Dinosaur Revolution
Title card
Directed byDavid Krentz[1][2]
Erik Nelson[1][2][3]
Narrated byRick Robles
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producersErik Nelson[2][4]
Alan Eyres[2]
Brooke Runnette[2]
Running time42 minutes
Production companiesCreative Differences
Mokko
Sauce FX
Hawaii Animation Studios
Kinkajou
Original release
NetworkDiscovery Channel
Science
ReleaseSeptember 4 (2011-09-04) –
September 13, 2011 (2011-09-13)

Dinosaur Revolution is a four-part American nature documentary produced by Creative Differences.[1][2] It utilizes computer-generated imagery to portray dinosaurs and other animals from the Mesozoic era. The program was originally aired on the Discovery Channel and Science.

Dinosaur Revolution was released to mixed reviews, with some citing the poor quality of its animation and a lack of seriousness in its tone. It was, however, praised for its educational content and general energy.

Background and production history

Production of the series began in spring of 2009 (after several months of pre-production)[2] and took three years in total.[4] The series was built around several short- and long-form stories taking place in a number of distinct environments spanning the Mesozoic era. Originally titled Reign of the Dinosaurs, the series was intended not as a documentary, but as a six-hour series of fictional narratives based loosely on the comic book Age of Reptiles by Ricardo Delgado, and employing no narration.[5] Each episode was to be instead followed by one of a companion series, called Science of Reign of the Dinosaurs, which would feature scientists explaining the basis for the preceding story, and pointing out which parts were speculative or imaginary. Due to cuts and changes in marketing strategy by the network and production company, the series was eventually renamed Dinosaur Revolution, and divided into a more traditional format inter-cut with "talking heads," or brief explanations from scientists. The series was also cut from the planned six hours to four.[5] Of the four finished episodes, the first was originally planned to feature the Triassic Chinle Formation of the southwestern United States, and to include Coelophysis, Placerias and Postosuchus in the storyline. However, during production the sequence was changed to the older Ischigualasto Formation of Argentina, and the featured animals changed to Eoraptor, Ischigualastia and Saurosuchus. For this reason, the Ischigualastia model remained anatomically based on Placerias.[6] Scenes featuring Cryolophosaurus and Glacialisaurus were shot in Tenerife.[7]

The Lourinhã Formation, the setting of the second episode

The second episode, titled "The Watering Hole," was originally intended to highlight the Jurassic Morrison Formation of western North America, which has been featured in numerous dinosaur documentaries. At the suggestion of science consultant Tom Holtz, the setting was changed to the contemporary Lourinhã Formation of Portugal, and like the first episode, some species were swapped for equivalents in the new location. This resulted in televised appearances of dinosaurs such as Draconyx.[6] Similarly, the Cretaceous Mongolia sequence (which took place during the third episode) was set in the Wulansuhai Formation rather than the near-contemporary, and more familiar, Djadochta Formation. Therefore, it featured the first film appearances of the species Velociraptor osmolskae and Protoceratops hellenikorhinus in place of the more well-known V. mongoliensis and P. andrewsi.[6] Although the velociraptor confusion could have come about due to Misidentified Velociraptor osmolskae being labeled Velociraptor mongoliensis.[8] Some of the events of "The Watering Hole" were based on Holtz's own research, such as the scenes featuring an Allosaurus whose lower jaw was wounded by the tail of a sauropod.[9] Most species in this show were scientifically reported to Portugal by the Portuguese paleontologist Octávio Mateus. Not all animals featured in the finished program were based on specific species from the fossil record. Some, like the aquatic crocodyliform in the Utahraptor sequence and the carnivorous notosuchian in the Anhanguera sequence (both aired during the third episode), were left intentionally unnamed.[6]

