Summer Recap: First Look at Pixar's 'Lava'

This summer (and this year in general) have been relatively quiet for Pixar, but they have dropped little bits of news here and there. Last month, they released the still seen above, giving us our first look at their latest short film, Lava. Pictured here is the short's protagonist, Uku, a gentle, warmhearted volcano who finds himself falling for neighbor volcano, Lele.

Lava is described as "a musical love story that takes place over millions of years". Director James Ford Murphy spoke with the LA Times about the short, which is inspired by Hawaiian culture and backed by a song which Murphy composed himself on the ukulele. The song is performed in the short by Hawaiian singers Kuana Torres Kahele and Napua Greig.

"I thought it would be so cool to fall in love with a place who's also a character," said Murphy. "I wanted to make Uku appealing and likable but also look like he's been carved out of lava flows."

At Pixar, short films are often used as a way of testing the waters for new technology and visual styles. Lava challenged the artists at the studio to create detailed wide shots like those in a live-action movie.

Be sure to check out the full LA Times interview here.

The short will premiere this month at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival, which starts on the 21 and ends on the 25, but the rest of the world will get to see it next summer when it hits theaters alongside Pixar's next feature-length film, Inside Out, on June 19, 2015.

'Party Central' Will Have You Roaring With Laughter

We may not be getting a Pixar feature this year, but that didn't stop the animation studio from putting out an all-new short film, featuring the stars of their 2013 flick, Monsters University. I was able to catch Party Central (alongside the fantastic new Muppet pic, Muppets Most Wanted) on Thursday night, and I am happy to report that it was a delight to watch on every level.

In the new short, the members of Oozma Kappa start the night off feeling rather bummed out, as no one has bothered showing up to their party. But low and behold, their pals Mike and Sulley burst through the door, carrying with them something that should help get the party going. Mike fires up a door station, and chaos ensues.

Without giving away too much, Party Central has everything you'd expect from a Pixar short; humor, wit, and just the right amount of inventiveness. The original Monsters University cast is all back, making the short all the more enjoyable. Mike, Sulley, and the rest of the characters all make welcome returns, and one could argue that Squishy's mom, Sherri Squibbles, ends up being the star of the show. Of course, the gags are all really funny (no surprise there), making the short a fun 6-minute laughing session. Its fast pace keeps you engaged until the very end, and when it does end, you can't help but wish there was more.

So really, no complaints here. Pixar's latest short is not just a blast, but it is testimony to the studio's impressive range when it comes to short films (and features too, for that matter). They are capable of crafting innovative, artsy shorts like La Luna and The Blue Umbrella, yet they are also able to produce fun, fast-paced romps like Party Central, which also give us a chance to revisit some of their most beloved characters without having to make another feature film with them.

In conclusion, even if you don't like the Muppets (and if that's the case, shame on you!), see Muppets Most Wanted if only to catch Party Central, which makes the price of admission all the more worth it.

And to Pixar; please, make more Monsters shorts.

Pixar Home Video Update: 'Brave' & Pixar Shorts - Volume 2

This year, the holiday season will, as always, see the arrival of several Pixar films on home video. Of course, we have Brave coming to Blu-ray on November 13, but that's not all. The Pixar Short Films Collection - Volume 2 will arrive on the same day.

The list of bonus features that will be included on the Brave Blu-ray has been released, and it sure is a pleasing sight - if you're a Pixar fan, that is.

I am a big fan of the bonus material on Pixar home video releases, and Brave sure seems like it is overflowing with special features, which will no doubt keep me and many other fans occupied for ours.

Also, it appears the studio is returning to its old tradition of including an all-new short in every home video release, featuring characters from that year's feature film.

