'Finding Nemo' is a significant achievement in computer animation.
John Lasseter (Executive Producer): Aimed to create a believable underwater environment through stylized design and vibrant colors.
Brian Green (Character CG Supervisor): Introduced character departments to better serve animators’ needs.
Automating dynamic motions for characters, allowing animators to focus on performance.
Production Design and Cinematography
Visual Achievements: Visually appealing and groundbreaking.
Research and Inspiration:
Visits to aquariums, scuba diving, and lectures from ichthyologists for research.
Inspiration from Disney classics like 'Bambi' for realistic animal movements and impressionistic style.
Challenges:
Creating believable behaviors for fish characters without arms or legs.
Timing and movement adjustments for fish characters to mimic naturalistic fish movements.
Science and Imagination
Adam Summers (Biomechanic): Educated Pixar on fish movement and biomechanics.
Addressed the challenge of giving fish characters realistic movements, differentiating rowers and flappers.
Underwater World Creation
Technical Teams: Managed by Oren Jacob, leading various specialist teams.
Ocean Unit: Responsible for key scenes like the jellyfish forest, using new shading systems like "transblurrency."
Simulating Water: Developed key components for underwater environments: lighting, particulate matter, surge and swell, murk, and reflections/refractions.
Sound in 'Finding Nemo'
Music:
Thomas Newman composed the film's score, considered a character in itself.
Techniques included overdubs and layering music.
Sound Effects:
Led by Gary Rydstrom, creatively manufactured sounds to replicate underwater environments.
Used various methods to capture or recreate sounds, such as recording in aquariums and coastal caves.
Notable sound creation techniques include bouncing on hot water bottles for jellyfish sounds.
Conclusion
The integration of technical art, production design, and innovative sound and music was crucial in bringing the underwater world of 'Finding Nemo' to life.
Detailed research and creative solutions were key in overcoming the challenges presented by this ambitious project.