Apr 14, 2012

Dice Lecture

The Process in the Making of a Film:

  1. Script
  2. Storyboard
  3. Visual Development
  4. Color Script
    1. For color scripts, first pick a palette, and then do the key scenes in those colors.
  5. 3D Model
  6. Shading/Texture
  7. 3D Shading
  8. Lighting
  9. 3D Lighting
Skills Required to Make a Film:

  • Drawing/Painting
  • Communication
  • Storytelling
Toy Story 3/Western look = High key, punchy colors. The high key and punchy colors showed Andy's love in playtime with his toys in the beginning.

Bright lighting was used during playtime, literally The Golden Age for the toys. Bonnie's theme has dappled lighting to relate to that. When the toys are stored in the trunk, that replicated the dark times.

Color-coding characters helps a viewer associate them with a feeling.
Blue Andy.
Green Bonnie.
Pink Lotso + Red Fire

With obvious color coding, no one will notice.


  • Warm and cool contrast used for Lotso's tragic journey.

Character Design:

  • Silhouette is a decent tool, but if personality isn't integrated then it matters little.
Face/focal point need not be the point of intense contrast.


FLAT FACING objects moves alongside the screen.
DEEP FACING objects comes towards you.

Story Structure
Structure is different for each. Some have climax near the end. Some start with climax. Hollywood plateaus with climax.

Intensity does not equal positive/negative emotions.

If painters don't think about film, they cannot help the film.

Six factors to note when illustrating for a film:

  • Space
  • Line + Shape
  • Tone
  • Color
  • Movement
  • Rhythm

70% of professionals' process is research.

Lucas apparently doesn't pay well.
Pixar directors have a lot of say in their films.

Artists to note:
  • Paul Felix
  • Ronnie Del Carmen
  • Frederic Back
    • Man Who Planted Trees
    • Mighty River

Films to note:
  • American Beauty (Listen to commentary)
  • Road to Perdition (Listen to commentary)
  • In Cold Blood
  • Man Who Wasn't There
  • There Will Be Blood
Literature to note:
  • Visual Story, Bruce Block