Inside Illumination Entertainment: A Look at the Company Behind Your Favorite Animated Films

Have you ever wondered what goes into making your favorite animated films? Look no further than Illumination Entertainment. Founded in 2007, the film production company has made a name for itself with hits like “Despicable Me,” “The Secret Life of Pets,” and “Sing.” In this article, we’ll take a look at the inner workings of Illumination Entertainment and how they bring their movies to life.

The History of Illumination Entertainment

Illumination Entertainment was founded by Chris Meledandri, a former head of Fox Animation. He had a vision of creating family-friendly movies that would appeal to both children and adults. Meledandri left Fox in 2007 to start his own company, with the goal of producing one animated film per year.

The company’s first film, “Despicable Me,” was released in 2010 and was a massive success, grossing over $500 million worldwide. Since then, they have released over a dozen films, with more in the works.

Their Creative Process

Illumination Entertainment’s creative process starts with the script. The writers work closely with the director and producer to ensure that the story will resonate with the target audience. They also pay close attention to the balance between humor and heart, a hallmark of Illumination’s films.

Once the script is finalized, the animators take over. They use the latest technology to create 3D models of the characters and environments, which are then animated by hand. It’s a labor-intensive process that can take months to complete.

One of the unique aspects of Illumination’s films is their use of music. They often incorporate popular songs into the soundtrack, which can be both catchy and emotionally resonant. For example, “Happy” by Pharrell Williams was a standout hit from “Despicable Me 2.”

The Importance of Voice Actors

Voice acting is a crucial component of any animated film, and Illumination Entertainment has worked with some of the best in the business. Steve Carell brought Gru to life in the “Despicable Me” films, while Matthew McConaughey voiced Buster Moon in “Sing.”

The actors bring their own unique flair to the roles, helping to make the characters more relatable and memorable. Illumination has also been known to cast against type, as they did with Louis C.K. in “The Secret Life of Pets.”

The Future of Illumination Entertainment

Illumination Entertainment has several exciting projects in the works, including a sequel to “Sing” and a new version of “Super Mario Bros.” They also recently signed a deal with Nintendo to create films based on their popular characters.

One thing is clear: Illumination Entertainment shows no signs of slowing down. With their talented team of writers, animators, and voice actors, they are sure to continue producing box office hits for years to come.

Conclusion

Illumination Entertainment has become one of the most successful film production companies in the industry, thanks to their unique blend of humor, heart, and music. From their early days with “Despicable Me” to their current projects, it’s clear that their commitment to quality and innovation is unwavering.

The next time you watch one of their films, take a moment to appreciate all of the hard work and creativity that went into it. You’ll see that Illumination Entertainment truly is a company that loves what they do, and it shows in every frame of their movies.