*Disclosure: The Small Things received an all expense paid trip to Los Angeles with Disney to cover the premier of Finding Dory and a press junket. All opinions are 100% my own and were not swayed in any way.*
If you have been following my social media, you know that I recently went to L.A. for what I consider the trip of a lifetime. I had many interviews and one that I loved was our LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures Q&A session with series Executive Producers Bill Motz & Bob Roth.
Photo Credit: Ruth Veltoro @www.vivaveltoro.com
If you did not know, LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures is a, upcoming Disney XD series. Set between the events of "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," the action comedy series follows the Freemakers, a family of sibling scavengers who operate a salvage and repair shop in space. The series will also feature familiar characters and locations from the filmed Star Wars saga. "LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures" will premiere Monday, June 20th (10:00 a.m. EDT), on Disney XD. We had a chance to screen an episode of this series and it is SO GOOD!
This series does follow the story line, and it is so funny for the whole family. It will make you laugh often! When I initially seen the trailer, I thought this was just something my daughter would love- that is not the case. It is something that we can actually enjoy together! We had the honor to interview Executive Producers Bill Motz & Bob Roth, and an unexpected appearance by Nicholas Cantu (the voice of Rowan Freemaker).
Photo Credit: Ruth Veltoro @www.vivaveltoro.com
Photo Credit: Ruth Veltoro @www.vivaveltoro.com/
All of the bloggers had their phones ready to go to live tweet these interviews!
LEGO STAR WARS - THE FREEMAKER ADVENTURES - Press day. (Disney XD/Todd Wawrychuk)BILL MOTZ, BOB ROTH
Let me go ahead and start off by saying that when Executive Producers Bill Motz & Bob Roth came into the room, they were hilarious! You could just tell that these two were so thrilled to be able to talk about LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures, and the energy was amazing! We learned that this show was their baby and they could not talk about it for a year! How crazy is that?! The question was asked:
"Watching the show I really liked the fact that it had a role-play for the kids. What was your idea behind that?" Bill Motz had said the building bricks was something that he had done with his kids. They invented this out of that play together. He said that they liked pouring out their blocks and creating their own thing. He also gave the reference to losing an instruction book and how his son takes those fighter wings and slaps it on and he’s got a brand-new toy. If you watch the show, you understand what he is explaining more.
Another question was asked- Do you already have plans set in motion for Lego sets to come out so kids can have their own sets to go along with watching the show? He had us turn around and look at the tables in the back of the room. YES! They do!
Photo Credit: Ruth Veltoro @www.vivaveltoro.com
What you see are characters and There’s the Star Scavenger and the Eclipse Fighter from the actual show.
Photo Credit: Ruth Veltoro @www.vivaveltoro.com
We also were gifted these items from the event too!
Bob Roth had said that "That is a crazy moment- Walking into a store and going, oh yeah there’s the starship we created.". I personally think that would be an amazing moment myself! We learned that it’s been over a year that they went to build in Denmark- which is where Lego headquarters is. They were able to talk to the designers about the ships and hold them. How amazing!
Photo Credit: Ruth Veltoro @www.vivaveltoro.com
You would see the excitement! You had to have been there to understand.
Bob Roth: "I still wake up every morning and go - Oh yeah, we’re really doing this, okay."We also learned that Star Wars has a huge meaning to Bob, It goes back to his brother. Check out this sweet story!
"In 1977 when my brother came home and said we’re going to the movies tonight. I’m playing outside and didn’t want to go to a movie." In short he said "We went and it was a magical memory. I walked in there, seven years old not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. What seven-year-old does, right? That’s not a problem but I walked out of there going, oh I totally know what I want to do with my life. I want to give other kids the viewing I had right now."
A small tid bit that made me tear up was he had said: "And you know the beauty of it is, is that my brother is not with us anymore. And I always will have the memory of that night. He gave me Star Wars." How sweet is that? You could see it in his face. So amazing. What an amazing memory. They were both already fans and that made this even more special. Growing up having Star Wars memorabilia and more!
Another question came along asking: "Q : What has been the biggest challenge creating this show aside from keeping the secret for a year?" Bill Motz had said "I’ll tell you what the initial biggest thing was, fear."
We learned they had to make a choice about leaving another job. Bill said that this was intimidating because this is a partnership between Lucas film and Lego and the Disney Corporation. We learned this almost did not happen because they turned it down out of fear of messing up and friend told them they were crazy! They went on to take it on afterall.
Bob Roth's son, and the character are alike. In his words: "Rowan and my 12-year-old, Zanny share the super enthusiasm for life and the inability to just sit still for a damn moment.".
Basically, he can see his sons in the characters on the show. I think that is just great and special! The question was asked "What do you want the audience to know or get or feel?"
Bob Roth's reply: It’s fun. You know what I mean? We struggle all the time with a lot of serious heavy things. Every episode even our darkest episodes are fun. They’re fun and funny and you know there’s joy in all of them.
Bill Motz reply: We’ll get asked, they’re like what’s your dark audience? You know it’s usually you know the demographics will be you know six to eleven or whatever it is. My answer is families. Like I really, really want this to be something that families watch together. And I do feel like there’s comedy we try because you know we have kids. And you know we want to make sure that with parents watching with their kids that they’re not going, oh my gosh.
My opinion: IT IS FOR families and I gathered THAT in the first episode myself! Their kids had already seen it and they loved it too!
Photo Credit: Ruth Veltoro @www.vivaveltoro.com
In the middle of interviewing- Nicholas made an appearance and he is just the funniest! Nicholas Cantu (the voice of Rowan Freemaker) had some stuff to say and he was so sweet!
LEGO STAR WARS - THE FREEMAKER ADVENTURES - Press day. (Disney XD/Todd Wawrychuk)NICOLAS CANTU, BILL MOTZ, BOB ROTHNicholas was asked a great question: "How is it to be a part of Star Wars legacy?"
"This is a big thing for me . Star wars? It’s a dream come true. Lego? That’s like every kids dream ever. And you know being lucky enough to have this opportunity is really amazing. You know? It’s just, it’s the whole package though, a Disney show, Lego, Star Wars. Having a toy of me? I might as well just retire"
How hilarious is he?! The question came along asking Nicholas: "What do you think kids are going to really like about this show? If you were talking to other kids about it what would you tell them?"
His reply: "You know I’d tell them that if they watched any other Lego stuff you know the comedy is very strong. I love all the Lego jokes in there. They’re all very funny. And you’re also going to get that classic Star Wars storytelling that you’ve come to know and love you know, the battle between good and evil. And they’re just going to love having very serious moments and different jokes."
He also said that it has adventure and comedy and he thinks they would like the wacky characters too.
LEGO STAR WARS - THE FREEMAKER ADVENTURES - Press day. (Disney XD/Todd Wawrychuk)BILL MOTZ, NICOLAS CANTU, BOB ROTH
"LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures" will premiere Monday, June 20th (10:00 a.m. EDT), on Disney XD. Get your popcorn ready and tune in with the whole family! Check out the trailer below while you are here!
Check out the small trailer below!
Do you plan to tune in? Are your kiddos excited? I would love to hear!
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