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The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie/production

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This is a production article for the SpongeBob SquarePants film, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, which aired on November 19, 2004.

Production[]

Development[]

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie was long planned.[1] Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures had approached series creator Stephen Hillenburg for a film based on the show, but he refused for more than a year.[2] Hillenburg was concerned, after watching The Iron Giant and Toy Story with his son, about the challenge of SpongeBob and Patrick doing something more cinematically-consequential and inspiring without losing what he calls the SpongeBob "cadence."[2] He said, on a break from season-four post-production, "To do a 75-minute movie about SpongeBob wanting to make some jellyfish jelly would be a mistake, I think... This had to be SpongeBob in a great adventure. That's where the comedy's coming from, having these two naïve characters, SpongeBob and Patrick, a doofus and an idiot, on this incredibly dangerous heroic odyssey with all the odds against them.[2]"

I never wanted to do a movie because I didn't think that what we wanted to say needed to be in a movie. I like the short form for animation. Then this story idea came up that lent itself to a longer format. You can't do a road trip adventure in a short form. - Stephen Hillenburg

In late 2002, Hillenburg and the show's staff stopped making episodes to work on the film after the show's third season.[3] The film's plot originally had SpongeBob rescue Patrick from a fisherman in Florida.[3] It was obviously a reference to the 2003 film, Finding Nemo. This was later said by Tom Kenny (the voice of SpongeBob) to be a "joke" plot to keep fans busy.[3] Stephen Hillenburg wrote the film with five other writer-animators from the show (Paul Tibbitt, Derek Drymon, Aaron Springer, Kent Osborne and Tim Hill) over a three-month period in a room of a former Glendale, California bank.[2] Osborne said, "It was hugely fun... although it did get kind of gamy in there."[2] At the beginning of the series, Hillenburg screened a number of silent shorts (from Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton) and work by two modern comic actors: Jerry Lewis and Pee-wee Herman, both obvious inspirations for SpongeBob.[4] For the film, the writers created a mythical hero's quest: the search for a stolen crown, which brings SpongeBob and Patrick to the surface.[4] Bill Fagerbakke (the voice of Patrick) said about the plot, "It's just nuts. I'm continually dazzled and delighted with what these guys came up with."[5]

When the film was completed, Hillenburg wanted to end the series "so the show wouldn't jump the shark"; however, Nickelodeon wanted more episodes.[6] He said, "Well, there was concern when we did the movie [in 2004] that the show had peaked. There were concerns among executives at Nickelodeon."[7][8] Hillenburg resigned as the series' showrunner,[9] appointing Paul Tibbitt (the show's supervising producer, writer, director and storyboard artist) to succeed him.[10] Tibbitt was one of Hillenburg's favorite crew members:[11] "[I] totally trusted him."[12] Tibbitt was showrunner from 2005 to 2015 and was and an executive producer.[10][13] Hillenburg no longer writes (or runs) the show on a day-to-day basis, but reviews each episode and submits suggestions: "I figure when I'm pretty old I can still paint [...] I don't know about running shows."[9][14] Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke and the crew confirmed that they had completed four episodes for broadcast on Nickelodeon in early 2005,[15][16] and planned to finish a total of 20 episodes for the fourth season.[15][16]

In September 2003 (during production), Jules Engel (Hillenburg's mentor when he studied experimental animation at the California Institute of the Arts) died.[17] Hillenburg dedicated the film to him: "He truly was the most influential artistic person in my life. I consider him my 'Art Dad'."[18][19][20]

Animation[]

Despite the theatrical and financial production budget costing around $60-70 million, the animation was the new expensive upgrade for this experience. There were a number of stages involved in the making of the film, beginning with a rough animation process of ideas drawn on Post-it notes.[21] The writers drew, working from rough outlines rather than scripts (which made the humor more visual than verbal).[4] Hillenburg said, "It's in the characters' extreme body language, in how they slither capriciously around the deadpan frames."[4] The storyboard artists, including Gary Trousdale and Sherm Cohen, then illustrated ideas conceived by the writers.[5] In the series Tom Yasumi and Andrew Overtoom do the animatics, but director Hillenburg and writer Derek Drymon did the animatics for the film.[22] Yasumi and Overtoom were the film's animation-timing directors, concentrating on the sheets.[22] The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie was animated at Rough Draft Studios in South Korea.[1] The animators used Toon Boom's new upgraded software, USAnimation (aka G2A.com), the traditional animation studio software that can take character models and composite them into 2D, it also used Viper® techniques, it helps to create limbs on characters such as, hair, head, arms, legs and body to have characters move automatically and it also match moves for live-action with traditional animation, it helps the designers and artists to give the animation a right layout. The animators worked semi-digitally; pencil-drawn poses would be composited into layouts in Photoshop.[23]

