Ep 26. Jerome Ranft: Pixar Sculpton

Jerome Ranft: Pixar Sculptor is the 26th episode of the first season of One Day at Disney. This episode introduces the audience to Jerome Ranft, a sculptor at Pixar Animation Studios. Jerome Ranft has been working for Pixar for over a decade, and he takes the audience through his journey as a sculptor at Pixar.

The episode begins with Jerome Ranft arriving at Pixar Studios. He talks about his job and how he enjoys working in a team environment that generates creative ideas. Jerome sculpted the likenesses of the characters Merida and Elinor from Brave in preparation for the character modeling artists to create the digital models.

Jerome explains the process of creating physical sculptures and how this is beneficial for animators when they are trying to create digital models. By having a physical model in front of them, they are able to see how light bounces off the characters and how the characters move in space.

Jerome Ranft also goes over the process of creating a sculpture for a character, which begins with taking photos of the character's features from different angles. Once he has gathered the photos, he then begins to sculpt a model of the character's face. Jerome explains it is his job to emphasize the features that are most important so that the animators can see them in the finished animation.

One of the most impressive sculptures that Jerome Ranft has created is the life-size Na'vi sculpture from Avatar. He talks about the process of creating this sculpture, like measuring the proportions of the creature and creating them from a large block of foam. The final product was so realistic that it was used as a photo-op for visitors to Pixar Studios.

Jerome also talks about how he collaborates with other departments at Pixar, including the art and story departments. He shares that he has to work closely with the art department to make sure that the characters he creates fit within the world of the film they'll be used in. He also works closely with the story department to help create moments in the film that are memorable for the audience.

Throughout the episode, Jerome Ranft shares how much he enjoys working at Pixar and how his love for sculpture has made his job even more enjoyable. He also puts a lot of emphasis on having fun at work and how important it is to enjoy what you do.

The episode ends with Jerome Ranft reflecting on his career at Pixar and sharing his excitement for the projects he still has ahead of him. He talks about how his job is never boring and how he is always learning new techniques. The audience is left with an appreciation for the artistic side of animation and an understanding of how much work goes into creating a successful film.