Monsters University: First Look at Designs of Characters

It's hard to believe that its been ten years since Pixar released the warm fuzzy monster movie that inspired a new found love for the misunderstood culture of those frightening creatures that go bump in the night. In 2001 Monsters, Inc. ranked No.1 at the box office its opening weekend, grossing $62,577,067 in North America alone and for the fourth full feature Pixar movie, it was more than just a hunch that Pixar was definitely the future of family favorites to come. Now ten years after its successful release, the buzz of a sequel has been more than confirmed. Ok so I fudged the details a bit. The buzz of a sequel was pretty much debunked during this years D23 Expo panel conducted by Monsters University director Dan Scanlon and animator Ricky Nierva. This is not a sequel at all but rather a prequel, which within it's own presents some rather interesting obstacles when it comes to designing original characters into younger, fresher new images. Although this feature is still in developmental phase and not due to release until June of 2013, we did get to preview what our college years monster buds might be looking like as well as some never before seen concept options of Mike and Sullivan early on. Here's some early concept work of Mike during the original story and character development stages:

You may be laughing and thanking Pixar for not entirely choosing to go with those rather odd looking Mikes but if you think that's funny, check out some early concept Sullivan:

After previewing those Pixar vault gems, Ricky and Dan began with the real life stages of character development and the animators rather extreme process as they start the story concept from scratch. Everyone knew they chose the right panel to attend when Dan explained that they had to dig deep and remember their own college years. A roar of laughs filled the auditorium as pictures of both Ricky and Dan during their college days were projected on the stages big over head screen. 

Dan, in the left side picture joked about why he may have been holding a loaf of Wonder Bread and then went on to compliment Ricky on how little he's changed since college as seen on the picture to the right. The point was that like all Pixar or Disney features, directors, animators and story developers do their research and take it seriously. Well maybe not that seriously but their goal as Dan and Ricky repeated throughout the panel, is always to find what, in detail, makes the characters so unique and capture that essence and make the characters memorable. Realism of story is paramount when it comes to developing the overall feel and environment of Monster University. College campuses were visited and researched for landscaping and architectural concepts for the film. These guys really get out and do their homework. 

The next topic in the panel focused on character de-aging, which brought up a very interesting point to ponder as pictured below; 

Well luckily we had the experts to show us how. "It's all about detail and not deviating too far away from the character itself", explained Ricky. Enhancements were tested at many different levels of development. Not only was the animation of the character the main concern but also the personality of the character that needed to be taken into consideration. Here are some really awesome concepts for Mike and Sully, the college years; 

Obviously with more features involved, Sully was much more diverse on the concept board. As seen in the pictures below, animators have more free reign to change up his hair, size and accessories; 

After all the concept options were reviewed, Ricky and Dan gave us exactly what we came for. They unveiled the final result of what we can expect Sullivan and Mike to look like in the 2013 release of Monsters Inc. prequel, Monsters University. Of coarse a small disclaimer had to be stated regarding the movie still being in developmental stage and there could be some varying differences in the final version of the character in the movie but the guys promised that what they were showing us was as close to final as it comes. The de-aging details are rather subtle and simple but still very obvious. The attention to even smaller details are amazing. For example; Sullivans fur is much shaggier or as Ricky affectionately referred to, "the bed head look". Also the coloring of his coat as well as the formation of his spikes and horns seem rather pre-pubescent and under developed. My favorite addition to young college Mike is his retainer. Yes, Mike has a retainer! Mike also has brighter coloring and freckles but more obviously he lacks an eye crease that our Monsters Inc. age Mike had. Other de-aging details for Mike are his under developed horns that are more blunt and not discolored as well as cleaner less sharp looking claws. Oh yeah and both are much thinner. 

Although the main plot of the movie was not entirely revealed, the story as a whole will be about Sully and Mike in college and how their friendship developers during that time. Along with Mike and Sully we will see some very familiar monsters from the Monsters Inc. movie as well as some new monster characters that Dan is confident we will love. Billy Crystal and John Goodman will be returning as Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan, plus even Steve Buscemi as Randall. This announcement received rather boisterous applause and fanatic hooting from panel attendees. 

At the end of the panel a Q and A session was opened and other vague but exciting spoilers were revealed. For instance there will be a rather familiar establishment from the first movie which will make a cameo appearance in Monsters University. We can only guess which place this may be as it was not disclosed. Also there will  some fun 80's college movie type references here and there within the movie. 

Even though I was hoping for more detailed spoilers for the flick, I did not walk away from this panel feeling disappointment at all. Dan Scanlon and Ricky Nierva did an excellent job walking us through concept of story and character development and I was more than ecstatic to be able to scope out many of the concept works involved, which usually is a rare opportunity. I am so happy that D23 Expo 2011 had the fore site to schedule this panel and give us fanatics a glimpse into the magical wielding involved in animating and creating masterpieces of art and entertainment. I will admit i had my doubts when I first heard of a Monsters Inc sequel, mostly because of my fears that one of my favorite Pixar films would be ruined by an attempt to resurrect its original success through a new story. This panel did well to change my opinion and really get me excited about the new movie. Afterall it's not at sequel but a prequel! 

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