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:
Video is no longer available: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5HN3-l_f-U
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.
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4 Comments
I haven't watched it yet but I know it's gonna be good!
Just having the mindset to want to do something good should help!!
July 13, 2011 at 7:36PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I would love to meet this man.
July 13, 2011 at 8:27PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I would argue that DIY is at the core of what Pixar is. They wanted to make movies in a way that was considered prohibitively expensive at the time, not for lack of interest, but lack of technology, and they basically created the tools and techniques to do so (Renderman, anyone?). Who else has been able to say that since the Edison days? Maybe it's not duct-tape-and-skateboard-wheels DIY, but the spirit is the same, and shows in their work.
Of course nothing about "sans-Walt" Disney is either DIY or indie, but I think their partnership has been thus far tolerable.
July 13, 2011 at 9:39PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I agree, but I thought it might be a stretch to say that. In spirit if not in budget (the early days, at least)...
July 13, 2011 at 9:50PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM