acknowledgments

introduction

PART ONE from andy's room to ant island The art of animation soared "to infinity and beyond" with the blockbuster 1995 hit Toy Story--the first full-length animated feature created entirely by artists using computer technology. For their second film, Pixar and Disney chose a 180-degree turn--to the environs, characters and subject matter of the miniature world of insects. It's a colossal enterprise that pushes the boundaries of computer animation "to infinitesimal and beyond!"

PART TWO a big idea gets...smaller Every animated feature begins with inspirations and works its way to the foundation of a solid story. This creative path can be circuitous, however. Discover the development and inspirations that led to the creation of A Bug's Life, including false starts and course alterations, and witness the primary importance of story in the creation of an animated feature. Meet an engaging cast of insect characters--and the people and processes involved in their creation. creation.

PART THREE buggin' out Computers don't animate--people do! A showcase of the people and the technology that create the characters and settings of A Bug's Life, the quantum advances in that technology since Toy Story, and the myriad techniques utilized to create a whole new world--not just a replication of reality, but a created world that brings audiences into a "hyper-real" vision of A Bug's Life--an insect-sized realm on a Hollywood Epic scale.

PART FOUR from ant island to...? In the final analysis, the success of a film lies in the strength of its story, the artistry of the animators, and the warmth, humor, and sensitivity of each of the artists and technicians who made their mark upon the film. The people of Pixar and Disney reflect on the experience of making A Bug's Life--and ponder where their talents and technology will take their next animated feature.

film credits