Given that it’s only 64 pages long, “The Art of Meet the Robinsons” (Hyperion, February 2007) can hardly be called an in-depth look at the creation of Walt Disney Feature Animation’s next release.
Copyright 2007 Disney Editions
But — then again — given that making-of books aren’t selling all that well these days … Well, I guess it only makes sense that the folks at Disney Editions would take a more cautious approach this time around. Rather than creating yet another expensive coffee table book that would just wind up on the remainder table, they opted to go small this time around. Both in the number of pages as well as in the subject matter that this hardcover tries to cover.
Ah, but that’s the real beauty of this Tracey Miller-Zarneke book. Rather than reproducing beautifully composed final shots from this Steve Anderson film and/or talking about how the production team struggled to adapt William Joyce’s “A Day with Wilbur Robinson” to the big screen, “The Art of Meet the Robinsons” just tries to do one thing well. Which is showcase some of the many preproduction drawings & paintings that were done as art directors Robh Ruppel & David Goetz tried to get a handle on this animated feature’s unique style of visual storytelling.
You see, in “Meet the Robinsons,” so much of the storytelling is done visually. Take — for example — that warm golden sunlight that illuminates the gymnasium as the science fair is getting underway. Which gives the audience hope that Lewis’ latest invention might actually work. Then follow that with the cold, gray damp light that fills this same space when things suddenly go disastrously wrong.
Copyright 2007 Disney Editions
It’s these sorts of visual cues (Along — of course — with the finished animation as well as the musical underscore) that helps the audience to know how it’s supposed to feel. Whether they should be feeling sympathy for our hero, be concerned for his welfare or rooting for him to succeed.
And “Meet the Robinsons” is loaded with this sort of stylistic shorthand. The squat, square architecture of the orphanage where Lewis lives and the closed-off feeling of the neighborhood that surrounds him re-enforces how trapped this orphan feels, how hopeless his future seems toward the start of this film.
Now contrast that with the future that Lewis encounters when Wilbur time-naps him. It’s filled with colorful, curvy buildings that stand tall against a beautiful blue sky. It’s an environment that just radiates hope & optimism.
Copyright 2007 Disney Editions
On the other hand, when Lewis winds up in an alternate version of the future (Which was manufactured by the Bowler Hat Guy’s nefarious mechanical companion, Doris), he encounters this dirty over-developed environment that seemingly stretches out forever under a smog-filled sky. (FYI: The inspiration for this particular setting in “Meet the Robinsons” came from a Disney artist who — as he was flying back into LAX — looked out the window and observed how depressing Southern California looks from the sky.)
Anyway … These are the sorts of things that you’ll learn about as you read through “The Art of Meet the Robinsons.” The little artistic decisions that were made by all the talented folks at WDFA that really help to make individual scenes in this new animated feature visually pop.
Now add to this Miller-Zarneke’s gift for pulling entertaining quotes out of her interview subjects (EX: Bill Joyce’s description of Cornelius Robinson’s research laboratory: “It’s like Dr. Frankenstein set up shop in Wonkaland”) as well as her ability to sniff out fun behind-the-scenes stories (I.E. Why the production team eventually decided to put a shirt on fat old Uncle Joe. Given that earlier bare-chested version of this character — according to “Meet the Robinsons” screenwriter Don Hall — looked like ” … a half-naked, scary, bald serial killer”) and you’ve got a really fun read.
Copyright 2007 Disney Editions
Now top that all off with a fun foreword by new Disney / Pixar Animation ubermeister John Lasseter as well as a heartfelt afterword by Anderson … And I think that you’ll see that — even though this new hardcover is only 64 pages long — there’s still a lot to like about “The Art of Meet the Robinsons.”
Your thoughts?