My Interview With BIG HERO 6 Directors Don Hall & Chris Williams
Behind the Scenes: Interview with Big Hero 6 Directors Don Hall and Chris Williams
Big Hero 6 has quickly become a favorite among children. It’s not just the delightful characters and engaging storyline they are drawn to; the film has also been a hit on DVD. However, while children may be enamored with the on-screen action, they’re often unaware of the fascinating backstage process that goes into creating such an entertaining movie. As a film enthusiast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Directors Don Hall and Chris Williams to get an insider’s perspective.
Passion Behind Big Hero 6
When asked about his passion, Don Hall revealed that as a child, he was drawn to both Disney Animation and Marvel Comics. “I started thinking about it and as a kid, I loved Disney Animation. Obviously, that’s what brought me here and I also loved Marvel Comics, it’s really where I learned to draw and tell stories,” said Hall.
This passion led him to pitch the idea of a Disney/Marvel animated film which was instantly well-received. However, finding the perfect fit for this ambitious project wasn’t easy. After exploring various ideas, Hall came across a comic he had never read before: Big Hero 6.
The Birth of a Unique Idea: Japanese Super Heroes
Upon researching the comic further, Hall was intrigued by the concept of Japanese Super Heroes. He believed it could make for a light-hearted film with fun characters. After pitching the idea alongside several others, the rest, as they say, is history.
Chris Williams, too, was captivated by the idea when Hall first presented it. The emotional depth of the main character, who loses his brother and is left with his brother’s creation, a surrogate older brother, deeply resonated with Williams. The directors hoped that this emotional core would engage and move audiences.
The Success of Big Hero 6
Although the directors were confident about the movie’s potential, it wasn’t until they sat with an actual audience, observing their reactions – the laughter, gasps, and tears – that they truly realized the film’s impact. “It has to be funny, it has to be exciting, and you must have thrilling action scenes. But if it doesn’t have that core emotion, then you’ve failed,” they agreed.
One of the highlights of Big Hero 6 for both directors is the character of Baymax and his dynamic relationship with Hiro. They are immensely proud of how Baymax has resonated with audiences worldwide and believe he will leave a lasting legacy in Disney’s history.
Developing Hiro’s Character
When developing Hiro’s character, the directors brought in a clinical pathologist, which provided invaluable insights into teen loss and validated their approach. They also drew from personal life experiences, which further enriched the storytelling process.
The Marvel Tradition: Including Stan Lee
Like all Marvel movies, Big Hero 6 includes Stan Lee. Initially, this was put on the backburner until the directors saw the audience’s reaction to the Howard the Duck scene in Guardians Of The Galaxy. This led them to hastily include a similar scene in Big Hero 6, maintaining the Marvel tradition.
The Journey to the Academy Awards
Big Hero 6 has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Feature Film, a dream come true for the directors. Despite the challenges they faced during the making of the film, they agreed that it was all worth it in the end. “We achieved it with hundreds of really talented artists who are so invested and give everything they have, and they give years of their creative lives to this one thing. And so we achieved it with them and I’m really proud of what ultimately came together,” said Chris Williams.
If you haven’t watched Big Hero 6 yet, I strongly recommend you do. It’s a delightful film that offers an engaging story and fun characters. And now that you know the story behind its creation, you’ll appreciate it even more.
Connect with Big Hero 6
For more about Big Hero 6, follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. You can also visit their website.
| Big Hero 6 | Information |
| — | — |
| Idea Behind the Making | Don Hall, a director, wanted to merge his passions of Disney Animation and Marvel Comics. He pitched the idea of a Disney/Marvel animated film. |
| Inspiration | Don Hall came across a comic he had never read, Big Hero 6, and was inspired by the idea of Japanese Super Heroes. |
| Character Creation | The directors are particularly proud of the character Baymax, and how it resonated with people worldwide. |
| Hiro’s Character | The directors sought insight from a clinical pathologist to help mold Hiro’s character and his experience of loss. |
| Stan Lee’s Inclusion | Initially overlooked, the team decided to include a cameo from Stan Lee, a tradition in Marvel movies, after seeing audience reactions to a similar scene in Guardians of the Galaxy. |
| Academy Award | Big Hero 6 was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Feature Film. The directors agreed it was the most challenging story they’ve ever worked on, due to its ambitious nature and emotional depth. |
| Directors’ Pride | Both directors were proud of the final result, attributing it to the hard work and investment of hundreds of talented artists. |
Diving Deeper: Exploring the Magic Behind Big Hero 6
Big Hero 6 has captivated audiences worldwide, charming both children and adults alike. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes? How did such a unique concept come to life? In an exclusive interview, directors Don Hall and Chris Williams shed light on the inner workings of this successful film.
