So.. Croods has finished up and I have been moving forward on the next project which is the "Penguins of Madagascar" Movie. Its crazy how popular the characters have become so it seemed like an easy decision for Dreamworks to make a film starring the whacky 'foursome'.
The thing that I am finding out is that the Penguins are fun and challenging at same time. They move in a cartoony manner but much of the movement is wildly creative and unexpected. Their body and facial changes make them pretty interesting to watch in the Madagascar world. I am sure this is one of the biggest contributing factors to there overall appeal.
Not only will the animation prove to be a challenge, but also trying retain the essence of characters that are well known and loved by millions. The fans understand who the characters are and have a connection to them in a much different way than the animators. As animators we will have to bring the audience the Penguins they know as well as reveal new things about them. The end result should be a greater appreciation and an overall enjoyable experience.
I have heard so many people bash our studio for making sequels or spin offs, but in the grand scheme the general public loves the characters we create. I remember when I was a kid.... I was devastated when Optimus Prime died in Transformers the movie. My point is that I wanted more and more spin offs because I loved the characters beyond what adults may understand. I guess its hard for some of us to remember that as we get older. The memories of childhood leave many of us, but some try to retain it as much as we can.
"If you make memorable characters, they will live forever"
