Pixar Animator Spills on the Scene That Nearly Broke Him

Pixar’s reputation for technical brilliance is well-earned, but sometimes it’s the everyday moments that really test the patience of its animators. Dave Mullins, who spent twenty years at the studio, recently shared a behind-the-scenes look at a deceptively tricky sequence from The Incredibles, released back in 2004.

In this particular bit, Elastigirl—voiced by Holly Hunter—handles a phone with an old-school cord. No wild superpowers, no fancy camera tricks, just a bit of classic household chaos. Yet, as Mullins revealed, this seemingly straightforward task turned out to be a real headache.

Animating the Ordinary: A Tangled Challenge

Mullins took to social media to poke fun at his own struggles, joking that the phone cord “almost killed” him during production. Watching the scene frame by frame, it’s easy to see why. The cord’s movement, while possible to animate with computers at the time, was a nightmare to get right by hand. Mullins admitted that, although the technology existed, it was both more cost-effective and enjoyable to animate it manually. Still, the process dragged on for what he called an “embarrassing” number of days.

It wasn’t just the phone cord that caused grief. Mullins also recalled another moment involving Elastigirl, this time on a rooftop with Mr. Incredible. The scene required her to stretch around him, showing off her flexibility. The first version was approved, but the motion blur looked off. Mullins, not happy with the result, insisted on a re-render—even though it was a pricey move during a crunch period. The second attempt was better, but he reckons only he would ever notice the lingering blur issues.

Behind the Scenes at Pixar

Over his two decades at Pixar, Mullins contributed to a string of hits, including Monsters Inc., Up, and Finding Nemo. He eventually left the studio in 2020 to co-found ElectroLeague, but his stories from the animation trenches still resonate with fans and fellow animators alike.

The Incredibles franchise continues to roll on, with a third instalment in the pipeline. Brad Bird is back on script duties, but this time Peter Sohn—fresh off Elemental—will take the director’s chair, as Bird is tied up with another project.

Looking Ahead for Pixar Fans

For those keen to revisit Pixar’s best, there’s no shortage of classics to choose from. And with a packed slate of upcoming releases, film lovers have plenty to look forward to in the coming year. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just enjoy a good animated flick, there’s always something new on the horizon.