"Exploring the World of 'Elemental': From Love Stories to Visual Spectacles"

Pixar's "Elemental" presented a challenge in conveying what happens when fire and water touch, but the studio used chemical reactions and macro-photography references to create a new chemical reaction that grows stronger and induces the characters to dance and eventually kiss. The film required a combination of realism and stylization, with the help of new tools for rigging and performance. The sequence in the underwater garden perfectly sets up the romantic mood for the touch, with opulent flowers designed by director Peter Sohn and animated as a cloth simulation.