Pixar’s new film, “Soul,” was unlike anything the studio had created before. Not only was it the first Pixar film to feature a black lead, but the character design was so distinct. Animators of the film went above and beyond to create figures to represent eternity and the soul in the Great Before.
Physicalizing the soul is no easy task, and artists worked countless hours to try and figure out how. They studied history, literature, and art to come up with their final figures. The counselors were even trickier, as they had to capture eternity itself. They ended up using wire figures and casting their shadow to create a 3D-2D hybrid creature. They are literally out of this world.
The Picasso inspired figures were absolutely stunning. But Pixar artists found it challenging to have both the souls and the counselors interact with light, especially when one counselor made it into the real world.
Animators spend hundreds of hours on each project. Take a look at some of the most exciting “Soul” designs below:
The film’s co-director, Pete Docter, has become something of a legend for Pixar fans. He has been the visionary behind classics such as “Monsters Inc.,” “Up,” and “Inside Out,” all of which changed the game of what animation can do. After the fall of John Lasseter due to sexual harassment, Pete Docter assumed the role of Pixar’s creative head. In this video, Docter takes us through the rigorous process to bring such effortless characters to life. Check it out for yourself!
“Soul” currently boasts an 8.1 on IMDb and a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the places where it did get a wide theatrical release, the film is doing remarkably well. After yet another incredible film, Pixar remains one of the most consistently brilliant content producers in the industry.
