Pete Docter, CEO of Pixar, and Hayao
Miyazaki , co-founder of Studio Ghibli ,
star in a recent fascinating exchange about the creative process in animated
film production, revealing deep philosophical differences between their
respective studios' approaches. During a conversation hosted by Tokyo FM's popular
'Ghibli Sweaty' radio show, Docter asked Miyazaki: " When do
you make changes for yourself and when do you make them for the audience?" ».
Miyazaki's response was blunt: " I never think about the
audience ."
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This dialogue offers a unique window into the
mindset of two animation giants, each with a distinctive approach to the art of
storytelling. Miyazaki, known for his insistence on artistic integrity
and authenticity, espouses a vision in which the creator takes full
responsibility for the final product. For him, the creative process
cannot be delegated or influenced by outside opinion, as would be the audience
tests that Pixar frequently uses. According to Miyazaki, " it
is impossible for all viewers to understand a film, we are the ones who take
responsibility, so we cannot leave it in the hands of someone who is simply
there ."
On the other hand, Docter, executive producer of the
long-awaited 'Inside Out 2', describes a much more open and inclusive process,
where audience testing plays a crucial role. For Pixar, these test
screenings allow them to measure whether certain emotional scenes really
'resonate' with audiences, giving them the opportunity to make adjustments that
make the film more effective for most viewers. Docter argues that 'it
is our responsibility to adjust the film so that it resonates with as many
people as possible while they watch it.'
The question that arises from this contrast
is: Which of these two views is correct?
- Miyazaki's
stance resonates with those who value artistic purity and uncompromising
personal expression. By not allowing the audience to influence the
creative process, Miyazaki ensures that the final work is an authentic
representation of his and the Ghibli team's vision. This approach
can lead to deeply personal and original films, although it also runs the
risk of alienating some of the audience who might not grasp all the
subtleties of the message.
- In
contrast, Pixar's methodology, championed by Docter, reflects a more democratic and pragmatic approach to filmmaking. By taking
audience reactions into account during the production process, Pixar can
fine-tune its product to ensure its films are accessible and emotionally
impactful for a wide range of viewers. However, this could be
seen by some as a dilution of art in favor of commerciality.
Both approaches have their merits, and ultimately
the 'right' one may depend on the filmmaker's goal. For those like
Miyazaki, who seek to create works of art that reflect their personal vision
without compromise, ignoring the audience could be the right choice. On
the other hand, for studios like Pixar, whose goal is to connect emotionally
with as many people as possible, audience testing can be an invaluable tool.
Source: ComicNatalie
