Rainbow Brite, My Dad and Me

Me & Dad 1981

Hello Color Kids,

Me & Dad 1982

This is going to be a very personal entry regarding Rainbow Brite and my history with her. One that I wanted to share with you.

In recent weeks I've been dealing with a family emergency. My dad has been in the hospital with a heart condition and I went to Tennessee to be with him. This was hard because this was the week before the new show on Feeln was coming out. However during this time I was drawn more to the original Rainbow Brite then I had been before.

Me & Dad 1985

You see, my family has supported my Rainbow Brite fandom since I was small, but my dad has a very special part in all that. It was my dad who bought me my Rainbow Brite doll for my 5th birthday. It was my dad who put together my Rainbow Brite Bike and gave it to me. It was my dad who bought me my Rainbow Brite costume when I told him I wanted to be her for Halloween in 1985. For all his flaws he has moments where he shines.

My dad loves to quote me as a child. "Once I asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up and ya said 'Nope daddy, I know I've got it made. I'm not going to grow up.' and that tickled me to no end." I guess if you consider my current interests are the same as they were as a child, I kept my word.

Me & Dad 2006

Anyway, as absent as some parents can be, even after divorces, separations, etc... and as much as my dad can currently drive me crazy, push my buttons and every level in between I also remember that he supports me, loves me, and helped make me the person I am. He says I'm his Rainbow Brite, but I know I wouldn't have what I do if it wasn't for him and my mother being such loving people to their little color kid and I'm thankful for them both.

Me & Dad 2014

Anyway, I wanted to share that with you.
Have a Rainbow Day!
Renee

2014 Rainbow Brite Character Review (Appearance)

Hi Color Kids,
The new Rainbow Brite character designs have been slowly coming out all week! Today, the last Color Kid was posted and I couldn't help but want to review them!

A year ago before the show came out I actually did some soul searching regarding "if the color kids were re-designed, what could they be like?"

In the original 1980's British Audio books the Color Kids were given different accents, Patty O'Green was honestly Irish for example. So I thought that based on their names, what were some subtle changes they could do to provide different nationalities to each kid.

So I did a break down of the nationalities : NOTE: THESE ARE MY OWN THEORIES. THESE ARE NOT FACT
 Red Butler: Southern American
The name is very much a parody of "Rhett Butler" the male lead in Gone with the Wind. A character made famous by "Clark Gable". I thought it would be interesting if Red could actually be a southern gentleman. Though you will have to be careful with the "Red neck" comparison..har har.

 Lala Orange: French
Lala was always given "French" features, such as wearing a Beret, and being so fashion forward. Even her name "Lala" is very much like: "oh là là":  french phrase for surprise meaning "Oh my," "Oh, dear", or "oh no".
Why couldn't she be French?

 Canary Yellow: ?????
Canary was another "blonde" character like Rainbow. But the characteristics of the character weren't very defined, other then her liking to dance and having a very "sunny" personality. Someone suggested to me she could perhaps be Russian, because of the blond hair being such a characteristic in the culture and her being a Ballet dancer.

 Patty O'Green: Irish
Patty's name really speaks a lot to being "Irish", Her cute pigtails and freckles on her cheeks.

 Buddy Blue: Spanish
Buddy was always very Sporty, but his personality often reminds me of a soccer player, and Soccer  is the most popular sport in Spain.

 Indigo: Indian or African
The original Indigo was dark skinned, but I have seen Fan Art that makes her "India Indian", This can be traced to the fact that Indigo Dye was first mass produced in India, but her costume seems to be inspired by Arabian/Genie costumes or harem pants.
However, she can also be considered African, because Africa is also close to the Asian areas that inspired the color.
Like I said , I've seen in fan art, both ways.

 Shy Violet: Asian
Shy Violet's "bun" hair style, knee high socks, and shoes reminded me of Asian school girls. Asian schools have a dress code which includes such things. Primary/Elementary (age 6-12). She is a very "smart" character too.