Here is the list:

BLU-RAY – DISC 1 INCLUDES:

• La Luna Theatrical Short — Fans will love this charming short that accompanied the film in theatres. It follows a young boy on his first night working the family business alongside his father and grandfather.
• The Legend of Mor’du Short — This rousing new bonus short film will give fans the chance to delve deeper into the legend behind Mor'du, as told by the eccentric witch who transformed him.
• Brave Old World — Fans will watch as members of the “Brave” production team investigate Scotland, exploring its land, culture, people and dialects. The research they gathered was brought thrillingly to life in the film. Also, fans will hear what actress Emma Thompson (voice of Queen Elinor) thinks of Pixar’s take on her homeland.
• Merida & Elinor — With the creation of Merida and Elinor, the Pixar filmmakers delved deep into the relationship between mother and daughter. Highlighting contrasts in character design, clothing, animation, voicing, even hairstyle, watch how the filmmakers explored this most important of relationships.
• Bears — Take a look inside the art and design behind the bears in Brave. Each of the bears, gentle Mum-Bear and terrifying Mor’du, demanded a different approach to creating their physical appearance and personality.
• Brawl in the Hall — A fascinating and hilarious inside look at the process of creating Brave’s fighting Scots, through animation, crowd simulation and fight choreography — not to mention a room full of grunting men whose vocal chortles added authenticity to the raucous scene.
• Wonder Moss – Fans will explore how Brave’s technical artists examined the real Scottish countryside and studied the laws of nature, then turned these findings into computer codes that would blanket Merida’s Scotland in lush moss, lichen and bracken.
• Magic — The magic and mystery of Scotland is revealed to fans in this charming feature about the legends — from mystical potions to the will-o’-the-wisps – seen in Brave.
• Clan Pixar — At Pixar, getting into character is a team effort. From making Haggis to Kilt Fridays to celebrating the Scottish poet Robert Burns, fans will see how the Brave production crew truly embraced Scottish themes and customs fueled the Pixar crew throughout the creation of Brave.
• Once Upon A Scene — A closer look at the evolution of the storylines throughout the production of the film, including alternative openings to the film and many deleted scenes.
• Extended Scenes — Three separate scenes are highlighted in their extended form. Director Mark Andrews discusses the decision making process that led to the shortened versions of these scenes.
• Director Commentary

BLU-RAY DISC 2 INCLUDES:

• ‘Fergus & Mor’du’ An Alternate Opening — Once upon a time, “Brave” had a different opening scene. Eventually cut from the film, fans can see it in its entirety in this bonus feature narrated by the film’s director Mark Andrews.
• Fallen Warriors Montage — A selection of deleted shots that were cut from the film late in production are presented to fans in various stages of completion through a video montage narrated by director Mark Andrews.
• Dirty Hairy People — Fans will enjoy this uproarious bonus feature discussing the development of Brave’s Scots – including the design of their hair, attire, and dirt-crusted physiques.
• It is English…Sort Of — This bonus feature helps fans interpret some of the more Scottish lines in the film, thanks to the real Scottish actors who play the key characters and contributed their own dialects and sayings.
• Angus — A look at Merida’s most trusted companion, Angus, a mighty Clydesdale.
• The Tapestry — Fans will learn the story behind this embroidered emblem of family unity, which was lovingly crafted by Brave’s team of artists.
• Promotional Pieces — This bonus includes promotional clips for Brave, including: ‘Feast Yer Eyes,’ ‘Relics,’ ‘Clan DunBroch,’ ‘Launch,’ and more.
• Art Gallery — A selection of breathtaking art from the creation of the film, showcasing characters, sets, scenes and stunning landscapes.
• Wee Gaffes – A video montage of simulation, animation and shot bloopers.
• Renaissance Animation Man – Get a look at Director Mark Andrews’ love of Scotland, sword-fighting, music and more!
• Teasers and Sneak Peeks

BLU-RAY 3D DISC INCLUDES:

• La Luna Theatrical Short

Callum O'Neil, the voice of Wee Dingwall in Brave, recently talked to Female First about the short that will accompany the film's home video release:

"There is a short film in the Brave DVD, that is being put in there as an extra, it is about two minutes long and is a scene between my character and Julie Walters' character the witch.

Now Julie Walters and I have never met even though we are in the same scene together - she was in the studio between the 5pm and 7pm and I was in the studio from 7pm until 8pm."

