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 artists worked diligently on model, set and lighting. They are certain parts of the film that I wanted you to take a closer look at. They were some instance that details needed to be overcome so that we get the movie to come to life. The design of the film has to be continuous so that we do not see any inconsistencies throughout the film. Everything in this film is checked to make sure that this film comes to life the way we see it on the screen.
The inspiration for this film was the mid-century. The team went out and researched mid-century buildings and photographed them to gain some insight into what could be used in the film. The color scheme that they used was relevant to that time period. The overall design was very important to the end result of the film. There is no detail that was too small, everything has to match up perfectly. This attention to detail was of great interest to me. I am a control person so details are very important to me, and the film crew really covered all there bases on this film. As you remember the Parr family’s old home was destroyed at the end of the first film, so they had to create an entirely new one for them in this film.
The team visited many houses to get ideas and a creative reference. The new house was created entirely by the artists at Pixar.
Anatomy of an Action Scene
Creating the Pixar Incredibles 2 scene where Elastigirl is trying to get ahead of the train on her Elasticycle was very intricate. When you have to use for reference a train moving at a speed of 150 miles per hour, you are going to have to deal with some issues. The team had to look at what they wanted to do with Elastigirl and use her abilities to the situation. In the scene you also having her do this while keeping up the speed to the bicycle was difficult but when you see the finished product it looks like she had been doing this everyday. They also referenced back to the original film by having her use her body as a parachute.
The Train Action Scene:
These scenes incorporate a great deal of detail. The team took a great interest in making sure the high-speed chase with the train and Elasticycle was big and bold.
Glass:
The size of the glass and the sharpness was also important so that it gave realistic look when it exploded on impact.
Tire Smoke:
What is a chase without some tire smoke, this way you know that they are going fast and shows you what it take to stop on a time. Another thing that goes with smoke is sparks. When you see sparks you know that you are going fast. I remember traveling by train in the New York subway and watching the sparks fly. This showed me how fast the train was going and what it took to stop it.
Explosion:
What would a film be without an explosion. The creators wanted to have it build up to the big scene. As with all intense sequences you are waiting to see what happens and when the explosion occurs you feel the risk and danger that went into the chase.
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 set up, concept art is created by the production designer and art department to determine the look and feel of the film. This concept piece was created by production designer Ralph Egglesto. It showcases the exploration of color and design for the characters and new environments.
Sets & Layout
Progression Image 3 of 5: Sets and Layout – The use of 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 placed into positions within the built set that work visually with angel that the camera has chosen. These are important aspects of the film that make sure that you see the consistency throughout.
Animation Team
Progression Image 4 of 5: Animation – When Layout is finally 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. This is a very interesting part, because they are times the team has an ideal how something will look and when they add movement to the characters it needs to be changed, because it does not look realistic at all. The goal of the team is to make sure all the movements and voices are really and that you do not see any distortion.
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.
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 my 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. Actually this was a questioned that was asked during out time there. 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!
Like INCREDIBLES 2 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarTheIncredibles/
Follow INCREDIBLES 2 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheIncredibles
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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 your tickets here.
Be sure to check out my previous posts on Disney?Pixar & Incredibles 2
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