We are Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn, the directors of Sony Pictures Animation's CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2, now in theaters: http://www.cloudy-movie.com.

Cody started his career at DreamWorks Animation, drawing story boards and writing dialogue for the first three SHREK movies, MADAGASCAR and Aardman's CHICKEN RUN. I went on to direct OPEN SEASON 3 and THE CHUBBCHUBBS SAVE XMAS, and was a story artist on the original CLOUDY. I also get a kick of voicing characters as a side hobby like the Three Little Pigs and Pinocchio in the SHREK series, or Barry the strawberry in CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2.

Kris was a story artist on Sony Pictures Animation's OPEN SEASON and SURF'S UP, head of story on the first CLOUDY and story supervisor on Aardman's ARTHUR CHRISTMAS.

Here’s proof that it is us: http://i.imgur.com/vYOE98g.jpg

Now bring on the questions!

EDIT - Thanks for taking the time to send us all those questions! We had so much fun making those two CLOUDY movies and hope you did watching them. Thanks a ton for your support of CLOUDY 2. Byeeeeeeeee!!

Comments: 790 • Responses: 54  • Date: 

ilze44421 karma

Hi,

I just wanted to thank you. Cloudy 1 and 2 are our favorites and are the visual inspiration of the characters of our short animation "Mr. NightTime". It would be an honor if you watched.

http://vimeo.com/55783764

Just, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for Cloudy.

EDIT : Thank you for watching, reddit. I can't believe how many people have seen Mr. NightTime today. You guys brought tears to my eyes. You're all awesome and amazing. Thank you.

cloudy2directors329 karma

K Thanks for your support! We just watched your short, really cool idea and we both loved the flipping the genres. That's really fun. Best of luck and keep going!

Potatofetish14328 karma

[deleted]

cloudy2directors275 karma

K Antelope + cantaloupe

cloudy2directors74 karma

K You're welcome!

Waddles77134 karma

Why aren't there more unique movies in animation? Movies like Coraline need to come back...I agree with Henry Selick. What do you think?

cloudy2directors170 karma

K I agree too. Unfortunately part of the problem is the cost of making animation.

C Basically it's a business and studios have to make money to stay in business. You have to make sure it's appealing to a wide enough audience. I loved CORALINE

K I'm optimistic that there will be an audience for that sort of material some day. Every now and then filmmakers find a way to make interesting movies. Look at TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE or WALTZ WITH BASHIR, or everything Miyazaki makes... In North America it's more of a challenge because of the business cycle but it's not impossible

maroonoctopus118 karma

I loved the book when I was a kid, I'm so glad it became a movie. Is a third movie a possibility?

cloudy2directors121 karma

C Too soon to tell

K Maybe if there's a good enough idea

DailyTatTwo105 karma

I just wanted to thank you for making my daughter smile! You guys are awesome and make even better movies!

cloudy2directors74 karma

K Thank you!

C That's great, thanks!

ItsTooHotForFlannel103 karma

Hey Cody. Any tips on how to be creative with voices? I've been submitting some demos from time to time, but nothing seems to interest the studios when looking for a VO.

cloudy2directors194 karma

C Put on a costume, do a funny voice, film yourself and put it on YouTube. And do that like 100 times!

regulatte99 karma

will u watch a porn ripoff of your movie?

cloudy2directors302 karma

K Sure!

C Will it be CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF TWO BALLS?

cloudy2directors131 karma

C Got any other titles??

Darkloki8295 karma

Was there a leek in the boat?

cloudy2directors114 karma

K Yes, there were a lot of leeks

ThemeParkTimes65 karma

Cody and Kris: Would you please tell us some of the inside jokes, Easter eggs or hard-to-spot things that are included in Cloudy 2?

cloudy2directors93 karma

C In the journey montage, there is the Noodle Guy is in an inner tube floating next to the Meatballrus

K Noodle Guy is also in a superhero outfit on a building in San Franjose

C In the animal escape in the third act, there is a Wild Scallion poking its head out of a cage when it is clearly too big to fit in the cage

cloudy2directors95 karma

K The Sasquash has 50 some odd appearances throughout the movie. There's actually going to be a fun featurette about it coming soon!

cloudy2directors59 karma

K There's also a couple of references to Joe Town trying to get into our movie. But since we recast Will Forte as Chester V, Joe got the bump!

cloudy2directors62 karma

K Oh also! There's some Wild Knish. You gotta find out what a knish is and then find them!

