‘Monsters University’ Animation Progression: from sketches to screen

One of my must-see films of 2013 is the Disney–Pixar sequel Monsters University.

We’ve seen plenty of trailers, posters and clips…now it’s time to take a closer look at just how much work goes into making an animated gem.

This fascinating little “animation progression” takes us through the six phases required to create a single frame – Story, Art, Modelling, Layout, Animation and Simulation, and Lighting and Final Frame – beginning with the 227,000+ storyboards drawn up by a slew of Pixar artists. Enjoy!

Monsters University is less than a month away – July 11. Please let it be as good as the original – my favourite Pixar flick.

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Story Department:
This storyboard was drawn by Monsters University story artist Dean Kelly and is from the sequence “Pig Chase.” Storyboards are drawn by story artists for the purpose of pre-visualizing the film. They are placed side by side in sequence, so that they convey scenes and deliver a rough sense of how the story unfolds. This storyboard is one of approximately 227,246 that were drawn for the film. Monsters University story artists drew the most storyboards ever drawn for a Pixar Animation Studios film. The storyboarding process, in the form it is known today, was developed at Walt Disney Studios during the early 1930s.

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Art Department:
Once the storyline for a sequence is completed, concept art is created by the Production Designer and artists to determine the look and feel of the film. This concept art piece was drawn by artist Shelly Wan and showcases the exploration of color and the design of new characters and new environments.

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Modeling:
Characters and set environments are created in a process known as Modeling in the computer by technical directors. Shading will be applied to the characters and sets to fill in the textures, colors, patterns and material properties that will add dimension to the scene when lit by the Lighting department.

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Layout:
Once the storyline for a sequence is completed, the scene is created in the computer. This frame shows the beginning phase known as Layout, in which a virtual camera is placed into a shot. The characters and set are “staged” or placed into positions that work visually within the chosen camera angle. Layout precedes character animation. Sets are simplified during this phase, but are seen fully built in the next stage of production.

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Animation and Simulation:
When Layout is complete, the primary and secondary characters are animated into poses by the Animation department. In addition, hundreds of background characters are populated into the scene. These characters are animated by the Crowds department. The Simulation department adds movement to the hair and garments through computer simulation. This allows the hair and garments to move naturally with the characters’ actions. Final character shading is also completed by the Characters department to add textures and colors to the garments and props.

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Lighting/Final Frame:
The Lighting department is responsible for integrating all of the elements – characters, set pieces, cloth and hair, shading – into a final image. The lighting is achieved in the computer by placing virtual light sources into the scene to illuminate the characters and the set In a scene, many dozens of lights are often required. Monsters University is the first Pixar film to implement Global Illumination, a new lighting technology that allows for ultra-complex lighting set-ups where light bounces in a physically realistic way.

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How much are you looking forward to Monsters University?

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