At the moment, Skydance Animation It is gradually becoming one of the main references in world animated cinema. Movies luck and recent Enchantedfrom Netflix are their two greatest assets at the moment, but they are looking to continue to grow bigger and bigger in the coming years. Its origins date back to 2017, when the giant Skydance Media (Mission Impossible, Top Shot: Maverick) decided to open an animation division and sign an agreement with the Madrid studio Ilion Animation. Three years later, they directly absorbed the Spanish company, turning it into a subsidiary headquarters of their central Los Angeles studios.
Thanks to Netflix, at Hipertextual we had the opportunity to visit Skydance Animation Madrid, one of the company’s largest headquarters, which has never been open to the press before. About 700 people work there, and most of the research is carried out at a global level. “This is the largest animation studio in Spain,” greets us. Alvaro Figueroco-producer Enchanted. This fact alone gives a good idea of the level of ambition of the project.
“We have always had the idea of creating an animation studio with original content, original stories, with memorable characters, set in fantasy worlds that can only be seen in animated films,” Skydance Animation’s goals are explained below. As an example of this goal, we are greeted at the entrance by statues of characters Enchanted. In addition, huge ribbons with conceptual images of future projects hang on the walls of the entire studio.
Creating a Project
TO Figuero another great man responsible for Enchanted, William Ramirezcharacter designer and art director for the film. “We start with an idea, which is usually great. From the first draft of the script, we start getting ideas, we look for the core and most important part of the film,” the creative, who uses concept maps and sketches from the film, tells us. The above film has been available on Netflix since November 22 last year.
“With the artists there is a lot of exchange of drawings, styles, ideas, characters that come to mind, references… Then a script is written, which is not completed, and from it characters and scenarios emerge,” Ramirez. continues. This is when the work of Skydance Animation’s designers really begins. “We started doing research to find out what they are. We need to explain who this character is,” he insists. To do this, they study movement patterns, hairstyles, clothes, character, facial expressions… All this is transferred to the relevant specific departments and ends with 3D modeling.
After this whole process, it was the turn of the various professionals who make up Skydance Animation both in Madrid and in the USA. Through teamwork and constant communication on both sides of the Pacific Ocean, the final result is achieved. In Spain in particular, films are brought to life through art, 3D, etc. Just by looking around its huge offices, divided over several floors, it is obvious that the scale of the studio is very different from the rest of the local animation industry. It is a company created to look from person to person, from Madrid to others such as Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Animation…
Skydance Animation, the new Pixar?
As soon as you enter, the most striking thing about Skydance Animation Madrid is the very large and bright central courtyard in which the building is located. Around it, various wings, divided into cubicles with computers, whiteboards and top-level materials, serve as a haven for employees. Additionally, downstairs in the same hall there are vending machines and even a basket and ping pong table for workers to unplug during their free time. “It’s very American, very Pixar.“, the manager admitted to us during the visit.
Actually, this makes a lot of sense. And within the ranks of Skydance Animation, this is one of the most important names in the history of animated film. In 2019, the company hired (to much controversy) John LasseterPixar co-founder and director toy story, toy story 2, cars, cars 2 And Parasitesas animation director. The decision caused external discomfort due to allegations of sexual harassment against the director during his time at Pixar. But despite everything, his signing gave the studio even more importance.
Most of the important decisions in every film pass through his hands. At the moment, we are told, he is not going to manage any projects on a personal level, but is overseeing all those that they have underway. Excellent example, once again, Enchanted. A film in which Lasseter acts as producer, director Vicky Jensondirector Shrek. Wrote the script Linda Woolvertonwho has already written animated versions Lion King or Beauty and the Beast. And he wrote the soundtrack Alan Menkengenius who received nine Oscars for Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin or Pocahontas.
Grow and Expand
Figuero acknowledges us that Enchanted This meant very important growth for them. Through the film, they have recruited and trained a lot of talent that will allow them to reach new heights in the future. Because this film is just the first of several releases that will follow in the coming years thanks to the agreement with Netflix. Among them will be, for example, a film directed by Brad Bird (Pixar co-founder and director The Incredibles, Iron giant And Ratatouille). They also produce another one with Richard Moore ((Ruin it, Ralph!, Zootopia, The Simpsons).
On the other hand, last July Skydance Media signed a definitive merger agreement with Paramount Global worth $8 billion. The new conglomerate will be called New Paramount, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025. From now on, uncertainty is at its maximum, although Skydance Animation Madrid hopes that it will be able to “continue to operate as usual.” The acquisition of talent and capital from the merger could even enhance the capabilities of a studio that has emerged with enormous force around the world.
Source: Hiper Textual
