Disney Animation Executive Nick Cannon on Why Taste and Imagination Can’t Be Replaced by Automation
Technology has significantly altered the landscape of visual effects (VFX), but the human element remains irreplaceable, according to Nick Cannon, Senior Vice President of Production & Technology at Disney Animation Studios. Cannon addressed attendees at the Web Summit in Vancouver, emphasizing the enduring importance of creativity in the industry.
“Visual effects and animation have undergone transformative changes. The way we work today is in many respects very different from a decade or two ago, yet the fundamentals remain intact,” Cannon stated. “Human creativity is immense and unique, and we’re never going to automate the taste and imagination of the amazingly talented artists that we have in our studio.”
Cannon’s comments came during a session at the Web Summit, which discussed Vancouver’s rise as a prominent hub for VFX. The city has attracted major studios and a wealth of talent, bolstered by incentives. Industrial Light & Magic, Sony, and Blue Ant also maintain substantial operations in Vancouver. Joining Cannon on stage were Michelle Grady, President of Sony Pictures Imageworks, and Jennifer McCarron, President of Blue Ant Studios.
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McCarron highlighted Blue Ant’s educational outreach initiatives aimed at nurturing local talent in response to Vancouver’s growing VFX industry. “We used to go to schools and say, ‘in the lifespan of an animator, you could make more than the average NHL player in Canada,’” she noted.
Each executive provided insights into their current projects. Blue Ant showcased its collaboration with Lego in animation, promising further developments in the pipeline. Grady from Sony shared, “There’s a couple of good ideas out there, *Spider-Verse* being one; we’ve got another one to do in that franchise. And yes, we’re always talking about *KPop Demon Hunters*.”
Cannon offered a glimpse into Disney’s upcoming coming-of-age saga, *Hexed*. “We’re very excited about that one, being a wholly original story. And next year, we can look forward to *Frozen 3*,” he added.
