Defying Gravity Storyboards

Dear Stephen Schwartz,
I know you can relate to the plight of loving a story, loving a medium, and trying to convince someone in power to see your vision! You did it with Marc Platt when you convinced him to make it a stage musical. I’m just approaching you with the same sincerity. Is it possible to talk you out of doing a live action movie adaptation? Would you consider doing a traditionally animated adaptation? In my heart I think the musical needs the medium, and I think the medium needs your musical. I just love them both so much and hopefully that shows through in the story reel.
Sincerely,
Heidi Jo Gilbert

[@sackoftrash9171]

I love how this one actually depicts her fighting, rather than just a bunch of magic fluff and fleeing. She was committing treason, after all, and it's much closer to her fiercer nature in the book-verse

[@siddaknee_4292]

i know this is six years old, but I'll have you know that during the movie I kept thinking about this animatic and I'm convinced someone working on the film watched this.

[@stevenlee3278]

SAME! I remember watching this years ago and have never forgotten it. I know it says this video is 6 years old but I swear I saw this closer to 10 years ago somewhere

[@jsharp1701]

All the other versions I've seen are way too static and merely copy what's seen on stage. This is very cinematic and dynamic and takes advantage of the freedom and scale afforded by animation. Love it!

[@jessaarana]

Seeing that this is the top comment, may I also recommend this version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g52wh2NnmsmUqZI. It's a wicked x adventure time mash up but it's an awesome piece of animatic storytelling

[@Thoralmir]

This one is actually pretty good: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ2qiYGahNeGbJo

[@ChachiTchotchke]

I just came back from seeing the movie and straight up, i thought of this for the entire end of Defying Gravity. I dont know, i dont know if they saw this, but theres just these parts at the end that i was like, wait not what??? No way. This is. They had to be referencing this goddamn

[@lillypadx3]

Me too!! I remember seeing this storyboard YEARS ago, and the imagery always stuck with me. And then seeing Wicked over the weekend, this scene was so close to how I always imagined it because of this storyboard!

[@jonathanwallis3300]

The moment where Elphaba jumped off the balcony and landed on her flying broomstick gave me goosebumps! I LOVE IT! If I was in charge of Disney animation studios, I would of green lit this project in a heartbeat!

[@starfalchion4404]

I wish the live action version did the rising broom part because in the actual song, they’re just standing there singing.

[@JarCrouse]

This NEEDS to be an animated film.

[@broadwaybrook2319]

I know right! I totally agree with you! I'M ALL ON YOUR SIDE!!!

[@mossandfable]

This is a masterpiece and deserves way more attention.

[@broadwaybrook2319]

I'm all on your Side!!!!!!!

[@JaceDiehl]

I’ve revisited this many times to see what perfect boards look like

[@clairetheloon3004]

YOU"RE AMAZING. And you're right...we don't WANT a Wicked animated film...We NEED a Wicked animated film.

[@broadwaybrook2319]

I just want to tell you, I'M ON ALL YOUR SIDE!!!!!

[@alexaliona]

i just got here from the official movie trailer because i was watching that and like 'where have i seen something like this before?' it's here! it's been right here!

[@steampunksloth0059]

Maybe she worked on the film 👀👀👀

[@TheaterToast]

There is absolutely no way the film version will be able to capture all the nuances that this storyboard does.

[@Bedbugs_bite]

That’s the point of films so you would hope so 👍

[@Inxii]

And he captured it and even improved it!

[@DLGR]

It did. The ending made me come back to this animation. It was WONDERFUL

[@leightoa1]

Welp, that comment didn’t age well.

[@henryhammond7393]

Gotta say. I think at least someone working on the film may have seen this… captures it pretty well.

[@yeahsureray5747]

Anytime I go back to this animatic. It's my all time favorite. I just love everything about it and I can only hope one day they make an animated wicked movie. It'd be amazing

[@yeahsureray5747]

And I hope you're lead storyboard artist cause i love your art style

[@MattVargas]

I really hate to break your heart but this broke mine too if it means anything. There was an interview with Schwartz where he was asked about this and if he seen this animatic. He enjoyed the animatic and responded to animated adaptation with "no for multiple reasons" and moved on. He didn't even list a single one he just shoved off from the question. You would think someone who gets cut credit for his work would sympathize with animation and appreciate it's merit for a film adaptation.

[@justincosplay]

Who thinks the filmmakers saw this

[@comfortabledoug85]

I legit thought this when I watched the movie. It gave me chills having watched this animatic many times.

[@whatdoyousuppose]

Literally my exact thought watching the Defying Gravity sequence in the film - my mind was like oh my gosh they really did it, it’s so much like the Heidi Jo Gilbert animatic!

[@stevenrichardbarnett]

I've been watching this animatic almost from the day it was posted. Five years later, there are shots that bring tears to my eyes. I truly hope you've found a place at some animation studio and making them amazing art!

