Recently I had the chance to sit down with three of the people involved with the new 3D Disney film “Meet the Robinsons.” Director Steve Anderson, 3D Supervisor Kyle Odermatt, and actress Angela Bassett, who voices orphanage director Mildred, were in town to talk about the movie and why it marks the beginning of a new era of film.

When Steve Anderson was handed the script for “Meet the Robinsons” in 2002, there was more significance to the event than just the mark of his directorial debut. Much like the film’s main character, Lewis, Anderson was put up for adoption as a child. “Lewis wanting to be adopted and asking questions about his past and about his birth mother, why she gave him up...I was adopted when I was an infant, so I’ve asked those exact same questions, ever since I was a kid, ever since I can remember,” explained Anderson. “So I had this immediate connection to this material that I understood Lewis and what was going on in his head.”

“[Being hired as director] was a mix of the studio being willing to take a risk on me after having done some leadership roles on previous movies and me responding to the material,” he continued. While Lewis’ internal struggle was included in the initial script, Anderson says it was his influence that made it more prominent in the film, “It was in the script but it was not as woven through as it is currently in the movie. That was really what I wanted to make the core of the movie.”

It was a complete coincidence, however, that had studio execs handing over a film with an orphaned child to Anderson. “Cosmically I think it was supposed to happen that way,” laughed the director.

Beyond the emotional connection Anderson felt with Lewis, he felt drawn to the prosperous, bright and creative vision of the future he saw in the initial script based off of William Joyce’s illustrated book “A Day with Wilbur Robinson.”

Anderson’s career at Disney began in the story department working on hand-drawn hits like “Brother Bear” and “The Emperor's New Groove.” Throughout his time at Disney, Anderson has worked hard, proving his leadership skills on various projects before being entrusted with the film to which he he felt such a strong kinship.

His journey with the Robinson clan began almost four and half years ago, but Anderson says, “I can remember starting on it like it was yesterday.” Although the four and half year time frame isn’t entirely production time, Anderson maintained a vigilant focus on the project since taking on the task of creating the marvelous world of the Robinson family as well as telling Lewis’ story.

“The crew at Disney Animation Studios are unbelievably talented film makers and fantastic collaborators. You get to work with so much talent and so much passion that it makes my job easy,” said Anderson on whether his first directorial effort was daunting. “All I have to do is open the door and these people walk into the room with tons of ideas and tons of input, and just make the movie great.”

Odermatt began his career at Walt Disney Feature Animation (now Disney Animation Studios) in 1996 as a Model Development Technical Supervisor. He later landed a role as a CG Supervisor on “Chicken Little” and came on board as 3D Supervisor for “Meet the Robinsons.”

“The actual part where we make the images is biased to the last couple years. But there is quite a bit of time before that to get an idea what the art direction is going to be and really solidifying the story,” said Odermatt. “For some people who work on shorter scale projects they sort of see this like an endurance event, and in some ways that’s true. Maintaining your enthusiasm for a very large chunk of time is one of the things that makes people successful. The people who can do that are some of the most successful people at our studio. The reality is, we were learning things every day and that keeps me excited. And I think there is opportunity to do that no matter where you are in this creative process.”

Odermatt’s goal was to ensure that the 3D aspect of the film was used to enhance the film’s storytelling rather than used as a gimmick to get people into the theater. “I really wanted to use it more to tell the story, so that the audience is more apart of the movie,” he explained.

Odermatt also gives his boss Anderson props on his ability to see the film through in a way that inspired trust and creativity in all areas of the filmmaking process, “He was able to delegate so effectively. He trusted us to go execute his vision, and it was a wonderful experience.”

Both Anderson and Odermatt said that their favorite scene of the film comes when Lewis and his new friend Wilbur Robinson enter the future.

“Meet the Robinsons” is Bassett’s first animated film. The actress has racked up a remarkable list of roles and awards in her time in the film industry, but voicing an animated character was a new challenge for her, “It was very different for me, but I enjoyed it tremendously.” Unlike her typical film process, shooting in a set period of time, this film required her to come in every once in a while over a three year period of time. “They showed me story boards and you only have your voice to work with.”

She says that she was selected because Anderson “heard a warmth and a gravity in my voice.” Bassett noted that she is very glad to be a part of a film that promotes self-love and a message that teaches kids not to be afraid of failure or of stumbling. “I’m extremely proud to be apart of that,” she said. When asked if more animated features are in her future, Bassett simply said, “I would love that.”

"Meet the Robinsons" is out in theaters now.

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