Dinosaur Revolution

Production of the series began in spring of 2009 (after several months of pre-production){{cite news|last=Zahed|first=Ramin|title=Building the Perfect Beasts of 'Dinosaur Revolution'|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/vfx/building-the-perfect-beasts-of-dinosaur-revolution/|newspaper=Animation Magazine|access-date=September 16, 2011|date=September 1, 2011}} and took three years in total. The series was built around several short- and long-form stories taking place in a number of distinct environments spanning the Mesozoic era. its Original title wasReign of the Dinosaurs.Holtz, Thomas R. Jr. (September 8, 2011). [http://archosaurmusings.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/coming-soon-to-your-screens-dinosaur-hyperbole/#comment-10067 Comment] on [http://archosaurmusings.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/coming-soon-to-your-screens-dinosaur-hyperbole/ "Coming soon to your screens: Dinosaur Hyperbole"], weblog entry by Hone, Dave (September 7, 2011). [http://archosaurmusings.wordpress.com/ Dave Hone's Archosaur Musings]. Retrieved September 13, 2011. 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. 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.Holtz, Thomas R. Jr. (September 9, 2011). [http://dml.cmnh.org/2011Sep/msg00048.html "RE: Dinosaur Revolution: Anatomical Nitpicking"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118041832/http://dml.cmnh.org/2011Sep/msg00048.html |date=November 18, 2011 }}. Message to the Dinosaur Mailing List. Retrieved September 10, 2011. Scenes featuring Cryolophosaurus and Glacialisaurus were shot in Tenerife.{{cite web |last=Domínguez |first=Fran |title=Plató de dinosaurios |url=http://www.diariodeavisos.com/2010/diariodeavisos/content/32850/ |work=Diario de Avisos |access-date=October 26, 2011 |language=es |date=October 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029211053/http://www.diariodeavisos.com/2010/diariodeavisos/content/32850/ |archive-date=October 29, 2010}} File:Lourinhã Formation.jpg 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. 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. Although the velociraptor confusion could have come about due to Misidentified Velociraptor osmolskae being labeled Velociraptor mongoliensis.{{cite journal |title=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 |url=https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/e93-190#.XXfkLehKjIU |journal=Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences|year=1993 |doi=10.1139/e93-190 |last1=Jerzykiewicz |first1=T. |last2=Currie |first2=P. J. |last3=Eberth |first3=D. A. |last4=Johnston |first4=P. A. |last5=Koster |first5=E. H. |last6=Zheng |first6=Jia-Jian |volume=30 |issue=10 |pages=2180–2195 |bibcode=1993CaJES..30.2180J }} 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.{{cite news|last=Marcot|first=Molly|title=Dr. Dinosaur|url=http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/dr-dinosaur-1.2581449#.ToJVEGA14ug|access-date=September 27, 2011|newspaper=The Diamondback|date=September 8, 2011|publisher=The University of Maryland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118171934/http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/dr-dinosaur-1.2581449#.ToJVEGA14ug|archive-date=January 18, 2012|url-status=dead}} 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.

Notable artists involved in the production include David Krentz (who had previously worked on John Carter of Mars and Disney's Dinosaur), Ricardo Delgado (famous for his comic book Age of Reptiles),{{cite web|last=Walsh|first=Barry|title=Dino-Might|url=http://realscreen.com/2010/11/01/vfxnovdec-20101101/|work=Realscreen|access-date=October 21, 2011|date=November 1, 2010}} Tom de Rosier (who had worked on Lilo & Stitch and Mulan), Mishi McCaig (who had worked on Iron Man), Pete Von Sholly (who had worked on The Mask and Darkman), and Iain McCaig (one of the artists involved in the production of the Star Wars film series).{{cite magazine|last=Hart|first=Hugh|title=Prehistoric Beasts Run Wild in Dinosaur Revolution|url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/08/dinosaur-revolution/|magazine=Wired|access-date=October 18, 2011|date=August 22, 2011}} Previous efforts which the creators cited as inspiration include Looney Tunes, Avatar, Up, and WALL-E.

