Disney has released a 25-minute documentary following Pixar chief/director John Lasseter over the course of a day of work. I know, I know, this isn't DIY/indie film at all, but come on... everyone loves Pixar. Except maybe the Cars movies, for which this is being released as a promo -- the Cars films are, for me at least, a tad crass with their commercialism. And while the first part of the doc is mostly focused on Lasseter's personal life, it does get into the group movie making/creative process at Pixar -- which includes reviewing shots on an iPad on the way to work in what looks to be a custom Pixar app (note: driver required). I found it to be an interesting look behind-the-scenes, but if you only interested DIY filmmaking, feel free to skip this free 25-minute documentary:
Any filmmakers out there reviewing shots on an iPad these days, and if so, what app are you using to watch takes and send notes?
Also, since everyone and their mother is posting the above video, let's take a look at something else: the progression of animation that Pixar goes through with a sequence. Animation goes from still sketches, to primitive 3D animation, to effects, to final modeling, with the lighting and shading pass coming last:
Regardless of whether your budget is $100 or $100 million, John's saying certainly applies: "If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life." Amen.