Planeteers!

When I brought this up to a friend they said "Oh! So it's Captain Planet and the Planeteers!"

This made me laugh.

Anyway, the kids were released and here is what they look like! (See right)
I was surprised to see Shy Violet with those almond eyes! It was like they read my mind! That is how I really knew I wasn't the only one who had the thoughts about these characters.

Now weather or not the other characters are anything like I mentioned above, I have no idea. They probably have nothing in common with my theories, but I think Shy Violet, the one who has the most dramatic change in appearance is really sweet looking.

"Stereotypes"
A stereotype: a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

I don't want to make something positive and turn it negative by including characteristics that can be considered stereotypical and mean. Some races and cultures may feel honored to be included! On the flip-side you are also going to have people angry over such a stereotype. And to those people I don't understand.

Shy Violet can still be smart and sweet no matter what "nationality" she is.

Now, there is a hint that Monday, October 27th there will be more surprises! I can't wait! Will we see the Dark Princess?  who knows! I don't!

Until then,
Remember, the power is yours!
RAINBOW POWER!

Rainbow Brite is BACK!

Hi Color Kids.

If you haven’t heard yet, I wanted to let you all know about the NEW Rainbow Brite Animated show! After 30 years our favorite color sparkler is back with an all new look and fun adventures on Feeln. It's a video streaming services featuring family friendly programming.

The new trailer for the new Rainbow Brite was released last week. And I have to admit I was afraid at first. I was scared because I actually liked what I saw and I felt I was betraying the first Rainbow by liking it. I love the original Rainbow Brite. She has been a part of my life for decades and she holds a special place in my heart. Several times in the past they have tried to replace her for a new generation and it hasn't worked. I have hopes for this new Rainbow.

In the beginning of the Trailer she is hyper and joyful and her happiness is infectious!

They have kept her young and fun and I think kids today will love her!

The new Rainbow is not mine, and I love my Rainbow, but I am also loving this new one. I've thought about it a lot since the release and I have concluded that I am not betraying her, my childhood or my fandom! Those memories are safe in my heart. There is a Rainbow in my heart, painted there decades ago, and it can't be replaced. But I think the new generation deserves their own Rainbow.

I know she is different, but kids today are different. I don't expect them to be the same as I was growing up. I was born in a time before the internet, and things are different. I have nieces and nephews that are nothing like me when I was a kid and I'm GLAD. I want them to be just as happy as I was if not happier, and that means things change. But as things change that doesn't mean we forget about the past.

This new Rainbow Brite show has shown us several things from the original show, not continuing it, but remaking it for a new generation. I see my Rainbow Brite in this new show. So far we've seen a new color castle with color kids, sprites, Starlite, Rainbow Brite and Brian! The Key to Rainbow Land, the pits, etc.

In fact in a previous episode of the Brite Cast I said: the new show needed to remember the original, and needed to include things the old generation would like for it to be successful. My exact words were “I'm hoping they will keep us in mind, because it is our generation that is teaching the new generation and if we don't like its not going to be shown.”

I DID NOT say that meant they had to remake the original show in the same style. I think the new show has included everything I had hoped they would. They are remembering us, honoring us, and this makes me excited.

Yes, the new Rainbow Brite does speak differently but kids today do speak differently. From “OMG” to “SELFIES! The 80s slang things were awesome, rad, rude, and it made that era fun.

History has a way of repeating itself. For example when I was in High School I was wearing vintage clothing my parents wore. When I go to the stores now I see the fashions I used to wear when I was about 10 or 12 years old. I never thought I would see the generation where my childhood would be repeated. But it also reminded me how my parents may have felt about my generation re-hashing theirs. Still its not a bad thing.

In relation to cartoons, there were cartoons rebooted in my childhood, even your childhood that were popular in decades before for us: For example: Let me bring up two of the most popular characters in history.

