Must Watch: Paths to Pixar

Occasionally, when I find myself bored, I visit Pixar's official website (which was recently updated) just for the heck of it, and quite often accidentally end up stumbling upon something that really grabs me.

If you're a fan of the bonus features on Pixar's home video releases, chances are that you've seen one or two episodes from the fantastic "Paths to Pixar" series. Each episode focuses on a different type of occupation at the Pixar studios, and includes interviews with several Pixarians who have that particular job. They explain what they do for a living, and what lead them to what they do at the studio for a living, and also often give you some expert advice. It really is fascinating to hear each individual's story, and you'll also likely pick up some inspiration while listening to these Pixarian's wise words.

You can check out a bunch of "Paths to Pixar" episodes over at Pixar's official website.

Pixar Announces TWO New Films!!!

Drumroll please...

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for, Pixar announces their two new films scheduled for Fall 2013 and Summer 2014!!!

In 2013, we have Bob Peterson, co-director and writer of Up, stepping up to direct a whole new adventure...

What if that deadly asteroid that presumably vanquished the dinosaurs from existence had missed Earth? In this exciting new tale, Bob Peterson shows us what the world would be like if the dinosaurs had never gone extinct.

Wow. A Pixar movie about dinosaurs in the modern world? Say no more. I'm going to the midnight screening.

Peter Sohn, inspiration for the character of Russell (Up), voice of Emile (Ratatouille), and director of the Pixar short Partly Cloudy, will co-direct, and John Walker (producer, The Incredibles) will serve as producer for this currently untitled dinosaur-centric adventure.

As for the May 2014 movie, this is the highly anticipated Pete Docter (director, Monsters, Inc., Up) directed film that has remained completely top secret until now...

In Pete Docter's next tale, he will take us into a world even more mysterious than the monster world...the human mind.

The human mind...this world opens up thousands...maybe even millions...of possibilities for a Pixar film, it's giving the film makers even more freedom than they had with Monsters, Inc., so I'll bet we're in for a real treat.

Ronnie Del Carmen (director, Dug's Special Mission, story supervisor, Up) will be co-director, and Up producer Jonas Rivera will once again be producer in a film directed by Pete. Also, it is rumoured that Toy Story 3 writer Michael Arndt will return to write the screenplay.

Although we still don't have much details on these two projects, at least now we know what they'll be about, and by the looks of things, we've got a load of Pixar awesomeness awaiting in the years to come...Brave next year...Monsters University the year after that...the dinosaur movie a few months later...then Peter Docter's "human mind" film...what's next?

Pixar at D23 Expo

At last, some Pixar news to share with you all.

You've probably heard of D23 Expo, often called "The Ultimate Disney Event for Fans and Families". This year, for the first time ever, Pixar will be present at the event, and it seems that it will be pretty hard to ignore Pixar's presence at D23.

Many Pixarian "celebrities" will be present at the event, such as Kelly Macdonald and Kevin McKidd from Pixar's upcoming release, Brave, Ricky Nierva, production designer for Monsters University, Jim Morris, general manager of the Pixar studios, and best of all, a group of almost all of Pixar's directors, from John Lasseter, all the way to Dan Scanlon! Not to mention, legendary Pixar composer Michael Giacchino will be there too. Wow, if I was lucky enough to be attending the event, I'd probably pass out from all the excitement.

Here is an official list of all the Pixar-related panels to enjoy at the giant event:

A Conversation with the Pixar Creative Team

Enjoy a rare opportunity to spend some time with the key figures responsible for Pixar’s unprecedented success, including John Lasseter (chief creative officer, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios), Jim Morris (general manager, Pixar Animation Studios), Pete Docter (director, Monsters, Inc., Up), Andrew Stanton (director, Finding Nemo, WALL-E), Bob Peterson (co-director, Up), Lee Unkrich (director, Toy Story 3), Mark Andrews (director, Brave), and Dan Scanlon (director, Monsters University).

The Characters of Monsters University

Director Dan Scanlon and Production Designer Ricky Nierva discuss how they combine hair, horns, and a lot of heart to bring the wonderful Monsters University characters to life.

Michael Giacchino’s Music of Pixar

In this musical presentation, award-winning composer Michael Giacchino explores his early influences through the creation of modern-day classic scores from Ratatouille, Up and Cars 2.

The Art of Brave

Production designer Steve Pilcher and shading art director Tia Kratter show how they and their team put paint to canvas and fingers to computer keys to create the stunning visuals of Scotland for Disney•Pixar’s upcoming film Brave.

Pixar Shorts

This retrospective screening of the animation studio’s legendary short films will be followed by a panel discussion with several of the filmmakers, including Ralph Eggleston (director, For the Birds), Andy Jimenez (director, One Man Band), Angus MacLane (director, BURN-E), Pete Sohn (director, Partly Cloudy), Teddy Newton (director, Day & Night), and Enrico Casarosa (director, La Luna).

