What Was Used To Animate Shrek Is Love

Why Working On Shrek Was Seen As A Penalisation For Animators

DreamWorks Pictures

Since the film series' debut over two decades ago, the "Shrek" franchise has existed as 1 of the earth'southward most successful blithe properties. With over $3.5 billion accrued over five films, "Shrek" remains ane of the highest-grossing pic series of all time (via The Numbers). It's interesting then, in hindsight, to think that the series wasn't always viewed as such a sure thing.

Co-ordinate to the New York Post, DreamWorks Animation first started production on "Shrek"in 1996, and though it was one of the studio'due south just working projects at the time, executives and employees alike treated it as more than of a burden. Like Harry Potter living in the cupboard under the stairs, "Shrek" was thrown the scraps and hand-me-downs of DreamWorks' resources. The project traded more easily than a deck of cards. "Getting Shreked," as employees called it, was nothing less than a penalization for animators, writers, and directors who weren't performing on other projects.

It'due south a miracle and so, that the movie turned out to be then successful. For all intents and purposes, DreamWorks' handling of "Shrek" was tantamount to self-sabotage, and so why would a immature studio treat 1 of its debut properties so harshly? Why was "Shrek" seen as a punishment? It all comes back to the classic Hollywood fright of the unproven and the unknown.

DreamWorks preferred Prince of Egypt for its traditional appeal

DreamWorks Pictures

While it's hard to say that DreamWorks was right for initially disregarding "Shrek," at the time it might not have seemed like a bad business conclusion. "Toy Story," as CBR reported, had just come out a twelvemonth earlier "Shrek" entered product, and people were only just commencement to encounter the potential of 3D CG animation. Information technology makes sense that the company wouldn't prioritize the riskier CG motion-picture show when they had a traditional animated feature in the works, "Prince of Egypt."

"Prince of Egypt" pulled in nowhere near as much acquirement as "Shrek," but before the box role returns came in, "Prince of Egypt" seemed like the safer, more than traditional bet. There was already precedent for successful second animations from companies similar Disney. Anything outside of that realm was inherently more than risky, and if there'south one affair Hollywood studios loathe, it's taking chances on assuming ideas.

Apparently, that calculus changed shortly after "Shrek" debuted, showing the world that "Toy Story" wasn't an enigma. As a result, DreamWorks hasn't produced another 2D blithe film since 2003's "Sinbad." Meanwhile, the company would go on to make four more entries in the "Shrek" serial.

There's gotta be a lesson here somewhere ...

Source: https://www.looper.com/391659/why-working-on-shrek-was-seen-as-a-punishment-for-animators/

Posted by: richieeverne.blogspot.com