Posts tagged animated film

MU: Did You Know? So the “monstrous” amount of promotion that a certain Disney*Pixar film is getting at Disney Parks only means one thing. The Disney summer movie season is upon us and with the tremendously successful release of “Iron Man 3” just last week, we feel like now is the appropriate time to shift to the next Disney movie coming this season - “Monsters University.” Pixar’s prequel to the award-winning Monsters Inc. will tell the story that I’m sure that we all like telling our friends - how did we become friends in the first place? For Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan, it started in college and we have a few other fun facts about the University (and the film) below! Did you know…? The original Monsters, Inc. originally released on November 2, 2001, was nominated for four Oscars®: Best Animated Feature Film, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing and Best Original Song—“If I Didn’t Have You,” for which it won. Monsters University is Pixar’s 14th feature film and its first prequel. Pete Docter, director of Monsters, Inc. played a key role in the development ofMonsters University and helped to build some of the film’s key themes. “One theme that came out really early was this idea that when one door closes, another door opens,” says Docter. The production team built over 400 characters just to populate the campus which is a Pixar record. There are as many as 25 characters in every shot. Monsters U director Dan Scanlon previously co-directed the short, Mater and the Ghostlight. Producer Kori Rae has been with Pixar since 1993. She worked on early Pixar commercials and was an associate producer for Monsters, Inc. and The Incredibles. In Monsters Inc. there was only one simulated garment and that was Boo’s T-shirt, versus 127 garments that were built for Monsters University. The first version of Pixar’s hair and cloth simulator was deployed on Monsters Inc. The first major rewrite of the simulator happened for Monsters University.  Sullivan has 5.5 million rendered hairs.  Which is about a fivefold increase fromMonsters Inc. Dean Hardscrabble’s character was modeled after a type of centipede called Scolopendra Gigantea, also known as the Amazonian giant centipede. The design of Archie the Scare Pig was inspired by director Dan Scanlon’s dog Carol, a Japanese Chin. Don Carlton’s business card lists his address as 1200 Dark Ave. Pixar’s Emeryville address is 1200 Park Ave. There were 100,856 storyboards delivered for Monsters University — the highest number on any Pixar film. Monsters University’s library is called Bohol Hall, named after Pixar artist Nelson Bohol who designed it. Monsters University was founded in 1313. There are six different schools of study at Monsters University: School of Scaring, School of Engineering, School of Liberal Arts & Monstrosities, School of Science, School of Business and School of Aquatics. The address of the Oozma Kappa fraternity house is the same address as the house where director Dan Scanlon grew up. The score was composed by Randy Newman who previously scored Monsters, Inc. and the Toy Story films. He was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With 30 legs, spectacular wings and a lifetime of experience, Dean Hardscrabble knows Scaring. - - - After reading all that, we’re pretty convinced that Pixar will be telling another great story that we ALL can relate to even more so when the film hits theaters when school’s out on June 21. What are you all most excited about in the film? Are you ready for another great Pixar story or do you have your doubts already? Comment and share what you think below!

MU: Did You Know?

So the “monstrous” amount of promotion that a certain Disney*Pixar film is getting at Disney Parks only means one thing. The Disney summer movie season is upon us and with the tremendously successful release of “Iron Man 3” just last week, we feel like now is the appropriate time to shift to the next Disney movie coming this season - “Monsters University.”

Pixar’s prequel to the award-winning Monsters Inc. will tell the story that I’m sure that we all like telling our friends - how did we become friends in the first place? For Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan, it started in college and we have a few other fun facts about the University (and the film) below!

Did you know…?

