Josh Cooley, the director behind Toy Story 4 and Transformers One, shares insights into blending humor and heart in animated filmmaking. He humorously recounts his journey from facing rejection to landing an internship at Pixar. The conversation dives into innovative techniques like virtual production and the importance of captivating audiences in sequels. Cooley emphasizes building authentic connections through film and discusses the nostalgic joys tied to the Transformers franchise, all while keeping a lighthearted tone.
Josh Cooley emphasizes the importance of having a clear story structure before writing to enhance the filmmaking process.
The integration of virtual production techniques allows filmmakers to visualize scenes more effectively and enhances overall storytelling.
Deep dives
The Creative Journey of Filmmaking
The creative process of filmmaking is explored through the experiences of Josh Cooley, who emphasizes the importance of outlining before writing a screenplay. He personally prefers to have a clear structure or roadmap of the story first, likening it to decorating a Christmas tree where the ornaments are placed after the tree is set up. Cooley mentions that each film he has worked on presents unique challenges, resulting in varying approaches to writing and directing, showing the adaptability required in the industry. His background in storyboarding reinforces his belief that understanding the story's arc is essential before diving into writing.
Innovative Use of Virtual Production Techniques
The podcast discusses the implementation of virtual production techniques in modern filmmaking, specifically how these tools enhance the storytelling process. Cooley explains that getting into the computer early during pre-production allows filmmakers to visualize scenes more effectively than traditional storyboards. He describes creating virtual story reels that integrate actors performing in motion capture suits, which skyrockets the efficiency of scene development. This method empowers directors to block scenes as if they were live action, facilitating better camera placement and character interaction during the animating phase.
Balancing Humor and Heart in Storytelling
The interaction between humor and heart is a core topic discussed, with Cooley noting that both elements are crucial for creating engaging films. He emphasizes that laughter connects audiences to the characters while a strong emotional core ensures viewers care about the narrative. Cooley's ability to weave humor into serious moments enhances the film's richness, keeping the audience entertained without undermining important plot points. This balance ultimately supports his goal of surprising and delighting viewers by exceeding their expectations of the story.
Overcoming Rejection in the Animation Industry
Cooley shares his personal journey through the animation industry, highlighting the importance of resilience in the face of rejection. He recounts his early struggles, including receiving rejection letters from major studios like Disney and Pixar despite his passion for animation. This narrative illustrates his determination and the support of his family, which ultimately led him to an internship at Pixar, marking a turning point in his career. Through his experiences, he garners inspiration from setbacks, which shapes his understanding of success and motivates him to inspire other emerging creators.
In this episode, the Lighter Darker team welcomes director Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4, Transformers One) to talk about combining humor and heart in filmmaking as he does so well in his films. Josh shares the story of getting his dream shot at Pixar and how he almost had a very different job!