Snapquack154 karma

Will there be another sequel with the guy that says "I've got this bro"? ;)

cloudy2directors58 karma

C Ha! Our little Terry-Thomas nod

K Performed by Matt Taylor. Is this you Matt Taylor?? Do you want your part back?

Snapquack146 karma

Back? Whaaaaaat?

cloudy2directors47 karma

K Way to go Matt! Get off the internet!

Snapquack136 karma

I have no life!

cloudy2directors40 karma

C Go watch your movie 5 more times!

K We want your money Matt Taylor! Tigers Dodgers?

Foolrussian50 karma

I feel a trend in animated sequels catering to a younger crowd, as opposed to the original movie may have catered to a more broad audience. Will this be dumbed down for the kiddies? Or something a 20 something will enjoy just as much?

cloudy2directors87 karma

K Wow! Our ambition was to not do that. There's always studio pressure to pay attention to a wider audience. There's more focus groups on a second movie so more characters you have to pay attention to.

C We do feel there are jokes for the older audience as well. We sure tried!

vfxfreddi45 karma

This is a little off topic too but what did were your thoughts when you first heard this: "From the makers of cars comes now: Planes!"

cloudy2directors164 karma

C Can't wait for BOATS!

agiolzet43 karma

Just wanted to let you guys know that "Strawberry's my favorite!" from the first movie makes me crack up every time I watch it. Thank you for that :)

cloudy2directors49 karma

K That's our Neapolitan ice cream joke that strawberry always gets freezer burn coz no-one wants to eat it

C I think Chris Miller did the voice of that kid

ItsTooHotForFlannel43 karma

Hey Cody. Any tips on maintaining a good voice and creating unique voices? I've been wanting to get into some voice acting, but my last few samples were a bust.

cloudy2directors66 karma

C Gargle with salt water. The main thing is to constantly being doing voices and trying different things, tying different accents. Stay creative. If you hear someone talking and the voice sounds interesting, try to mimic it. Impersonations are also a good thing to do--even if they suck!

Oscar_Says_Jack-Ass40 karma

Cody, I just wanted to say the I love CHICKEN RUN. I've always been a huge fan of Aardman and CHICKEN RUN is simply awesome. My wife and I have watched both THE GREAT ESCAPE and CHICKEN RUN countless times and each gets just gets better and better as we spot all the similarities and homages packed into CHICKEN RUN.

So thank you for your contributions to the movie!

cloudy2directors19 karma

C Thanks! Even though I only boarded one sequence in that film--Rocky giving the motivation speech to the chicken, as part of a story blitz. But I really enjoyed working with Nick Park and Peter Lord for the month or so that I was on it

K I got to work with those guys on PIRATES and ARTHUR CHRISTMAS, they're great!

Jedibobby433 karma

Aside from your guy's work, what has been your favorite animated movie to come out recently?

cloudy2directors112 karma

K PARANORMAN for me!

C Yes, and I'd add DESPICABLE ME 2

watlebotter30 karma

What has been the most enjoyable project to work on?

cloudy2directors75 karma

C This one for sure

K ARTHUR CHRISTMAS because I really liked living in England and drinking a lot of beer!

A_Blind_Ostrich22 karma

Hi.

cloudy2directors45 karma

C Hello

Phoenix_Heat22 karma

I just saw this with my girlfriend and we both really enjoyed the movie, thanks. I was hesitant on how a sequel could be done but it worked great.

My question is does Chester V have any ties with Steve Jobs?

cloudy2directors56 karma

K Sure, there's one table spoon of Steve Jobs, an ounce of Richard Branson, a pinch of Carl Sagan, and a dash of Richard Attenborough

C Plus a sprinkle of Walt Disney. Take that food pun haters!

WCFuuuusista20 karma

How do you feel about obvious adult humor in the storyline of films made for children?

cloudy2directors36 karma

C We make these films for grown-ups and kids

momof2boys17 karma

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs was my favorite childhood book, I read it every night when I was in 4th grade! I have brought both my kids up reading that book and my oldest has taken a liking to it in the same way I did. We both loved the first movie and cannot wait for the second!

My question is, can you send my son something from the movie? His birthday is Tuesday and it would make his day!

cloudy2directors32 karma

C Send your info and your son's to [email protected] and we'll get you something. And don't forget to go to Sprouts and get a toy too!

el-grosso16 karma

As someone who hasn't seen Cloudy 2 yet, why is it better than the first one? Because I LOVED the first one.

cloudy2directors39 karma

K It's not better, it's different.

C It is a great companion piece.

