Over four years. That's how long it took for the concept of Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast to go from concept to finished animated film. Can you imagine?! It must be so interesting to work on a project like this and pour yourself into it for 4 years, all the while knowing that at the end you'll leave a tangible piece of artwork behind - a piece of the Disney legacy really. On my recent press trip to Los Angeles with Disney, I got to sit down with Mike Greenholt, the Animation Supervisor, and Ryan Green, a Story Artist who worked on the film to discuss the animation of Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast.
Ryan Green started our session with a little background on how the animation process usually begin. He said, "We usually work with the Director, the Writer, the Head of Story and we'll sit in a room and we'll throw around story ideas and try and figure out where we want to take the story. Then when we set it for the time and the Story Artists will run back to our computers and we'll draw up a bunch of panels and then we bring them back together and cut them in a reel, and we ask ourselves, "Is this looking good?" And it's usually "No" and then we go back and we do it all again. We actually cut about 4 or 5 different full movies... so there's a bunch that never make it to the public. I don't know about you, but I'd love to see the versions that don't make it to the big screen.
Photo courtesy of Disney
Green went on to explain how they got a lot of inspiration for Fawn's character from Diane Fosse (who went out to the wilderness to research the Gorillas). Since she's a fairy who specializes in animals, Fawn basically knows every single animal in Pixie Hollow except for this one guy [Gruff, the NeverBeast], and it was interesting when they started that they didn't even really know who he was. They had to think about the physical appearance of Gruff, and since Green has a degree in Biology he was able to lend a lot of insight about how Gruff might actually be composed - his skeletal structure and muscles, his subsequent gait, his fur patterns, and all the details that make this character come alive on screen.
In terms of animating the fairies, Green said they pull inspiration from the voice actors themselves. Green said, "The voice is recorded before we animate and they always take video reference of them and so we'll watch it because when people talk, they have mannerisms. Either things they do with their mouth or their face and so it's great to just see what they do. Also, just the shapes that their mouth makes - it's a good reference to have that."
Gruff the NeverBeast and fairy escorts, photo courtesy of Disney
Just like when the Director of "Feast" had real Boston Terriers brought in for animators to research, Green told us that they made trips to the LA Zoo to research hippos, rhinos, and elephants to create a prototype for Gruff. For technical reasons (like the way that Gruff digs and how his tail curls) they ended up with a hybrid of animals.
Gruff the NeverBeast and Fawn, photo courtesy of Disney
Green explained that another important aspect for how Gruff would play out on-screen was how he'd portray his emotions. The big glass eyes that they designed for him posed somewhat of a challenge. His eyes are basically emotionless and you don't know what was going on back there. Fawn only sees her own reflection and a way to get emotion out of Gruff would be through his other body parts and one big one was his tail. They needed to make him feel somewhat menacing yet still be able to display tenderness, and most of all, they needed him to be believable. Green said, "Even though he's a fantasy creature, he had to feel like he was a living and breathing animal... from there, we had to make him emote like an animal. The thing we didn't want to do was make Gruff look like he was a man in a costume or someone wearing makeup."
I'd never really thought about how animals express their emotions so it was really interesting to see the thought process behind this. Green showed us a video of his family dog and a "conversation" they had and how animated the dog became once the message he was trying to communicate finally got through to his owner (he wanted to go outside). This video clip proved to be influential in animating Gruff and his facial expressions. He said, "We put a lot of controls around his eyebrows, so we could just move them... a subtle nuance to give furrows to it or shifts when he looks back and forth, just to try to put some of that emotion that you see in a Dog’s brows when they’re confused. So that helped us just get his face to emote more and feel more malleable and alive." I think they nailed it! While Gruff makes hardly any noise in this film, you can always understand what he's trying to communicate to Fawn and the fairies.
We asked them if Gruff was the hardest thing they've ever had to animate, and both men said yes, although they also said he was one of the most fun too. Ryan Green said, "Because he doesn’t speak, his whole performance is animation and so the animator is [doing it all], and you can’t rely on a voice to carry the performance, which is a challenge but is also a lot of fun."
