Rango Soundbites And Behind The Scenes Clips Reveal Oddball Working Methods

Gore Verbinski’s animated film Rango was, before animation began, filmed as a rather basic stage production. You can see that process in this new featurette as Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher et al bounce about in a rudimentary set.

Now, I can see the benefits of this approach, not least in giving the actors something to work with or against in their performances, but I’d hate to think the animators were being bound to somehow copying the video reference. Using it as inspiration is one thing, but slavishly tracking it is another.

I don’t suppose the latter is the case (it’s too stupid a mistake) but it is, nonetheless, the impression the featurette has struggled to create. Curious idea. Seems related to the way motion and performance capture are routinely misrepresented as successors to animation.