Working on Zootopia! Part 1

posted in: Animation 0

With Disney’s Zootopia being released on home video this week, I thought I would write about my experience on the film.  My time on the show was rather brief, but I’m very proud of the work I contributed.  Of course, with how these things go, it isn’t visible in the final movie.

The first and only shot work I did were some set extensions (matte paintings) for test shots of downtown Zootopia before the city was built or look developed.  These shots turned into the sequence of Hops coming off the train in downtown Zootopia.  Eventually all the assets were built entirely in 3d.  It was a great opportunity to work with the amazing art directors of Zootopia, namely Matthias Lechner, David Goetz and Dan Cooper.  Not only are they incredibly talented artists, but they were also warm and generous mentors.

Here’s some of Matthias’s concept art I used to throw together my quick version of the city:

 

Zootopia Concept Art by Art Director Matthias Lechner copyright Walt Disney

 

Zootopia Concept Art by Art Director Matthias Lechner copyright Walt Disney

 

 

Below is the trailer for the film that includes some of the final city reveals.  It’s a great movie, and I’m sure it’ll be played on constant repeat at our house!  My next post will dive into the lookdev work I did for Zootopia…