Notable artists involved in the production include David Krentz (who had previously worked on John Carter of Mars and Disney's Dinosaur),[10][11] Ricardo Delgado (famous for his comic book Age of Reptiles),[10][11] Tom de Rosier (who had worked on Lilo & Stitch and Mulan),[11] Mishi McCaig (who had worked on Iron Man),[11] Pete Von Sholly (who had worked on The Mask and Darkman),[11] and Iain McCaig (one of the artists involved in the production of the Star Wars film series).[10][11] Previous efforts which the creators cited as inspiration include Looney Tunes,[12] Avatar, Up, and WALL-E.[11]

The modeling, texturing, and painting of the various creatures featured in the episodes was done by Creative Differences in ZBrush, while animation and rendering were done in Maya by various other companies that had been employed by Creative Differences. These included Mokko in Montreal, Kinkajou in the UK, Sauce FX, and Hawaii Animation Studios.[2] Hawaii Animation Studios also used a program known as Bakery Relight for rendering.[13]

Miniature sets, along with physical special effects were designed and filmed by, Los Angeles based, Tindall Vision Laboratories by director John Tindall. The sets include the dramatic Troodon segment staged on a post asteroid-impacted world.[11][14]

A press release by the Discovery Channel initially led to some confusion about the production of the series, leading some to believe that the project had been produced by Pixar rather than Creative Differences.[15]

Original airing

The first two episodes of Dinosaur Revolution aired on Discovery Channel on September 4, 2011. The final two episodes were scheduled to air September 11, 2011, on Discovery Channel. However, out of respect for the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, a last-minute schedule change replaced them with 9/11-related programming.[16] These two episodes were rescheduled to air on Science on September 13, 2011.[17]

Incomplete segments and errors

The Hell Creek formation, the setting of the fourth episode

Stories which were cut or not completed during production were to have featured animals such as Spinosaurus, Megapnosaurus,[18] Placodus, Mixosaurus, Nothosaurus,[19] Iguanodon, Agilisaurus and Prenocephale.[20] The Prenocephale model was re-used as a pachycephalosaur in the final episode (centered on the Hell Creek Formation).[20] A segment featuring an unknown pterosaur (which was suggested by biology professor Michael Habib) was also planned but could not be prepared in time for the Discovery Channel airing.[21] Artist Pete Von Sholly, who was involved in the production, expressed regret over the way the production was handled and cuts were made. In Von Sholly's opinion, some of the best sequences were left unproduced; cuts were made not based on the quality of the story, he claimed, but on how far along in the production process the segments were.[22] However, director David Krentz has stated that sequences were cut based on story quality.[2]

Additionally, some relevant scientific discoveries were published too late into production to have been incorporated into the program. For example, the mosasaur in the first episode lacked a tail fluke, the discovery of which came immediately after the CGI model was completed, according to director David Krentz.[23] (Note that this CGI model is referred to as the genus Mosasaurus by the web site for the program,[24] while Krentz has stated it was a Tylosaurus.[23])

Alternate version

Pete Von Sholly blogged in 2011, saying that a "proper version" would "see the light of day".[3] On September 10, Von Sholly commented on a Dinosaur Revolution review, suggesting the possibility of a "creator's cut" version of Dinosaur Revolution which would correct problems which he alleged were caused by the network.[25] Finally, on September 14, Von Sholly commented on another Dinosaur Revolution review, confirming the existence of a new version consisting of the material from the show, without any narration, that would be released on Blu-ray. This marked the basis for the film version of the series, Dinotasia.[26]

List of episodes

No. Title Time range Original air date
1TBATBAUnknownUnknownSeptember 4, 2011 (2011-09-04)N/A

Sequences include:[27]

Animals featured include:

2TBATBAUnknownUnknownSeptember 4, 2011 (2011-09-04)N/A

The episode focuses upon the interactions between various animals that lived around a watering hole in Lourinhã Formation, Portugal, 150 million years ago.[27]

Animals featured include:[27]