[@gee8419]

She has! She works for DreamWorks:D

[@hhometownnn]

Ive never gotten so many chills from watching an animatic in my LIFE

[@Craftsworldsocial]

THIS IS THE BEST ONE IVE SEEN YET

[@broadwaybrook2319]

Especially because a Disney animator made it!

[@chrisfrenchnyc]

Chills, EVERY time I watch this. What blows my mind is that so many shots set up an *expectation,* and then *shatters it,* especially from broomstick on. Each choice about WHERE to place the camera is freaking brilliant, leading to this rapid-fire delivery of expectaton / payoff / expectation / payoff that just lands, BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. Sharp, dynamic storytelling. Not at all surprised that @heidijobilbert has had a very successful animation career on numerous BIG projects after this. TALENT SHOWS, even in rough sketches like these, where every gesture and body stance communicates a truthful, insightful performance from the character. Sooooo impressive!

[@piloy-13]

This animatic still manages to give me chills all over my body the same way it did when I first watched it 5 years ago and didn't know anything about wicked. I still don't know much about it now but every now and then I think about this and I'm delighted all over again

I love that htat badically is in the movie. When I watched my first thin was oooh that animatic!

[@chompet123]

I hope they hired you as the storyboard artist for the live action adaptation coming in 2021.

[@broadwaybrook2319]

Hopefully it officially comes out this year. They better come out with an official trailer for it!

[@citonita2207]

Still one of my favorite things I've ever seen!

[@JaceDiehl]

WOW. This doesn’t need animation - it’s perfect already!

[@JordanVanRyn]

Imagine that we could have gotten a “Wicked” animated movie! The sheer action of Elphaba’s determination near the end is epic to watch! This is one of the best story board videos of ”Wicked” I’ve seen ever!

[@chancehanlin2747]

I can't be the only one that's reminded of that scene where Elsa makes a staircase out of ice at 1:30, makes sense considering Idina Menzel both voiced Elsa & played Elphaba.

[@bubleous]

i'm living for that new description. i'd also love to watch an animated wicked instead of the live action one they're planning to make.

[@jordanbriskin238]

0:52 -- 0:59 "You know your path, child. Now, follow it!"

[@theloredaughter]

I was trying to remember where I recognized that soundtrack from!!

[@GucciStinkbug]

I'm just. Completely speechless. This is genuinely jawdropping, just, great work!

[@enochyeung1978]

Heidi this is such wonderful work! I hope this ask eventually is fulfilled, sometime in the near future! Our family loves animated musicals.

[@isaackinne1971]

I love how part of this uses music from the song Savages from Pocahontas.

[@ragingrexasaurus3086]

Saw this on the internet when u first posted it still my favorite animated version of the musical

[@lucasgonzalez6346]

I saw your character studies and I’m amazed! This takes true talent, and I would know bc I’m an artist as well.

[@micanikko]

This is on par (in my opinion) with that Wicked - Adventure Time version animatic! Holy crap this is amazing!

[@sadiemormon-horn6809]

This was epic. No it was mythical. No it was simply perfection.

[@willleyland533]

Happy to be watching this after seeing the film

[@Wickedfanever]

I love this... I hope in the movie version that they show the Wizard and Madame Morrible watching Elphaba as she flies

[@broadwaybrook2319]

I hope so too, I've seen other animatics that show them

[@lillianward2810]

I love this so much.

[@a7xguitar666]

this is honestly amazing and deserves way more views and attention! pls do more from the soundtrack!! would love to see For Good or Dancing Through Life!!!

[@broadwaybrook2319]

Me too! I would LOVE to see "For Good" and "Dancing Through life" with this animation! It's amazing and so wonderful! And the other songs too!

[@WillScarlet16]

Only one thing missing - if it had been me I'd have her sky-write "YOU'LL NEVER BRING ME DOWN" in the sky at the end, as another visual nod to the 1939 movie.

[@meachamfilm]

Gives me chills every time.

[@spriteking1165]

0:50-0:58 Did I just hear a small musical note from Savages?

[@paloma4444]

I just wanted to say your art is amazing and I am happy to see you post again

[@kataminedj]

This is the best animatic I have ever seen!

[@ZoroTheBlue]

This is some serious talent! My sister is a huge wicked fan and she just loved this!

[@danahidalgoneira5119]

Absolutely amazing omg, I hope he listened to you T-T cause I got chills at the end WOWOWOW

[@JSCYA]

still one of my favs by far oh my God

[@calihorton2487]

This is amazing! I love watching animatics from lessor known creators vs all of the hype from the new movie coming out. I love the stage version and it’s why I love the story and even read most of the book. Believe me it is really dark. Anyway I think animation is medium many stories such as this could benefit from. Wicked is simply magical even without cgi and green screens as we see from the play version. Sometimes I think good old fashioned story boards (such as this) would be brilliant to bringing some magic back to many stories including Wicked (along with the other books) at least as a starting point ending with the wizard of Oz. The other series I’d like to see animated is Harry Potter but starting with the founders Era through the rebuilding after the second wizarding war.

