Illumination, formerly known as Illumination Entertainment, is an American animation studio founded by Chris Meledandri on January 17, 2007, after leaving 20th Century Fox Animation and is a division of Universal Pictures,[5][6][7] a division of Comcast through its wholly owned subsidiary NBCUniversal; Meledandri produces the films, while Universal finances and distributes them.[6] The studio is best known for creating the Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, and Sing franchises, as well as the adaptations of Dr. Seuss' books The Lorax and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!; and Nintendo video games, starting with The Super Mario Bros. Movie.[8] The Minions, characters from the Despicable Me series, are the mascots of the studio.

In a similar fashion to Sony Pictures Animation and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Illumination does not produce its films in-house where it is based in Santa Monica, but rather outsources the animation production of its films to other studios. Most of its films are animated by Illumination Studios Paris,[3] a subsidiary formed through the purchase of Mac Guff (which animated the first Despicable Me).[20][21] So far, the only Illumination film not to be animated by Illumination Studios Paris or Mac Guff was Hop, which was animated by Rhythm & Hues Studios.[22]

In 2011, Illumination acquired the animation department of the French animation and visual effects studio Mac Guff, which animated Despicable Me and Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, and formed Illumination Mac Guff (later Illumination Studios Paris).[11][12][13]

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After the closure of Walter Lantz Productions in March 1972 and prior to the release of Despicable Me, Universal distributed a few animated films from 1986 to 2009 that were produced by outside studios, including An American Tail, The Land Before Time, Jetsons: The Movie, the Amblimation films, (An American Tail: Fievel Goes West, We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story, and Balto), The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie, The Tale of Despereaux, and 9 (under its Focus Features subsidiary) while their in-house animation studio produced Curious George in 2006.

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Darkfield microscopy has been used since the early 20th century. It is another variation of brightfield microscopy that has gained popularity in recent years. The light source does not directly illuminate the specimen but instead reflects into the objective lens. An image obtained as a result appears dark, with bright spots at the place where the light is reflected off the specimen. It is especially useful when a researcher needs to observe smaller, transparent samples, or microorganisms.

The researcher or medical expert usually needs a light source, a condenser lens, an objective lens, and an eyepiece lens. Typically, a halogen lamp serves as a light source. The light is directed through the condenser lens, which focuses the light on the specimen. The objective lens is located under the specimen. They magnify the image and project it upward through the eyepiece lens. They further magnify the image for the observer.

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When we see all these discoveries, it’s easy to conclude that brightfield microscopy is a fundamental tool in biology and medicine that helps in better understanding of the organisms at the cellular and molecular levels.

Brightfield microscopy is the most basic of all the optical microscopy illumination methods. It uses the transmitted white light method which illuminates from below and is observed from above. The technique relies on the sample’s contrast, created by the authentication of transmitted light in denser regions. This method is a common choice in the array of illumination methods for light microscopes. The resulting image typically portrays a dark sample against a bright background. In the dynamic world of sample observation, this technique’s simplicity contributes to its widespread utilization and popularity.

However, there are a few drawbacks as well. One of the main disadvantages of brightfield microscopy is that it cannot detect structures or molecules that don’t absorb or scatter light. It can also be difficult to distinguish between different structures that are located at different depths within the specimen. This can be quite problematic when working with transparent or semi-transparent samples. To overcome the disadvantages, several variations of brightfield microscopy have been developed. One of the most widely used is phase contrast microscopy, first used in the early 1930s. The contrast microscope uses a special lens to increase the contrast between transparent and semi-transparent specimens. There is a phase shift in the light passing through the specimen.

On September 23, 2022, Illumination announced its hiring of former Netflix head of adult animation Mike Moon as senior creative advisor, and a new label led by Moon known as Moonlight, which will aim to "produce animated films that push beyond the family genre".[18][19]

Not unlike Pixar, in its early days Illumination depended on a core group of directors and writers to create its films. The directors of Despicable Me, Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, also directed or co-directed Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Despicable Me 2, Minions, The Secret Life of Pets, and Despicable Me 3. Screenwriters Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio (who had written Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! for Meledandri at Fox) wrote or co-wrote Despicable Me, Hop, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Despicable Me 2, The Secret Life of Pets, and Despicable Me 3, while screenwriter Brian Lynch wrote or co-wrote Hop, Minions, and The Secret Life of Pets.

The brightfield microscope was invented over time through the contributions of multiple scientists. The basic principles of the brightfield microscope were established by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in the 17th century when he created simple microscopes for observing tiny organisms. However, the design and development of more advanced brightfield microscopes involved the work of various scientists in the 19th and 20th centuries.

