Exclusive Video Interview with Bob Whitehill – Pixar’s 3D Stereoscopic Artist; Talks TOY STORY 3, CARS 2, BRAVE, and More

The first thing I need to say is I’m sorry to Bob Whitehill and Pixar/Disney.  While cleaning up my laptop this holiday weekend, I came across my Toy Story 3 folder and realized I never posted the video interview I did with Whitehill (Pixar’s 3D Stereoscopic Artist) while at Pixar earlier this year.  The video was in the media server, and I had written an intro, but for some reason it never got online.  Again, sorry.

But if you’re a fan of Pixar movies and how they get made, the interview with Whitehill is still worth checking out.  In fact, it might be better now, since most of you have seen Toy Story 3.  Anyway, as the guy who makes the 3D decisions on Pixar movies, Whitehill talked about how they picked their 3D moments in Toy Story 3, how the design of the films always starts on paper, explains a few secrets to look out for in Up, are they thinking about post converting older Pixar movies into 3D releases, and talks a bit about Cars 2 and Brave (which at the time was called The Bear and the Bow).  Hit the jump to watch:

Again, this interview was recorded earlier this year, so some of what Whitehill talks about could have changed.  If I get any emails from Pixar or Disney after posting this…I’ll update the story.

Finally, the beginning of the interview is a bit off subject, but after about a minute we’re into Pixar and their movies. I’ve time indexed our conversation so you can watch the parts that interest you.

Bob Whitehill

• Says he saw this video blog and I ask how much does he pay attention to online buzz
• 1:00 – We talk about how the ending wrecked me
• 1:45 – Talks about the squares and circles in Up. Also talks about the art department of Pixar
• 2:50 – The meaning behind images
• 3:40 – Are there similar things done in Toy Story 3 like they did in Up regarding shape theory.  Talks about how they did 3D in TS3
• 5:10 – Are previous Pixar movies being done in 3D right now
• 6:15 – Did he work on Day & Night
• 7:05 – How has 3D technology been shifting over the last few years
• 8:35 – Is he working on Cars 2 yet
• 8:52 – Says they have been doing some 3D test footage on The Bear and the Bow.  Talks about the movie and the characters
• 9:25 – Is Cars 2 going to be a challenge in 3D

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