  • The original Monsters, Inc. originally released on November 2, 2001, was nominated for four Oscars®: Best Animated Feature Film, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing and Best Original Song—“If I Didn’t Have You,” for which it won.
  • Monsters University is Pixar’s 14th feature film and its first prequel.
  • Pete Docter, director of Monsters, Inc. played a key role in the development ofMonsters University and helped to build some of the film’s key themes. “One theme that came out really early was this idea that when one door closes, another door opens,” says Docter.
  • The production team built over 400 characters just to populate the campus which is a Pixar record. There are as many as 25 characters in every shot.
  • Monsters U director Dan Scanlon previously co-directed the short, Mater and the Ghostlight.
  • Producer Kori Rae has been with Pixar since 1993. She worked on early Pixar commercials and was an associate producer for Monsters, Inc. and The Incredibles.
  • In Monsters Inc. there was only one simulated garment and that was Boo’s T-shirt, versus 127 garments that were built for Monsters University.
  • The first version of Pixar’s hair and cloth simulator was deployed on Monsters Inc. The first major rewrite of the simulator happened for Monsters University.  Sullivan has 5.5 million rendered hairs.  Which is about a fivefold increase fromMonsters Inc.
  • Dean Hardscrabble’s character was modeled after a type of centipede called Scolopendra Gigantea, also known as the Amazonian giant centipede.
  • The design of Archie the Scare Pig was inspired by director Dan Scanlon’s dog Carol, a Japanese Chin.
  • Don Carlton’s business card lists his address as 1200 Dark Ave. Pixar’s Emeryville address is 1200 Park Ave.
  • There were 100,856 storyboards delivered for Monsters University — the highest number on any Pixar film.
  • Monsters University’s library is called Bohol Hall, named after Pixar artist Nelson Bohol who designed it.
  • Monsters University was founded in 1313.
  • There are six different schools of study at Monsters University: School of Scaring, School of Engineering, School of Liberal Arts & Monstrosities, School of Science, School of Business and School of Aquatics.
  • The address of the Oozma Kappa fraternity house is the same address as the house where director Dan Scanlon grew up.
  • The score was composed by Randy Newman who previously scored Monsters, Inc. and the Toy Story films. He was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  • With 30 legs, spectacular wings and a lifetime of experience, Dean Hardscrabble knows Scaring.

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After reading all that, we’re pretty convinced that Pixar will be telling another great story that we ALL can relate to even more so when the film hits theaters when school’s out on June 21.

What are you all most excited about in the film? Are you ready for another great Pixar story or do you have your doubts already? Comment and share what you think below!

Announcing Merida: The 11th Disney Princess. This weekend was a very royal weekend for the Disney world. Yesterday at Walt Disney World in front of Cinderella’s Castle, Disney held a very special coronation ceremony that welcomed Merida from Scottland as an official Disney princess. Yup, Merida, the only princess to have never loved and the first from a Pixar film (“Brave”) was welcomed into Disney royalty with a parade complete with bagpipes and a ceremony attended by the other 10 Disney princesses who came before her (can you name the other 10?). Take a look at this video for a recap of the whole royal affair. Welcome, Princess Merida! - - - How do you feel about Merida being named Disney royalty? Is she deserving of the title? Who do you think will be the next Disney princess? Comment below!

Announcing Merida: The 11th Disney Princess.

This weekend was a very royal weekend for the Disney world. Yesterday at Walt Disney World in front of Cinderella’s Castle, Disney held a very special coronation ceremony that welcomed Merida from Scottland as an official Disney princess.

Yup, Merida, the only princess to have never loved and the first from a Pixar film (“Brave”) was welcomed into Disney royalty with a parade complete with bagpipes and a ceremony attended by the other 10 Disney princesses who came before her (can you name the other 10?).

Take a look at this video for a recap of the whole royal affair.

Welcome, Princess Merida!

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How do you feel about Merida being named Disney royalty? Is she deserving of the title? Who do you think will be the next Disney princess? Comment below!

King Louie On The Map.

We are anxiously awaiting more details on the new Disneyland show that will once again make Fantasyland Theater a theater once more.

On Friday, May 25, “Mickey and the Magical Map” will debut to the public and since we’re less than a month away from then, Disney has been slowly but surely teasing the new show and its details.

