Minions

"Animation" Featurette

 

Many animated movies are some of the most beloved films in history. For decades, animation has been developing into the high-tech process it is today and has captured the hearts of audiences along the way. With its myriad of styles, processes, and content, animated movies provide entertainment that the entire family can enjoy. In our Minions behind-the-scenes video, “Animation,” we talk to the animators of Minions to hear about the process, challenges, and joys of animating the Minions movie. 

 

Perhaps the biggest takeaway audiences can get from our Minions featurette is that animation is a significant challenge. As audiences, we take a lot for granted when it comes to movies. The movement and behavior of background characters, crowds, and surroundings, for example, all need to be animated individually. The process is long and complicated for each moving part of the film, and creating a convincing and appealing environment takes a significant amount of time. 

 

In our Minions extra, Minions animation directors Pierre Leduc and Bruno DeQuier talk about how the Minions story itself holds a lot of challenges. Audiences have come to know and love the minions, and they expect a lot from these movies. Viewers want silly, sassy characters who have no shortage of comedic moments. What’s more, nearly all of the comedy must be physical. Since the minions don’t speak a language that is discernible to audiences, the jokes and funny bits must be visual, so that audiences can understand what’s happening. This means more movement, and more animation, for the team. 

 

Minions - Departments

 

In our behind-the-scenes look at MinionsFrank Baradat, the CG supervisor, talks about how the animation process works. There are 15 departments working on the movie, and his job is to oversee them all and ensure that each department’s contributions are high quality and ready for the next step. He says that the first step is creating, “assets.” In animation terms, assets are made up of the characters/people and the setting. Before anything can move, the physical objects must be created. After that, the animation team takes over and ensures that each of the characters moves in the correct way.  

 

A significant challenge that is discussed in our Minions video is the shape of the minions themselves. Because the minions have no neck, waist, or separate body parts to speak of, it is difficult to animate them in a way that is appealing to audiences. Many animated characters are based off of real animals or creatures, so there is some rule book for how they should move and interact with their surroundings. 

 

Elisabeth Patte - Minions

 

The minions are creatures of their own, so there are no rules for how they should move. What’s more, since they have few independently moving body parts, the animators had to find other ways to make them move in subtle ways, so they don’t look like inanimate objects. Though animation is challenging for any project, Minions proved to be a significantly challenging movie. However, Elisabeth Patte, the crowd supervisor, says “Each time it is funny to bring them life.” 

 

For all the Minions behind-the-scenes info, insight, secrets, and more, purchase Minions on 4k Ultra HD, Blu-rayTM, DVD, or Digital.* 

 

*Bonus features are only available at select digital retailers. Check the retailer for details. 

 

 

Like this article? Read more about the making of Minions here: