Berk's Grapevine

Hiccup Introduces Apollo, New Animation Software


Here's a behind the scenes look at DreamWorks' new animation software, Apollo. Shown in the video are Torch, a brand new lighting tool (not the dragon), and Premo, an animation tool that allows animators to manipulate characters more easily on the screen using a tablet pen rather than entering numbers.

The new software is unlike anything else out there. I was very lucky to be able to see this software in action, and it really is amazing. The interface is much simpler and more intelligent than any other animation software I've used, and combined with the extremely powerful computers used on the film, it must make animating dragons pretty fun.

150 comments:

  1. VelocityTheSpeedStingerJuly 11, 2014 at 9:20 PM

    I can't help but think about the space missions instead of the animation software when I hear "Apollo".

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  2. HiccupToothlessFan95July 11, 2014 at 9:26 PM

    This new software is amazing i can't wait for HTTYD 3 because by the time it comes out they will have a lot of experience using Apollo, so they are probably going to take the graphics to a whole new level that we have never seen before just like they did with the second movie.

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  3. hiccstrid and stalka

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  4. And people wonder why DreamWorks would be my choice animation company to work at! Look how user-friendly the interface is! If anyone has ever animated, they know the classic spreadsheet interface can be so annoying and can really frustrate the artist... But just look at this! I am so excited they developed this program, I could only hope to work on it in the future!

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  5. even though the first movie didn't have this it still turned out really good

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  6. That is fantastic! And it certainly paid off in the graphics of HTTYD2.

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  7. ==SPOILERS==
    You know what I love most about this? We get to see the seen part where Stoick and Valka kiss!!! XD

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  8. Toothless the Dragon KingJuly 11, 2014 at 10:11 PM

    Hi Guys

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  9. hey look its toothless enjoying being the new king of dragons you know you took a lion king element lol

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  10. Love you DreamWorks love you.. Make those Great movies of yours and HTTYD3, Kung fu panda 3. DreamWorks Apollo is great. :)

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  11. *awes in silence* Very nice. (: This helps out a lot, I can see! Very beautiful! Love this interview.

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  12. OMG I NEED THIS PROGRAM!!!

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  13. Not to mention the show. The animation may be even better on seasons 3 and 4.

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  14. I hope it will be better. The animation in the TV show really bothered me, too cheap.(to me)

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  15. Yes, but I heard they are thinking about selling it to other companies at some point.

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  16. Considering how crunched they are for cash, I don't think they have a choice.

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  17. It's hard to believe that they make AMAZING animation in seconds! Using Apollo on HTTYD2 is the best choice Dean, Dreamworks and those other animators ever made.

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  18. Those animation artists are aweaome but...Dang! those software engineers are even more awesome.

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  19. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 12, 2014 at 3:40 AM

    Cool!

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  20. it got better in s2 i felt

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  21. your toothless's rival

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  22. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 12, 2014 at 5:51 AM

    No, one of my subjects is his rival.
    In fact, all of us are rivals of Night Furies.
    We don't have the best history.

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  23. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 12, 2014 at 8:38 AM

    Also, this is a short part of the letter/email I got.
    "Imagine finally finding the courage to report a relative for molesting and raping you after keeping silent for decades...only to be told by the judge hearing your case that your assailant essentially committed no crime!
    District Court Judge Garry Neilson didn't just tell the victim that her abuse wasn't illegal, he even went as far as saying incest and paedophilia should be accepted by society in the same way as gay relationships." (A lady in court actually heard him say this)
    I don't know if I'm over reacting or not, but the worse thing is he's an Australian judge! In Sydney! That's not to far from my town!
    I'm scared because if a crime as big as child abuse or rape happened here in my town, were sent to Sydney!
    ...Am I over reacting?

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  24. What's the name of the song playing near the end? It's beautiful! I know it's not part of the HTTYD soundtrack, but it would be nice if someone new.

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  25. It was kind of cheap but they were on a budget. And the second season had better animation. I think you just tend to compare it to the movies. They set the bar pretty high there.

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  26. Did anyone else sorta freaked out when Hiccup started talking to the 'camera?' O-O

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  27. While he's at it, he should wear a shirt that says "I am a pedo."

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  28. I wish I had this!

