Wallace & Gromit Vengeance Most Fowl Interview: Directors Talk Only Using CG “When It Looks Good”
We caught up with directors Steve Box and Nick Park at the San Francisco International Animation Festival to chat about their latest project, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. The film sees the return of the lovable, cheese-loving Wallace and his intelligent canine sidekick Gromit in a thrilling adventure filled with action, humor, and heart.
One of the most notable aspects of Vengeance Most Fowl is its blend of traditional claymation and computer-generated imagery (CG). For Box and Park, using CG was a deliberate decision, but only when they felt it was necessary. “We only use CGI when it looks good, and we’re not talking about some fancy animation for the sake of it,” Box explains. “For us, it’s always about what’s best for the story and what brings the characters to life. If CGI can help do that, then we’re happy to use it, but if it can be done traditionally, then that’s what we’ll choose.”
Park adds, “It’s all about knowing when to use the tools at your disposal. CG can be a fantastic asset, but it can also be a crutch if you rely on it too much. We’re firm believers in the importance of traditional animation, and Vengeance Most Fowl has a great balance of both.”
When asked about their approach to storytelling, the directors emphasize the importance of character development and clever storytelling. “We always put the characters first,” Park says. “Wallace and Gromit have been with us for a long time, and we know what makes them tick. We want to push them in new and interesting ways, but also make sure they stay true to themselves.”
Box adds, “Storytelling is all about pacing and surprises. We want to keep the audience on their toes, and that’s something we’ve always been very good at. Whether it’s a clever gag, a unexpected twist, or a heartfelt moment, our goal is to keep people engaged and entertained from start to finish.”
Vengeance Most Fowl is now available on DVD and VHS.