If you’re looking for an inviting, warm backdrop for your holiday gatherings or just like to watch a hand-crafted tableau featuring Frozen favorites Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven, you’ll need to tune in to the new Arendelle Castle Yule Log: Cut Paper Edition, which premieres on Disney+ today (Dec. 17). The special is executive produced by Amy Astley, designed by Brittney Lee, with VFX supervision by Darin Hollings and effects animation by Dan Lund. We had a chance to chat with Brittney Lee, who was also a visual development artist on the two Frozen movies, about this fun holiday project. Here is what she told us:
Animation Magazine: You started your work at Disney with the acclaimed short Paperman. Can you tell us how that all came about?
Brittney Lee: I was very lucky, because I stumbled into Paperman. I had been working on another film at the time that was put on pause, so I was happy to have a chance to work on something so different and exciting. The experience of working on the short was intense because we all had to work in a very tight, specific style. I learned so much from our production designer Jeff Turley, though, and I fell completely head over heels in love with the project.
How did you segue from the short to feature films?
Even though Paperman was my first screen credit, I had already been working on a few feature projects at Disney before landing on Paperman. Artists usually move around to various projects within the studio, so it is not uncommon to go from working on a short one day to a feature the next (and vice versa). Shorts are usually much more fast-paced with tight deadlines, so it was a nice change of pace to move onto my next project — which turned out to be Frozen.
What do you love about your work as a visdev artist?
Every day is an adventure as a visual development artist! There are always new ideas to explore, and new problems to solve. I love that we tend to have the freedom to explore different techniques and styles on different films to find the best ways to illustrate ideas. For me that has ranged from building scale models out of candy for Wreck-it Ralph, to exploring song beats in Frozen II. The sky’s the limit, so there is never a dull moment!
I will also say that a huge part of what I love about the job is the process of working with so many incredibly wonderful and talented people in many different disciplines. I learn so much and am so inspired every day from the people around me that they really keep me motivated to create.
How did you get involved with the Yule Log?
The Yule Log was a wonderful surprise for me this year! Since it is already a holiday tradition to create a new version of the Arendelle Yule Log every year, the folks in the Creative Legacy department of our studio were brainstorming ideas for the new version, and our VFX supervisor Darin Hollings pitched the idea of me making this year’s version out of cut paper. I’ve worked with Darin since I was a trainee and I love the world of Frozen, so when they came to me with the idea for this year’s version I jumped at the chance.
Can you tell us about your experience working on the project?
While I am pretty used to working with paper, this year’s Yule Log involved a lot of trial and error. I constructed the composition out of layers of paper and paperboard, but there was also an animated fire that we wanted to feel as tactile as possible. We collaborated with Dan Lund (who is an amazing effects artist at Disney) to design animation cycles of the fire, and then I cut those designs out of paper as individual frames. Dan and Darin were incredible collaborators on the project, and brought so many helpful suggestions and insights every step of the way. They are the real wizards behind this year’s Arendelle Yule Log!
Why do you think it has become such a part of the Disney holiday tradition?
I think hearths and fireplaces are traditionally a symbol of warmth and bringing people together — especially for the holidays. For those of us who aren’t lucky enough to have a fireplace, Yule Logs provide that same warmth and comfort and a wonderful backdrop for holiday memories.
What can you tell us you have found special about your recent projects, especially any contributions to WDAS’ recent films?
I have been working in development for a while now, so the most recent film that I was able to make a significant contribution to was Frozen II. I cut my teeth on the first Frozen, and I really do feel at home whenever I get the chance to go back to that world. Working on the “Show Yourself” sequence was particularly special for me because I am a huge fan of musicals, but I rarely get a chance to specifically work on songs. I was able to spend hours analyzing the music and lyrics to really try to visualize what Elsa was experiencing, and building the ideas up to a presentation of the full sequence was incredibly challenging and rewarding.
What are you working on next?
I am currently production designing an unannounced feature film and am looking forward to being able to share more in the future!
Any career advice for young animation students who want to have a career as a development artist?
Pay attention to the things that excite and inspire you in every aspect of life. Whether it is relationships, hobbies, technology, your own lived experiences — you name it — those are the things that can’t be taught that will give you your own unique voice as an artist. Those inspirations will also remind you to enjoy and experience your life. As an artist it is so easy to feel like you need to be working and improving all of the time, but it is also so important to take breaks and fill your well of inspiration on a regular basis.
Also, whenever you can — lift others up. Being an artist can often feel like a solo endeavor, but animation is such a collaborative medium that really thrives when we trust and enjoy working with each other.
The Arendelle Castle Yule Log: Cut Paper Edition is currently streaming on Disney+.
