COLUMBUS, Ohio — The “Science Behind Pixar” exhibit at COSI is giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how animated films are made, highlighting the science, technology, engineering, arts and math behind some of the industry’s most popular movies.
Through interactive stations and hands-on demonstrations, guests can explore how animated films come together and why modern movies look different from those produced years ago.
Josh Sarver, chief experience officer at COSI, said the exhibit centers on the technical elements that support storytelling.
“There’s a lot of science, technology, engineering, arts and math behind that. And so we’re going to go through the rigging experience, look at lights and sounds, the camera angles, everything you can imagine,” Sarver said.
Sarver said guests can experiment with digital design elements to see how filmmakers build animated worlds. The exhibit also demonstrates how animation techniques and visual detail have evolved over time.
“One of the things that happens to animation as we redefine what those images look like over the years. You’ll notice if you go back and look at some of those older films that really the detail and design has changed over time,” Sarver said.
COSI scientist Joe Wood said children are often drawn to different parts of the exhibit based on their interests.
“I’ve got two kids, and one of them really loves the displays where you can play with the computer and learn something, in this case, about how they build the sets for a movie like, monsters, Inc.,” Wood said.
Other visitors prefer hands-on components that recreate scenes from Pixar films.
“My other son really likes the more tactile elements. Like this description of ‘A Bug’s Life’, where you can actually move the cameras in this real set that’s recreating something that was virtual in the movie,” Wood said.
Sarver said organizers hope the exhibit also encourages guests to consider careers in animation, lighting design and other technical fields tied to film production.
“One of the things we hope that individuals get out of the Pixar exhibit here at COSI is the different careers that are possible through stuff like animation, like lighting design,” Sarver said.
The exhibit, which opened in October, at COSI will remain on display through Memorial Day.