Series writer and storyboard artist Erik Wiese left the show for a year to work on Samurai Jack and Danny Phantom, but returned to do storyboards and character layout for the film.[6] He "always wanted to be a feature animator, and the movie felt like I was on the character animation end", describing the experience as "a blast—it felt like coming home."[6]

Hillenburg enjoyed the process of making the film:[3] "The TV schedule is tight, and you don't always have a lot of time to work on your drawings."[3] He appreciated the film's hand-drawn animation: "I think the movie's drawings are much superior than the TV show", although CGI animation was flourishing at the time of the film's release.[3] "There's a lot of talk about 2-D being dead, and I hope people don't think that. Even Brad Bird is a proponent of 2-D. He would agree with me that it's all about what you're trying to say. There are many ways to tell a story, and what's unique about animation is that there are many styles with which to tell a story."[3] The clay animation scenes were shot by Mark Caballero, Seamus Walsh and Chris Finnegan at Screen Novelties in Los Angeles.[20]

Filming[]

The film features live-action scenes directed by Mark Osborne in Santa Monica, California.[5][24] The ship used during the 30-second opening featuring the pirates singing the theme was the Bounty,[25][26] a 180-foot (55 m)-long, enlarged reconstruction of the 1787 Royal Navy sailing ship HMS Bounty built for 1962's Mutiny on the Bounty. The ship has appeared in a number of other films, including Treasure Island (1999), Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007).[27][28] In film trailers, live-action scenes were taken from Das Boot (1981), The Hunt for Red October (1990) and U-571(2000).[3] Most of the sequence and scenes was shot in Panavision's Remote & Camera Systems with Viper® HD Camera Transfer, it allows the film and print scenes digitally with 60fps. 18% of the live-action scenes were shot in 35mm.

Baywatch and Knight Rider actor David Hasselhoff made a cameo in the live-action scenes, offering SpongeBob and Patrick a ride to Bikini Bottom.[29] The scene was originally written before consulting Hasselhoff.[15][16] Lead storyboard artist Sherm Cohen said, "He had been wrestling with the ending for quite a while, and finally he was ready to pitch his ideas to some of the other board artists."[6] Hillenburg was counting on casting Hasselhoff, and the first question asked him was "So, do we have Hasselhoff?"[6] He replied "No", with a grin.[6] Hasselhoff eventually agreed, before seeing the script.[15][16] Hillenburg said about the actor, "He's a great guy... He was great at making fun of himself."[15][16]

David Hasselhoff replica for The SpongeBob Movie

The crew built an oversized replica of David Hasselhoff for visual effect.

The crew built a 750-pound (340 kg), 12-foot (3.7 m) replica of Hasselhoff.[24][29][30] The $100,000 replica was kept at Hasselhoff's home[31] he said, "It freaked me out because it was so lifelike, with teeth,when you touch it feels like real skin. It's soft, like your skin."[31] At the completion of filming, Hasselhoff said, "That's ridiculously awesome. What are you gonna do with it?"[31] Asked by the crew members if he wanted to keep it, he answered, "Uh, yeah. Okay."[31] Hasselhoff filmed in cold water, where he was pulled by a sled nine yards across the sea,[5][29] he described the experience as "cold but lots of fun."[21]

Music[]

Gregor Narholz composed the score for the film,[32][33][34] conducting the recording sessions (in 5.1 surround sound) with the London Metropolitan Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in London.[35][36] Narholz was signed when series music editor Nick Carr recommended him to Hillenburg after they worked together at the Associated Production Music library.[6] Narholz was honored at the 2005 ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards for his work on the film,[37] and received a nomination for Music in an Animated Feature Production at the 32nd Annie Awards.[38][39]

Two guitarists (one singing) and a drummer onstage

The Flaming Lips recorded "SpongeBob & Patrick Confront the Psychic Wall of Energy".