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. Hawaii Animation Studios also used a program known as Bakery Relight for rendering.Casian, Caitlin. [http://www.bakery3d.com/testimonials/ Bakery Relight customer testimonial by Caitlin Casian, CG Supervisor at Hawaii Animation Studios.] The Bakery. Retrieved September 18, 2011.

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.David Krentz interview for animation magazinehttp://www.animationmagazine.net/vfx/building-the-perfect-beasts-of-dinosaur-revolution

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.{{cite web|last=Sciretta|first=Peter|title=First Look: Dinosaur TV Project Reign of the Dinosaurs|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/first-look-pixars-dinosaur-tv-project-reign-of-the-dinosaurs/|work=/Film|access-date=November 16, 2011|date=July 13, 2010}}

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.Holtz, Thomas R. Jr. (September 9, 2011). [http://dml.cmnh.org/2011Sep/msg00042.html "RE: Dinosaur Revolution: Anatomical Nitpicking"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118071358/http://dml.cmnh.org/2011Sep/msg00042.html |date=November 18, 2011 }}. Message to the Dinosaur Mailing List. Retrieved September 13, 2011. These two episodes were rescheduled to air on Science on September 13, 2011.Krentz, David (September 9, 2011). [http://dml.cmnh.org/2011Sep/msg00049.html "DINO REV NEW AIR DATE!!!!"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118184725/http://dml.cmnh.org/2011Sep/msg00049.html |date=November 18, 2011 }}. Message to the Dinosaur Mailing List. Retrieved September 13, 2011.

File:Hell Creek.jpg

Stories which were cut or not completed during production were to have featured animals such as Spinosaurus, Megapnosaurus,Krentz, David (March 10, 2011). [http://dml.cmnh.org/2011Mar/msg00142.html "Re: Pantydraco and the worst dinosaur name"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012173753/http://dml.cmnh.org/2011Mar/msg00142.html |date=October 12, 2013 }}. Message to the Dinosaur Mailing List. Retrieved October 26, 2011. Placodus, Mixosaurus, Nothosaurus,Von Sholly, Pete (December 16, 2011). [http://vonshollywood.blogspot.com/2011/12/dino-revo-n0-show.html "Dino Revo N0-Show"]. Vonshollywood. Retrieved December 17, 2011. Iguanodon, Agilisaurus and Prenocephale. The Prenocephale model was re-used as a pachycephalosaur in the final episode (centered on the Hell Creek Formation).Holtz, Thomas R. Jr. (September 9, 2011). [http://archosaurmusings.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/coming-soon-to-your-screens-dinosaur-hyperbole/#comment-10073 Comment] on "Coming soon to your screens: Dinosaur Hyperbole" by Hone, David (September 7, 2011). Dave Hone's Archosaur Musings. Retrieved October 3, 2011. 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.{{cite news|last=Owen|first=Rob|title='Dinosaur Revolution' speculates on how dinosaurs lived|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11244/1171212-67.stm|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=September 27, 2011|date=September 1, 2011}} 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.Von Sholly, Pete (September 12, 2011). [http://vonshollywood.blogspot.com/2011/09/dino-revo-rides-again.html?showComment=1315825616338#c4318402056035627110 Comment] on [http://vonshollywood.blogspot.com/2011/09/dino-revo-rides-again.html "Dino Revo Rides Again"], weblog entry by Von Sholly, Pete (September 9, 2011). Vonshollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2011. However, director David Krentz has stated that sequences were cut based on story quality.

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.Krentz, D. (September 9, 2011). [http://dml.cmnh.org/2011Sep/msg00047.html "RE: Dinosaur Revolution: Anatomical Nitpicking"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118083036/http://dml.cmnh.org/2011Sep/msg00047.html |date=November 18, 2011 }}. Message to the Dinosaur Mailing List. Retrieved September 13, 2011. (Note that this CGI model is referred to as the genus Mosasaurus by the web site for the program,{{Cite web|title=Evolution's Winners Pictures: Mosasaurus |publisher=Discovery Channel |url=http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/dinosaur-revolution/photos/evolution-winners-pictures-12.html |access-date=September 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409212750/http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/dinosaur-revolution/photos/evolution-winners-pictures-12.html |archive-date=April 9, 2012}} while Krentz has stated it was a Tylosaurus.)

