I was part of the #Incredibles2Event press event. This post is part of that trip. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
When I was a young child I remember going to the movies with my parents and younger sister and watching those Disney animated movies and wondered how all of that came together.
I was so fascinated with the movement of the characters and animals that I would ask my parents how they create those scenes. I remember them telling me that many of the images were drawn by hand and then put on the screen. I understood what they were saying, but I did not truly get what goes into putting a movie together until I got the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes. I learned that everything has to be researched from the characters, to the environment and the colors. It all has to fit together, and while they have computers to assist in this creation, it still takes time, effort and patience to get it just right.Creating the World of the Incredibles 2
A Pixar team of 55 artists worked on Model, Set Dress, Shading, Skies & Set Extras, and Sets Tech. Below are various aspects hand picked out of the film to give you a closer look into the details created and obstacles overcome for the Incredibles 2 movie to come to life. The world of film has many aspects that go into it. Which we were explained, they have to make sure they design the world that the characters live in that is seamless throughout the entire film.
This was the viewer does not see any inconsistencies. From the props to the costumes, to the lighting and texture, all these things have to come together in a way to create what we see in the incredible world of this film.The inspiration for the film was mid-century. So the team researched mid-century buildings and collected photographs for inspiration. The color palette for the time was very specific. The overall design, including the food, is critical to the final picture. There is not detail that is too small, everything has to match up perfectly. This attention to detail was of great interest to me. Since we all know the Parr family’s old home was destroyed at the end of the first Incredibles, naturally, they had to create a new home for them.
They team visited 30+ houses for reference and inspiration. Compared photos of fabric close up, lamps, plants, tables, halls, chairs, phone styles, rock details. Inspired by James Mason’s house in North by Northeast. This house was 100% built from scratch by Pixar artists!
Anatomy of an Action Scene
Creating the Pixar Incredibles 2 scene where Elastigirl is trying to “outrun” the train on her Elasticycle was especially difficult. After all the train is moving at a speed of up to 150 mph! The Pixar team had to carefully construct new plausible stunts and remap how Elastigirl uses her abilities in such an intense situation. They also gave a nod back to the original film by having her parachute out with her stretchy body.
Special Effects Work on the Train Action Scene:
These scene in particular took a great deal of of work. The destruction of a high speed chase and ultimate explosion is really intense! Check out just some of the interesting aspects below.
Glass Destruction:
Glass size, sharpness, and light reflection were specifically on the special effects list.
Tire Smoke:
An important addition to support, but not draw attention to, the action scene.
Sparks:
Individually hand drawn. Sparks were created on a static train and then added post production.
Explosion:
The plan here was to start simple and then slowly add details at every layer of the scene adding an effect of intense heat and a near miss danger.
Progression Image 1 of 5: Story – This storyboard was drawn by story artist Bobby Rubio for the sequence called “Stop the Tunneler.” Storyboards are drawn by story artists in order to pre-visualize the film as the script is being written. They are placed side-by-side in sequence by the editorial team, to convey the pace of scenes and deliver a rough sense of how the story unfolds. This storyboard is one of approximately 410 boards delivered to editorial for this particular sequence. Can you image that many boards?
Progression Image 2 of 5: Art – Once the storyline for a sequence is determined, concept art is created by the production designer and art department to determine the look and feel of the film. This concept art piece was created by production designer Ralph Eggleston, and showcases the exploration of color and design for the characters and new environments. In the first film, “The Incredibles,” bold colors were used to establish a visual language for the film, and the art team wanted to make sure this style was consistent in “Incredibles 2.”
Sets & Layout
Progression Image 3 of 5: Sets and Layout – Using art reference for guidance, technical artists build basic forms and shapes of the sets and characters in the computer during a process called “Modeling.” “Shading” comes next, during which technical artists use a combination of painting and programming to apply textures, colors, patterns and other material properties to give the sets complexity and appeal. This image also shows the phase known as “Layout,” in which a virtual camera is placed into a shot. The characters are “staged” or placed into positions within the built set that work visually with the chosen camera angle.
Animation Team
Progression Image 4 of 5: Animation – When Layout is complete, the characters are brought to life by the Animation department. Animators often use video reference of themselves or the voice actors to inform mouth shape or expressions, as well as the overall movement of the characters.
Lighting and Effects
Progression Image 5 of 5: Lighting, Effects and Final Image – The Lighting department helps to integrate all of the elements – characters, sets, effects, etc. – into a final, fully visually realized image. The Lighting process involves placing virtual light sources into the scene to illuminate the characters and the set. Technical artists place the lights to draw the audience’s eye to story points and to create a specific mood. The lit images are then rendered at high resolution. 24 lit images, each over 2 million pixels, are created for each one second of the movie.
All the natural phenomena seen in this final image, such as the dust, smoke, and glow of Violet’s orb, were brought to life by the Effects department. All of these elements provide a sense of reality that you believe the characters and the environment that the characters live in. When I was reading through my notes for this post, I was again left in amazement about what goes into making one of these classic films.
Incredibles 2 Easter Eggs
You know one of favorite part of the Disney films is hunting for movie Easter Eggs is always fun for the fanatic, and the Pixar animators definitely hinted at some of the Incredibles 2 Easter Eggs during our Incredibles 2 Fun Facts sessions. When you watch the film see if you can find these.
- The famous Pizza Planet truck has been designed to fit the 50s style period. Look for the 50s style truck Easter egg.
- A Toy Story 4 Easter Egg is definitely in the film.
- Look for a chess set that is supposed to be a model after the chess game of the century between Bobby Fisher and Donald Byrne where Bobby Fisher “sacrifices the queen.”
- Mr. Incredible’s wardrobe at home (when he’s caring for Jack-Jack) all have vertical stripes, similar to a “prisoner.”
- Look for the super hero in the blue suit with lightning stripe pattern. That hero was a possible design for The Incredibles but never used. They brought him back for the sequel.
Have you seen the Incredibles 2 Trailer?! Watch it below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5qOzqD9Rms
Like INCREDIBLES 2 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarTheIncredibles/
Follow INCREDIBLES 2 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheIncredibles
Follow INCREDIBLES 2 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theincredibles/
Visit the official INCREDIBLES 2 website here: http://disney.com/incredibles2
Incredibles opens in theaters nationwide on June 15th! Tickets are now on sale. You can purchase yours here.
Be sure to check out my previous posts on Disney∙Pixar & Incredibles 2
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