American rock band The Flaming Lips recorded "SpongeBob and Patrick Confront the Psychic Wall of Energy".[40][41] They shot the song's music video, directed by band member Wayne Coyne and filmmaker Bradley Beesley, in Austin, Texas.[40] Coyne said, "Stephen [Hillenburg] seems to be a fan of the weirder music of the late '80s and early '90s [...] He wanted to evoke the music he got turned onto back then."[40] Coyne suggested a duet with Justin Timberlake, but Hillenburg refused;[42] according to Coyle, " ... but [Stephen Hillenburg] said, 'I don't want any of those sort of commercial weirdos on there. I don't like those commercial people. I like you guys, and Wilco and Ween.'"[42] American band Wilco wrote and recorded "Just a Kid".[41][43] One of the film's producers contacted frontman Jeff Tweedy after seeing a SpongeBob air freshener hanging from Tweedy's rearview mirror in I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco.[43] Tweedy said, "I fell in love with SpongeBob when I heard him describe the darkness at the bottom of the sea as 'advanced darkness' [...] How could I not write a song for this film? It automatically makes me the coolest dad on the block."[43] Avril Lavigne recorded the series' theme for the soundtrack.[44][45][46] Other artists contributing to the soundtrack were Motörhead, singing "You Better Swim" (a derivative of their 1992 song "You'd Better Run");[47][48][49] Prince Paul ("Prince Paul's Bubble Party");[47] Ween ("Ocean Man"),[47] and the Shins ("They'll Soon Discover", partially written in 2001).[50]

