The Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise (Indre-et-Loire), the last resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, is hosting an exhibition on animation, on the occasion of the theatrical release of the film
Léo, the fabulous story of Leonardo da Vinci
directed by Jim Capobianco, screenwriter of The
Lion King
and
Ratatouille.
The exhibition, until May 12, takes the visitor to the heart of the creation of a “stop motion”
(frame by frame)
animated film , from the first drafts to the broadcast on the big screen.
The goal: to bring to the forefront the titanic work of decorators, prop makers, craftsmen and animators to produce only four seconds of film images per day.
“I wanted to use stop motion and animation in drawing because it seems more “Leonardian” to me.
For stop motion, you have to use lots of different professions, lots of craftsmen.
From sculptors to costume designers to animators
,” explains the American director to AFP.
Also read: Animated films, Guillermo Del Toro's childhood dream
In his film released in theaters on January 31, the former collaborator of the giants Disney and Pixar wanted
to “explore the human side”
of Leonardo,
“his “average” side”
.
“He may be a genius, but he still has a boss, he writes shopping lists.
He also failed some times.
I wanted to tell this side of the story, which we can all identify with
,” he explains.
“Léonard was also (...) a craftsman of spectacle”
, echoes the director of Clos Lucé, François Saint-Bris.
“Organizer of parties, he staged extraordinary shows which amazed the courts of Europe.
This artistic work finds an echo in the work of the hand of the designer, the hand of the artists and craftsmen who meticulously manufacture sets and puppets.
Artistic conception
Through models, puppets and drawings in particular, the exhibition explores the five phases of this comedy dedicated to the end of life of Leonardo, who died in Amboise in 1519. First there is the artistic conception, then the volume thanks to the sets, the stop motion animation, the cartoon passages which punctuate the film and finally the final phase of the work's sound.
“The arrangement of the exhibition allows you to follow the progress of the project, the sketches, the storyboard, the creation of the puppets, the sets. It allows you to discover the whole animation process, by opening a small window on Leonardo
,” appreciates Jim Capobianco, who wanted to highlight the work of the French studio Foliascope, where the film was made.
Léo, Behind the scenes of the animated film,
at the Château du Clos Lucé, 2, rue du Clos Lucé, 37400 Amboise.
Until May 12.
Tickets on the
official castle website
.