Legend of the Guardians: It’s not a cartoon
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole is not “a cartoon”, according to director Zack Snyder, but an action film “as good as 300 and Watchmen”.
How did you get involved with Guardians?
I had worked with Animal Logic, and they were talking about the project and they showed me the artwork they’d done it internally to see what it would look like. When I saw the paintings I thought it could be an amazing movie; I was really excited about making it.
How did you approach your first animated film?
I knew early on that I’m not an animator, but I’d like to think I know how to make some cool action shots and I also have a point of view.
What the team at Animal Logic said was, “We’re going to try and learn your language, and we’ll try to teach you the tools of our language so we can meet in the middle”. That’s what happened, why the movie ended up looking so organic, because I approached everything like we were shooting live action. I’d say “We’re shooting 35mm and the set is kind of small so I wonder if we could do a dolly shot – even though it’s an animated set.
Did you feel confident at first?
Yes and no. It’s difficult because you just don’t know what you’re getting, because it’s a very slow process. You start to really establish this confidence as work is being delivered; you start to see a pattern emerge, and through that you understand the way a performance is going, and the way the actor is being rendered by an animator. Once I could see the patterns in that process, I started to understand what at first I felt was a mystery.
Is animation more about delegating than live action?
I guess it is. It feels similar, because I approached it in the same way that I approach live action, but you do have to trust more in your amazing artists and technicians.
How did you apply your style to this film?
It’s an adventure film. It’s very sort of a hero’s journey, like The Lord of the Rings, Tar Wars, Excalibur and those timeless stories. Soren is that chosen one, the classic hero, and the action is as good as the action I’ve done in my other movies. This is not kidding around, this is action.
Are you aware of Australia’s difficulties attracting international productions?
I’m fairly familiar with it. I know the dollar is strong at the moment, and that makes it difficult for international productions. Again, I’m a big advocate of Australia and I’ve had an amazing experience with Guardians, so whenever I can I’ll say “Let’s go to Australia”.
Were you approached by other filmmakers wanting to work with you during your time in Australia?
I haven’t had that experience; I haven’t had anyone approach me that way. One time i had dinner with George Miller; I just wanted to meet him and say “You’re awesome”. Other than that, it’s been pretty pro every time I go down there.
What lessons did you learn from Guardians?
What I take away is that we’ve been able to create a movie that transcends the animation world. It’s not a cartoon, and that’s an important thing to say. It feels like another reality, like another world.