[@borky6664]

God THIS IS .... GOD I CAN’T EVEN WRITE LOOKS SO PROFESIONAL THIS IS AMAZING !!! AHHH GOD ! 💖

[@artemisvoltaire4743]

Absolutely gorgeous, can't stop watching! Awesome work!

[@sarahjanecampbell6305]

This is underrated WHYYYYY

[@elijahoricjorencia1145]

Image if this is in Disney THIS WORK DESERVE S SO MUCH CREDIT RIGHT NOW so beautiful 🎆🎆🎆🎆🎆

[@CraftyTeo]

yaaaay I'm so happy this is finally on KZbin!!!

[@user-us1yu8gx9s]

This one is extremely interviewed for the amount of dynamic shots included ugh

[@zixcalunga]

WWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU....dISNEY TEM QUE VER ISSO

[@JC6659]

I had chills watching this 💖

[@TheOriginalCowboyCat]

this legit gave me chills, amazing!!

[@tessaogles1936]

This is so incredible!

[@SaraBethCox]

1:50 monopoly dude!

[@dragishawk]

This is AWESOME!

[@stellalpslover9793]

Holy- this- this right here. Beauty.

[@Black-iz6tj]

I got chills I love this

[@lyraferret]

This is amazing!!

[@alienillusi0n]

THIS IS AMAZING I need you to animate a disney movie omg

[@PeachWookiee]

Disney could have done an animated version with Idina and Kristin!!!

[@starfleetcomm]

Uhm.....S T O R Y B O A R D !?!?!?!?!

[@DavidHernandez-bj6ct]

0:50 this part of the music came from Pocahontas every time I hear this part I'm saying this you know your path child now follow it.

[@urbanmasque]

The original. 🙏🏾❤️

[@worldofartloveartwork1472]

You've worked real good and hard on the storyboard. This should be an animated film. I don't know how they'll ever make this as a movie but I agree it should be in animation. I hope it will too. Who knows how it'd would work in live action these days? This isn't 1939 you know. (Which was the year the Wizard Of Oz film was made just to mention.) I heard Wicked has been in progress to be a movie since possibly the musical was made. Interesting fact, they planned to adapt this into a film but they decided to adapt it as Broadway first. I heard Universal Studios is trying to make the film, however the director has sadly left because of that virus......... I just hope whatever they do, they will do this in a best and serious way they can. This is not only based on a great musical but Wicked is also inspired by one of the greatest stories for all ages from childhood to the golden years. However the film must've been in progress for a long time so hopefully they done they're best.

[@PeachWookiee]

Disney could do this as they’ve gotten Kristen and Idina on their payroll!

[@arian_just_arian8401]

Masterpiece ✨💚

[@TheEduardoReyes]

Thank you

[@raisin2515]

I love this

[@LucarioNinja92]

This. This is exactly what I want. Not more live action cash ins. Someone please make this for real

[@RareCandeh]

One of my favorite ones. I kinda wish she would fly through the clock's face shattering it's glass all over the guards 😈

[@broadwaybrook2319]

Yeah, that would have been cool!

[@trashwaifu6989]

If the live action doesn’t pull an ‘Into the woods’ where almost everything is kept the same with only a few additions here and there- NO CUTS I WILL TEAR THE MOUSE DOWN WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS It’s bad enough they’ve started skipping the ‘animated adaptations’ route completely after realizing no one on any of their teams has any soul left in them (looking at you Wish) but if they fucking botch a formula they have already made that has already worked reasonably well when adapting these kinds of musicals I just don’t know what’s left for the company besides adult Lego kits

[@magicamadeye]

i mean...wicked is a universal film, so the mouse has no hand in it. at all

[@trashwaifu6989]

@@magicamadeye Oh thank god, I just assumed! There may be hope after all

[@OMGSOSILLEH]

The movie completely exceeded my expectations, it was truly phenomenal!

[@sadiemormon-horn6809]

Where’s the rest of it?! The beginning part?

[@Lasanga95]

Holy shiiiiiiiiiit

[@WillowWishingDraws]

The fact that you have so few subscribes is a sin.

[@zombiegirlhearteater5218]

[@enzosoprano6992]

nice storyboard, dynamic and great poses. Music sucks though :)

[@kevinmcqueary7395]

Good News for all of you Wicked fans out there; a movie musical adaptation is in the works. Jon M. Chu, director of Crazy Rich Asians, and the movie musical adaptation of In The Heights, is set to direct. There's only one little catch; it has to be done in two separate parts; Part 1 for 2024, and Part 2 for 2025. here's the link to the stage musical. look for Legacy and Anniversary Tributes, and you'll see the explanation. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_(musical)