In 2020, right before Covid, I was lucky enough to get to shoot some BTS on the set of Everything Everywhere All at Once. I had no right to be there, and was underprepared for the job... but basically used it as an excuse to follow @Daniels around and watch them work their magic.
When I made this animation as a style test, I started flirting with stepped animation. There’s something about the texture it adds to the motion that I can’t get enough of.
There's always been a fight over the true story of America. I believe deeply in the story that says we’re all created equal, and that if we can treat each other with decency and respect, all of us will be better off.
I grew up in San Francisco, walking with my family by the Golden Gate Bridge. I still remember the thick and iconic chain railing that gave the place a sense of distinctiveness.
Now the chains are gone, and they've been replaced by a soulless metal railing that's colder than a hospital waiting room. I'm sure some bureaucrat somewhere justified it with a tidy spreadsheet, but they stripped away a little piece of San Francisco's soul in the process.
This is how a culture loses its charm: slowly, quietly... one small decision at a time.
I still maintain that the Test Drive sequence is one of the Greatest Scenes in Cinema. (In large part due to John Powell's spine-tingling score. Ugh, so good.)
But, you know...
…
Maybe not every animated classic needs a live-action remake?
Went to see the new live action HTTYD and only made it through the "Test Drive" sequence. Walked out, came home and watched the same 45 minutes of the original animated film.
SUCH a fascinating case study. Same director, going for a 1:1 adaptation. I expected to love it…
I'm glad Dean DeBlois got the chance to adapt his own material to live action. It certainly looks like shooting it was a lot of fun, I'm sure a lot of people will love it and undoubtedly the movie will make a ton of money.
But the original HTTYD is untouchable.
me and my gang of independent vfx pals handled over 700 shots on THE LEGEND OF OCHI, which is playing this weekend in NY&LA, and april 25th everywhere. go support independent artists! https://t.co/mVCsJtu8VB
Reminder that FLOW got made because Gints made his own luck. He didn’t wait for someone to open the door. Four years of making a truly no budget independent film (that was also great). He just won the Academy Award. Go make your thing.