We are the CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 Directors. AUA!

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.

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!

[deleted]

K Antelope + cantaloupe

Just wanted to say thank you for this.

K You're welcome!

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?

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

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

C Too soon to tell

K Maybe if there's a good enough idea

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

K Thank you!

C That's great, thanks!

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.

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

will u watch a porn ripoff of your movie?

K Sure!

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

C Got any other titles??

Was there a leek in the boat?

K Yes, there were a lot of leeks

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?

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

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

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!

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

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

C Ha! Our little Terry-Thomas nod

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

Back? Whaaaaaat?

K Way to go Matt! Get off the internet!

I have no life!

C Go watch your movie 5 more times!

K We want your money Matt Taylor! Tigers Dodgers?

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?

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!

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!"

C Can't wait for BOATS!

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.

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!

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 :)

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

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!

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!

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

K PARANORMAN for me!

C Yes, and I'd add DESPICABLE ME 2

What has been the most enjoyable project to work on?

C This one for sure

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

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?

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!

Hi.

C Hello

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

C We make these films for grown-ups and kids

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!

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!

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

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

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

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!

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

K Craig D Kellman. Good luck

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

Hi,

What are your favorite animated and non-animated movies?

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

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!

K We hope you like it!

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?

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.

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

C Literally three years. Three years and some change

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?

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!

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

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

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!

C I like tacos

K Roast beef. And beer

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

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!

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

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

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

K More drunk than high! We love you City Tavern

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

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

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

C Yes

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

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?

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

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

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

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? :)

C Constantly draw, constantly make films.

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

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

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

Hi do you have any directorial and writing advice?

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Where did you get the crazy ideas for these movies XD

C Our brains!

K I grew up on a farm...

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

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

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.

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!