The Making of the Boxtrolls | Anthony Stacchi + More | Talks at Google

TL;DR

The directors of "The Boxtrolls" discuss the challenges and unique aspects of stop motion animation, including the use of practical characters for better performance.

Transcript

KEVIN: Hello, everyone. Welcome to Talks at Google. I'm Kevin [? Valk. ?] And we have the directors of "The Boxtrolls." [APPLAUSE] We have Mr. Tony Stacchi and Graham Annable. So let's take a look at the trailer for "Boxtrolls." [VIDEO PLAYBACK] [MUSIC SEAN PATRICK DOYLE, MARK ORTON, LOCH LOMOND, "THE BOXTROLLS SONG"] [END PLAYBACK] [APPLAUSE] ANTH... Read More

Key Insights

• ✋ Stop motion animation combines the charm of a handmade aesthetic with the challenges and realism of practical effects.
• 🙈 The directors aimed to create a visual feast and push the boundaries of what had been seen before in animation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the directors use CG effects in the film?

The CG effects were used to enhance the stop motion animation, such as creating cityscapes, atmospheres, and compositing in CG characters in the background. However, the main characters and their interactions were always done practically.

Q: How did the directors decide on the style and visuals of the film?

They were inspired by the book's Victorian and steampunk themes, and worked with artists and designers to create a unique and visually stunning world. The goal was to create something that hadn't been seen before and push the limits of stop motion animation.

Q: How did the animation team create the facial expressions for the puppets?

The faces were printed using a rapid prototype process, based on 2D animations done by hand animators. The expressions were meticulously planned and printed on 3D faces, with thousands of different combinations possible.

Q: Were there any challenges in combining practical and CG effects in the film?

Yes, there were challenges in finding the right balance and making the effects seamless. The animators had to work closely with the v-effects department to ensure that the practical and CG elements matched in style and appearance.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The directors wanted to create a visual feast and a unique experience with the movie, using stop motion animation to bring the characters to life in a tangible and realistic way.

• The film combined traditional stop motion techniques with CG effects to create a larger scale and scope for the animation.

• The story evolved over a 10-year period, with the focus shifting to the emotional journey of the boxtrolls and their relationship with the main character, Eggs.

• The film's key sequences were storyboarded and tested extensively before production began, with each sequence being a "tentpole" for the rest of the film.