ;D |
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Post by TRO Admin on Apr 11, 2012 19:31:59 GMT -7
I doubt any tapes exist for Amber. I don't think things got that far. If they do exist I've never seen any evidence of such. There were several female voice actors associated with Teddy and WoW so there may have been some test footage of some kind though. Who knows.
Yes Amber definitely has a rich storyline. Karen will always be my favorite female in the World of Grundo but I'd have to say based on what I know about Amber she'd be #2.
Someday I will have to see if I can get a copy of the test footage.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2012 19:53:13 GMT -7
I doubt any tapes exist for Amber. I don't think things got that far. If they do exist I've never seen any evidence of such. There were several female voice actors associated with Teddy and WoW so there may have been some test footage of some kind though. Who knows. I've only seen tapes mentioned once, funnily enough on the same page from Animation Fascination that I linked to before! I'll quote it below; I assume that these would have just been tests, then? You sure know how to keep us wondering. Good luck! |
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Post by TRO Admin on Apr 11, 2012 20:13:13 GMT -7
Had I not stumbled into the career I'm in, I would've gone into marketing.... so I'm glad I know how to throw out some bait.  It's hardly ever intentional, though. |
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Post by kaylathehedgehog on Apr 11, 2012 21:21:31 GMT -7
A tease is what you are, Josh.  |
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Post by TRO Admin on Apr 11, 2012 21:33:31 GMT -7
LOL I've been called much worse! |
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The appearance of the talking toy version of Amber was the only thing people had concerns with. She is much prettier in artwork 
(On TV Tropes, flat, dull characters in that vein are typically referred to as "The Smurfette", haha...)
(Also, agreed about WoW... They could have gone so much further if they hadn't saturated their own market with clones and wannabes!)
It's hardly ever intentional, though.