"The Best Day Ever", written by Tom Kenny and Andy Paley, was featured in the film and on its soundtrack. Kenny and Paley were working on what would become the album The Best Day Ever, writing "The Best Day Ever" and "Under My Rock".[51] The film's production team needed two more tracks for the soundtrack;[51] Hillenburg heard the songs, and decided to include them.[51] "The Best Day Ever" ended up being played during the film's closing credits.[51]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Richmond, Ray (January 15, 2004). Special Report: Animation. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e Edelstein, David (November 7, 2004). He Lives in a Pineapple, but Then What?. The New York Times. Retrieved on August 19, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Koltnow, Barry. "SpongeBob creator is soaking up success", November 14, 2004. Retrieved on June 16, 2013. 
  4. ^ a b c d Edelstein, David (November 7, 2004). He Lives in a Pineapple, but Then What?. The New York Times. Retrieved on August 19, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: The Absorbing Tale Behind The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. DVD. Paramount Home Entertainment, 2005.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Heintjes, Tom (September 21, 2012). The Oral History of SpongeBob SquarePants. Hogan's Alley. Retrieved on August 23, 2013.
  7. ^ Cavna, Michael (July 14, 2009). The Interview: 'SpongeBob' Creator Stephen Hillenburg. The Washington Post. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  8. ^ The brilliance behind SpongeBob. Boston.com (July 16, 2009). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Bauder, David (July 13, 2009). SpongeBob Turns 10 Valued At $8 Billion. Huffington Post. Retrieved on May 22, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Fletcher, Alex (April 3, 2011). Paul Tibbitt ('Spongebob Squarepants'). Digital Spy. Retrieved on May 25, 2013.
  11. ^ Hillenburg, Stephen (2009). The First 100 Episodes - Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants (DVD). Paramount Home Entertainment. 
  12. ^ Cavna, Michael (July 14, 2009). The Interview: 'SpongeBob' Creator Stephen Hillenburg. The Washington Post. Retrieved on May 25, 2013.
  13. ^ Rae, Fiona (September 26, 2009). Paul Tibbitt interview. New Zealand Listener. Retrieved on May 25, 2013.
  14. ^ Nickelodeon’s ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ Reaches A Milestone: 10 Years. Access Hollywood (July 13, 2009). Retrieved on May 25, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e 10 secrets of SpongeBob SquarePants. The Chicago Tribune (November 19, 2004). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c d e Ten secrets of the SpongeBob movie. Today. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  17. ^ ules Engel Centennial Celebration Honored Legendary Animator and Founder of CalArts Animation. California Institute of the Arts. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  18. ^ VISUALIZING ART HISTORY: EXPERIMENTAL ANIMATION & ITS MENTOR, JULES ENGEL. Indie Gogo. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  19. ^ (SpongeBob Creator’s "Art Dad": JULES ENGEL [Short Form of Feature]. The Richest (March 5, 2013). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  20. ^ a b Amidi, Amid (November 28, 2004). More Thoughts on the Spongebob Movie. Cartoon Brew. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  21. ^ a b The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: Inside the Pineapple. DVD. Paramount Home Entertainment, 2005.
  22. ^ a b Andrew Overtoom Looks Back On VFS, Angry Beavers And SpongeBob SquarePants. Vancouver Film School (April 8, 2013). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  23. ^ Cohen, Sherm (March 29, 2013). While making the SpongeBob movie, it was the first.... Tumblr. Retrieved on August 23, 2013.
  24. ^ a b Brockes, Emma (August 5, 2012). David Hasselhoff: 'If we have to go with the Hoff to pay the rent, let's go with the Hoff'. The Guardian. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  25. ^ Burgeson, John (August 14, 2012). HMS Bounty, star of 1962 'Mutiny,' in Bridgeport this weekend. Connecticut Post. Retrieved on August 23, 2013.
  26. ^ Siegel, Andrea F. (June 14, 2012). Tall ship, replica of Bounty docked in Annapolis for tours. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved on August 23, 2013.
  27. ^ Curtis, Abigail (August 8, 2012). Ship replica used in ‘Mutiny on the Bounty,’ ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ opens to visitors in Belfast. Bangor Daily News. Retrieved on August 23, 2013.
  28. ^ Suehle, Ruth (October 31, 2012). Remembering the HMS Bounty and Her Role in the Movies. Wired. Retrieved on August 23, 2013.
  29. ^ a b c Movie chat: Actor David Hasselhoff. USA Today (November 11, 2004). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  30. ^ Winters, Rebecca (November 15, 2004). Q&A David Hasselhoff. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  31. ^ a b c d Bans, Lauren (October 2011). The GQ&A: David Hasselhoff. GQ. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  32. ^ APM Film and Television Composer Gregor Narholz Signs on to Score Activision's X-Men(TM) Legends Sequel. PR Newswire (March 9, 2005). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  33. ^ APM Film and Television Composer Gregor Narholz Signs on to Score Activision's X-Men(TM) Legends Sequel. Activision (March 9, 2005). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  34. ^ Gregor Narholz Scores X-Men. IGN (March 10, 2005). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  35. ^ Gregor, Narholz. Recording SpongeBob SquarePants. GregorNarholz.com. Retrieved on August 22, 2013.
  36. ^ Spongebob Squarepants Movie Taps APM/Sonoton. Tutorial Finder (November 17, 2004). Retrieved on August 23, 2013.
  37. ^ Gallo, Phil (April 27, 2005). Composers score kudos. Variety. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  38. ^ 32nd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2004). Annie Award. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved on May 22, 2013.
  39. ^ Spongebob Composer. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (December 1, 2005). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  40. ^ a b c Lips, Shins Kick Back With 'SpongeBob'. Billboard. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  41. ^ a b Flaming Lips and Wilco Featured on New SpongeBob Soundtrack. Paste (October 13, 2004). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  42. ^ a b Dufour, Matt. SpongeBob Soundtrack Boasts Shins, Wilco, And Flaming Lips Songs. The Fader. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  43. ^ a b c Devenish, Colin (September 10, 2004). Wilco Swim With Spongebob. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  44. ^ Mar, Alex (October 1, 2004). Avril Sings "SpongeBob". Rolling Stone. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  45. ^ Avril Soaks Up 'SpongeBob' Theme. Billboard. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  46. ^ AVRIL TO SING SPONGEBOB SOUNDTRACK. MTV (2004). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  47. ^ a b c D'Angelo, Joe. Flaming Lips, Wilco, 'Commercial Weirdo' Avril Lavigne Head Up 'SpongeBob' LP. MTV. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  48. ^ Motorhead Record Song For Spongebob Squarepants. Metal Underground. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  49. ^ INTERVIEW: Lemmy from Motorhead. Blogcritics (February 10, 2005). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  50. ^ From ‘Garden State’ to ‘SpongeBob,’ the Shins explode. The Eagle Online (November 21, 2004). Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
  51. ^ a b c d Plume, Ken. Interview: Tom Kenny. Fred Entertainment. Retrieved on August 2, 2013.
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