DreamWorks has significantly contributed to the evolution of computer-animated storytelling and continues to be a major player in the animation industry.
A lot goes on behind the doors of every animation studio and its world of colorful landscapes and lively characters. Sometimes the stories around the title you watch and enjoy during your weekend break are spicier than the animation itself.
From the ever-changing cast to the tiniest details about our beloved character’s origin, some behind-the-scenes shenanigans might go unseen.
Today, we’re diving into the stories of one of the most familiar names in the animation industry. So, come along and let’s explore some of the most amusing and inspiring DreamWorks Animation facts together.
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1. Big Names All-Around
DreamWorks Animation LLC (DWA, also known as DreamWorks Animation Studios and simply known as DreamWorks) is a company that was formed back in 1994.
The maiden company title was DreamWorks SKG, where SKG stands for the surnames of company founders: Steven Spielberg, former Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, and music executive David Geffen.
Since day one, they set and kept a specific tradition to enroll big names in their productions!
For instance, The Prince of Egypt is the first product of DreamWorks, which includes Val Kilmer, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Sandra Bullock as its voice cast.
Since then, the company has hired famous names for its productions and has never set foot back on this habit.
We can see well-known names such as Brad Pitt, Chris Pine, Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, and the list goes on! Honestly, we could dedicate an entire article just to the big names who have lent their voices to DreamWorks’ projects.
Steven Spielberg’s Influence on DreamWorks’ Animation Style
Steven Spielberg’s vision as a co-founder has profoundly shaped DreamWorks’ animation style. Spielberg’s storytelling expertise shone through live-action blockbusters, bringing a cinematic quality to the production pipeline.
For The Prince of Egypt, he insisted on a grand, biblical epic style, blending hand-drawn animation with CG elements to create breathtaking sequences like the parting of the Red Sea.
His influence is also evident in Shrek’s subversive humor and heartfelt narrative, which balanced relatable humour with imagination, setting a new standard for animated films that appeal to all ages.
The influence Spielberg has brought to DreamWorks productions is evident in the stunning visuals and cozy storytelling that define many of our most memorable and iconic films.
2. This One is for the History Making
Although Sinbad: Legend of Seven Seas was an absolute flop for DreamWorks, making them lose over $125 million, it has left its mark among all 3D animation studios.
Sinbad was DreamWorks’ first major experiment blending 2D hand-drawn animation with 3D computer-generated imagery (CGI). Their newly developed hybrid animation approach, though costly, showcased the potential of 3D animation.
Following the release and having first-hand experience with 3D, they announced they are going to move on from 2D to 3D format for the titles to come.
So, there is a little compensation that at least there were some silver linings after all.
How Sinbad’s Failure Changed DreamWorks’ Animation Strategy
The financial flop of Sinbad forced DreamWorks to rethink its production model. The studio abandoned traditional 2D animation and invested heavily in 3D CGI technology.
Furthermore, they needed to develop professional tools like the Premo animation software to enable animators to manipulate characters in real-time, as seen in later films like How to Train Your Dragon.
The transition paid off! Shrek 2 (2004) grossed over $919 million worldwide, proving 3D animation’s commercial viability.
Sinbad’s failure also influenced competitors to move on from 2D, with studios like Disney eventually following suit.
3. First Female Animation Director
As for the debut title for the studio, The Prince of Egypt also bears an interesting fact about DreamWorks and the whole industry:
Brenda Chapman, the co-director of the film, became the first woman to direct an animated feature from a major studio.
You might also know Chapman by her latest creation, Brave, which made her win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Brenda Chapman’s Impact on Women in Animation
Brenda Chapman’s work on The Prince of Egypt challenged industry norms, proving women could lead high-profile animated projects.
Chapman’s direction brought emotional authenticity to the film, particularly in the portrayal of Miriam’s compassion and Moses’ journey. Her success inspired many female animators, artists, and directors, including Vicky Jenson (Shrek) and Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2).
Chapman continuously mentored emerging talent and encouraged diversity, transforming the industry’s landscape and promoting inclusive, non-discriminatory storytelling that resonates with global audiences.
4. Will Ferrell Has Improvised Many of His Lines in Mega Mind
When you choose Will Ferrell to cast in your production, you are in for some sweet Ferrell magic!
The team behind the movie gave him the liberty of inserting his taste in humor and going out of scripted lines to portray his character.
He depicted some hilarious bits in the movie, which we can pinpoint as an imitation of Marlon Brando, which indeed added a new level of humor and flavor to the whole thing.
The Freedom of Improvisation in DreamWorks Productions
DreamWorks’ trust in actors like Will Ferrell reflects its commitment to creative flexibility.
In Megamind, Ferrell’s ad-libs, such as the iconic “Ollo!” greeting, gave the character a quirky, unpredictable charm.
