The landscape of animation is changing, and it’s fascinating to see how original stories can captivate audiences. Recently, during a Hollywood Reporter animation roundtable, Maggie Kang, the filmmaker behind KPop Demon Hunters, and Domee Shi, co-director of Elio, tackled the pressing issue of representation in the face of industry reluctance. While it’s exhilarating when a fresh narrative like KPop Demon Hunters finds success, the reality is that original ideas can sometimes falter, as Zhou Shi pointed out about Elio’s underwhelming box office performance.
Shi shared her insights on the challenging journey of bringing animated films to fruition. “Creating animated films is an arduous task filled with financial risks, irrespective of whether they’re original content or sequels,” she noted, reflecting on her experience following the unexpected hit of Turning Red.
Her candidness continued as she discussed Elio’s release, stating, “At Pixar, we are constantly striving to produce unique and relatable stories, yet it remains a difficult battle. Elio was released this summer and, to be blunt, it was severely underperforming at the box office.”
Despite these challenges, Shi expressed optimism, mentioning that the characters in Elio have garnered admiration within the animation community. “Those who experienced it genuinely loved it, but it’s a major challenge to make original films stand out amidst the overwhelming influx of content,” she shared.
Moreover, she praised Kang’s work, regarding KPop Demon Hunters as a significant inspiration for original films and advocating for more creative risks from major studios.
Kang then elaborated on the lengthy journey to produce KPop Demon Hunters, stating, “Our process began years ago at Sony Animation, where marketing plays a crucial role in determining what films are produced. I firmly believe our K-pop theme was vital in getting it greenlit.”
The success of K-pop fueled a unique creative spark for Kang. “I wanted to create the most Korean film possible, driven by my identity as a Korean creator. It was essential to showcase our culture authentically,” she explained. “Many have never seen this level of representation, and my parents were emotional when they first witnessed it on screen.”
Kang remains realistic about the industry’s expectations. “Having spent most of my career at DreamWorks, I’ve learned that studios prioritize marketability. Animation is costly, so showcasing universal ideas that resonate with audiences is crucial,” she stated.
What are the key challenges for original animated films today? The struggle is real, as major studios often favor sequels over original concepts, fearing financial risks.
How can underrepresented cultures find their voice in animation? Successful stories like KPop Demon Hunters highlight that genuine representation can connect with audiences and inspire studios to take more creative risks.
What strategies help original animated films succeed? A combination of strong marketing and relatable storytelling is essential to cut through competitive noise in the industry.
As we navigate the evolving animation landscape, KPop Demon Hunters and Elio serve as reminders that original stories have their place. Embrace the narrative uniqueness, and who knows what you’ll discover next! To explore more about the latest in film and animation, stay tuned to Moyens I/O.