On May 19, 2011, Illumination announced that it would be working with Universal Pictures to create Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, a 3-D ride at Universal Parks & Resorts in Orlando, Hollywood, and Osaka.[62] The ride officially opened on July 2, 2012, in Orlando, in Hollywood on April 12, 2014, and in Osaka on April 21, 2017. In April 2019, it was announced they would collaborate again on the creation of The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!, a dark ride attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood.[63][64] While its opening was scheduled for March 27, 2020, it was delayed until further notice due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in California.[65] It eventually opened on April 8, 2021.[66]

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Bright-field microscopy finds diverse applications across scientific disciplines, making it a versatile tool in research, education, and various industries. In biological research, it is pivotal for examining stained specimens like tissues, cells, and microorganisms, as well as observing live cells in culture. In medical diagnostics, bright-field microscopy plays a crucial role in clinical pathology, analyzing blood smears, urine samples, and biopsy specimens. It also aids in identifying pathogens in clinical microbiology. In material science, this technique is employed for quality control and studying the microstructure of materials such as metals and polymers. Bright-field microscopy is extensively used in education, serving as a foundational tool for introductory microscopy in biology and related fields. Industries, including food and beverage, utilize it for quality control and contamination analysis. Additionally, it is applied in environmental science, forensic science, pharmaceutical research, botany, and entomology, showcasing its broad impact in advancing knowledge and applications across various scientific domains. Brightfield microscopy was instrumental in important discoveries. Some of the discoveries include:

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Illumination has produced 15 feature films, with an average gross of $711 million per film. Three of their films—The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), Minions (2015) and Despicable Me 3 (2017)—are among the 50 highest-grossing films of all time, and eight of their films are also among the 50 highest-grossing animated films. Its first film, Despicable Me, was released on July 9, 2010, and its latest film, Despicable Me 4, was released on July 3, 2024; their upcoming slate of films includes The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 on April 3, 2026 and Minions 3 on June 30, 2027

Meledandri left as President of 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios in early 2007. While at those companies he supervised or executive-produced movies including Ice Age, Robots, Ice Age: The Meltdown, and Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!. After leaving, he founded Illumination Entertainment and a deal was announced positioning Illumination Entertainment as Universal's family entertainment arm, that would produce one to two films a year starting in 2010.[9] As part of the deal, Illumination retains creative control and Universal Pictures exclusively distributes the films.[10]

The Super Mario Bros. Movie, an animated film based on the Mario video game franchise as a collaboration with Nintendo directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, was released on April 5, 2023.[53][17][54][55] The film debuted to a $146.4 million domestic opening weekend, holding several box office records including the highest opening weekend for a video game adaptation as well as the highest opening weekend for Illumination.[56][57] The film would go on to gross $574.9 million domestically and $1.36 billion worldwide, becoming the third Illumination film to cross the $1 billion mark, as well as the second highest-grossing film of 2023.[58][59] Migration, an original film directed by Benjamin Renner, was released on December 22, 2023.[60][61] It was followed by Despicable Me 4, directed by Renaud, on July 3, 2024.[60]

It was followed by Sing 2, again directed by Jennings, which was released on December 22, 2021. Despite opening to a modest $41 million over a five-day weekend (and $23 million over the normal three-day frame),[45] the film would eventually become the highest-grossing animated film of 2021, as well as the highest-grossing animated film released during the COVID-19 pandemic, earning $163 million stateside and $408 million worldwide.[46] Minions: The Rise of Gru, directed by Balda, was released on July 1, 2022, after a delay of two years caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[47][48][49] The film earned $125 million stateside over the four-day July 4 weekend, a new record over said timeframe.[50] The film would go on to overtake Sing 2 as the highest-grossing animated film during the pandemic, with $369 million domestically and $939 million worldwide.[51][52]

On August 22, 2016, NBCUniversal acquired competing studio DreamWorks Animation, which fueled speculation that Meledandri was to oversee both studios.[14][15][16] While he had been approached by NBCUniversal to oversee both studios, he turned down the offer and later explained "I love the process of making films and working with artists. I don't think I'm particularly great at managing companies".[17]

One of the oldest and most used techniques in microscopy is brightfield microscopy. It allows for the observation of living cells, tissues, and other biological specimens for educational and research purposes. The name “brightfield” refers to the fact that the image is formed with “the help” of the light that goes through the specimen and forms the light image against the dark background. This technique has also been used to explore many topics in biology and medicine. The basic principle that brightfield technology uses is simple; the equipment is not expensive; and it allows for an observation that won’t harm the quality of the specimen. In general, brightfield microscopy can be used in the cell, tissue, and other biological specimen research, but it can also be very helpful in the observation and research of non-biological materials such as diverse types of minerals and metals.

Brightfield microscopy is a very useful technique and very helpful for researchers and medical experts who need to observe cells, tissues, and other biological specimens. This technique is simple, inexpensive, and easily accessible, but it has its limitations. To overcome these limitations diverse variants like fluorescence or darkfield illumination were developed. Phase contrast microscopy uses a special lens to increase the contrast between transparent and semi-transparent specimens. Darkfield microscopy is especially useful for observing smaller or transparent samples. Both variants proved quite helpful in obtaining the maximum possible efficiency and work quality. Digital microscopes from PreciPoint also offer several benefits. O8 oil digital microscope and slide scanner serve as both a digital microscope and a scanner, offering completely new possibilities for your workflow.

