Creators of ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘The Bad Guys,’ ‘In Your Dreams’ and ‘The Willoughbys’ Take on the Future of Storytelling
Key Takeaways
- Real-time technology, such as Unreal Engine, is revolutionizing animation production by enhancing speed and creative flexibility.
- Fan engagement and audience-created content are becoming crucial marketing tools, often proving more authentic and persuasive than studio promotions.
- Younger audiences no longer view animation as strictly children's entertainment, recognizing its potential for broad themes and tones.
- There is an ongoing tension and need for balance between embracing digital production tools and incorporating practical, physical assets.
- The future of storytelling involves a necessary interaction and conversation between creators and their fan bases.
The Future of Storytelling panel at the View Conference in Turin brought together animation directors from DreamWorks, Netflix, and Sony Pictures Animation to discuss industry shifts driven by technology, fan interaction, and changing audience views. Directors noted that real-time technology, particularly Unreal Engine, is fundamentally altering animation production by increasing speed and creative flexibility, though some advocated for balancing digital tools with practical effects. A significant theme was the power of fan engagement, exemplified by 'KPop Demon Hunters,' where audience-generated content proved more persuasive than studio marketing, suggesting a shift toward two-way creator-fan conversations. Panelists also addressed the outdated perception of animation as solely for children, pointing to global influences like anime and emphasizing that younger audiences embrace its broad thematic range. The discussion concluded with a recognition that while audiences are fragmented, the democratization of distribution favors smart, talented filmmakers who pay attention to where content consumption is happening.
