Immersive Enterprise Laboratories (IEL) is offering a behind-the-scenes appear at a groundbreaking experiment in animation production with the release of their new documentary, “The Science of Animation” on YouTube. The film revisits IEL’s live animation installation at the Fleet Science Center in San Diego, exploring what happens when the traditionally isolated animation process is opened up to public observation and participation.
Rather than showcasing a polished final product, the project, which took place during a weekend pop-up, invited visitors to witness and even contribute to the creation of an animated scene in real-time. Story development, performance capture, and environment building all occurred simultaneously, transforming a portion of the science museum into a functioning animation workspace. This innovative approach challenges conventional animation pipelines and explores the potential for increased creative collaboration.
“This exhibit proved that the animation process itself can change,” said Blake Baxter, co-founder of IEL. “We’re not just trying to build the traditional pipeline faster. We’re asking, what happens when story, character, and world evolve together in the same space at the same time? When creators can experience their ideas immediately, the creative ceiling expands. You’re no longer waiting. You’re building living systems.”
The installation leveraged real-time technologies, including motion capture, virtual cameras, and game-engine environments, allowing visitors to scan physical objects, contribute performances, and see their inputs instantly integrated into digital scenes. This immediate feedback loop was a key component of the experiment, fostering a dynamic and iterative creative process. According to IEL, the goal wasn’t simply to accelerate production, but to fundamentally rethink how animation is made.
Breaking Down Animation Boundaries
For decades, animation has been characterized by a segmented workflow – animation, lighting, rendering, and review occurring in distinct phases. Daniel Urbach, IEL’s other co-founder, explained the team’s intention to dismantle these traditional boundaries. “For decades, animation has been built around delay and separation,” Urbach stated. “You animate, then you light, then you render, then you review. We wanted to show that those boundaries are not required.”
Throughout the installation, an original character named Ruby served as a guide, explaining each stage of the process to visitors. The documentary doesn’t present a finished workflow, but rather documents an ongoing experiment, raising questions about the future of animation and the possibilities of shared creation. The project highlights the potential for a more fluid and responsive animation process, where ideas can be tested and refined in real-time.
IEL’s work builds on a growing trend of utilizing real-time rendering and game engine technology in animation production. Cartoon Brew notes the documentary’s exploration of this shift in the animation landscape.
The Fleet Science Center Installation
The pop-up installation at the Fleet Science Center, which took place in September 2025, according to SHOOTonline, was designed to be a fully immersive experience. Visitors weren’t simply observing animation; they were actively participating in its creation. The documentary captures this dynamic interaction, showcasing the energy and spontaneity of the live installation.
IEL’s experiment suggests a future where animation is less about solitary work and more about collaborative exploration. By breaking down the traditional barriers between creators and audiences, the studio is paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic animation process. The release of “The Science of Animation” on YouTube provides a valuable resource for animators, educators, and anyone interested in the evolving world of animation.
As animation technology continues to advance, expect to see more studios experimenting with real-time workflows and immersive experiences. IEL’s work serves as a compelling case study for the potential of these new approaches, and the documentary offers a glimpse into the future of animation production.
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