The Secret Life of Pets was released on July 8, 2016.[37] Directed by Renaud and Yarrow Cheney, the film would earn $104 million in its opening weekend, going on to gross $368 million domestically, and $875 million worldwide. Sing, a comedy written and directed by Garth Jennings, was released on December 21, 2016.[38] It was the first movie for the studio to have a Christmas release. The film would earn $56 million in its first 5 days, grossing $270 million stateside and $634 million worldwide. It also holds the record for the highest-grossing film not to ever be at No. 1 in its run. Despicable Me 3, which reunited Coffin and Balda as directors, was released on June 30, 2017, to a $75 million domestic opening weekend.[39] The film would then go on to gross $264 million domestically and $1.034 billion worldwide, making it the second film from the studio to cross the $1 billion mark, as well as highest-grossing animated film of 2017. At the time of its release, it also set a record for the highest theatre count ever with 4,536 theatres in its second week.[40] The film that followed was an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, simply titled The Grinch, which was released on November 9, 2018, with Scott Mosier and Cheney as directors and featuring a screenplay by Michael LeSieur and Tommy Swerdlow.[38] The film opened to $67 million in its first domestic weekend[41] and went on to earn $271 million stateside and $513 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Christmas film of all time.[42] The Secret Life of Pets 2, again directed by Renaud, was released on June 7, 2019, to a domestic opening weekend of $47 million,[43] going on to gross $159 million stateside and $446 million worldwide, making less than half of its predecessor.[44]

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The studio's first film, Despicable Me, directed by Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin, was released on July 9, 2010, and was a commercial success, earning $56 million on its opening weekend, and going on to ticket sales of $251 million domestically and $543 million worldwide.[26][27] Illumination's second film was the live-action/CGI hybrid Hop. Directed by Tim Hill and released on April 1, 2011, the film had a $37 million opening, ending up with $108 million domestically and $183 million worldwide.[28] Hop was followed by an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (also directed by Renaud), which debuted on March 2, 2012, earning $70 million on its opening weekend, and with eventual totals of $214 million in the US market and $348 million worldwide. The studio's first sequel, Despicable Me 2, again directed by Renaud and Coffin, opened in the United States on July 3, 2013, to a domestic five-day opening weekend of $142 million (and $82 million over the regular three-day frame), making it, at the time of its release, the biggest animated film to open on that frame.[29] The film would go on to earn $368 million domestically and $970 million worldwide,[30][31] becoming the second highest-grossing 2013 animated film and breaking a record as the most profitable Universal Pictures film in its 100-year history.[32] A spin-off of the Despicable Me franchise, titled Minions, directed by Coffin and newcomer Kyle Balda, was released on July 10, 2015[33] to a domestic opening weekend of $115 million.[34] The film would go on to gross $336 million domestically and $823 million overseas, amounting to a worldwide total of $1.159 billion, making it the highest-grossing animated film of 2015 and, at the time of its release, the second highest-grossing animated film of all time, behind Walt Disney Animation Studios' Frozen (2013).[35][36]

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Brightfield microscopy is known for its simplicity. No special dyes or stains are needed, and no special equipment is needed. As a result, the technique is inexpensive and easily accessible, making it ideal for use in educational and research settings.

Brightfield microscopy is one of the oldest and most widely used techniques among researchers and medical experts. The image in a brightfield microscope is formed with the help of the light that goes through the specimen and forms the light image against the dark background. The microscope has helped in the discovery of cells, microorganisms, viruses, and cancer, and it has also been used in the development of genetics. Some of its advantages are its simplicity and versatility, viewing detailed images, its non-destructive technique, and compatibility with other techniques. This article will tell you more about the microscope and its advantages and limitations.

Future projects include a sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie on April 3, 2026 and Minions 3 on June 30, 2027.[67][68][69][70] Other films the studio has in development include Big Tree, a film based on an illustrated novel by Brian Selznick from an idea by Meledandri and Steven Spielberg,[71] The Secret Life of Pets 3,[72] Sing 3,[73] and an original animated film with frequent collaborator and musician Pharrell Williams that will be "made from scratch."[17] Additionally, Illumination is in negotiations with toy company Mattel to produce an animated film based on the Barbie series of fashion dolls.[74][75][76]

In addition, two web short series are in development by Pierre Coffin: A Minions spin-off titled Who's Who, and an original series titled Bones Story. The shorts will be released on TikTok and subsequently on YouTube.[73]

Illumination's films generally have a budget between $60–80 million. Meledandri prefers to keep Illumination adhering to a low-cost model, recognising that "strict cost controls and hit animated films are not mutually exclusive". In an industry where film expenses often exceed $100 million, Illumination's first two releases were completed with significantly lower budgets, considering Despicable Me's $69 million budget and Hop's $63 million budget. One way the company sustains a lean financial model is by employing cost-conscious animation techniques that lower the expenses and render times of its computer graphics.[23] To date, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Despicable Me 4 are the studio's most expensive films, both with a $100 million budget.[24][25]