io9 recently caught up with filmmaker Dean DeBlois, the creative force behind both the DreamWorks animated franchise and Universal Pictures’ upcoming live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon.
DeBlois discussed the process to bring the Viking world of Berk to life, emphasizing the vital role of practical effects in capturing the experience of interacting and riding dragons for his actors. That was key in making big moments feel real, particularly when Hiccup (Mason Thames) meets his future Nightfury friend.
“Toothless in those scenes was a foam head,” DeBlois said. Animatronics were used during all the flight sequences. “We had to capture convincing movement from our actors when they were riding dragons rather than just having them sit in a box and be moved around,” he said. “And that meant that we built these giant gimbals that were about eight or 10 feet tall that could move in six different axes.” Each dragon in the film had its own animatronic model to assist the actors in immersing themselves as dragon riders.
Thames obviously had to spend the most time “on dragon,” since the story focuses on Hiccup and Toothless’ journey. DeBlois described the experience of bringing dragon riding to life for his lead actor: “It was the chest, the neck, and the head, and they could all move independently, either joystick controlled or controlled by animation that had already been done by the animators. As he is dipping and diving and rolling and ascending, Mason’s body is reacting to all of that like a jockey on a horse.”
DeBlois revealed that the technique was very new. “It’s the first time anyone had done it actually, so it was fraught with anxiety that it might not work or break down on us, but it turned out to be perfect.”
The magic of John Powell’s iconic themes for the animated films, in collaboration with cinematographer Bill Pope’s eye for visuals, helped breathe new life into Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless. The collaboration really steered the film in the direction DeBlois aimed for. Of Pope’s work behind the camera, he said, “I think Bill understood from the beginning that there was a lot to preserve about the animated movie that we had to try to keep in place. The whimsy in the heart and the sense of wish fulfillment and fantasy. Through his camera lens, the world becomes grounded but retains all of those things. And of course John Powell’s music just marries it all.”
The expansion of the score was of great importance, DeBlois said. “I always say that everything we do in making a movie gets it halfway there, and then you hand it to the composer and they’ll take it the other half of the way because music transcends words and goes right to the heart.” He added that they were fortunate to have Powell’s iconic music accompanying the narrative, elevating it to new heights.
With the anticipation of the film’s release, we noted that Berk now has a real-life version fans can visit at Epic Universe and asked his thoughts on the land at Universal Orlando Resort. While he didn’t get to test most of the rides, he was pleased with the way it brought the Isle of Berk’s life with dragons to our universe.
“I thought it was gonna be a little corny, but it turned out to be kind of amazing,” he said of the Toothless meet and greet. He was also really impressed by Universal Orlando’s casting for the theme park version of Hiccup.
“The kid has really done his study; he has all of the mannerisms and voice down but also embodies the characteristics that Jakob Jensen, [the film’s] lead animator, brought to it,” he added.
How to Train Your Dragon hits theaters June 13.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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