That Christmas

Based on Richard Curtis’ trilogy of children’s books, 'That Christmas' tells a series of festive animated stories set in the cosy seaside town of Wellington-on-Sea. Here, the holiday spirit turns unexpectedly when the worst snowstorm in history throws everyone’s plans, including Santa’s, into entertaining chaos. Highlighting the importance of relationships, togetherness, and family traditions during the festive season, the film presents a comedic yet emotional tone typical of Curtis's work. 

Directed by Simon Otto and produced by Nicola Hearon and Adam Tandy, the animation also includes an original song, "Under the Tree," written by Ed Sheeran. Key characters are voiced by a star-studded cast, including Brian Cox as Santa Claus, Ms Trapper, voiced by Fiona Shaw, Mrs Williams, voiced by Jodie Whittaker, and Lighthouse Keeper Bill, played by Bill Nighy. DNEG Animation partnered with Locksmith and Netflix to help deliver Curtis's vision.

The film explores themes of family, connection, and personal growth through three interconnected storylines and a diverse cast of characters. The DNEG Animation team brought each character to life by opting for animation performances that felt natural and human, focusing heavily on the eyes and their ability to convey emotion. This subtly captured the warmth and emotional depth of these layered narratives, all while incorporating the central visual element: a snowstorm. 

The film featured over 965 snowfall shots and nearly 2 billion simulated snowflakes, which conveyed the sheer volume of snow needed to assist the storyline. As the element of snow was a central part of the creative process, the team considered it to be another ‘character’ of the cast. They developed 10 distinct snowfall "moods," ranging from serene to ominous, ensuring that each moment resonated with the film’s emotional tone. This immerses the audience within the narratives unfolding in each winter environment, without being overwhelmed by the overall visuals.

Another significant challenge the animation team faced was managing the show's diverse locations and characters, especially during the film’s climax, where multiple storylines converge amidst the now hostile snowstorm. The team skillfully cross-cut between various locations and characters to keep the narrative clear and emotionally impactful. This was achieved through strong collaborations across departments, showcasing their ability to balance technical complexity with creative finesse.

'That Christmas' is DNEG Animation’s sixth feature animation and second collaboration with Locksmith Animation.

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