Pixar films are not realistic. They are believable for the worlds we are creating.
John LasseterRead
When you take something that's inert, and through motion, give it life, make it appear to be alive, living, breathing thinking and having emotions, that's animation. But when you take something that's live-action, and move a part of it, that's a special effect.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote distinguishes between animation and special effects in filmmaking.
John Lasseter explains the difference between animation and special effects. He highlights that animation involves giving life to something inanimate—creating characters that appear to think and feel—while special effects refer to manipulating live-action elements to enhance the visual experience. This underscores the unique artistry involved in creating animated works versus enhancing real-life footage.
Themes
AnimationSpecial EffectsArtFilmmakingCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
A filmmaker might use this quote to explain the difference between animated films and action movies with visual effects.
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