Love, Death & Robots Volume IV Creators chat with us

Summary

In this engaging conversation, animation professionals discuss their inspirations, creative processes, and the emotional depth of animated storytelling. Key influences like *Akira*, *Ninja Scroll*, and *Gorillaz* are mentioned as foundational to their careers. The speakers reflect on the collaboration between filmmakers, animators, and musicians, highlighting the seamless blend of art and music in projects like the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ animated video. They explore the themes of grief and healing, showing how animation can convey complex emotions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of variety in style and tone to keep series fresh and engaging.

Takeaways

• 😀 *Akira* is cited as a major animation inspiration, admired for its groundbreaking artistry and complex production.
• 😀 Robert prefers older animation, with *Ninja Scroll* being a key favorite due to its simplicity and effectiveness.
• 😀 The team emphasizes how the emotional connection in animation, especially with characters, adds depth to the storytelling.
• 😀 The collaboration with David Fincher and the Red Hot Chili Peppers involved motion capture technology to create a dynamic music video.
• 😀 There is a strong sense of ownership and pride in the work created, with the team heavily involved in giving feedback and contributing creatively.
• 😀 The creative process includes balancing a wide range of tones and styles, ensuring each animation project feels fresh and unique.
• 😀 Jennifer highlights how *Love, Death & Robots* encapsulates small, intimate stories within a vast world, focusing on themes like grief and healing.
• 😀 The process of selecting and producing animations involves a combination of personal taste, feedback, and collaboration with other creatives.
• 😀 The team values the emotional tone of the animation, with specific attention to capturing human experiences and relationships.
• 😀 There's a clear focus on variety within *Love, Death & Robots*, ensuring each short is distinct, whether in art style, tone, or subject matter.

Q & A

What animated work does Jennifer mention as a significant influence in her journey towards animation?

Jennifer mentions *Akira* as a major influence, praising its gorgeous animation and the iconic scenes that were incredibly difficult to animate but beautifully executed.

How does Robert feel about *Akira*, and what alternative animated title does he mention?

Robert shares that he also loves *Akira* but suggests *Ninja Scroll* as his pick, highlighting that sometimes less is more in animation, especially when executed correctly.

What is the central theme of the short based on Bruce Sterling's world, as described by Jennifer?

The short centers on a woman dealing with her grief and how her relationship with a peculiar creature helps her heal, exploring themes of emotional healing and the price one pays for it.

What makes the creature, Nosy, unique and fun to animate according to Jennifer?

Nosy is described as disturbingly cute yet hideous, making the animation process enjoyable as the animators worked on creating its bizarre, endearing nature.

How did the idea for the Red Hot Chili Peppers music video come about?

Tim Miller mentioned that he simply asked David Fincher to create a music video for the season, and Fincher spontaneously suggested using the Red Hot Chili Peppers as puppets, which became the idea for the animated music video.

How did the animation team incorporate Flea's performance into the Red Hot Chili Peppers music video?

Flea's performance was captured through motion capture, where he performed his stage movements, including his signature 'Flea shuffle,' which was then translated into animation.

What role did David Fincher play in getting the Red Hot Chili Peppers involved in the project?

David Fincher, having personal connections with members of the band, particularly Flea, made the necessary calls to involve them, ensuring the project moved forward smoothly.

What was the process of selecting the specific Red Hot Chili Peppers performance for the animated music video?

The team went through hundreds of recorded performances to choose one, ultimately selecting the 'Slain Castle' performance due to its camaraderie and the band's chemistry, which felt right for the animation.

How do the creators balance the variety of tones and styles in *Love, Death & Robots*?

The creators strive to ensure variety by selecting different directors, studios, and animation styles for each episode, making each one feel fresh and distinct from the others in the anthology.

How do Robert and Jennifer feel about the different animated shorts in *Love, Death & Robots*?

Both Robert and Jennifer express a sense of ownership over each short, as they help select the teams, provide feedback, and contribute to the creative process, making them feel responsible for and proud of the final outcomes.