EDNBIO - Kyle Dawson Off Screen Item Planter
Welcome once again to another EDNBIO. Today we have the man behind the scenes, Mr. Kyle Dawson. Kyle is responsible for replacing all the props that Link destroys or finds in the course of the game.
EDNBIO - Hello Mr. Dawson, thank you for holding this interview with us.
DAWSON - No problem, it's quite an honor myself.
EDNBIO - Let's get down to business. First off, what exactly do you do in your work?
DAWSON - Well my official title is Off Screen Materials Replacer. What that basically is, is that I replace all the props Link goes through during his quest. Props such as pots, bushes etc all have to be replaced before the camera catches me. I'm also in charge of restoring enemies in room before Link gets back.
EDNBIO - Lets start with the items. How much to you usually replace?
DAWSON - It depends. In, say a room in Ocarina of Time, most of the time I replace the pots and fill them with arrows, bombs, rupees etc. Some places require a grappling hook, such as the water temple.
Outdoor areas such as Hyrule and Termina field are much harder. Link could walk into a new area for a couple seconds, turn around and come back. In those few seconds we have to replace EVERYTHING. Bushes, rocks, cover up exposed holes etc. There were many times that I was caught on screen for a brief period. In those situations we end up replacing around 1500 arrows, 100-200 bombs, and enough rupees to buy Hyrule Castle.
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Kyle caught briefly on screen after restoring all the items and bushes in Termina Field
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EDNBIO - Wow that's quite a bit. How did you manage in Wind Waker when the whole ocean was exposed?
DAWSON - Surprisingly, that one was much easier. Nintendo supplied me with a crew and several speedboats. Whenever Link would enter a cave, the whole crew would be at work. We worked out a grid system with 6 by 6 squares. One boat would be in charge of say 4-5 squares.
EDNBIO - Every interesting. Now on to the enemies. You say you have to replace those as well. How does that work?
DAWSON - Nintendo dictates which enemies go where, how many and what kind. Before Wind Waker, I carried around a bag with me and simply fished out the ones needed. The Chu Chu's in Majora's Mask are absolutely the worst. As a piece of advice, never sit on a bag of them. The results are not pleasant.
EDNBIO - (laughs) I can imagine. How about Wind Waker and after?
DAWSON - Well after petitioning for ATV's, speedboats, and a crew, I explained that we needed to upgrade the whole enemy placement thing. So for restocking the Great Sea, Nintendo dropped them out of bombers. That's why all the Gyorg's are so nasty when they attack Link.
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Bombers caught on screen after making a Gyorg drop over the Great Sea
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EDNBIO - Nice. Good to see Nintendo upgrading for the better. What are your plans for the future?
DAWSON - Well, I'll be working on the upcoming Legend of Zelda game for Gamecube. This one requires lots of planning on the part of myself and the crew. While not giving anything away, I can say that I will be overseeing specialized Ninja training, and the use of a jet to plant the items. We're also trying a new "on camera" technique to replace items as well.
EDNBIO - Sounds great, I can't wait to try it. Thanks again for talking with us Mr. Dawson.
DAWSON - My pleasure
Written by Darth Citrus
