Pixar's upcoming animated feature, Toy Story 5, set to be released on June 19, showcases a significant advancement in animation technology. The film features a scene where 50 Buzz Lightyears patrol a jungle setting, each character animated to move in unison while appearing distinct. This accomplishment is a long-standing goal for Pixar, as noted by VFX supervisor Thomas Jordan during a presentation at SXSW London.
To achieve this, the animation team developed a library of short animation loops for Buzz Lightyear, allowing them to layer movements across various shots. Jordan highlighted that sequels offer a unique opportunity to test new technology, as they can build on established character designs and environments from earlier films. The animation team also faced the challenge of creating both a "real" horse and multiple toy horses that needed to animate simultaneously.
For research, a live horse named Daffodil was brought to the studio in Emeryville, California, where animators studied its movements. This experience informed the design of equine characters for future Pixar projects. Additionally, the film introduced a new character, Blaze, whose curly hair required innovative techniques to animate, building on past successes with hair dynamics in earlier films.