Post by Thunderbolt I on Apr 6, 2020 19:48:54 GMT -5
Who am I? Just a conscience!
Introduce yourself
Hey, howdy, hey! The name's EbonyPatriot, and I wished upon a star from Whatsits Galore many moons ago (possibly linked from the old Disney Ever Notice Site?). My other imaginary friends include Ronno, Bolt, Accipiter, and Geno & Gurri. Thunderbolt and I are so very eager to join the Worlds of Disney circle of life!
Character basics
Character name: Thunderbolt I
Age: 5 year old
Species: German shepherd dog, Canis lupus familiaris
Birthplace: Riverside, California, USA, 09/15/1954
Movie: 101 Dalmatians (1961)
Note: The official position is presumably that the dog we see in the original animated movie is the same dog who appears in the 101 Dalmatians: The Series “Watch for Falling Idols," the direct-to-video sequel 101 Dalmatians: Patch’s London, and the recent short “The Further Adventures of Thunderbolt”. However, the Thunderbolts have such different designs from the original (actually, even the TV and sequel use different markings) that I’d argue that they’re different dogs, much like how Roy Roger’s Trigger was really played by different horses with near-identical names and different markings. In addition, the show has different names in each version: the original doesn’t say either way, the DTV sequel calls it “The Thunderbolt Adventure Hour” (and I’d argue the addition of Lil’ Lightning suggests a “Cousin Oliver” move...), the series is movie-based with the new show called “Thunderbolt PI” while the short calls it “The Further Adventures of Thunderbolt” which rather implies a predecessor…
Custom title: The Original Wonder Dog
Why'd you pick this character? I wasn’t sure if I wanted him or not: “an acting dog of German shepherd lines” pretty much describes Bolt. However, I spent so much time working on his and Bolt’s pedigree, as well as figuring out how I could “fan-save” the multiple appearances, I figured I’d give him a go. 
In addition, I figured that an older no-nonsense dog, one who knows full well that he’s just an actor, would make a nice contrast to Bolt.
Character appearance (try to get at least 2 or 3 sentences for each section)
Hair description: Except for rostral pinna, nose, and paw paws, Thunderbolt is covered from muzzle to tail-tail in sandy-beige fur, much like the color of home-baked bread. The darker fur, a common trademark of the German shepherd line, only stretches from his eyes (more precisely the indentation where the muzzle joins the head) to the caudal side of the cervical bone C5 (that is, it ends right before his shoulders). This hood trims the zygomatic arch of his cheek before coloring the dorsal and about 1/4 of the medial side of the neck. The muzzle, all of the head below the cheekbone, the rest of his neck, chest, belly, are a pale beige. This same color splashes down the medial side of his legs.
In texture, Thunderbolt has the medium length soft fur of a german shepherd. Expect for his scruffy neck and bottle-brush tail, his coat is kept sleek and well groomed.
Facial description/mood/expressions: Thunderbolt’s face depends on whether he’s in ‘acting’ mode or not. When not acting, Thunderbolt has a relaxed and happy-go-lucky expression, often lolling his tongue. When acting, his face is determined and serious. Only when the director allows does he smiles: and then usually it’s a cunning smirk when his character does well.
Clothing style: Both on and off the set, Thunderbolt wears a loose, custom red martingale collar, more like a ribbon in texture. A metal gold star, with his name on one side and the studio logo on the opposite side, gleams from his color./p]
Body build: Lean and powerful, Thunderbolt is true to the European lineage of the German shepherd. Thunderbolt is slightly (but, unlike the German Shepherds of the show ring, not ridiculously) longer than he is tall. Thunderbolt’s build permits strength, speed, agility, and endurance. The muzzle and ears are long and thick; his spine, elbows and low-set hocks show a slight crouched.
Any unique traits (optional): Thunderbolt runs truer to the working line: he’d be more at home working as a K-9 cop than competing in a dog show.
Thunderbolt’s lack of a saddle (or indeed, any darker fur on his back) is uncommon but not unheard of in German shepherds.
Original character analysis (In your own words and please be thorough)
Personality:
Thunderbolt is willing and obedient. While in character, he is fierce and sly, serious and alert: more than capable of taking on any baddie. Only when out of character is Thunderbolt able to act like himself: a happy-go-lucky, playful guy who rather likes everybody and everything. A gentleman, Thunderbolt wants nothing more than to make his people and family happy. Thunderbolt throws himself into his role 100%: he often doesn’t quite follow the convoluted plot line, but he’s happy to help. While he does have the German Shepherd’s wariness, he’d rather make friends if possible. Thunderbolt is a born actor, “A rival to old Pal," as his trainers say. Best of all, even in the most savage fight scenes, Thunderbolt never forgets himself and is careful to not hurt his costars.
History:
Thunderbolt’s tale begins with his great-great-great grandfather, who was none other than the famous Rin Tin Tin. With Ch. Asta of Linwood, Rin Tin Tin had sired Jr. Jr. was an actor too, starring in serials and tours. Lee, Rin Tin Tin’s owner, admitted that he wasn’t very fond of this larger offspring of his star. Jr,’s son with Treulene v Pond View, Rin Tin Tin III, was used more for tours and promotion of Lee’s latest project, the US Military K9 Corps. Lee turned to a new dog: Rin Tin Tin II, son of Champion Tasso of Villa Marina, Register of Merit and Majorette. Named for his star but otherwise unrelated, this dog became Lee Duncan’s favorite. Even a torn ear couldn’t stop him from registering Rin Tin Tin II with the AKC. The Rin Tin Tins would continue with Rin Tin Tin II’s son, Rin Tin Tin IV (a dog who fans were quick to point out could indeed be traced to Rin Tin Tin’s sire and dame).
