Whilst researching and developing my own animation ideas I
have took inspiration from various sources and used various techniques to
portray and develop my ideas. Although Shrek
(2001) isn't one of these sources for inspiration, I am still very
interested in looking at the techniques
used whilst the film was in development stages and the research required to
create such a graphically beautiful and ground breaking film.
In
order for Shrek's environments to
correspond with the fairytale theme throughout the film there was a lot of
research to be carried out. This research consisted of several trips by the Art
Directors to various locations. Moreover
the use of CGI meant that physics are of particular focus in Shrek. Because of this focus on physics
there were various methods used to study the behaviours of materials, surfaces
and substances amongst other things featured in the film. These methods allowed
the production team to create not only a physically impressive film but also
create the 36 different stunning in-film
locations(Tracy 2001). As Aron Warner, one of the films producer's, puts it "Every leaf on every tree moves, the
dirt moves, the dust rolls; there's a sense of atmosphere, a sense of weight to
all the props. You can almost smell it." This shows the lengths at which
the entire production team went through to create what Warner describes as "a magical environment
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| Figure 1 |
that you could
immerse yourself into". (2001)
One example of the research process for the environment
development within Shrek would be the
influence from the Dordogne region of France. This area of France is very
picturesque and was inspiring enough for both the Duloc castle environment in
the film as well as the surrounding meadows. The images shown in figure1 and
figure 2 show the comparison between an environment in Shrek as well as a field in Dordogne. Although a lot of sunflower
fields look similar there is an uncanny similarity between the appearance of
the top field and the fairytale feel of the Shrek
film. This is just one example of the study of environment that influence a
corresponding environment in the film.
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| Figure 2 |
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| Figure 3 |
Whilst in Dordogne the art directors also visited various
castles which were the influence Duloc castle owned by Lord Farquaad in the
film. Production designer James Hegedus
explains "What we tried to do was reflect the characters in their
environments." He continues "Shrek is tied to earthiness, Farquaad to
a more controlled space".(2001) This is exactly why the art directors
visited Dordogne to see some of the
castles that influenced the design of Duloc castle in the film. It comes as no
surprise that the chosen location to visit for inspiration for castles would be
Dordogne as it "is reputed to have 1001 castles and chateaux" (North
of the Dordogne 2006). Looking through some of these castles on an image search
and not all of them show likenesses . However castles such as shown in figure 3
show a lot of similarities such as the angular structure and the machicolation
of the parapets around the top of the castle. These similarities are also
visible in figure 4 which is a picture of the Beynac Castle also in Dordogne.(Trip
Advisor 2012).
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| Figure 4 |
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| Figure 5 |
In addition to visiting Dordogne, the art directors also visited swamp locations
in south Carolina to get the influences for Shrek's swamp. "We designed
Shrek's swamp to be a very organic environment, more like a hovel that he built
using materials he found in the swamp," says Hegedus. "It's wet,
mucky, and overgrown; perfect for him."(2001) Figure 5 (Pearl and Tassel 2012) is a picture
taken at a Magnolia Plantation in Charleston South Carolina where the Art
Directors visited. The image gives off the sense of 'magical environment' that
Warner describes. It also shows elements of the 'organic' features of Shrek's
swamp. Again these same features of the swamp can be seen in figure 6 which
also shows the 'wet' and 'mucky' features that Hegedus mentions. (South Carolina
Plantation 2012).
 |
| Figure 6 |
As well as visiting various locations for influence on their
set designs the team also studied the physics and behaviour of elements in the
film in real life. A great example of this is the research into the behaviour
of mud when it is poured over an object. The scene, shown in figure 7(Digital
Media FX 2001), shows Shrek showering in mud whilst in his swamp. This
maintains the organic, wet and mucky feel about the swamp as well as Shrek's
persona. However to achieve such an accurate representation of mud flowing over
Shrek's body "We took one of the guys, put him in a yellow slicker, and
dumped mud all over him," as the films visual effects supervisor, Ken
Bielenberg. He continues by saying "Besides being fun, it gave us a good
reference to see how mud behaves." (2001) It wasn't just the observation
of mud that the special effects team needed to carry out. Within the film there
is a large use of fire such as torches, fireplaces and a fire breathing dragon.
Initially the team were considering using "live action elements" in
the film, explains Bielenberg, instead the special effects team studied footage
such as the Olympic torch and back drafts. Bielenberg states how the team
"analyzed the fire frame by frame" allowing them to achieve groundbreaking
special effects in a CGI film.
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| Figure 7 |
Shrek is a
beautifully animated film and all of the considerations during the research and
development stages of the film's production help to create the desired
emotional and physical effects. From the art directors visits to influential
locations through to the special effects team studying live action footage,
every aspect of the film was considered and it shows. It really does feel as
though every leaf on every tree does move and whilst watching the film it is
this attention to detail right from the start of the production stages that
helps make Shrek a very enticing and
enjoyable film to watch.
References
Trip Advisor. (2011).
[online] Last Accessed 17 December 2012 at http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/LocationPhotos-g424996-Meyrals_Dordogne_Aquitaine.html
North of the
Dordogne.(2006). [online] Last
Accessed 17 December 2012 at http://www.northofthedordogne.com/chateaux.php
South Carolina
Plantations.(2012).[online] Last Accessed 17 December 2012 at http://south-carolina-plantations.com/charleston/magnolia.html
BLAIR, Iian. (2004).The Making of Shrek [online] Last
Accessed 17 December 2012 at http://www.digitalanimators.com/2001/05_may/features/Shrek/TheMakingShrek.htm
TRACY, Joe.(2001). Animating Shrek [online] Last Accessed 17
December 2012 at http://www.digitalmediafx.com/Shrek/shrekfeature04.html
Culture.com. (2012).
Shrek: Production Information [online]. Last Accessed 17 December at http://culture.com/articles/463/shrek-production-information.phtml
Pearl and Tassel.(2012).[online] Last Accessed 17 December
2012 athttp://pearlandtassel.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/southern-bloom.html
Shrek. (2001). [DVD]. Directed by ADAMSON, Andrew
and JENSON, Vicky. Dreamworks Animation
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