Pixar animator shows the unsettling skeletons underneath 3D mouths

[Enter Stage Rite]

Ever wondered how Disney’s Pixar brings its beloved characters to life? A recent social media post by animator Cody Lyon has offered a hilarious (biting) glimpse behind the curtain.

 

Lyon shared a few images showcasing the unfiltered look of 3D character mouths during animation for 2021’s Luca. These “work in progress” shots reveal a distorted and rather nightmarish appearance, with mouths stretched and contorted at unnatural angles. This is a far cry from the expressive and natural movements viewers see in the final product.

 

 

The reason for this unusual look lies in a technique called “animation cheats.” Animators strategically bend and manipulate the characters’ models slightly to achieve optimal lip-syncing and emotional conveyance within a shot. These distortions are calculated to remain unseen by the audience, ensuring a believable and seamless viewing experience.

 

Lyon’s post has sparked amusement online, with social media users calling the lesser-seen visuals “cursed,” “kinda terrifying,” and comparing them to “horror art.”

 

“That’s cool but I didn’t need to see it,” says one person.

 

“The front vs the back of a Christmas tree,” another fan comments.

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know animation body language, and the nuances behind those smiles and grimaces, was this fascinating?

 

 

 

 

 

• https://80.lv/articles/pixar-animator-shows-how-3d-character-mouths-look-from-different-angles/
• https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/128069993.html

 

 

Images: Cody Lyon