In the 1980s and 1990s, before Pixar released Toy Story, the studio was known for producing animated shorts and commercials that led to the popularity of computer animation. The reason why shorts and ads were the preferred space for Pixar was that the animation was cutting edge at the time and many of the short projects were produced as experiments to push the technology forward. Animated shorts put Pixar on the map. [Read more…]
D23 Expo: Review – ‘Monsters University’ Short ‘Party Central’
You just never know what you’ll see at Disney’s D23 Expo. The gathering has become known for its early peeks and surprise screenings of the latest and greatest Disney has to offer. This year was no exception. Before unveiling early glimpses of next year’s The Good Dinosaur and 2015’s Inside Out, John Lasseter had a special surprise for attendees of the Art and Imagination: Animation at The Walt Disney Studios arena presentation. Expo-goers were treated to a full screening of the new Pixar short Party Central. Mike’s New Car (2002), a short attached to the Monsters, Inc. DVD, was the first extension of a Pixar feature film. Party Central continues that tradition almost 11 years later, as this latest toon takes place in the world of Monsters University. Check out my review after the break!