Stranger Things was one of the must buzzed about shows on Netflix in 2016. From the show’s compelling story and sheer talent among the child actors to the perfect recreation of the tone, atmosphere, and music of 80s horror films, there was much to love in the first season of the Netflix show. Many creatives in the industry shouted their love of the series from rooftops (and/or Twitter) – one of them was Andrew Stanton, director of Finding Nemo, WALL-E, and Finding Dory. News has now emerged that the director will be tackling a few episodes of the Netflix series’ new season. [Read more…]
Pixar Collaborated With Disney Parks Team To Transform Spaceship Earth Into Massive Mike Wazowski
Last week, Walt Disney World held a press event to detail its “Monstrous Summer,” including plans to integrate Pixar’s upcoming film Monsters University into Disney Parks. The campaign is also a way for Disney to raise awareness of the exciting attractions that were recently completed/updated. The event culminated in the temporary-but-still extraordinary transformation of Spaceship Earth at Epcot into Mike Wazowski. Take a look at how Disney was able to implement this tremendous spectacle, and learn who at Pixar helped make this a reality!
Pixar’s Matt Jones Teams Up With Facebook To Reinvent The Emoticon
We have covered projects that Pixar employees work on their own outside of the animation studio because, similar to the films that they work on, their own projects are often creative, ambitious, and imaginative. Does reinventing the emoticon fit those characteristics? Pixar artist Matt Jones is currently working with Facebook to provide us with a broader set of emoticons to choose from. Find more details after the break!
‘Buffy,’ ‘Mad Men’ Writer, Producer Marti Noxon Joins Pixar
Pixar is known for solely developing films based upon ideas that emerge from within the studio – that means that no stories are solicited from outside writers. However, established writers have been known to be brought into the studio for the scripting and screenwriting process. Recent examples include writer on The Lion King and Hercules Irene Mecchi, who worked on the screenplay for Brave, Little Miss Sunshine writer Michael Arndt who wrote the screenplay for Toy Story 3 (and is currently working on The Untitled Film That Takes You Inside The Mind with director Pete Docter), and The Visitor writer Tom McCarthy who worked with Docter on Up. Now, we hear that Marti Noxon, writer and producer of several successful TV shows such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Mad Men, has joined the ranks of Pixar on an unspecified project.
Original ‘Brave’ Director Brenda Chapman Says Being Replaced Was “Devastating”
Almost two years ago, word leaked out that Brenda Chapman, who was to be the first woman to head up a Pixar film, had been replaced as director of Brave. The reasoning provided by Disney for the removal was “creative differences.” Chapman stayed at the animation studio while Brave was in production, but then quietly headed for the exit after the film was released in theaters. For the first time, she is speaking out about her removal, describing it as “devastating.”
‘Brave’ Co-Director Brenda Chapman Exits Pixar? (Confirmed)
Brenda Chapman was a well-known personality in the industry before she arrived at Pixar, as she was the first woman ever to direct an animated film from a major studio (The Prince of Egypt from DreamWorks Animation). She had also worked in the writing department on Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Chicken Run. Excitement was in the air when she was hired by Pixar, considered by many to be the best in the animation business. She was to be the first female lead director at the studio when she came up with the idea for Brave before she was replaced by Mark Andrews. Now, a report has emerged that she recently left Pixar. [Read more…]
Awesome: Story Rules In Lego And Infographic Form
During her time at Pixar, story artist Emma Coats learned several rules about how to tell a story. While they are not expressly rules that Pixar developed, one can say that these are definitely questions that Coats and other Pixar employees asked themselves before proceeding. The 22 rules that Coats put into words on Twitter went viral in June and continue to make the rounds online. Many have commented on how the rules have inspired them to focus on the importance of story. Others have been inspired to display the rules in artistic form (Lego, infographic), which you can take a look at after the break! [Read more…]
‘Sam & Max’ Creator Steve Purcell Credited As Co-Director Of ‘Brave’
I am not sure whether this is something that we all missed, or specifically a detail that I, alone, missed – Steve Purcell, so integral at developing the story for Brave, is being credited as co-director on the film. He joins Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews in the growing list of credited directors on the film. Cited for his work on the story and screenplay, it looks like his role was important enough that Pixar felt it warranted a co-director credit. After the jump, learn more about Steve Purcell and his work! [Read more…]
Pixar’s Teddy Newton Cameos In ‘Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ (Updated With Video)
On the eve of the early IMAX-only opening of Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the Brad Bird film is pulling in overwhelmingly great reviews. It has already been certified “fresh” by Rotten Tomatoes and is currently sitting above 90% on the Tomatometer with more reviews continuing to roll in. The consensus seems to be that there are incredible action sequences and likable characters. One of those characters is played by Pixar’s Teddy Newton (Chatter Telephone in Toy Story 3). Ironically enough, his uncredited role in Ghost Protocol also has to do with a phone. Jump ahead to find out just what his role in the film is. [Read more…]
Help Emma Coats + Other Pixar Employees Make Their Film Great
There is an incredible amount of talent that works on Pixar’s campus in Emeryville, California. That, of course, can be seen through the studio’s films. Many of those Pixar employees also display talents in other areas – some are musicians, others are comic book artists. There are even those who make their own independent films – one group of Pixar employees is in the process of doing just that. Emma Coats and Shion Takeuchi, both Pixar story artists, are directing a short live-action film entitled Sweetpea. They have set up a Kickstarter page so that others can help provide the resources to make the film great. Read on for details on the project and see how you can help!