The Genesis of an Idea: Fusing Disney with Marvel
Don Hall’s love for Disney Animation and Marvel Comics laid the foundation for Big Hero 6. His childhood passion for these two worlds led him to envision a project that would combine them, resulting in a novel animated film. The idea was instantly well-received, but finding the ideal story for this ambitious project was a challenge. That’s when Hall stumbled upon an obscure comic: Big Hero 6.
Creating a Unique Blend: Japanese Super Heroes
Big Hero 6 was a comic that few knew about, but its concept of Japanese Super Heroes intrigued Hall. He believed this could translate into a light-hearted film with compelling characters. When he pitched this concept, it was met with enthusiasm, marking the beginning of Big Hero 6’s journey to the big screen.
Chris Williams, too, was instantly drawn to this unique idea. The emotional depth of the story, focusing on a young boy who loses his brother and finds solace in his brother’s creation, struck a chord with him. The directors believed that this emotional core would deeply engage audiences.
The Impact of Big Hero 6
While the directors were confident about the film’s potential, it was the audience’s reaction that confirmed its success. The laughter, gasps, and tears of the viewers affirmed that they had achieved their goal. “It has to be funny, it has to be exciting, and you must have thrilling action scenes. But if it doesn’t have that core emotion, then you’ve failed,” they agreed.
Baymax: The Heart of Big Hero 6
One of the standout aspects of Big Hero 6 is the character of Baymax. The directors expressed immense pride in how Baymax has resonated with audiences worldwide, believing that he will leave a lasting legacy in Disney’s history.
Shaping Hiro: Drawing from Real Life
Developing Hiro’s character was a careful process. They consulted a clinical pathologist to gain insights into teen loss, which validated their approach. Moreover, they drew from their personal life experiences, enriching the storytelling process.
Incorporating Marvel’s Signature: Stan Lee
True to Marvel tradition, Big Hero 6 includes a cameo from the legendary Stan Lee. This was initially overlooked, but after observing the audience’s reaction to the Howard the Duck scene in Guardians Of The Galaxy, they quickly incorporated a similar scene in Big Hero 6.
The Road to the Oscars
The journey to the Academy Awards, where Big Hero 6 was nominated for Best Feature Film, was a dream come true for the directors. Despite the challenges, they agreed that the results were worth the effort. “We achieved it with hundreds of really talented artists who are so invested and give everything they have, and they give years of their creative lives to this one thing. And so we achieved it with them and I’m really proud of what ultimately came together,” said Chris Williams.
Stay Connected with Big Hero 6
To learn more about Big Hero 6, follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, or visit their website.
Big Hero 6 is more than just an animated film; it’s a testament to the power of storytelling, creativity, and passion. Now that you know the story behind its creation, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate it even more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What inspired Don Hall to pitch the idea of a Disney/Marvel animated film?
Don Hall was drawn to both Disney Animation and Marvel Comics from a young age. This passion led him to pitch the idea of a Disney/Marvel animated film.
2. How did Big Hero 6 come into existence?
Don Hall discovered a comic he had never read before: Big Hero 6. Intrigued by the concept of Japanese Super Heroes, he pitched the idea and it was well-received.
3. What attracted Chris Williams to the project?
Chris Williams was captivated by the emotional depth of the main character who loses his brother and is left with his brother’s creation, a surrogate older brother.
4. How did the directors realize the film’s impact?
The directors realized the film’s impact when they observed the audience’s reactions – the laughter, gasps, and tears – during screenings.
5. Who is one of the most beloved characters in Big Hero 6?
One of the highlights of Big Hero 6 for both directors is the character of Baymax and his dynamic relationship with Hiro.
6. How was Hiro’s character developed?
The directors brought in a clinical pathologist to provide insights into teen loss. They also drew from personal life experiences which enriched the storytelling process.
7. Does Big Hero 6 maintain the Marvel tradition of including Stan Lee?
Yes, like all Marvel movies, Big Hero 6 includes Stan Lee. After seeing the audience’s reaction to the Howard the Duck scene in Guardians Of The Galaxy, the directors included a similar scene in Big Hero 6.
8. Was Big Hero 6 nominated for any awards?
Big Hero 6 was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Feature Film, a dream come true for the directors.
9. Where can fans connect with Big Hero 6 online?
Fans can follow Big Hero 6 on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. They can also visit their website.
Table: Key Takeaways from the Interview
Directors | Inspiration | Key Character | Awards |
---|---|---|---|
Don Hall | Disney Animation & Marvel Comics | Baymax | Academy Award Nominee |
Chris Williams | Emotional depth of characters | Hiro | Academy Award Nominee |