Rin Tin Tin’s line continued, even though no more of his scions could use his name. Rin Tin Tin III and Glacier produced Major, who in turn was paired with Tigris to produce Rumble. Rumble and his mate Motto produced a throwback pup, one who, at the age of only three days, showed promise of living up to his ancestor. Lee gave the pup a dramatic name, one to prepare him for future stardom (and the beginning of a new canine dynasty): Thunderbolt.
Even though Duncan was busy with his new show staring Rin Tin Tin II, Rin Tin Tin IV, the related Hey You, and the unrelated Flame Jr., he still trained this young wonder dog. “Like having the original Rinty back” he said more than once. Rather than have him share the scene, Duncan worked out a new series. Much like how “Lassie” owed far more to Terhune Sunnybank stories, this upcoming series would owe more to rival show “Sergeant Preston of the Yukon”: realizing that show’s premise: one where, like the radio shows of old, the dog was indeed the hero and protagonist: “The Adventures of Thunderbolt”.
Once Thunderbolt reached his first birthday, Duncan pitched his show. With the “Adventures of Rin Tin Tin” such a success, they instantly greenlit the show. For the next three years, “Thunderbolt” and “Rin Tin Tin” took off, with “Thunderbolt” pulling ahead overseas. So popular was the show that come 1957, Thunderbolt’s son with Aeroplano, Thunderbolt II starred in the film adaptions. (The series dwindled to hour-long serials— Thunderbolt I officially retired after his third birthday, though he would fill in for his pup).
These movies revived interest in the series, so in 1960 the sequel series, “The Thunderbolt Adventure Hour” hit primetime. Worried about the now four year old show loosing its thunder (yes, that pun was used quite frequently in meetings), the show gained a Pembroke Corgi Comical Sidekick and stared Thunderbolt II’s son, Thunderbolt III. (While on location in Powell, Ohio, Thunderbolt II had fallen in love with a German Shepherd named Quest).
For Thunderbolt I, his job was his show. Acting or not, Thunderbolt’s life revolved around his owner, his beautiful mate Aeroplano (though he gently teased how her owners had named her after the rough collies Ch. Alstead Aeroplane and Ch. Sunnybank Coltness Chaeroplane), his pups, grandpups, and great-grandpups In fact, that was the only comfort he had whenever he not acting: that his pups got to act instead.
At least until he found himself in the land of Walt Disney World.
Ambitions:
To be the best mate he can to Aeroplano and the best sire, grandsire etc he can to his pups.
To make Lee Duncan happy!
To get to act again!
And to enjoy a few naps and good meals, he guesses.
Strengths & abilities:
Thunderbolt is indeed just as fast, agile, enduring and cunning as he appears in the show.
A quick learner, he can master any new task with only a few repetitions.
Thunderbolt’s memory is amazing: he can remember every task he ever learned.
No matter how fierce the fight, Thunderbolt never forgets himself: never does he hurt his costars.
Flaws:
Though he tries to fight it, he’s very proud: he knows how smart and talented he is.
When Thunderbolt is in acting mode, he will not snap out of it: his intensity can frighten those not in the know.
While Thunderbolt will do anything Lee Duncan commands, per his training, he will not obey anybody else.
Thunderbolt tries to make friends with everyone..yet if someone wrongs him, he will never let go of that grudge.
Likes:
Acting! For Thunderbolt, this is both work and play.
Aeroplano and his family.
Running! Is there anything better?
Peanut butter and chicken.
Dislikes:
Whenever he has to take it easy— like many working breeds, he wants to keep busy.
Arrogance (and especially the fact that that makes him a hypocrite).
Any one but Lee Duncan attempting to give him orders.
The scent of citrus and smoke.
Fears:
That he can never quite measure up to his famous ancestor.
Harm or unhappiness to his family.
Becoming crippled and unable to act.
The sound of a gong. No, he doesn’t understand it either
Anything to add?:
The short stars his great-grandson, Thunderbolt IV, who also the great-grandson of Flame Jr. “The Further Adventures of Thunderbolt” is an alternate continuity, branching off from the famed waterfall sequence, where instead of fending Dirty Dawson alone, Thunderbolt gains a cowboy sidekick.
Thunderbolt lives to the ripe old age of 14: which means he gets to see the birth of his great-great grandson, Thunderbolt V.
Thunderbolt is of the opinion that, when it comes to acting, his pups and grandpups have him beat.
One of Thunderbolt’s descendants, Thunderbolt XII in fact, fathered Radar, a white shepherd (for that coat color had not yet been removed from Lee Duncan’s lines) who in turn was Bolt’s granddam.
RP SAMPLE:
PAST TENSE ONLY. MUST BE ABOUT THE CHARACTER FOR WHOM YOU ARE APPLYING.
SEE RONNO
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A CHARACTER WITH US, NO SAMPLE IS NEEDED; INSTEAD, PUT "SEE ____"