So not only will many Pixar celebs be there, but we'll probably get our first peek at Monsters University, and see more concept art from Brave! This is sure shaping up to be one heck of an event!

Visit D23's official website for further details, and if you are interested in attending, you can buy tickets there as well.

Cool Pixar Pic: Homecoming

One week ago, Toy Story 3 took home the awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 83rd Academy Awards. Lee Unkrich posted this picture on Twitter. That big, big crowd of Pixar workers was waiting for him at the studio when he returned. That looks like it must have been a really awesome moment, and not just for Lee, but for everybody at Pixar. Not everyone knows how difficult it is to make an animated movie as good as Toy Story 3, so I think it's great that these people's talents are recognized by winning an Oscar. Again, congratulations Pixar.

Also, Lee tweeted this other cool picture, related to his Oscar win. "Safety first." Funny.

Note: I'm sorry I haven't been able to keep up with my Cars 2 Character Profiles. I will begin catching up this week starting with Shu Todoroki.

John Lasseter Gets 'Car'formed! [100th Post!]

Everyone knows John Lasseter, the Chief Creative Officer at both Pixar and Disney, and of course, the director of the upcoming hit of the summer, Cars 2. I've always been a big admirer of him, and I am sure many others have too. So I am happy to announce that Mr. Lasseter himself will have a cameo in Cars 2! He will play none other than John Lassetire, the car version of himself.

Not much is known about John Lassetire at the time, although there isn't very much to know. He will have only one line in the whole film (as Lee Unkrich did last year in TS3..."New toys!"...sound familiar?) but even though it is just one, simple line, it still means a lot to John (Lasseter) and his admirers.

John Lassetire is said to be the the pit crew chief of one of the many racecars in the World Grand Prix. He is described as a good ol' yellow American pick-up truck.

His own cameo was actually a complete surprise to Mr. John Lasseter, and this is what he had to say on the subject:

"It was news to me. I did not know about that, so I was a little surprised. I ended up voicing this character. It was just one line, but now I have a ‘Cars’ character. I’m very excited about that. He’s a good ol’ American pick-up truck, which I think is very appropriate for John Lassetire."

See John Lassetire on the big screen when Cars 2 makes its debut in theaters on June 24!


Also, this is completely off topic, but this is Pixar Corner's 100th post! I am very happy that I have been able to continue this blog for nearly a year now, and I have REALLY enjoyed writing about Pixar on the Internet. Let's hope for another 100 posts and even more in the future!



Photo credit: The Pixar Blog

Cool Pixar Pic: Tom Hanks Doing Voicework for 'TS' Shorts

This picture has been online for a week now, I just haven't gotten the chance to write a post on it. Seen above is picture which Tom Hanks, known by Pixar fans as the voice of Woody, tweeted last week.

He simply said:

3 directors boss "Woody" around for Toy Story shorts. Come on, guys! Hanx

The three directors appear to be Bobby Podesta, Mark Walsh, and Angus MacLane. Could they be working on the previously announced 'Hawaii' short? Or possibly another one of the anticipated short films? After all, 'Hanx' did say 'Toy Story shorts', with an 's'. Plural.

The first of the ought-to-be-fantastic Toy Story shorts hits theatres alongside Cars 2 on June 24th, 2011!

Are you excited for the upcoming Toy Story Toons?

Big Oscar Picture...Find the Pixarians!

The Oscars are quickly approaching and, as always, we have the annual picture with all the nominees, taken at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' annual luncheon. Of course, many people from Pixar can be found in this picture. Test yourself and see how many Pixarians you can find! I'm warning you though, it WILL be hard! So far I've been able to locate Lee Unkrich, Darla K. Anderson, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Randy Newman.

Here is a list of all the Pixarians present:

• Lee Unkrich


• Darla K. Anderson


• John Lasseter


• Randy Newman


• Andrew Stanton


• Michael Arndt


• Teddy Newton


• Tom Myers


• Michael Silvers
  

See how many you can find!

Interview With Pixar's Bob Whitehill

An interesting video interview with Pixarian Bob Whitehill can now be found on Collider. Some cool subjects pop up in the conversation, such as Cars 2 and Brave. Mr. Whitehill mentions an animation test for Brave they have been working on that features the main character of the film, Merida, riding her horse through the woods, and also states that Cars 2 has been a challenge for him. But it's nothing to worry about, since all Pixar movies have their bumps on the road, but they always turn out to be a huge success. Sounds exciting. I can't wait for Cars 2. I can't wait for Brave. But we still haven't heard any plot details about Monsters, Inc. 2. That's what I'm anxious to hear about.