Moana
Art Director - Canoes & Marine Vessels
Art Director responsible for all canoes and marine vessels in Disney's live-action Moana adaptation. Led comprehensive cultural research, coordinated multi-location production between Atlanta stages and Hawaii beaches, and oversaw design and construction of ocean-ready practical vessels that merged authentic Oceanic traditions with cutting-edge filmmaking technology.
Cultural Research & Authenticity
Research Documentation
Origin Research - Cultural research and origin studies for authentic canoe design
Style Studies - Traditional Oceanic canoe style studies and references
Construction Methods - Traditional construction methods and materials research
Cultural Graphics - Cultural graphics and symbol research for authenticity
Cultural Integration
Symbol Meanings - Comprehensive symbol meanings created with cultural advisors
Traditional Elements - Traditional elements and finish techniques research
Animated Reference - Reference analysis from the original animated Moana
Complete Fleet Production
Fleet Overview
Fleet Overview - Complete fleet overview showing all vessel types and configurations
Technical Breakdown - Technical breakdown infographic of canoe systems and components
Scale Models - Physical scale models used for design development and approval
Construction Progress - Construction progress showing 3D-printed frame and fiberglass work
Lighting Tests - Lighting tests for optimal cinematography on practical vessels
Moana's Hero Canoe
Technical Design
Technical Overview - Complete technical overview of Moana's canoe design and systems
Carving Graphics - Detailed carving graphics and cultural symbol placement
Sail Design - Sail design worksheet with rigging and configuration details
Construction & Set Work
Night Lighting - Hero canoe night lighting concept for dramatic sequences
Mast Rigging - Technical drawing for mast top rigging and hardware
Stage Setup - Moana's canoe prepared for filming on water tank stage
Construction Detail - Detail view showing authentic construction and finish work
Sail Construction - Sail construction and rigging progress
Surface Texturing - Carving mold wheel system for consistent surface texturing
Damage States & Configurations
Damage Continuity - Primary damage worksheet for reef crash sequence continuity
Configuration States - Secondary damage configurations for story progression
Damaged Configuration - Damaged canoe configuration during reef crash filming
Renewed State - Renewed configuration for later story sequences
Island Location - Moana's canoe on location at Maui island beach
Beach Landing - Complete setup for island beach landing sequences
The Ancestors Canoe
Technical Design & VFX Integration
70-Foot Overview - Complete technical overview of the 70-foot ancestors canoe
VFX Integration - VFX breakdown showing practical vs. digital elements
Hawaii Construction - Construction progress during Hawaii location preparation
Motion Base System
Motion Base Setup - Custom gimbal motion base setup for water simulation
Gimbal System - Motion base detail showing vessel mounting system
System Operation - Motion base in operation during filming
Vessel Construction
Traditional Hut - Traditional hut structure on ancestors canoe deck
Hut Construction - Detail work on traditional hut construction
Mast System - Mast construction and rigging system
Navigator Canoes & Ancestors Cave
Navigator Vessels
Navigator Design - Navigator canoe technical overview and specifications
Stage Preparation - Navigator canoe prepared for filming sequences
Hawaii Location - Navigator canoe on location in Hawaii
Water Sequences - Navigator canoe on motion base for water sequences
Hut Progress - Traditional hut construction progress on navigator vessel
Cave Planning - Ancestors cave layout with canoe placement planning
Cave Environment
Cave Setup - Ancestors cave hut construction for character interaction
Cave Positioning - Moana's canoe positioned in ancestors cave set
Cave Vessels - Medium-scale canoe construction for cave sequences
Story Sail - Story sail with cultural narrative elements
Cultural Details & Craftsmanship
Authentic Details
Carving Details - Intricate carving details showing traditional Oceanic symbols
Symbol Variations - Various carving details across different vessel types
Character Sails - Maui's sail featuring character-specific cultural elements
Hawaii Location Production
Beach Operations
Aerial Overview - Aerial view of complete Hawaii beach setup with multiple vessels
Beach Operation - Beach setup showing scale of Hawaii location operation
Fleet Arrangement - Multiple canoes arranged for beach landing sequences
Ocean Filming
Crew Coordination - Hawaii filming preparation with crew and vessel coordination
Ocean Filming - Complete beach landing setup for authentic ocean filming
Built in Atlanta, sailed in the oceans of Hawaii with full functionality and authenticity
Reef Crash Sequence
Crash Environment
Crash Setup - Reef crash sequence setup with damaged canoe configuration
Coral Construction - Coral reef construction for crash sequence filming
Reef Environment - Detailed coral construction for realistic reef environment
2026
Release Year
$300M
Budget
John Myhre
Production Designer
Alan Hook
Supervising Art Director
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