The Kamin Science Center is prepping for a blockbuster summer with the opening of The Science Behind Pixar on Saturday, May 25. The two-story exhibit, housed in the PPG Science Pavilion, fills 12,000 square feet with 50-plus interactive activities that promise to captivate youngsters and their grownups.
“This exhibition will truly transport our visitors into the animated world created by Pixar artists and computer scientists,” says Marcus Harshaw, associate museum director of museum experiences. “Along the way, we hope visitors and kids will be inspired to explore STEM careers that they may not have known even existed.”
The Science Behind Pixar, developed by the Museum of Science in Boston in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios, breaks down the magic of cutting-edge animation that fits neatly into the cross-section of science and art. Beginning with a simple story idea and basic sketches, each Pixar film moves through a complex pipeline journey before completion.
In Modeling, for example, artists create clay sculptures, called maquettes, to perfect the character’s look. From there, a digital modeler creates a virtual 3D sculpture. Then a digital wireframe is formed with points and edges that connect them.
Take the science into your own hands at the Virtual Modeling Station where you can select an object, transform it on screen and then create a toy character.
The Lighting simulation shows how lighting can enhance the atmosphere or emotion of a scene. In “Finding Nemo,” the lighting also creates the sense of being underwater. Adjust the lighting and choose colors to light the screen behind a giant sculpture of Dory to explore how the mood changes.
Try your hand at old-fashioned stop-motion animation with the Pixar iconic lamp. Position the lamp one pose at a time and shoot the image step by step. When done, play your movie to view your animation.
Other challenges and activities include simulating Merida’s curly hair in “Brave.” Each curl is a spring that is mathematically simulated to calculate the position, stretch and direction in which it moves.
Go behind the scenes in “The Incredibles” and examine film clips frame by frame to watch how emotions and body positions convey the story. Build a robot pal for “WALL-E” from magnetized body parts. And control cameras in a life-size re-creation of “A Bug’s Life” set.
Plan on spending 60 to 90 minutes on your visit. This fascinating experience will have you rewatching these Pixar films just to admire the intricate process it took to bring them to life.
Here are a few more reasons you won’t want to miss The Science Behind Pixar:
Learn about STEAM careers in filmmaking. Kids can watch videos of Pixar employees who discuss their jobs, the skills they use and how they grew into their careers. Hear from a character modeler, a director of photography and lighting, a character animator and a shading technician director, to name a few. It’s a great opportunity to not only learn more about filmmaking but to hear about careers you never knew existed.
Take part in a scavenger hunt. Pixar character miniature figures will be scattered throughout the Miniature Railroad & Village. Will Woody end up on a farm? Will Sully visit with Punxatawney Phil on Gobbler’s Knob? Maybe Dory will find her place in the Main Street parade. It will be a challenge to find them all. Your visit to the USS Requin will include a fishy twist of finding Nemo hidden throughout the sub. Both exhibits are included in Science Center admission.
Catch your favorite Pixar movies on the really big screen. Pixar movie fans can view their favorite flicks like they’ve never seen them before – in the Rangos Giant Cinema. The huge screen, measuring 71 feet by 39 feet, brings films to life with 4K images and a surround sound system of 49 speakers. “Toy Story” and its sequels are programmed on Toy Story Tuesdays throughout the summer. Weekends will feature a lineup of other Pixar films like “Finding Nemo,” “Onward,” “Luca,” “Up” and “Ratatouille.” Tickets are $12.
The Science Behind Pixar runs through Jan. 5. Admission, separate from Science Center admission, is $18 for kids, $20 for seniors, $22 for grownups.