Pete Von Sholly blogged in 2011, saying that a "proper version" would "see the light of day". 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.Von Sholly, Pete (September 10, 2011). [http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/2011/09/the-dinosaur-revolution-will-be-televised/#comment-4830 Comment] on [http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/2011/09/the-dinosaur-revolution-will-be-televised/ "The Dinosaur Revolution Will Be Televised"] by Switek, Brian (September 2, 2011). Dinosaur Tracking (Smithsonian). Retrieved October 9, 2011. 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.Von Sholly, Pete (September 14, 2011). [http://theropoddatabase.blogspot.com/2011/09/dinosaur-revolution-review.html?showComment=1316015122264#c8831404898371167486 Comment] on [http://theropoddatabase.blogspot.com/2011/09/dinosaur-revolution-review.html Dinosaur Revolution review] by Mortimer, Mickey (September 13, 2011). The Theropod Database Blog. Retrieved October 10, 2011.

{{Episode table |background=61b329 |overall= |title= |aux1= |aux1T=Time range |airdate= |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| Title = Evolution's Winners

| Aux1 = {{Fossil range|Late Permian|Cretaceous}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|9|4}}

| ShortSummary = Sequences include:{{cite web |title=Dinosaur Revolution Episode Guide |url=http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/dinosaur-revolution/episodes.html |publisher=Discovery Channel |access-date=December 23, 2011 |page=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228162630/http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/dinosaur-revolution/episodes.html |archive-date=December 28, 2011}}

{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|

• A pair of Inostrancevia during the Permian-Triassic extinction event.
• Eoraptor{{'}}s mating rituals in Triassic South America
• A battle between two cryolophosaurs in Jurassic Antarctica
• An examination of the adaptations of Gigantoraptor
• An attack by a female Tylosaurus on Squalicorax sharks to defend her offspring 75 Mya Great Plains Western North America
• The chase of a Glacialisaurus by a Cryolophosaurus and a deadly swarm of mosquitoes

Animals featured include:

• Cockroach
• Inostrancevia
• Eoraptor
• Ischigualastia (identified as Dicynodont)
• Saurosuchus
• Chiniquodon (identified as Probelesodon)
• Gigantoraptor
• Zalambdalestes
• Cryolophosaurus
• Cryodrakon (unidentified)
• Tylosaurus (identified as Mosasaur)
• Squalicorax
• Mosquito
• Antarctic lizard
• Glacialisaurus

}}

| LineColor = 61b329

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| Title = The Watering Hole

| Aux1 = {{Fossil range|150|150|150 ma (Late Jurassic)}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|9|4}}

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

Animals featured include:

{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|

• Allosaurus
• Dinheirosaurus
• Torvosaurus
• Ornitholestes
• Rhamphorhynchus
• Miragaia
• Lusotitan
• Draconyx

}}

| LineColor = 61b329

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| Title = Survival Tactics

| Aux1 = {{Fossil range|Middle Jurassic|Cretaceous}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|9|13}}

| ShortSummary = Sequences include:{{cite web |title=Dinosaur Revolution Episode Guide |url=http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/dinosaur-revolution/episodes-02.html |publisher=Discovery Channel |access-date=December 23, 2011 |page=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217022525/http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/dinosaur-revolution/episodes-02.html |archive-date=December 17, 2011}}

{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|

• A Utahraptor pack hunt: The scene portrayed during the episode was inspired by the "Battle at Kruger" video.
• A sequence featuring a Rahonavis which portrays the species as being capable of climbing trees in Madagascar
• An Anhanguera brood learning to fly in Brazil, 125 Ma
• Sequences featuring mammals such as Castorocauda and Volaticotherium also two Guanlong chasing them in China
• A Protoceratops male voyaging with a baby and fending off Velociraptor in 75 Mya Gobi Desert
• A Shunosaurus juvenile eating red mushrooms and unusually fending off two Sinraptor in China.