We’ve been able to share a lot of other information about the show (i.e. how many times it’ll be shown a day, theater stats/improvements, , music selection, etc.), but not a whole lot of what the actual show will be like.

Until now. Take a look in the video above. Meet King Louie who takes center stage in one of the scenes of the new show as he sings a new twist on a “Jungle Book” classic.

From his fluid moving arms and legs to his “active” jaw, the fanciful realism of this show is something that we’re looking forward to in not just King Louie, but ALL the on-stage characters we’ll see as we travel around the Magical Map.

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What do you all think about the show now after seeing one of the rehearsals? Do you think it’s something you’ll see on opening day? Do you appreciate the enhancements that Disney is doing with their live stage shows? Shout it out in the comments!

Big Hero 6.

Earlier today, the Walt Disney Animation Studios announced their newest film which, of course, will be done with computer animation now that the company has cut its hand-drawn animation department.

As sad as that may be, new partnerships are forming and with the announcement of the new animated film called “Big Hero 6,” a new animation world filled with new stories will be emerging.

Due out in theaters on November 7, 2014, “Big Hero 6” will tell the action-comedy story of a robotic prodigy named Hiro and his robot named Baymax as they team up with other crime fighters in a futuristic twist on an American city called San Fransokyo (seen in the concept art above).

If the story seems familiar to you know, then you most likely wouldn’t be mistaken the film is based off a little-known Marvel comic book series set in Japan. This marks the first real partnership that Disney and Marvel will have together since the acquisition back in 2009 where Disney artists will be combined with comic storytelling.

We’re certainly looking forward to what “Big Hero 6” has in store for us. In the meantime, be sure to check out the video HERE as Disney Animation has released a first-look at the footage from the film which is currently still in production.

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Have any of you heard of the “Big Hero 6” comic series from Marvel before? What can you tell us about it? What do you like from it, if anything? Are you happy to see Marvel stories slowly take a bigger portion of Disney territory? Let us know in the comments!

Pixar’s 4-Year Plan. We have a great love for great films and if the Oscars this past Sunday were any indication, many Disney films are growing that love with each one that is released (and recognized there afterwards). That includes the films slated to be released by our friends at Pixar Animation Studios. The next 4 years (including this year) will prove to be Pixar’s most diverse palette of films to be released so far as story content is concerned. From the return of our favorite monster duo to welcoming a good dinosaur into our hearts, we’re more than excited to see what all these films will be about! The collage of photos you see above were compiled by us (which were given out on Pixar’s holiday card last year). Also noted are the working titles and confirmed titles and release dates of 4 movies that Pixar will be releasing starting with “Monsters University” this year. In addition to these four movies, we’re are excited that the finally confirmed sequel to “Finding Nemo” titled “Finding Dory” will debut on November 25, 2015! So as you can see with this film release schedule from Pixar, we won’t be missing any Pixar films anytime soon. We’re relieved. - - - We are gathering the official synopses of each film and will post them soon. In the meantime from what pictures you see above, which film are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!

Pixar’s 4-Year Plan.

We have a great love for great films and if the Oscars this past Sunday were any indication, many Disney films are growing that love with each one that is released (and recognized there afterwards). That includes the films slated to be released by our friends at Pixar Animation Studios.

The next 4 years (including this year) will prove to be Pixar’s most diverse palette of films to be released so far as story content is concerned. From the return of our favorite monster duo to welcoming a good dinosaur into our hearts, we’re more than excited to see what all these films will be about!

The collage of photos you see above were compiled by us (which were given out on Pixar’s holiday card last year). Also noted are the working titles and confirmed titles and release dates of 4 movies that Pixar will be releasing starting with “Monsters University” this year.

In addition to these four movies, we’re are excited that the finally confirmed sequel to “Finding Nemo” titled “Finding Dory” will debut on November 25, 2015!

So as you can see with this film release schedule from Pixar, we won’t be missing any Pixar films anytime soon.

We’re relieved.

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We are gathering the official synopses of each film and will post them soon. In the meantime from what pictures you see above, which film are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!

