Sodor Studios
From Sodor Island Forums
About Sodor Studios
Sodor Studios was originally founded by Sillyevan in August 2003 to do a Power-Point presentation of the Series 6 episodes - Dunkin Duncan and Jack Jumps In - using still pictures and individual voiceovers. Both projects were deemed a failure, and Sodor Studios somewhat died for a while afterward.
Step forward Ciremi in the summer of 2004 to spark a phenomenon with the redubbed episode "Something In The Air", which was originally meant to be a one-off venture, but proved so popular, it influenced the first wave of new dubs to come forward.
Who Are Sodor Studios?
The New and Improved Sodor Studios, was the coming together of an elite team of seven SiF members to create redubs...a bit like the Power Rangers, but with Thomas fans and without the big giant head in a jar...!
RYAN - Exec Producer/Script Writer
As script writer, Ryan is in charge of developing the episode from what it has been, into something it COULD be, with the redundancy of some narration to make way for new dialogue for the characters and voiceovers. He has also put himself in charge of casting decisions.
CHRISTOPHER - Editor/Director/Script Editor
Christopher has the more difficult job of timing the redubbed lines and putting the film together. Originally under the RH&CS name, Christopher used to do the music videos for us too before Kate669 was asked to join the team!
EVAN - Musical Soundtrack
With a very musical ear and a talent for soundtracks, Evan has put together some brilliant stuff for the four redubs we've worked with him upon, adding a spark to the redubs, which is so sorely needed, but so excellently done!
Kate669 - Music Videos
As a small extra at the end of the Sodor Studios stuff, we always stick on a music video at the end. Michelle has a real knack for putting stuff like this together, whether the song be touching or funky, she's great at putting together some beautiful music videos of her own under the "Studio 669" alias too!
CHRIS - Intros
Originally not intended to join the team, Chris has proved a valuable asset to us and a crucial team player, creating some hilarious intro clips for our redubs which parody other TV programmes and sometimes of his own making too!
JIM522 - Sound Effects
A massive apology to Jim for not crediting him before now, without him folks, there'd be no show! He has selflessly supplied our sound-effects for the dubs we do (and for others too), and for that, we cannot thank him enough!
CIREMI - Script Editor
Our stalwart narrator and now our Script Editor too, Ciremi's influence on the dubs is to prove invaluable in future productions as you will see from the quality of the upcoming storylines. A strong, articulate and very much welcome addition to the Sodor Studios production team!
THE OLD BEAN - Audio Producer
The Old Bean Studios recently merged with Sodor Studios to become our new Audio Production wing. The Old Bean will now be part of the Sodor Studios family as a consultant on our visual dubs, and be producer/Director/script writer for the Audio dubs.
PRODUCTIONS TO DATE:
Percy and the Magic Carpet Redub
Best Dressed Engine Redub
No Sleep For Cranky Redub
Gordon and Spencer Redub
Christmas Deputation Redub
Buzz Buzz Redub
Be Careful What You Wish For!
Edward And the Express Engines
Fun and Games with 'Arry and Bert
Steamroller
There's Something About Mavis
Thomas and Bertie Help Out
Thomas and the New Line
History of Sodor Studios
Originally Sodor Studios was the brainchild of Sillyevan, who came up with the idea of doing presentiations of the episodes - Dunkin' Duncan and Jack Jumps In - in the summer of 2003, using still photos and PowerPoint as a media player. However, this was largely deemed by Evan himself to be a failure, and despite the fact Dunkin' Duncan was released, it wasn't too great!
A year later, inspired by what he had seen by TUGS, Ciremi organised a community fan-dubbing on Sodor Island Forums for the earliest redub - Something In the Air. The production never had a proper script and cut out the narration of the original episode, but it turned out to be a popular medium. Henceforth, it was carried on by Ryan and Christopher, who teamed up to do the somewhat short-lived RH&CS Productions, with Ryan writing the script and Christopher doing the dubbing. However, Sodor Studios lived on under Evan, who has used the name to make redubs of the Diesel Trilogy.
RH&CS produced four redubbed episodes, the first, Duck Takes Charge, following the format set out by Ciremi, although falling short of one thing...sound effects! And so on the second episode - Cranky Bugs, a proper script was drafted by Ryan, with additional dialogue to allow the film to move more fluidly and the first development was made. As time went on, there came a set character cast, including Jim522 becoming a very credible James, Kate669 the natural choice for Percy, Chris the best Fat Controller, Ryan helping Cranky to find his voice, and Christopher a first choice Gordon.
2005 saw "Sir Topham Hatt Wants Vengeance" the first proper "Movie" written by Ryan, dubbed by Christopher, and now with an excellent musical score by Evan, which really livened up the whole production. And so, it was going to be difficult just to go back to the original "themes" we had used before, which were largely lacklustre compared with Evan's excellent score...that's where it all came down to this...
The decision was made to form The New and Improved Sodor Studios, taking onboard four members - Ryan - The Script, Christopher - The Dubbing, Evan - The Musical Score, and having seen some brilliant work by Kate669, on her own works, she was the natural choice for carrying on The Music Video format. And then by twist of fate, Chris showed me his Thunderbirds intro, and he became part of the team as well, in charge of introduction clips!
The innovations Sodor Studios have made have seen redubs take on narration, ours provided by Ciremi of Sodor Island Forums, adding him to our fold of regular voiceovers, joining the excellent Jim522, The "versatile" Old Bean and other talented SiF members. More recently, our innovations to redubbing has seen developing the storyline has become more of a key issue, with the decision to add additional scenes to the dubs also, as seen in Gordon and Spencer, and for a smaller part - No Sleep For Cranky.
As for the future, we'll let you know when we get there! But we can tell you Jim522 will be added to the production credits for having supplied our sound-effects for us, we're just sorry it took so long Jim, and he will become a full member of Sodor Studios! Other plans include Sodor Studios' first double dub which will be released in time for Christmas, an adaptation of The Deputation and Thomas and The Missing Christmas Tree, which sees the original story take on a new form. A script for Buzz Buzz is set for in the new year as well, with the story being taken back to its original Awdry roots somewhat, and two other projects, one being a double-dub, are in the works for 2006.
There are also more exciting solo-projects by the members of Sodor Studios to look forward to. Christopher will be continuing to work on his "Narrative Remake" dubs, Sillyevan has plans to finish off what he started with The Diesel Trilogy, and the Laggan Railway (Under Ryan, Christopher and The Old Bean) is set to roar back with three Independent Audio Dubs in the new year, and I'm sure Chris and Kate669 have plans of their own for new productions in the new year also.
However, whilst this part of the site IS known as Sodor Studios Downloads, we play host to other dubbing groups and individual productions as well. Namely our old mate - The Old Bean Audios - who has so far produced the excellent Mountain Engines dubs, with The Twin Engines now in production. He has not only inspired, but like Sodor Studios led the way for others to do the same format, such as ChrisTheXelent who has given us a Henry and The Express dub of the same idea.
And so, as long as there is creativity, talent and drive within SiF members and within our Sodor Studios team, the multitude of productions we have will carry on. No doubt the work we do will develop again and again, and continue to bring about both enjoyable and entertaining works for fans and visitors to enjoy! :)
