Now and Ben: Chris Sanders on The Wild Robot, hand drawn animation vs. CG, and Lilo & Stitch
Jan 30, 2025
auto_awesome
In this captivating discussion, Chris Sanders, director of the Oscar-nominated ‘The Wild Robot’ and voice of Stitch from Disney, shares his unique insights into animation. He delves into the stunning blend of hand-drawn and CG animation in his films, emphasizing the emotional power of character development. Chris explores the deep human connections represented by robot characters like Roz, revealing how they mirror our complexities. He also reflects on the nostalgia tied to beloved animated figures, celebrating the joy they bring to fans.
The unique production atmosphere of 'The Wild Robot' fostered creativity and collaboration, inspiring animators to push for additional shots despite the project's demands.
The film's innovative blend of hand-painted aesthetics and humor explores deep themes of parenting and personal growth, resonating emotionally with both adults and children.
Deep dives
Creative Process and Team Dynamics
The emotional connection and joy experienced during the making of the film were highlighted, emphasizing a sense of collective excitement among the animators. Unlike typical projects where the conclusion is often welcomed due to the workload, this particular film sparked a unique dedication and longing to continue contributing, with animators requesting additional shots to enhance the project. The collaborative atmosphere fostered during production was underlined as essential, with a focus on innovating new visual styles that diverged from conventional animation. This camaraderie not only fueled creativity but allowed the team to tackle significant challenges while maintaining an upbeat and positive environment.
Visual Aesthetics and Innovation
The film's unique visual styling was pivotal, pushing boundaries beyond traditional CG animation to create a hand-painted aesthetic that resonated with the film's themes. Inspired by the painterly style of Tyrus Wong in classic films like Bambi, the goal was to evoke deeper emotional responses through less photorealistic images that appeared more relatable and believable. Innovative techniques allowed for abstract yet striking visuals, giving the movie a fresh look that audiences could appreciate. This artistic choice not only enhanced the storytelling but also established a deeper psychological connection with viewers, demonstrating how aesthetics can shape viewer experience.
Themes of Humanity and Parenting
The narrative explored profound themes around parenting, identity, and personal growth through the interactions between the characters, particularly the robot Roz and her gosling, Bright Bill. The film presented a more nuanced view of parenting, illustrating the struggles of raising a child and the inherent fears of inadequacy that many parents face. Humorous elements were woven into serious topics, like death, offering a balanced perspective intended for both adults and children. This blend of humor and heartache was critical in conveying that complexities of life and parenting exist simultaneously, creating a rich tapestry for emotional resonance.
In today’s Now & Ben drop, Ben sits down with Chris Sanders—director of the Oscar-nominated animation ‘The Wild Robot’. With a stellar career behind the drawing board that’s taken him from Disney to DreamWorks, he’s the man behind ‘How To Train Your Dragon’, ‘The Croods’ and ‘Lilo and Stich’—so Ben had plenty to quiz him on.
‘The Wild Robot’ takes us on an unexpected adventure through nature with Roz, a human assistance robot who finds herself shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. Uninhabited, that is, by humans—but she soon discovers a host of animal companions, including an orphaned gosling who needs her help. Becoming the adopted mother of this strange creature is a challenge that her programming hasn’t prepared her for.
Ben & Chris chat about the film’s beautiful blend of hand-drawn and CG animation, why movie robots can teach us so much about being human, and what it’s like to be beloved to a generation of Disney kids as the voice of Stitch.
Listen out for more of Ben’s conversations with cinema’s most exciting creative talents dropping into the feed every ‘Now and Ben’…