Wrap-Up Of Roger: The 25th Anniversary Celebration

Last night, we had the priviledge of attending and covering a milestone in film. The film itself was a milestone when it was released back in 1988 and 25 years later, it still brings smiles, laughs, and jaw-drops to all who watch it.

We’re talking about the Disney film “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” and the cast and filmmakers were out in Beverly Hills to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film with a big event hosted by the giver of film achievements The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (aka the people who put on the Oscars)!

Take a look at the video above to see these talented people reflect on those days since and what they loved about working on this groundbreaking film that combined live action with animation (all hand-drawn, by the way!) and ultimately brought a new love for animation not just to kids, but to adults too.

Our EXCLUSIVE video includes interviews with Robert Zemeckis (director of this film and “Forrest Gump” and “Back To The Future”), Charles Fleischer (voice of Roger Rabbit), and Rich Moore (director of “Wreck-It Ralph” and host for the evening).

Our special thanks to Lance Cruzado, the new Walt Disney Studios writer for DE as well as Ralph Corpuz from RP Photography for capturing this once-in-a-lifetime event for us and you!

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Have you seen the film before? If so, what did you think set it apart from other films? If not, why haven’t you seen it? You’ll be glad to know that it is now available on Blu-Ray, so go pick it up and return to ToonTown, won’t ya?!

BREAKING NEWS - Walt Disney Studios OKs “Trains”; Transportation Trilogy Complete! So first, we had Disney*Pixar’s “Cars.” Then comes Disney Animation’s “Planes” this summer. And now we have “Trains.” That’s right folks. The Disney transportation-inspired trilogy is now complete with the Walt Disney Studios giving the “all aboard” for “Trains” just today! It’ll be a film that will bring the world of trains to life like we’ve never seen them before! So, what will this movie be about you ask? We’ve received numerous leads about what the movie would be about, but we have yet to confirm any plot lines, characters, voices, etc. All we know is that, just like “Cars” and “Planes,” trains will talk to each other and live through an exciting and thrilling tale of “crossings” and “whistle blower” twists. Walt Disney himself loved trains - so much so that wanted to place them around his living legacy at Disney Parks. Furthermore, we’ve gotten tipped off that production crews have already done research at Disneyland by riding the train around the Magic Kingdom numerous times. These things bring much more evidence that this film will be set apart from the other transporation films. We’ll update this post as we “chug” along gathering more information, but in the meantime, click HERE for more of the things we do know about the film so far. - - - What do you all think about “Trains” so far? Are you excited for the film? Do you think Disney has done too many of these transportation films that they are starting to get dry? Let us know in the comments!

BREAKING NEWS - Walt Disney Studios OKs “Trains”; Transportation Trilogy Complete!

So first, we had Disney*Pixar’s “Cars.”

Then comes Disney Animation’s “Planes” this summer.

And now we have “Trains.”

That’s right folks. The Disney transportation-inspired trilogy is now complete with the Walt Disney Studios giving the “all aboard” for “Trains” just today! It’ll be a film that will bring the world of trains to life like we’ve never seen them before!

So, what will this movie be about you ask? We’ve received numerous leads about what the movie would be about, but we have yet to confirm any plot lines, characters, voices, etc. All we know is that, just like “Cars” and “Planes,” trains will talk to each other and live through an exciting and thrilling tale of “crossings” and “whistle blower” twists.

Walt Disney himself loved trains - so much so that wanted to place them around his living legacy at Disney Parks. Furthermore, we’ve gotten tipped off that production crews have already done research at Disneyland by riding the train around the Magic Kingdom numerous times. These things bring much more evidence that this film will be set apart from the other transporation films.

We’ll update this post as we “chug” along gathering more information, but in the meantime, click HERE for more of the things we do know about the film so far.

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What do you all think about “Trains” so far? Are you excited for the film? Do you think Disney has done too many of these transportation films that they are starting to get dry? Let us know in the comments!