3TBATBAUnknownUnknownSeptember 13, 2011 (2011-09-13)N/A

Sequences include:[28]

Animals featured include:[27]

4TBATBAUnknownUnknownSeptember 13, 2011 (2011-09-13)N/A

The episode focuses upon Tyrannosaurus, portraying the species as "complex, dynamic and even bird-like". It then goes on to depict the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, and uses the Alvarez hypothesis to explain the extinction. A sole Troodon is depicted as "the last dinosaur". However, it is explained that "[i]f birds are [the dinosaurs'] descendants, then we're still living in the Age of Dinosaurs—and the DINOSAUR REVOLUTION continues."[28]

Animals featured include:[27]

Critical reception

Dinosaur Revolution received mixed reviews from critics. Riley Black, writing for Smithsonian, criticized the show, citing a lack of scientific content. She described it as "more of a dinosaur tribute than a scientific documentary".[12] Holtz commented on the review and generally agreed with Black's criticisms of the program.[29] Linda Stasi, a TV critic for the New York Post, criticized the show for being too "cutesy," although she did note that the program teaches viewers "a huge amount of interesting stuff".[30] Ross Langager from PopMatters criticized the show for its lack of scientific content.[31] Brian Lowry of Variety took a more positive view of the series: while criticizing the series' lack of "groundbreaking" content, he nonetheless determined that it was "a very laudable decision to give viewers get a taste of life on a prehistoric planet."[32] New York Daily News reviewer David Hinckley did have his criticisms, but he still noted the show for being "lively".[33]