It was also great to learn about what a true labor of love these movies are to the animator. Green and Greenholt told us how working on the emotional scenes takes a toll on the animators. Green said, "They might do a great job and you’d say, "Do you want to do another one?" And they’re like "No, no, no, give me something funny to work on or something light because I just need to relax and be in a happier space." So we sort of take turns. And we also have animators that have different strengths. some Animators are great with comedy, so you want to push all the funny to them. And there are other animators that are good with emotional scenes and the sweet scenes where it’s just a very quiet subtle moment."
Be sure to keep an eye out for my full review of Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Neverbeast soon!
Disclosure: I participated in this interview on a press trip sponsored by Disney and ABC. All opinions are my own.
Marcia Galovits says
What a great review. I don't often think about what an animator goes through to bring a character alive. It sounds like Gruff was a big challenge. I can't wait to see the movie.
Angela Frederick says
It must have been a fun challenge to come up with Gruff. Even harder to animate an animal that doesn't exist and doesn't talk. Wish I could have been there with you too pick their brains. Lol
Emily Endrizzi says
Is it just me or does Gruff the NeverBeast remind you of the Luckdragon from the NeverEnding Story?
Ruth V. says
Yes! I thought that too! But there are some differences 🙂
Karen Jaras says
I cannot wait to get this on DVD for the grandkids. They are a little young to sit through it now, but will watch bits and pieces.
Laurie Arnheim says
This looks adorable! Thanks for the info!!!
Linda Mannst says
We love Tinker Bell. It sounds like there is alot that goes into making these great movies. Alot of people involved. Thank you so much for sharing
Laura says
This looks like such a cute movie! What great work! I will have to purchase it for my nieces!
Amanda McCollum says
It's so amazing to know the level of emotion that animators put into their work. It's incredible to see how much time and effort go into creating these fantastic movies!
Jo-Ann Brightman says
I love this look behind the scene and I always admire and enjoy Disney movies. I shall,want to see this animated short.
Stephanie says
Very interesting..
Jennifer Heintz says
Such talented men. Animation keeps getting more and more amazing! And Tinkerbell entralls everybody. I am looking forward to the release. Thanks
Jessica Haynes says
I've always thought animation would be such a cool job - it's neat to see the faces behind the people that actually animate the characters.
Lisa Garland says
Wow, what a lot of work to make an animated movie! Looks Supercute though!!
Sandra Watts says
I thought Gruff looked like the NeverEnding story character too. Still looks like a cute movie.
Dee Lafrenz says
I cannot wait to see this movie with my grand kids! Love Disney, and loved the review of this movie. Thank you.
Anna says
Being an anitmator takes such skill and talent. Most people don't realize how difficult it is to do.
lisa says
There is so much involved putting a cartoon together. It's a long process. You'd really have to love your work. I'm glad they do, I enjoy the finished product.
Luna Burruel says
Animation has come so far, this is really amazaing!
Rebecca Parsons says
It is crazy how much goes into bringing a character to life. Really interesting to read how they accomplished on making him look like a real or like real creature.
Heather in VA says
I had no idea it took four years for a movie like this. Very interesting. Thank you for the review.
Judy Lipcsak says
Disney animation is so fascinating. I love to watch the specials about how they make the movies. It's amazing that they have animators on staff with backgrounds in biology. I'm sure that this is why their characters are so lifelike. I can't wait to watch 'The Legend of the NeverBeast' with my grandchildren.
Amber Ludwig says
I think its so amazing how they animate and create such amazing creatures!! SO cool! And such creative minds behind them!! It must be so fabulous to see their dreams come to life!
Holly Robinson says
Don't grow up. It's a trap!
Kaye Newman says
I love the new animation these days. It is so much better then when I was a child. Those animators are some very talented people. I love tinker bell and I can't wait to watch it with my grand daughter.
Judy maharrey says
this is so fasinating! i never realized it took so long, and how much effort went into it.