This approach extends to other DreamWorks films: Eddie Murphy’s improvisations as Donkey in Shrek added spontaneous humor, while Jack Black’s ad-libs in Kung Fu Panda shaped Po’s lovable personality.
By fostering improvisation, DreamWorks creates authentic, memorable performances that enhance its films’ appeal and replay value.
5. Let’s Talk about the Most Beloved Green Monster of All Time
I can drop an article of facts about DreamWorks Animation and make a 10-page article about their most famous movie: Shrek, but let’s keep it subtle and just review some of the most interesting facts about it instead of dropping the whole DreamWorks facts.
- Origin:
As we all know, Shrek is DreamWorks’ most iconic film. However, its origin makes Shrek a lot more heartwarming and amusing: Shrek was born when a little girl showed her father, William Steig’s book Shrek!, inspiring him to pitch it to DreamWorks. The studio embraced the idea, transforming the written fairy tale into a visual global phenomenon.
- Style:
It was supposed to be a live-action title with CGI, but as they went on with the project, they decided that a whole animation style would suit the whole thing better.
They went from a very different approach to make “Shrek as ugly as it can be” to “ugly but adorable”. In order to make that happen, they took inspiration from bulldogs for his character design.
- Voice Actors:
Alongside Shrek’s appearance, his voice actor changed as well. Originally, Chris Farley was supposed to voice Shrek, but he died on December 18, 1997, at the age of 33 due to an accidental speedball overdose.
Then, they hired Mike Myers to lend his voice to this lovely green volume of monstrosity.
Myers almost recorded all of his lines in a folklore Canadian accent, but after test-recording some lines in a Scottish accent, the team decided to go down that route.
How Shrek Saved DreamWorks from Financial Crisis
By 2001, DreamWorks faced financial strain from flops like Sinbad and The Road to El Dorado.
However, Shrek’s release was a game-changer, grossing $487 million worldwide and winning the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Its success brought DreamWorks back up and about, funding future projects and establishing the studio as Pixar’s rival.
The film’s cultural impact, such as in-demand sequels, a Broadway musical, and theme park attractions, established DreamWorks’ reputation for innovative storytelling. This strongly proves how strong character animation and a risky bet on an ogre could redefine animation and investments.
6. Skipper, Kowalski, Private, and Rico Were Meant to be Beatles
When someone mentions Madagascar, the first thing that comes to mind is the crazy and hilarious penguins instead of the main characters. But as you should know, they weren’t supposed to be on such a production!
These black and white beings were designed by DreamWorks to participate in a documentary about rock music called Rockumentary.
The four penguins were supposed to represent four members of the legendary rock band The Beatles!
Following the production phase of Madagascar, DreamWorks realized that they needed to characterize four penguins; so, they took the scripted personalities and put them in this movie.
How Unplanned Characters Became Fan Favorites
The penguins’ integration into Madagascar was a stroke of genius. Their distinct traits, such as Skipper’s commanding presence, Kowalski’s strategic mind, Private’s innocence, and Rico’s chaotic energy, made them instant hits!
Their popularity soared so much that it led to a spin-off series, The Penguins of Madagascar (2008–2015), and a 2014 feature film.
DreamWorks’ creative thinking enabled them to repurpose Rockumentary’s characters, showcasing how a shelved concept can turn into a beloved ensemble and a lasting success.
7. DreamWorks Created an Out-of-Book Character for This Title
How to Train Your Dragon is a series of books by Cressida Cowell which has been brought to a motion picture by DreamWorks.
Strangely, there is no female companion or character like Astrid in this book, who is present in the movie.
In fact, DreamWorks saw the need to add a powerful presentation of a female character, which led to the creation of Astrid.
It’s also worth noting that they also had designed a furious young lady to go toe to toe with Astrid Hofferson, but this character got scrapped due to many similarities she shared with Astrid.
Astrid’s Role in Boosting How to Train Your Dragon’s Popularity
Astrid, voiced by America Ferrera, became a cornerstone of How to Train Your Dragon’s success. Her strength, wit, character art style, and evolving relationship with Hiccup added emotional depth, which appealed to various audiences.
Unlike the books’ male-centric narrative, Astrid’s inclusion made the films more inclusive since it greatly resonated with female viewers and enriched the story.
The franchise, grossing over $1.6 billion across three films, owes much to Astrid’s fan-favorite status.
Her creation highlights DreamWorks’ team of progressive storytellers who enhanced and turned a book adaptation into a cultural phenomenon with spin-offs and theme park attractions!
Final Words
It’s no surprise that reading commentaries can be as fun as watching the main product, if they’re as fun as DreamWorks facts.
Every animation studio is born with a great vision, giving birth to bizarre and creative ideas from a little girl to an unknown book.
Extraordinary animation companies, such as DreamWorks, can take raw notions to the creation of the most beloved animations of all time or shift the course of a title and leading to great success.
So, the food for thought is that we can think about all the little things around us and count them as a turning point for a better future!
