BEHIND THE SCENES: Aurora Jimenez Talks About 'Hotel Transylvania 2'
This weekend "Hotel Transylvania 2" will be released in theaters bringing together the same characters from the 2012 film. Latin Post had the opportunity of interviewing Visual Development Artist, Aurora Jimenez.
Jimenez, born in Spain, was part of the creative team that helped design and develop the look and feel of the Environments for the film. Jimenez spoke to Latin Post about the process and the experience of working on the sequel.
Latin Post: When did you get involved in the project and what kind of preparation was required when you started working on it?
Aurora Jimenez: I have worked in animation in Spain and I loved doing the work. So when I saw that there was a position open with Sony animation, I applied for it. So I did an interview, they loved my work and they brought me in for the movie. It was like any normal job.
LP: What was your main position throughout the film and did you see the first film in order to prepare your work?
AJ: Of course, I had to see the first film. This is a sequel and it is based on the same characters and we used some of the same locations. I was part of the visual development team and basically was in charge of designing the locations where the film takes place. The great thing about this movie is that while it is a sequel, we got to design new locations. We used the same hotel but inside it we designed new rooms and also used some of the ones from the original. It was so much fun. I got the chance to design one of the rooms and it was a feminine one. The room is very gothic and it has some scary elements.
LP: Since there were some sets that were in the first film, did you guys get to change any of these?
AJ: The designs were not changed but some of the colors were changed. This film is more luminous and bright. Visually it is very beautiful and interesting. And this all has to do with the story because the monsters are no longer hiding and the humans are no longer sad. The monsters are integrated with the humans. The humans are invited to the hotel and that makes the monsters livelier.
LP: What was the inspiration and the process of choosing the colors that were going to be used for this film?
AJ: The process is done with the art team in pre-production. The colors are later chosen for each scene and it is based on the tone of the scene. It will depend if the scene is happy or if it is sad. So it depends on the mood.
LP: What was it like to work with director Genndy Tartakovsky?
AJ: Working with the director was really interesting because he knows what he wants. He gives you enough liberty to design but I also learned a lot because he is in love with his characters and it is always an experience to see how he develops them.
LP: You work with video games as well. What is the difference between working in film vs. gaming?
AJ: As a designer you work with the art team in video games and there is a process. In film you are working much faster and you're working with multiple teams. I find it more interesting to work in film because the stories are more emotional and I find it more fun. Video games are cool and fun but artistically I find film more rewarding.
LP: Why did you decide to dedicate yourself to this craft?
AJ: My parents were owners of a bookstore and I grew up in that bookstore. I dedicated myself to reading and I would imagine the characters that were in the books. I used my imagination all the time. I learned that there was a job where I could use my imagination and I said I have to dedicate myself to it.
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