DreamWorks and Disney released movies featuring a snake character. So, how do animation studios differ in how they design the snake?
DreamWorks’ “The Bad Guys” features Mr. Snake as a cynical and grumpy guy, but he is clever and loyal to the Bad Guys crew.
Disney, on the other hand, showcases Gary in “Zootopia 2” as a kind, optimistic, and selfless animal, challenging stereotypes.
Neither likes the prejudice of being labeled “scary” or a “monster,” as both movies share a similar moral and message, but “The Bad Guys” focuses on the entire crew. In contrast, “Zootopia 2” focuses on Gary.
The first design difference is how they pose.
A YouTube channel called “No the Robot,” run by an animator and artist with over a decade of industry experience, including at DreamWorks Animation and the Jim Henson Company, explains the difference between off-model and on-model.
“On models and off models are two different terms that are used to describe a character that looks like their intended designs,” said “No the Robot.” “So the bend in Mr. Snake’s neck is significant to his overall character design.”
The next difference is their fangs.
DreamWorks was able to get away with this because its movie had a more stylized look, while Disney aimed for greater realism.
Their goal brings the focus to the next element: the character’s look.
“The treatment [DreamWorks] is applying to this character is a lot more painterly, where the keys are popping out a lot more than they would on a photorealistic model,” said “No the Robot.” “So, the sides of his eye and his eyebrows are gonna be really contrasted against the rest of his face.
“Compared to Gary, which has a lot more complicated geometry going on around the eyes, and instead the way they’re getting this expression to read is by his bright yellow eyes being contrasted against the blue of his body.”
The complex nature of creating a specific look is the driving force behind studying film, animation, and art. There’s no correct way to design characters. With film, you realize that every detail is intentional, which makes learning movie techniques intriguing.
Comparing and contrasting the snakes shows how much the animators have to take into account, as each character requires different elements, even in how they walk and talk.
The customization makes the animated film memorable and gives the animation studio a unique feel. When I compare movies from one studio to another, I notice a distinct shift in visual style, and that’s what makes these movies special.