Bugs Bunny:

Mickey Mouse:

Too large a comparison? Then lets look at Garfield.

These are characters you love and have a special place in your heart, but they didn't always look like you remember them.

And that is just what makes a generation. It doesn't erase the generation that came before, but in enriches its history.

Rainbow Brite deserves another chance. She has waited so long and I want to give her this chance, not for me, but for every kid I know who I know will love this Rainbow.

The New Rainbow Brite airs online November 6^th 2014 on Feeln.com

Feeln offers streaming family friendly programming for $4.99 a month or $47.99 a year.

You can also see more of the new Rainbow Brite on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr. And of course Feeln.com

Also tune in to Brite Cast, theRainbow Brite Podcast featuring myself and Katy Cartee Haile of RainbowBrite.Net

Have a Rainbow Day!

The Wrath of Con!

Greetings Color Kids!

It's been a few days past that of the Dragon Con event in Atlanta Georgia, and I am truly feeling it.
My costumes were perfect for the convention. All were very nice and light and comfortable in the heat and humidity. My shoes also held up nicely each day.

Katy Cartee Haile as Strawberry Shortcake
and Me as Pinkie Pie

I was able to meet up with Katy Haile from RainbowBrite.Net and she and I were able to share the rainbow with so many fans we saw! We promoted our websites and the podcast to many there who loved Rainbow Brite and took the time to tell us so.

Day 1: On the First day I dressed as Pinkie Pie from My Little Pony. This day was a "discovery" day where I spent most of my time hunting down the places I would want to visit later. I went to the walk of fame and also got autographs I wanted early. I then met with Katy after the Panel with C Thomas Howell and Cary Elwes.

Katy actually got to hug and meet Cary and squee like the Fangirl she is.  LOL

I fangirled on Goofy (aka Bill Farmer) on the walk of fame, but it was worth it. I also met Gigi Edgley in the elevator. She stood right next to me. I didn't know who she was originally. I said "You look familiar" she said "I was on a show called Farscape" and I gasped and said "Jim Henson's Creature Shop!" as I watched ALL those and loved it greatly. She was the hostess of the show. It was so nice to meet her, but I didn't take the interaction beyond that other then to show her to the escalator so she could leave to the event she was trying to get to.

Me as Rainbow Brite, Katy as Baby Brite
with Misc Rainbow Brite at DragonCon

Day 2: I dressed as Rainbow Brite and Katy dressed as Baby Brite! We went to a She-Ra Panel and met up for an 80's Cartoon photo shoot arranged via Facebook. I am not on many of those pages, I guess I should be.

That night I went to the Georgia Aquarium and met another Rainbow Brite there. It was very much a Rainbow Brite Weekend.

Day 3: My last day at the convention I decided to wear a less complex outfit and dressed as a Unicorn. Originally I had designed his outfit to be around a "Last Unicorn" ponch, which I was unable to get before the convention. I compromised by wearing a generic butterfly tunic shirt with long white skirt. The unicorn horn was designed by me, and I really need to make an online tutorial for how I did it so that other fans can make Unicorn horns.

Me as a Unicorn, Rambo Brite and Katy as Rainbow Brite

The last day I went to more panels and parties and even ran into a "Rambo Brite" cosplayer. I met him at my local con, but was unable to meet up with him because my costume melted. I really wish I had now! His costume was FANTASTIC!

Over all the convention was fun and I look forward to going to more now that I have a better idea of what to expect.

While waiting in line Katy and I recorded a quick Mini podcast part which should be up soon.

Since I got home from the convention I've had to deal with fatigue. I call this the wrath of con...the fatigue that follows such an event when you aren't used to it. I need to work on that for my next one.

Until then, have a Rainbow Day!

Getting Ready for Con!

Hey Color Kids.
Happy to report that Brite Cast has made a lot of news lately with the announcement of the new "Rainbow Brite" cartoon in the works. We found out and were able to confirm that one should be coming soon. Keep an eye on Brite Cast for more news on that.