K After working on the first film, we decided to flip our genres from a disaster movie to a monster movie. Hopefully people like it but that's the big conceit

ral36515 karma

Hi guys! :D

Ever since CwacoM 1, there's been a trending theory among fans that Flint Lockwood has Asperger Syndrome. He shows a lot of the quirks and strengths with it as well as some selective social problems in both films (here's a fan-made list of traits that apply to Flint the most:http://www.flintlockwoodslab.proboards.com/thread/13?page=2#page=1 ) .

Whether or not you guys intended this, what do you think of this theory now that you think about it? I have Asperger's myself, and I think Flint is a huge inspiration for those struggling with the disorder. :)

P.S. I also think Sam is an Aspie, except she had more social skills training in NY. Swallow Falls has been stuck in the 1980s, a time when AS wasn't fully recognized yet, so it'd make sense that Flint wouldn't be diagnosed until he was all grown up.

P.S.S This wasn't on the fan-made list, but the fishbowl scene in the 1st film is the perfect AS visual metaphor. You live in your own world, people have trouble communicating with you, and when something goes wrong, you feel like your world shatters all around you (since the fishbowl literally shattered into a million pieces.) Tugs my heartstrings every single time

cloudy2directors30 karma

K I got a couple of kids who are friends with my kids who have Asperger. I've noticed the same thing. They're sweet kids and they remind me of Flint. We didn't deliberately made Flint that way but a lot of artists have similar traits so there is a lot of us in Flint.

C We weren't thinking of Asperger when we made Flint as quirky as he is but it's an honor that he is received that way and provides inspiration. Thank you for your note!

Knuls14 karma

Who is in charge of all the puns in this movie and where can I kick his ass

cloudy2directors39 karma

K Craig D Kellman. Good luck

C He's pretty tough. Do you know karate?

kokain71111 karma

Hi,

What are your favorite animated and non-animated movies?

cloudy2directors15 karma

C Favorite animated movie is probably JUNGLE BOOK. Non-animated I'd have to go total nerd and say THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. It's really hard to pick a favorite movie!

K I'm going to go with 101 DALMATIANS

C That's probably my #2!

K Ha! #2... For live action, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST

thekaimeister10 karma

I am a massive fan of the first film, so I just want to say thank you - and that I'm really looking forward to seeing number 2!

cloudy2directors5 karma

K We hope you like it!

rxlb9 karma

How long did it take you guys to finish this one, from conceptualization down to the final movie?

cloudy2directors22 karma

C Literally three years. Three years and some change

Pastrykiller9 karma

Just out of curiosity, why is it so hard for most book to movie adaptions to stick with a source material instead adding their own creative spin. Wouldn't writing be easier?

cloudy2directors21 karma

C Here's the thing: the book was much smaller. So usually when you make a feature film you have to come up with more story and characters, otherwise you'd be making a short.

K In our case, we didn't have any characters in the book, we just had an event. Now if you're making THE HUNGER GAMES, you have too much in the book and have to make shorter.

RubberToolshed8 karma

Hi, Cody & Kris! Thanks for doing this.

When there are two directors on the film, how is the work normally divvied up between them? For example, does someone focus more on the comedic aspects, while the other focuses more on the story's emotional beats?

cloudy2directors13 karma

C We are in every meeting together, the only time when we were not together were the last 6 months when we had to divide and conquer. We'd go to different departments and then flop so we'd be able to see everything.

K We both come from story so it's nice having somebody to brainstorm with. And it's nice to be able to get sick and see your kids and know that the machine keeps getting fed!

cartoons4ever8 karma

Was it challenging trying to follow up to the well received first one?

And why are Phil Lord and Chris Miller so perfect? Seriously, why

cloudy2directors15 karma

K Yes, it's a challenge! They are really good guys who surround themselves with good people

C Why are they so perfect? They work out a lot! I don't know, they're just really cool

cloudy47 karma

How are you guys constantly able to come up with new creative content without running out of ideas?

cloudy2directors13 karma

K We have an amazing team and we like to work in a writers' room where we always try to make each other laugh. If you can constantly try to spark ideas that way, you'll never run out of ideas

_mustache_fart_7 karma

Hi guys! Seeing as how these movies have mass amounts of food in them, what are your favorite foods?

PS - Loved the first one! Definitely will be seeing the next one soon!

cloudy2directors15 karma

C I like tacos

K Roast beef. And beer

swish_7 karma

Do u think this movie will do better than the first?

cloudy2directors16 karma

C It's a possibility. Hopefully! K Having worked on both movies, we appreciate anybody coming to see it. Hopefully we can grow the audience!

