Italian
Directors break down the art of animated storytelling
Regular moviegoers — and even some Academy members — often dismiss the complexity of directing an animated feature, assuming it merely involves instructing artists to “draw this.” However, a group of talented directors—part of an influential series at a prominent film festival—are setting the record straight. These visionaries, behind films like “Transformers One”, “Memoir of a Snail”, “Inside Out 2”, “Piece by Piece”, “The Wild Robot”, and “Flow”, aim to elevate animation directing to the esteemed level of live-action cinema.
The intricate craft of animation
These directors emphasized that creating an animated movie is an intricate process requiring immense creativity and coordination. Unlike live-action, where the world exists physically, every element in animation has to be conceptualized and digitally brought to life. This process demands a unique blend of technical and artistic skills, proving that directing animation is as challenging, if not more so, than live-action filmmaking.
Josh Cooley’s journey in “Transformers One”
Josh Cooley’s passion for the “Transformers” franchise is evident in “Transformers One,” which explores the relationship between iconic characters Optimus and Megatron. Known for his Oscar-winning work on “Toy Story 4”, Cooley finds inspiration in classics like “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and “The Red Turtle”. He is one of the few people of color in the current animated feature race, yet remains optimistic, paralleling the hopeful hero of his film.
Cooley observes: “Filmmaking is now accessible to everyone, with technology allowing people to create movies even with their phones. In animation, everything has to be designed and built from scratch. The goal is to create a believable world that engrosses viewers, even though nothing is real.”
Adam Elliot’s perseverance on “Memoir of a Snail”
Adam Elliot and his team spent seven years on “Memoir of a Snail”, working within tight budget constraints. Their painstaking effort is evident from the film’s opening shot, a homage to Scorsese’s “Goodfellas”, which took four weeks to perfect. Elliot finds the animation process meditative, despite its tedious reputation.
Elliot explains: “Directing animation offers enormous creative freedom, allowing us to explore challenging subjects with complete control.”
Kelsey Mann’s challenge with ”Inside Out 2″
“Inside Out 2” has become the highest-grossing animated feature in history, resonating deeply with audiences worldwide, particularly in the Latino community. Director Kelsey Mann faced the challenge of creating a fresh sequel while staying true to the original’s emotional depth. With a third installment planned for 2028, Mann acknowledges the audience’s interest in Riley’s evolving life.
Mann shares: “People want to see Riley’s life. How is she going to handle things in her 20s or 40s? That’s why people are so invested. It’s essential that everyone is working toward the same goal, from designing a blade of grass to a skyscraper. A large part of my job is ensuring clear communication so that every creative decision supports the emotional intent of the story.”
Morgan Neville’s inventive approach in “Piece by Piece”
Academy Award-winning director Morgan Neville embraced the animation process for “Piece by Piece,” telling the story of musician Pharrell Williams using Lego animation. Neville balanced 1,563 shots to blend real-life and animated elements seamlessly.
Neville states: “Animation allowed us to capture the messiness of real life. It empowers different team members to bring their ideas to the table, which creates a more authentic narrative.”
Chris Sanders’ creativity with “The Wild Robot”
Chris Sanders dedicated three-and-a-half years to bringing “The Wild Robot” to life, praising his crew’s talent and the story’s compelling nature. He highlighted Lupita Nyong’o’s distinctive talents, including her personal touch in the film.
Sanders notes: “Directing animation involves coordinating various departments, from layout to animation, much like a live-action set, but in separate spaces. If the work fulfills the needs of the story, even if it’s different from what I imagined, we move forward without micromanaging.”
Gints Zilbalodis’ innovative storytelling in “Flow”
Gints Zilbalodis, known for his solo project “Away”, ventured into a collaborative process for the dialogue-free “Flow.” This film relies heavily on visual storytelling, benefiting from a small-team structure that allows direct, creative feedback and faster decision-making.
Zilbalodis reflects: “I wanted everyone to have input on whether it benefited the film, even if it meant more work for me.”
These directors are reshaping perceptions of animation directing, showcasing its complexity, creativity, and inherent challenges. Follow us for more insights into the world of filmmaking and animation, and share this article to spread the fascinating stories behind these groundbreaking animated features.
