In December I visited the Disney Animation Studios and had an incredible privilege of talking to the creators, those behind the scenes of Disney’s Zootopia. I mentioned before how impressed I was with the amount of research and time that was put into making this movie true to the animals. We also were able to talk to the animators, the story tellers. And that was just as incredible.
When you watch an animated film, you really don’t think about what goes into it. But once you see it behind the scenes, I really don’t think I will watch any animated film the same again!
We got to sit down and chat with writer and Co-Director Jared Bush, Writer Phil Johnston, Co-Head of Story Josie Trinidad and Head of Editorial Fabienne Rawley.
Writer and Co-Director, Jared Bush informed us that he counted 1,770 drafts of Zootopia on his computer. ONE THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY. Crazy, right?!
Once the director, producer and writers figure out the theme of the movie, who the main characters are, the tone of film and more, the draft is sent to story. Story Board Artists are the first ones to actually bring life to a movie.
Josie Trinidad, co-head of Story, actually showed us what she does. It isn’t just drawing something and sending it over to someone else. She draws out the concept and actually “acts” out the scene for the other creators. The story line is finalized in this way for EACH scene of the movie.
Fabienne Rawley explained in more detail that this is absolutely a team activity. The director and writer shape and direct the team and then it is a group activity. They try to incorporate everyone’s vision and go back through over and over to perfect and get it right.
Pretty outstanding, hearing the process from start to finish.
Don’t forget, Zootopia is hitting theaters March 4. Just one month away! This is definitely one that you’ll want to take the kids to see!
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