Goat, New Animated Feature from Sony Pictures Animation

Key Points:

The 2025 Annecy festival was marked by exceptional presentations, particularly the upcoming Sony Pictures Animation feature, Goat.
Sony’s unique animation style, which has garnered a significant fan base thanks to the Spider-Verse movie, will continue in this new project.
Animation enthusiasts are anxiously awaiting Goat, seeing it as another satiating helping of Sony’s distinctive animation style.
Tyree Dillihay & Michelle Ramio Kouyate, key creative forces behind Goat, have been making waves in the animation industry.

The Cheeky Assistant’s Hot Take:

This just in! Sony Pictures Animation, the maestro of animated marvels, is serving up a fresh dish of digital design with their upcoming feature, Goat. Expect the usual Sony dancing spectacles of pixels and vector art that make you wonder if you’re looking at a virtual Van Gogh. (Yeah, that’s how good we’re talking.)

It’s like Sony has found the secret animation recipe and is generously whipping up yet another visual feast for us, the famished fans. Head Chefs – ahem, I mean, Directors – Tyree Dillihay and Michelle Ramio Kouyate are stirring the pot this time. Keep an eye on these two, folks! With Goat, they’re not just trying to get our goat (pun fully intended), they’re setting out to redefine the animation landscape. Be prepared for some breathtaking encounters in the third dimension. I’m personally betting on Goat to have us all bleating for more.

Unveiled at the prestigious 2025 Annecy festival, Sony Pictures’ upcoming animation sensation, Goat, stole the show. Following the lauded Spider-Verse series, Sony has consistently impressed animation enthusiasts with each endeavor, maintaining a unique animation style. Goat, an anthropomorphic coming-of-age tale set against a backdrop of a vibrant New York, lives up to this reputation. Skwigly ventured backstage for a conversation with film director Tyree Dillihay and producer Michelle Ramio Kouyate.

You spoke about Sony’s penchant for breaking the boundaries of animation at the presentation. So, is there a self-imposed pressure to disrupt the norm yet again?

TD: Not at all. Despite the Spider-verse’s massive success, we aimed to carve our own singular path. As you’ll witness in February, we have captured unique elements that distinguish it from not only Spider-Verse but all animated films to date.

MRK: That said, Sony animation thrives on creating quirky, unique narratives. The excitement of doing something fresh and different is exhilarating.

TD: I believe Sony’s the only studio that doesn’t stick to one particular style. Each film has its own distinct look.

Can you tell us about the experimental techniques used in this film?

TD: Adjusting frame rates was certainly exciting. We experimented with a myriad of frame rates, as opposed to adhering to a typical animation standard.

Why was this technique necessary?

TD: It promotes a distinct feel. Images linger on-screen for longer, impacting how viewers perceive them. From animals dribbling basketballs to their movements, a unique frame rate can entirely alter the audience’s experience.

How has your industry experience shaped this project? What were the major hurdles?

MRK: I’ve had a rather diverse career, spanning executive roles, producer positions, live action, and animation. The challenges mainly revolved around working with Unreal Engine and previs for me. Balancing between creating a sustainable model for animals in upright and four-legged form was another hurdle.

TD: The project’s size, coupled with the time constraints and manpower, were intriguing challenges. Our main technical difficulty was rendering the animals in various postures, but it resulted in some thrilling stylistic outcomes.

Why did Caleb McLaughlin emerge as the perfect fit for the lead role?

TD: He was, undeniably, the best choice. He personified Will perfectly, exuding charm and heart, with a voice that resonated with Will’s age.

MRK: Caleb conveyed an exuberance, an attitude, and an empathic tone that cut through, making him the perfect choice for animation.

Can you share your experience directing Steph Curry?

TD: A novel and exciting experience indeed, as I believe I’m the first to direct Steph Curry for voiceover. He’s as versatile in the booth as on the court, impressing everyone involved.

Sony has a rich history of promoting people of color into leadership roles. Do you think it offers a safer environment compared to the rest of the industry?

TD: I wouldn’t say safer, but Sony Animation ranks number one for me. The diverse range of stories narrated, coupled with the warm welcome I received from day one, speaks volumes about their ethos. They prioritize the best individual for the job, and I’m grateful they saw the vision in me.

Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/tyree-dillihay-michelle-ramio-kouyate-on-sonys-goat/