Dinotasia

In 2012, a feature film called Dinotasia was released into theatres, incorporating and expanding upon the footage seen in Dinosaur Revolution. It was designed to be closer to what Dinosaur Revolution was originally conceived as. It is narrated by Werner Herzog.[34]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Evolution's Winners". Dinosaur Revolution. Season 1. Episode 1. September 4, 2011. Discovery Channel.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Zahed, Ramin (September 1, 2011). "Building the Perfect Beasts of 'Dinosaur Revolution'". Animation Magazine. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Von Sholly, Pete. (September 9, 2011). "Dino Revo Rides Again". Vonshollywood. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  4. 1 2 Barnhart, Aaron (August 26, 2011). "Discovery's 'Dinosaur Revolution' is dino might". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  5. 1 2 Holtz, Thomas R. Jr. (September 8, 2011). Comment on "Coming soon to your screens: Dinosaur Hyperbole", weblog entry by Hone, Dave (September 7, 2011). Dave Hone's Archosaur Musings. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Holtz, Thomas R. Jr. (September 9, 2011). "RE: Dinosaur Revolution: Anatomical Nitpicking". Message to the Dinosaur Mailing List. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  7. ↑ Domínguez, Fran (October 25, 2010). "Plató de dinosaurios". Diario de Avisos (in Spanish). Archived from the original on October 29, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  8. ↑ Jerzykiewicz, T.; Currie, P. J.; Eberth, D. A.; Johnston, P. A.; Koster, E. H.; Zheng, Jia-Jian (1993). "Djadokhta Formation correlative strata in Chinese Inner Mongolia: an overview of the stratigraphy, sedimentary geology, and paleontology and comparisons with the type locality in the pre-Altai Gobi". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 30 (10): 2180–2195. Bibcode:1993CaJES..30.2180J. doi:10.1139/e93-190.
  9. ↑ Marcot, Molly (September 8, 2011). "Dr. Dinosaur". The Diamondback. The University of Maryland. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 Hart, Hugh (August 22, 2011). "Prehistoric Beasts Run Wild in Dinosaur Revolution". Wired. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Walsh, Barry (November 1, 2010). "Dino-Might". Realscreen. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  12. 1 2 Black, Riley (September 2, 2011). "The Dinosaur Revolution Will Be Televised". Smithsonian. Retrieved June 2, 2021. ...what gets me is that Dinosaur Revolution is being presented as a program about the latest dinosaur science when the actual scientific content is minimal.
  13. ↑ Casian, Caitlin. Bakery Relight customer testimonial by Caitlin Casian, CG Supervisor at Hawaii Animation Studios. The Bakery. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  14. ↑ David Krentz interview for animation magazinehttp://www.animationmagazine.net/vfx/building-the-perfect-beasts-of-dinosaur-revolution
  15. ↑ Sciretta, Peter (July 13, 2010). "First Look: Dinosaur TV Project Reign of the Dinosaurs". /Film. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  16. ↑ Holtz, Thomas R. Jr. (September 9, 2011). "RE: Dinosaur Revolution: Anatomical Nitpicking". Message to the Dinosaur Mailing List. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  17. ↑ Krentz, David (September 9, 2011). "DINO REV NEW AIR DATE!!!!". Message to the Dinosaur Mailing List. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  18. ↑ Krentz, David (March 10, 2011). "Re: Pantydraco and the worst dinosaur name". Message to the Dinosaur Mailing List. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  19. ↑ Von Sholly, Pete (December 16, 2011). "Dino Revo N0-Show". Vonshollywood. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  20. 1 2 Holtz, Thomas R. Jr. (September 9, 2011). Comment on "Coming soon to your screens: Dinosaur Hyperbole" by Hone, David (September 7, 2011). Dave Hone's Archosaur Musings. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  21. ↑ Owen, Rob (September 1, 2011). "'Dinosaur Revolution' speculates on how dinosaurs lived". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  22. ↑ Von Sholly, Pete (September 12, 2011). Comment on "Dino Revo Rides Again", weblog entry by Von Sholly, Pete (September 9, 2011). Vonshollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  23. 1 2 Krentz, D. (September 9, 2011). "RE: Dinosaur Revolution: Anatomical Nitpicking". Message to the Dinosaur Mailing List. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Evolution's Winners Pictures: Mosasaurus". Discovery Channel. Archived from the original on April 9, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  25. ↑ Von Sholly, Pete (September 10, 2011). Comment on "The Dinosaur Revolution Will Be Televised" by Switek, Brian (September 2, 2011). Dinosaur Tracking (Smithsonian). Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  26. ↑ Von Sholly, Pete (September 14, 2011). Comment on Dinosaur Revolution review by Mortimer, Mickey (September 13, 2011). The Theropod Database Blog. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 "Dinosaur Revolution Episode Guide". Discovery Channel. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  28. 1 2 "Dinosaur Revolution Episode Guide". Discovery Channel. p. 2. Archived from the original on December 17, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  29. 1 2 Holtz, Thomas R. Jr. (September 2, 2011). on "The Dinosaur Revolution Will Be Televised" by Black, Riley. (Smithsonian). Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  30. ↑ Stasi, Linda (September 2, 2011). "Dino-might". New York Post. Retrieved September 28, 2011. What is strange, however, about the series is that the dinosaurs act a little too much Land before time.
  31. ↑ Langager, Ross (September 2, 2011). "It's 3   am in a Jurassic forest. This is "Dinosaur Revolution"". PopMatters. Retrieved September 28, 2011. ... his mix of fun and science turns the two into cool fun.
  32. ↑ Lowry, Brian (September 1, 2011). "Dinosaur Revolution". Variety. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  33. ↑ Hinckley, David (September 1, 2011). "Bad to the Bone: The Dinosaur Revolution". Daily News (New York). Retrieved September 28, 2011. "Bad to the Bone" is not as revolutionary as it could be, but it's a living tale of a few greats who, if there hadn't been a single stray asteroid, might still be here today. It is strange and horrible. I think that in the end, looking back, he's quite successful in all of the animations and stories based on real fossils. It's a fable.
  34. ↑ Black, Riley (April 23, 2012). "Dinotasia: Werner Herzog's Gory Dinosaurs". Smithsonian. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
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