Behind the scenes at Pixar | What does it take to create Incredibles 2

I was on a press junket where we got a great behind the scenes look, learn and even feel of Incredibles 2. The animation process is not kids play and there is so much more to the animation art than coloring in the lines.

Be sure to catch up my other articles to learn about the Incredibles 2 costumes, the Pixar archives and a look at the Pixar campus.

What was the inspiration for the furniture and buildings in Incredibles 2?

The inspiration for the furniture and buildings in Incredibles 2 comes from mid century America design. The colors are very mundane, not a lot of tiny details but more sweeping lines and rounded corners. Instead of tiny, intricate details you will see pieces that are a nod to the piece.

What are the details in the new home in Incredibles 2?

The designers visited over 30 houses in California for inspiration. The photographed details, entrances, windows, pools. So many items. The house in Incredibles 2 is the second house designed by the animators. The first one was inspired by the Ames house and was about 2300 square feet in size. It took 6 months to design and then, there was a change. In animation there is always change and some times change comes later than expected. The first house was scrapped and it was replace with a 20,000 square foot house with a running water feature! It was all hands on deck and the new house was redesigned in 3 weeks! All the details. From the terrazzo on the floor to the graphics on the walls.

How do animators visualize the film?

Storyboards are drawn by story artists in order to pre-visualize the film as the script is being written. They are placed side-by-side in sequence by the editorial team, to convey the pace of scenes and deliver a rough sense of how the story unfolds. This storyboard is one of approximately 410 boards delivered to editorial for this particular sequence. In total, 52,725 storyboards were delivered for the entire film. This storyboard was drawn by story artist Bobby Rubio for the sequence called “Stop the Tunneler.”

What color pallet was considered for Incredibles 2?

In the first film, “The Incredibles,” bold colors were used to establish a visual language for the film, and the art team wanted to make sure this style was consistent in “Incredibles 2.” Once the storyline for a sequence is determined, concept art is created by the production designer and art department to determine the look and feel of the film. This concept art piece was created by production designer Ralph Eggleston, and showcases the exploration of color and design for the characters and new environments.

Lighting in animation plays what role in the overall feel of the film?

The Lighting department helps to integrate all of the elements – characters, sets, effects, etc. – into a final, fully visually realized image. The Lighting process involves placing virtual light sources into the scene to illuminate the characters and the set. Technical artists place the lights to draw the audience’s eye to story points and to create a specific mood. The lit images are then rendered at high resolution. 24 lit images, each over 2 million pixels, are created for each one second of the movie.

The natural elements in Incredibles 2 are so lifelike.

All the natural phenomena seen in this final image, such as the dust, smoke, and glow of Violet’s orb, were brought to life by the Effects department. Effects artists create these elements using complex simulation software that models the physics of how certain materials move. These Effects elements provide a believable and tangible sense of interaction between the characters and their rich, realistic world, which also helps to reinforce the emotional stakes for the audience.

Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar

Easter eggs to watch for in Incredibles 2 action scenes

The run away train was based on a 150 mph train.
The spacing of the moves of Elastagirl gave her time to think through her next move.
Watch for the parachute. It is a nod to the original Incredibles.
This scene will showcase Elastagirls new stunts and abilities. It is a showcase about her.
Each shot they took into consideration ‘the mundane and the super’.