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  29. Yes I know they were considering selling it, but at which time? Probably in the future, but they also might hold it for themselves for a but if time. Either way, it is very exciting!

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  30. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 12, 2014 at 1:02 PM

    I know this sounds weird, but I'll say it anyway. If I were gay for anyone, it would be Hiccup.

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  31. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 12, 2014 at 1:04 PM

    yes, I freaked out

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  32. "Hello, gang. Hiccup here..."
    Do you hear that? That is the sound of millions of children and fan girls squealing and fan girling.

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  33. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 12, 2014 at 1:08 PM

    first choice would be Astrid though.

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  34. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 12, 2014 at 1:08 PM

    do you think its weird?

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  35. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 12, 2014 at 1:12 PM

    is there anyone who is on right now?

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  36. Wait, It got better? I guess I should review season 2. Stupid me!

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  37. Uh, no? I was joking. I'm a fan girl...

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  38. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 12, 2014 at 2:11 PM

    no, below this

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  39. i liked his comment on astrid though other fans might find it insulting i like both character models

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  40. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 12, 2014 at 2:35 PM

    yay! Dragons has grossed 314 million and finally knocked out 22 jump street

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  41. And the fandom goes wild

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  42. Did anyone else find the narrator extremely annoying, Iv'e never wanted to hit someone so badly

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  43. Yes same here, they looked super cheap and it's going to be hard to watch the older Hiccup and gang in a cheap version

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  44. *Pinch nose* Please somebody kill him...

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  45. uh...I'm not getting into this weird sexuality stuff, it's kind of off topic for this artical. :/

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  46. I wish I had Apollo; I'm not the best artist, but it looks like a very awesome program! I'm assuming they'll be using this in other movies. Or I hope! ^_^


    I'm going to say that whenever the DreamWorks Dragons took some time for the movies, I'm guessing it was before Apollo and that was why it took more time and even more time on the sequel. It sucks because people complain how it took 4 years to make.... :/

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  47. Oh my Gods....No...Someone get rid of him...Oh gods! Someone get Astrid and her axe~!

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  48. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 12, 2014 at 6:09 PM

    lol. I know, just putting it out there. I wish they were real

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  49. What do you mean by knocking out 22 jump street? Has it earned more money?

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  50. You're actually not the first person I've heard say that..... o.o

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  51. Pixar has sold Renderman software to other institutions I'm pretty sure. My college uses it. Hopefully my college also buys the Premo software as well.

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  52. I'm pretty sure Pixar has sold its Renderman software to other institutions, my college uses it. So hopefully they buy the Premo software as well in the very near future... so I can try it out before I graduate :)

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  53. astrid please show this guy what you do to fans who insult you http://youtu.be/BZiqNACUMmA

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  54. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 12, 2014 at 8:57 PM

    Yea, show him, Astrid!!

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  55. i found this http://youtu.be/G784_v1EHEE to bad they never interacted in the movie but atleast now she knows where he gets his dramatic flare

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  56. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 12, 2014 at 9:15 PM

    I admit, it's actually like Hiccup singing it.

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  57. shes alot like other tsundere's i know and hiccup is the only viking for her even if snotloser trys to be with her

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  58. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 12, 2014 at 11:11 PM

    Here's a bit shorter but slightly different video of the animation.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_6fwhx9IpQ

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  59. hiccupandtoothlesshybridJuly 13, 2014 at 12:41 AM

    Disney's got nothing on DreamWorks!

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  60. Hey did you know that httyd 3 will come out in 2016? 2 more years!

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  61. 22 Jump Street was in 1st place all this time, I believe. That's why here in the US the Dragons 2 arena for watching the movie was so empty" I have yet to see it but I'm waiting for it go on TV, I'm supporting DrGons 2.

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  62. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 13, 2014 at 2:34 PM

    yes, 22 j s has 239 m or something

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  63. 239 m worldwide??? Thats quite a gigantic lead....

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  64. Yeah Dragons has only managed to earn more than 22JS domestically 2 times since they've both been released. So it earning more internationally is pretty cool.