Zaccagnino6 karma

How hy were the creators when they came up with the idea of this movie

cloudy2directors24 karma

K More drunk than high! We love you City Tavern

Cammy_McRage6 karma

Do you take real life people and incorporate them as characters? If so, who was your inspiration for Flint Lockwood? I love him! Reminds me EXACTLY of my boyfriend too <3

cloudy2directors11 karma

K There's a little bit of all of us in Flint Lockwood.

nojesusforyou5 karma

Hey guys, enjoyed the first film. I seen earlier that the healthy foods on the island are friendly whereas the scary ones are unhealthy. Is that something you thought was important to have in the film? Do you think it could positively affect a child's diet?

cloudy2directors10 karma

K We did go down that road for a little while and then we simplified in that [spoiler alert] all the food is good. But with moderation, there's more healthy food than unhealthy food in our movie

drtzz5 karma

If someone hasn't watched the first Cloudy with a chance of meatballs, would they be able to follow the second movie?

cloudy2directors10 karma

C Yes

K There's a recap at the beginning of CLOUDY 2

JonasonP4 karma

What advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers or people like me who want to do what you do? Or in other words, How do I get your job? :)

cloudy2directors7 karma

C Constantly draw, constantly make films.

K Watch movies, make movies, read books, listen to music, pay attention to the world

patchsonic4 karma

If your significant other was to turn into food, what kind of food would they become?

cloudy2directors17 karma

K Buffoloaf coz like meatloaf it'd be warm and pillowy and comforting

vfxfreddi4 karma

How close do you guys actually work with individual artists at sony pictures animation?

cloudy2directors19 karma

K Very close

C We breathe on the back of their necks

K Some departments we are closer to than others because of the nature of animation. Certainly layout, editorial, story, animation, all of our CG sups. There are some people on the crew we hardly meet. But we try. There are a lot of people who made this

SeruEatingPi3 karma

Which do you enjoy more, working on a sequel or a new project? Also @ Cody I love Chicken Run!

cloudy2directors7 karma

C Oh cool! I like both coz they are different films. With a first film, you are coming up with new characters. With a second film, you are getting to take those characters into a new adventure.

K I like having a job ha! The main thing is identifying with the characters and liking the story

liamquane3 karma

Hi do you have any directorial and writing advice?

cloudy2directors6 karma

C Making films is the best way to get experience so gather your friends, go out and shoot something

K Take the time to really try to understand your story so you can be flexible when you have to go through the slings and arrows of the learning curve all filmmakers go through when they actually make a movie. Bend like the wind, little one. Have fun and be inspired by the people who help you

Living-Pixel3 karma

Hey, the first one was great, what made you think it needed a sequel? I would have been extremely happy with only the first and no risk of a sequel screwing my view of the movie up. Everything has a sequel nowadays whether it needs one or not.

Anyway, I'm sure it is great, but wanted to hear the reasoning.

cloudy2directors8 karma

C People watch TV all the time with chapters of a story so as filmmakers we don't see what's wrong with sequels as long as the characters warrant it and there's a good story to be told.

K I was a little skeptical but with Chris, Phil and Cody it was such a fun experience discussing it in a room that it felt very natural

2feetorless3 karma

Are you using the same sound effect people? I saw a show about them.

cloudy2directors5 karma

K Yes, Geoff Rubay, Jason George and their amazing team are back. Love those guys

oliversalgames2 karma

Where did you get the crazy ideas for these movies XD

cloudy2directors8 karma

C Our brains!

K I grew up on a farm...

MehMan951 karma

Cody, Which Madagascar movie did you have the most fun writing the dialogue and storyboard? EDIT-Misread it as all 3 Madagascar movies

cloudy2directors4 karma

C I only worked on the first one for a very short period of time. I also did the voice of a lemur named Willie

GingersUnited1 karma

My daughter and I LOVED the first Cloudy w/Meatballs. I actually even watched it with directors commentary. I loved how you guys gave your artists so much freedom so they hid cool little animated details in the movie. All the leaves flying off a tree as Flint ran past, springs to mind. Did you guys allow for that kind of thing again in the sequel? Or any other little hidden visual effects to look out for when we see the 2nd?

And FYI, I still think of your movie every time we eat jello. That jello mold scene was just incredible.

cloudy2directors2 karma

K Yes, definitely. We let our team contribute, we have 350 amazing artist. Every time they surprised us or made us laugh it was a joy. Hopefully CLOUDY 2 will make you think about syrup the way CLOUDY 1 makes you think of jello. Thanks!