Get ready to be captivated by the magic of storytelling! Guillermo del Toro, the master of cinematic wonder, recently graced DNEG’s London studio as part of the INSPIRE Series, leaving our teams utterly inspired. In an intimate session moderated by Andrew Schlussel, Senior Director of Training & Development at DNEG Animation, del Toro peeled back the curtain on his upcoming film, Frankenstein. But here’s where it gets fascinating: the session wasn’t just about the film—it was a deep dive into the creative mind of a visionary. Del Toro spent most of the time fielding questions from our crew, revealing the inspirations behind his work, sharing behind-the-scenes production secrets, and addressing the delicate art of adapting a timeless classic for today’s audience. And this is the part most people miss: he also openly discussed the challenges he faced, offering a rare glimpse into the struggles even the most acclaimed filmmakers encounter.
Following the session, the magic continued as del Toro joined us for a reception, mingling with our team and even signing autographs—a moment our crew will cherish forever. This wasn’t his first time inspiring us; in 2022, he visited to preview Pinocchio (https://www.dneg.com/news/guillermo-del-toro-visits-dneg-london-to-share-preview-of-pinocchio), proving that his connection with DNEG runs deep. But here’s the controversial part: while many celebrate del Toro’s adaptations, some argue that modernizing classics risks losing their original essence. What do you think? Does reimagining timeless stories for new audiences honor or dilute their legacy?
A heartfelt thank you to Guillermo del Toro for sharing his brilliance with us! Launched in 2021, DNEG Animation’s INSPIRE Series is more than just talks—it’s a movement to ignite passion, foster learning, and celebrate innovation in animation. By bringing industry titans like del Toro to our global crews, we aim to inspire the next wave of creative excellence. Want to know more about the minds behind INSPIRE? Dive into their story here (https://www.dneg.com/news/meet-the-team-behind-dneg-animations-inspire-series) and join the conversation. After all, inspiration is just the beginning—what you do with it is where the real magic happens. So, we ask you: What inspires you to push the boundaries of creativity? Let’s spark a debate in the comments!