Kaycee @ My Crafty Zoo says
I am dying to add this to my collection!
Jasmine P says
This looks really cute!
nancy whiting says
Absolutely love youbwebsite!!
Dorothy Boucher says
OMG! I so want to watch this with my grandchildren, I love tinkerbell stories anyway loll
Kris DeVoss says
Love the review ...But Gruff reminds me of Luck Dragon in The Neverending Story ...Or is it just me ... I see tons of similarities && also some unique differences ... I can not wait to see this one!!!
Linda Mannst says
I can see why this would take so long. I just can't imagine all the work and imagination that went into this. I am so happy you got to do this. Thank you so much for sharing
Tammy Horn says
Great review! It's amazing what all goes in to animation, and how sophisticated and real life animation looks these days.
Bel M says
Great information about the animation.Surprised to know that they do 4 to 5 movies and cut them before the final movie comes out..
Jessica Goble says
This is an amazing review. Great job. Im excited
Lily Kwan says
This movie looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer Shelton says
How neat is this! We have recently been on a Disney cruise. At dinner one night they asked us to draw our own stick figure. As dessert time rolled around, they turned the televisions on and all of our drawings were animated into cartoons!!! Animators do have a difficult but fun job! They make little kids dreams come true, what could be more fun than that 🙂
maria c says
Thanks for this great review. You did a good job. This movie looks so fun. I can't wait to see this movie.
Kim VH says
Great interview. Fun, informative and makes me want to see it!
krista williams says
I loved the information and insight on this wonderful film.I never imagined how long it takes to create something like this movie
Katie Dettelbach says
This is a great review!
Cindy Brooks says
It's amazing how much work goes into this! Love Tinkerbell!
Sherri Burgan says
I loved this review, Tinkerbell was a favorite of mine growing up
Stefanie Thomas says
Wow! That is a lot of work! It never occurred to me how much work is put in and how long it takes to bring animation to life ! I guess we take that for granted ! Thanks for helping entertain my little one. She loves Tink 🙂
Jennifer Jones says
What a great interview and behind the scenes look into cartoon making. It's interesting to hear how complicated it was to create Gruff because he doesn't look that complex in the previews. I haven't seen the movie yet, but can't wait to see it, especially after reading this interview.
susan king says
I had no idea so much work went into creating a new animated character. I always thought somebody just had an idea in their head of what it should look like and that was it. I'm impressed that they have to go through so much !!
Sherry Compton says
Great post! I love the look behind on animations. So much work and talent involved!
AC says
This is a great review. This movie looks to be full of fun colors and meaning for kids. I like the way the new animations are styled.
Ebony Nicole smith says
This is pretty neat!!
karen cairns says
I have friends who do this also and most people don't know how much work goes into a project. thanks for sharing
Allie Hewitt says
I've never realized how much work goes into an animated movie before! And I find it really interesting that they record the voices before they do the animation - I never knew that and always wondered how the character's mouth lined up do well with the voice.
Bethany Homan says
This is a great review! Now I'm even more excited to see this movie with my girls. The Tinkerbell movies are some of our favorites and I'm sure this will be no different.
Rebekah Banner says
Wow I never think about how much research has to go behind animating... It makes sense though because they make animal movements so lifelike!
Joy says
It's amazing how Gruff could express everything without the use of voice . . . but then, what's new? My one-year-old gets a lot across without the help of any words, either! LOL!
Sandra Watts says
I can't wait to see this with my grand kids. They are gonna love it.
Stacy Renee says
As an artist, I've always wanted to animate a film or at least meet and talk to those that do so I can see if it's something I should pursue.
Nikki H. says
Great review! I can't wait to watch this with my kids, they love the other Tinkerbell movies & I'm sure they will love this one as well. 🙂
Emily Endrizzi says
What an amazing experience to interview this animation team. My son wants to study animation in college. He is set to graduate high school next Spring so it is a pretty definite decision. I will show him this interview.
Sandra Watts says
I enjoyed your review. I can't wait to see this with my grand kids.