Another bit of news from Brite Cast is that both the hosts, myself and Katy Cartee Haile of RainbowBrite.Net will be attending a convention and doing a meet up. We are both attending Dragon Con in Atlanta Georgia. I'm very excited to go, as it is a convention I have always wanted to attend. I'm plotting out 3 costumes for the event, too.

Costume 1: Rainbow Brite (of course!) : Sadly my original costume I worked so hard on this past year did not survive alterations, and will not be worn. I am instead fashioning a costume from store bought clothing I am customizing.

Costume 2: Pinkie Pie (human form) : At first I thought of doing "Tickled Pink" but feared any "Stylized" version would just appear as a generic Anime character with pink hair, so I changed a few things up and decided I could do Pinkie Pie! Hopefully people with "get it".

Costume 3: Unicorn (Original Design) : I'm a big fan of the Last Unicorn. I learned recently that they released some official clothing based on the movie, so I decided to pay tribute with an original design around a piece of clothing being sold. I made my own unicorn horn and hope that it will go well with the design.

I am not sure on which days I'm going to dress as what, but I'm hoping to have lots of fun! If you plan on going, maybe I will see you there!

Until I find more to write about,
Have a Rainbow Day!

Drip! Drip! Drop!

Hi Color Kids,
Well, no sooner did I make that post and was getting all comfortable in my living space, my rainbow room sprung a leak.

*cries*

Yes, I am mortal to the forces of nature, and apparently a leak decided to form in the one room in the house where I store all my rainbow stuff. Luckily I caught the leak before any major damage could be done, but since a minor patching to the roof I am now on "ceiling watch". You may not know what this is. It's like looking up to the sky for rainbows, only you're looking for wet patches that could be leaking tiles.

This isn't fair to say the least. My house is new (to me) having just moved in a little over a year ago, so a leak like this has my confidence wounded.  Alas, you did not come to this blog to hear about my leaky roof. You came here to read about my rainbows.

Okay, so apart for leaking roofs, I was planning on getting a new Rainbow Brite Costume...but plans have been derailed due to ...leaky roof.... All my money is going to that.

But I do plan on wearing my old costume again soon, to a local comic convention. It's very small. It's only it's second year running, but I am excited to attend and hang out with other people as geeky as me.

What about Brite Cast? Well, I recently discovered a lot of Brite Cast listeners! Thank you all for tuning in.
We've been trying to schedule a new episode, but due to schedule conflicts we haven't been able to record. If you like any of the previous episodes, why not run over to the Brite Cast Facebook page and leave some comments.

Until next time, don't let Murky rain on your parade!
Have A Rainbow Day!

My Rainbow Room/Color Cave: Update 05

Greetings Color Kids!
I know it's been a while since I last blogged, but a lot has been going on.

1: I think I pretty much finished my "Rainbow Room"

 

I still have a few boxes to make so I can box some variant dolls. I'm hoping that with the cleaned space I can start video blogging from this area and give you all updates on products and tips on collecting.

2: Brite Cast: the Rainbow Brite Podcast: had it's 1 year anniversary. I'm working on getting a new website designed and working on upgrading the video software for the video casts.

3: the RainbowBrite.Co.Uk website had a theme overhaul, and I'm still working out a few bugs trying to get the whole website up to date.
Due to some server issues I couldn't update the website in months, and have been working moving everything to a new server and getting it restored and upgraded. You have no idea how much of a pain this process was, but I'm happy it was successful.

Since it is a New Year I will try to set a few goals for the year.
1: Starting a Video Blog
2: Continue archiving
3: Refining my Rainbow Brite Costume. My shirt and boots need to be completely remade. My measurements weren't right when attempting to enlarge the costume to adult size.
4: Show off said costume at a convention! More news on that as I settle the details.

Anyway, until next time, keep the rainbow alive!
Have a Rainbow Day!