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  65. Toothless the Dragon KingJuly 13, 2014 at 5:13 PM

    riders of berk in Arabic

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  66. MartianArchaeologistJuly 13, 2014 at 10:11 PM

    As far as I can tell it hasn't opened in a few major markets yet, such as Japan (they're going to love this movie) and China

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  67. MartianArchaeologistJuly 13, 2014 at 10:14 PM

    Thank you for posting this, IcelandicEel! Here's something to add to the awesomeness: Houdini has an article on its site about HTTYD2

    http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2749&Itemid=68

    For anybody who cares, a few of us on the forum are getting together to learn Houdini. Download the demo for free and learn along with us fans!

    http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_download&task=apprentice&Itemid=208

    (I'm currently using Apprentice.)

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  68. MartianArchaeologistJuly 13, 2014 at 10:16 PM

    P. S. :: continues to drool over Apollo ::

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  69. MartianArchaeologistJuly 13, 2014 at 10:16 PM

    It got way better.

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  70. Make-A-Wish Help me make my dream come true :,)

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  71. Still disappointed to the people...
    Frozen got 1.2 BILLION (400 million in USA)
    320 million in 8 weeks (in the states alone)
    314mil is states and worldwide together...
    I mean wtf.. don't get me wrong, Frozen was good, but not that great -_-
    Frozen was OVERRATED..
    Dragon is UNDERRATED..
    And Dragons should deserve more than Frozen
    I mean Dragons' story,animation and MUSIC was way much better that Frozen... imdb ranked it 2 in Top 10 Animation of all time for f sake
    Just because it says "Disney" does mean it's going of is great movie -_-
    Dreamworks should be recognized more often, just saying..

    DREAMWORKS FOR LIFE!!!

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  72. Does anybody know the track that is playing in the background after 3:42?? :) It would be great if somebody could help out! Thanks!

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  73. Well, I didn't freak out I just had a weird fan girling moment...

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  74. http://youtu.be/wpQWIi2-gV0 i know alot of fans are eager for there romance in the new seasons

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  75. Toothless the Dragon KingJuly 14, 2014 at 8:37 PM

    I can't wait till the dvd comes out plus there is no cinema or theatre in my country
    So i downloaded the movie before the DVD

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  76. Toothless the Dragon KingJuly 14, 2014 at 8:47 PM

    difference

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  77. This software NEEDS to become commercially available.

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  78. If Lego Movie wins it I'm losing all hope on humans because Lego movie was not that great, I literally got bored while watching it.

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  79. i wonder if hiccup will call astrid mi lady in the new seasons cuz by then the awkward phase shouldn't be a problem

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  80. heather has nothing on them

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  81. I have that Toothless toy!!

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  82. TimbertheTimberjackJuly 15, 2014 at 12:33 PM

    I know this is a bit off topic but has anyone wondered where cloudjumper and the bewilderbeasts nostrils are?

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  83. VelocityTheSpeedStingerJuly 15, 2014 at 1:08 PM

    Heather wasn't interested in Hiccup to begin with.

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  84. That's actually a very good question...

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  85. Every animators dream software...

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  86. I just watched the trailer for Big Hero 6, and Tuffnut's voice actor is in it! And the character he plays even looks like Tuff.

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  87. TimbertheTimberjackJuly 15, 2014 at 9:21 PM

    OMG you're right

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  88. Cloudjumper nostril could be hidden behind the spike shaped feature close to his mouth. As for the bewilderbeast.... Same logic as Krillin from Dragonball Z.

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  89. Send me a link when you do find one. :D

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  90. Tuffnut in Transformers 4 is awesome too :D

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  91. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 16, 2014 at 6:09 AM

    Really?

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  92. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 16, 2014 at 6:09 AM

    XD I never thought like that...

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  93. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 16, 2014 at 6:10 AM

    Snotloser? Please dont call him that.

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  94. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 16, 2014 at 6:11 AM

    I WANT THAT TOOTHLESS TOY!!

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  95. Hmm... I don't know why, but I actually agree...

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  96. Yeah, it's so weird. XD

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  97. It actually looks like a fun movie.:D

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  98. He looks like T.J Miller [Tuffnut], too! I can't wait for Big Hero 6, the white blob [sorry, I can't remember his name] looks like a chubby Cry.

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  99. can't help it his character is nothing but a pathetic show off

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  100. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 16, 2014 at 1:41 PM

    well done, AG

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  101. I'm seeing this today [movie] with my best friend Taylor for my birthda [though it was on Monday] and I'm so excited for some Hicstrid!