Animals featured include:

• Turtle indeterminiate
• Utahraptor
• Cedarosaurus
• Crocodyliform (undetermined)
• Rahonavis
• Rapetosaurus
• Majungasaurus
• Beelzebufo
• Shunosaurus
• Sinraptor
• Guanlong
• Castorocauda
• Volaticotherium
• Crocodile (unidentified)
• Mamenchisaurus
• Protoceratops
• Azhdarchid (undetermined)
• Velociraptor
• Anhanguera
• Crab
• Araripesuchus (unidentified)

}}

| LineColor = 61b329

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| Title = End Game

| Aux1 = {{Fossil range|65|65|65 Ma (Late Cretaceous)}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2011|9|13}}

| ShortSummary = 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."

Animals featured include:

• Tyrannosaurus
• Pachycephalosaurus (unidentified)
• Troodon
• Ankylosaurus
• Quetzalcoatlus (unidentified)
• Triceratops
• Alphadon
• Pigeon
• Geese

| LineColor = 61b329

}}

}}

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".{{cite web|last=Black|first=Riley|title=The Dinosaur Revolution Will Be Televised|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-dinosaur-revolution-will-be-televised-68826799/|date=September 2, 2011|website=Smithsonian|access-date=June 2, 2021|quote=...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.}} Holtz commented on the review and generally agreed with Black's criticisms of the program.Holtz, Thomas R. Jr. (September 2, 2011). [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-dinosaur-revolution-will-be-televised-68826799/#comment-1442506806] on [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-dinosaur-revolution-will-be-televised-68826799/ "The Dinosaur Revolution Will Be Televised"] by Black, Riley. (Smithsonian). Retrieved June 2, 2021. 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".{{cite news|last=Stasi|first=Linda|title=Dino-might|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/dino_might_rI67N5nYlgAJdGE9YZBH9O|access-date=September 28, 2011|newspaper= New York Post | date = September 2, 2011 | quote = What is strange, however, about the series is that the dinosaurs act a little too much Land before time.}} Ross Langager from PopMatters criticized the show for its lack of scientific content.{{cite web | last = Langager | first = Ross | title = It's 3   am in a Jurassic forest. This is "Dinosaur Revolution" | url = https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/147084-dinosaur-revolution/ | work = PopMatters | date = September 2, 2011 | access-date = September 28, 2011 | quote = ... his mix of fun and science turns the two into cool fun.}} 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."{{cite web | last = Lowry | first = Brian | title = Dinosaur Revolution|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117945936?refCatId=32|work=Variety|access-date=September 28, 2011|date=September 1, 2011}} New York Daily News reviewer David Hinckley did have his criticisms, but he still noted the show for being "lively".{{cite news|last=Hinckley|first=David|title=Bad to the Bone: The Dinosaur Revolution | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2011/09/01/2011-09-01_bad_to_the_bone_the_dinosaur_revolution_review_animated_discovery_special_shows_.html | access-date = September 28, 2011 | newspaper = Daily News (New York) | date = September 1, 2011 | quote = "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.}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/dinotasia-werner-herzogs-gory-dinosaurs-72587318/ |title=Dinotasia: Werner Herzog's Gory Dinosaurs |first=Riley |last=Black|date=April 23, 2012|website=Smithsonian|access-date=June 2, 2021}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://press.discovery.com/us/dsc/press-releases/2011/dinosaur-revolutions-all-star-crew-animators--1445/ Discovery Channel's Dinosaur Revolution press release]
• {{IMDb title|2065185}}

{{Discovery Channel programming}}

Category:2011 American television series debuts

Category:2011 American television series endings

Category:Discovery Channel original programming

Category:Documentary television series about dinosaurs

Category:Science Channel original programming