Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl creators interview - Nick Park & Merlin Crossingham

Summary

In this insightful conversation, the creators of Wallace and Gromit reflect on the longevity and evolution of their iconic characters, who began as a college project and have since become beloved figures worldwide. They discuss the challenges of balancing story elements, from the quiet moments of animation to the comedic and slightly dark undertones that make the films compelling for all ages. Emphasizing the importance of strong ideas, creative collaboration, and the fine line between humor and tension, they offer a behind-the-scenes look at their approach to creating enduring animated films.

Takeaways

• 😀 The longevity of Wallace and Gromit is incredible, and it feels like watching family members grow up, bringing a sense of pride.
• 😀 The characters' continued success, such as being featured on magazine covers, feels surreal and fulfilling.
• 😀 Wallace and Gromit's journey began with a college project and grew into a much larger phenomenon, including becoming a holiday staple in the UK.
• 😀 The idea for a Wallace and Gromit movie came from a half-hour concept, initially focused on a robot gnome, which evolved into a feature film after discovering a compelling villain.
• 😀 The key to deciding whether an idea should be a short or a movie is whether the idea is strong, big, and compelling enough to sustain a feature-length film.
• 😀 Balancing silence and exposition in Wallace and Gromit films is important, as quiet moments and strong visuals are often more engaging than excessive dialogue.
• 😀 The storyboard process plays a key role in finding the right balance between music, dialogue, and visual storytelling.
• 😀 The animation process is time-consuming, so decisions about pacing, dialogue, and visuals must be made early to avoid issues later in production.
• 😀 The films often contain a mix of lighthearted moments and subtle darkness, which is balanced carefully to ensure the content is engaging yet not overwhelming for children.
• 😀 The darkness in the films is never too intense; it’s mild and often undercut with humor to maintain the right tone and ensure it doesn’t get too heavy or frightening for younger audiences.

Q & A

When you first created Wallace and Gromit, did you ever imagine they would have such longevity?

No, it was unimaginable at first. It's incredible to think about how they've become such an iconic part of the world. It feels like they’re part of your family, and seeing them on magazine covers or doing well brings a sense of pride.

How do you feel about Wallace and Gromit’s continued success after all these years?

It’s amazing to think about their longevity. When you look back at early projects like 'A Grand Day Out'—which was my college project—and see it still being shown every holiday in the UK, it feels surreal and like a huge accomplishment.

What was the turning point for the idea of Wallace and Gromit transitioning from short films to feature films?

Initially, the concept for a feature was a half-hour idea. We had envisioned a robot gnome causing chaos. But the story needed something more—an antagonist—and that’s when Feathers McGraw came into the picture. This made the story compelling enough to grow into a feature film.

How do you determine whether a story idea should be a short film or a full-length movie?

It depends on the idea. If the idea is big enough and has enough potential to grow into something engaging and compelling, it can be turned into a feature. The key is to make sure the idea grabs you and has enough depth to expand.

How do you balance silence and exposition in the storytelling of Wallace and Gromit films?

It’s always a challenge to find the right balance. We experiment with different moments during the storyboard process, trying various combinations of music, silence, dialogue, and no dialogue. The animation process is time-consuming, so we can't afford to get it wrong. The goal is to let the film breathe and allow the audience to engage with the characters even in moments of silence.

How do you ensure that the visual moments in the film are as impactful as the dialogue?

We often find that the visual shots are more intriguing than the original writing or storyboards. After seeing the shots in dailies, we realize sometimes it's best to let the characters act and convey emotions without over-explaining, allowing the audience to process those moments.

Why is there always a touch of darkness in the Wallace and Gromit films, like with Feathers McGraw or the Were-Rabbit?

It's about tone. The darkness is never too heavy but just enough to be mildly scary. It's inspired by things we were afraid of as kids—scary, yet in a safe way. It’s important because the light moments feel more meaningful after overcoming the darker ones. If it gets too dark, we balance it with humor to keep the tone light overall.

How do you know when something has gotten too dark in a Wallace and Gromit film?

When things get too dark, we usually add a joke or a funny moment to lighten the mood. The challenge is to maintain the right balance between light and dark so that it doesn't overwhelm the audience, especially the kids.

What role does humor play in balancing darker elements in the films?

Humor is essential in maintaining the balance. It undercuts darker moments, ensuring they don’t become too heavy. The comedy lightens the overall tone while still allowing the darker moments to add depth to the story.

How do you feel when you watch the Wallace and Gromit characters appear in various media, like on magazine covers?

It’s a very surreal feeling. It’s like seeing your own creations grow up and become a part of the world in a way you never expected. You feel a sense of pride, like they're part of your family, and you're glad to see them continue to resonate with audiences.