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  102. Hah xD At first I was like "What the heck is AG?" *facepalm* I'm so stupid sometimes.

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  103. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 16, 2014 at 2:02 PM

    seriously? XD

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  104. Uh-huh! I thought it was something offensive at first, for some reason; and then I looked at my username and burst out in laughter! xD

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  105. T.J Miller is in T4? WHAT!?

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  106. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 16, 2014 at 2:07 PM

    I must show you something

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  107. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 16, 2014 at 2:12 PM

    This is how I picture Hiccup between DoB and HTTYD 2. Sorry, taking it sideways was the only good angle.

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  108. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 16, 2014 at 2:18 PM

    Listening to Lai nu Snieg while I'm waiting for commenters

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  109. o_O! Nothing to do here! *dissapears*

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  110. Saviour of the DragonsJuly 16, 2014 at 3:32 PM

    hey, is their anyone on right now

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  111. Are you gonna see it in theaters or DVD?

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  112. i wonder how stoick meets his new dragon

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  113. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 17, 2014 at 1:11 AM

    I would love it if he did!
    Can you do this in colour?

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  114. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 17, 2014 at 1:13 AM

    Makes sense.
    He loves destruction.

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  115. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 17, 2014 at 1:21 AM

    I'm quite happy with how Hiccup kisses Astrid.
    And not the other way around.
    It also looks like it wasn't the first time so I think we're gonna see him kissing Astrid in the next season of Dragons.

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  116. Haha, I got it at the Arena Spectacular, which, by the way, was so awesome!

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  117. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 17, 2014 at 5:40 AM

    He really is.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx8k-dhPak4

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  118. “We had to create believable creatures that you could connect with emotionally. I wanted the audience to believe Toothless is a real creature that someone could fall in love with, the way people might fall in love with their horse, dog, or cat.” –Simon Otto, head of character animation



    I'm surprised no one has even mentioned this! 0_o (pic below)

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  119. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 17, 2014 at 7:07 AM

    Not allowed to chat. :) Plus, Forum is getting popular.

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  120. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 17, 2014 at 7:07 AM

    Awesome!

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  121. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 17, 2014 at 7:10 AM

    I guess you have your opinions. But I'm just saying, calling an animated person a loser doesn't make you much better.

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  122. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 17, 2014 at 7:10 AM

    Like I said, stick with your opinions, but he's an animated character. Sorry to break your hearts.

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  123. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 17, 2014 at 7:11 AM

    I WANT. I WANT. I WANT.

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  124. ME LOVE SKRILL!!!!!

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  125. Oh, I see.

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  126. TimbertheTimberjackJuly 17, 2014 at 11:31 AM

    XD I had the exactly the same looks when my friend pranked me, it was a large box left on my porch and she jumped out of it

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  127. http://youtu.be/fMqQPfp-8tw a mother never forgets also if you notice hiccup does an epic this is berk speech as the sun is setting he did one during the day in the very first episode i john sanford did that to symbolize his last day as director on dragons i know fans had gripes with his writing but i liked it

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  128. they are the true pairing of berk and in the final movie they better get married you know my favorite hiccstrid moment is where astrid defends hiccup's honor in front of drago because it wasn't just a warning it was a fact i was like drago astrid warned you didn't she

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  129. SplashyTheThunderdrumJuly 18, 2014 at 7:00 AM

    make a video about ANYTHING (for examkple a new animating software) alp some httyd in it, and it's awesome. a rule that cannot be overthrown.

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  130. That's why my YouTube channel is popular ^-^

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  131. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 19, 2014 at 5:06 AM

    I would like it more if they were already married and had their own little kid.
    A 5 year old girl would be the CUTEST thing EVER!!

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  132. Oh...Yay. Morse Hiccstrid -.-

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  133. relax they will get married in the third part

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  134. https://www.tumblr.com/reblog/73117354610/XeHfxUCM camicazi says this in book 11

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  135. I love DreamWorks sooo much more than Disney!!

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  136. DreamWorks just looks so much more real than Disney (animation wise) and character wise

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  137. As in the world of HTTYD? Because I wish it was too

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  138. Uhh... link for people with no tumblr?

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  139. Is it wrong to be a fanboy?
    Also...hello everybody (^o_o^) toothlessface

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