‘Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget’ Boldly Goes Where No Stop-Motion Movie Has Before
Netflix's 'Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget' is a much-anticipated sequel that pushes the boundaries of stop-motion animation.
Bigger Scale, Same Style
The sequel, 'Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,' is set 23 years after the original film and takes the story to a much larger farm. To handle the scale and production of the film, Aardman Animations turned to digital tools and virtual production. They were able to maintain the style and limitations of stop-motion animation while utilizing CG for larger sets and character models.
Animation supervisor Ian Whitlock explained that even with the use of CG, they remained true to the style of stop-motion animation. The CG chickens were limited to match what the physical puppets could do, and the majority of the film was shot on twos, giving it a chunky feel reminiscent of the original.
Despite the advancements in technology, the characters themselves have stayed true to their original designs. The animators made sure to maintain their heart, moves, and mannerisms, so it feels like they never left.
Virtual Production and Time-Saving Techniques
One of the breakthroughs in managing the larger sets of 'Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget' was the use of virtual production. This allowed filmmakers to visualize fully rendered visual effects on digitally scanned versions of live-action sets. It saved a lot of time in planning out sets and shots before animating the puppets.
Another time-saving development was the use of digital photography. In the original film, animators had to wait until the next day to see how their shots turned out. But with digital photography, they could immediately see and adjust their shots, resulting in a faster production timeline.
The puppets themselves have also undergone advancements since the first film. Silicones, polyurethane plastics, and 3D printed armature skeletons have been introduced, making the production of puppets faster. This, along with the use of character bibles, has allowed animators to work more efficiently and complete one second of film per day, as opposed to one second per week in the original 'Chicken Run.'
Fresh Voices, Same Acting
While there are some casting changes in 'Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,' the animators were able to maintain the same acting performances for the characters. Character bibles were created to ensure consistency in the characters' movements, expressions, and overall acting.
Director Sam Fell explained that they wanted to approach the sequel with fresh eyes and consider new casting choices. However, the animators were able to pick up right where they left off with the original characters thanks to the detailed character bibles.
One returning character is Ms. Tweedy, the villain from the first film. The team originally considered a different villain but ultimately decided to bring back Ms. Tweedy, as she is a significant part of the franchise's identity.
