Transforming Berk into a Tangible Dragon Training Destination: Insights into the New 'How to Train Your Dragon' Experience.
Alright, let's chat with Dean DeBlois, the mastermind behind the DreamWorks animated franchise and Universal Pictures' upcoming live-action adaptation of the legendary How to Train Your Dragon.
DeBlois went deep on bringing the Viking world of Berk to life, highlighting the essential role of practical effects in giving the actors an authentic experience riding dragons. This attention to detail was crucial in making the big moments feel as genuine as possible, especially during the meeting of Hiccup (Mason Thames) and his Nightfury buddy.
As he put it, "Toothless in those scenes was just a foam head, but animatronics were used for all the flight sequences." To capture the actors' interactions with the dragons, they built enormous gimbals that could move in six different axes, allowing the actors more freedom to respond naturally to their digital counterparts. Each dragon had its own animatronic model, enhancing the actors' immersion as dragon riders.
Thames, having the most dragon time, had to get comfortable high up, with DeBlois describing the experience as follows, "It was mostly about the chest, the neck, and the head, which moved independently, either joystick controlled or controlled by animation already done by the animators."
DeBlois shared that the technique they used for dragon riding was brand-new and attempting it for the first time was a nerve-wracking experience, but it ended up being a resounding success.
John Powell's iconic themes, combined with cinematographer Bill Pope's eye for visuals, breathed new life into the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless. Their synergy really guided the movie in the direction DeBlois desired. On Pope's work behind the lens, DeBlois said, "He understood from the beginning that there was a lot to preserve about the animated movie that we had to try to keep in place. The whimsy in the heart, the sense of wish fulfillment, and the fantasy. Through his camera lens, the world became grounded but retained all of those things."
The expansion of the score was significant, according to DeBlois. "I always say that everything we do in making a movie gets it halfway there, and then you hand it to the composer, and they'll take it the other half of the way because music transcends words and goes right to the heart," he added, emphasizing the importance of Powell's enduring music.
With the release of the film approaching, we noticed Berk now boasts a real-life version fans can visit at Epic Universe. DeBlois had mixed feelings about it, stating, "I thought it was gonna be a little corny, but it turned out to be kind of amazing." He was particularly impressed by Universal Orlando's choice for the theme park version of Hiccup.
"The kid has really done his homework; he has all the mannerisms and voice down, but also embodies the characteristics that Jakob Jensen, our lead animator, brought to it," he added.
How to Train Your Dragon takes flight in theaters June 13. Don't miss it!
If you're craving more io9 news, check out the latest about upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
[Enrichment Data:The live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon primarily relied on advanced CGI and motion capture technology to create realistic dragons. To enhance the interactions between actors and the digital dragons, practical effects and animatronics were incorporated. For instance, animatronics were employed during flight sequences to capture realistic movements from actors on dragonback. Motion capture technology was also utilized to develop dragon movements, with animal movement specialists lending their expertise.]**
- Dean DeBlois, the creator of the upcoming live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, discussed the essential role of practical effects and animatronics in making the movie feel authentic.
- In an interview, DeBlois revealed that each dragon in the movie had its own animatronic model to enhance the actors' immersion as dragon riders.
- As technology advances, the future of entertainment, including movies like How to Train Your Dragon, is expected to continue integrating CGI, motion capture technology, and practical effects to create more immersive experiences for viewers.