I can hardly wait. Not only will we learn more of the demon bear Mor'du, but expect the new short to be jam-packed with humor and fun.

The Pixar Short Films Collection - Volume 2 is also now available for pre-order on Amazon and will include every Pixar short from Your Friend the Rat up until La Luna, as well as the first two Toy Story Toons. It remains unknown if Partysaurus Rex will join the collection. Stitch Kingdom also tells us that the collection will include student short films made by Pixarians before joining the company. Such shorts include John Lasseter's Nitemare and The Lady and the Lamp. This Blu-ray/DVD is a must-buy for any Pixar fanatic.

Be sure to set some money aside for November 13, when Brave and the Pixar Short Films Collection - Volume 2 hit store shelves.

Pixar Shorts Volume 2: Coming in November!

A German flyer showcasing the new shorts collection

I recently wrote an article about when we'd see Pixar's short, Small Fry (which was released in theaters in November 2011 with Disney's The Muppets) on home video. My top prediction had been that the short would apper on the Brave Blu-ray and DVD, but I had talked about the possibility of the short showing up on a Pixar Short Films Collection - Volume 2.

Pixar Talk tells us how this second bundle of Pixar shorts is set to arrive in November; very likely on the same day Brave will hit the home video format. Small Fry will surely be on this collection, and you can also expect it to have all Pixar shorts starting at Your Friend the Rat (2007) all the way to La Luna (2011), which will also be premiering on home video for the first time alongside Small Fry.

So you can mark your calendars and start looking forward to November!

Stanton and Docter Teaming Up for Short

(L-R) Pixarians Andrew Stanton and Pete Docter

Andrew Stanton, director of Pixar favorites Finding Nemo and WALL-E, has recently been working on the live-action Disney film, John Carter, in theaters March 9. This has led many to believe that, like director of The Incredibles and Ratatouille, Brad Bird,  Andrew Stanton has left the Pixar. However, he himself tweeted that he "never left Pixar" and the he "never will".

Director of Monsters, Inc. and Up, Pete Docter is currently working at Pixar directing his latest film, one that takes you "inside the human mind".

Well, how exciting is it to hear that these two geniuses are collaborating to make a new Pixar short film together? Pretty darn thrilling, right?

Here's what Mr. Stanton himself said:

Yeah. As a matter of fact I’m developing a short film with Pete Docter. There’s an idea that he and I have had for years that we are finally getting around to doing which is kind of funny. We are both way too busy, but we just love the idea of doing this one little project together and then I’ve been… I executive produce a lot of the films over there and so I spend a lot of… People keep thinking I’ve been away from there, but I actually have been on campus for the last year and a half just helping watch over other stuff, but I don’t have a feature film of my own that’s an animated Pixar film that’s coming up soon, no. That’s a ways away.

We probably won't see this short anytime soon, but at least we know it's coming, and it's very unlikely it will disappoint. How can a short film directed by Andrew Stanton and Pete Docter fail?

(via /Film)

Pixar Book Talk!

Books. What would we do without them? They educate us, entertain us, and help us discover new things. There's been a whole lot of news about Pixar-related books lately.

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First of all, Steve Jobs' authorized biography came out on Monday! I haven't had the chance to see it just yet, but I plan on at least obtaining it from the public library, if not buying it,  sometime soon. The bio, entitled simply Steve Jobs and written by Walter Isaacson, tells the story of Jobs' brilliant and inspirational life; how he co-founded Apple, how he helped bring them back to the top, how he invented the contraptions we know today as the iPad and iPhone, and, what he is best known for by animation fans around the globe, how he helped bring Pixar to life. Steve Jobs is available now, and I would not miss out on this good read.

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Also, we have another one of the popular "Art of" books coming up next month, but this time, it's not focusing on just the latest Pixar release, it's focusing on all their films so far, from Toy Story all the way to Cars 2. It even includes the majority of their short films--including the upcoming La Luna. So, naturally, this new book is called, The Art of Pixar. It's being released this year to celebrate Pixar's 25th anniversary.

One of the unique aspects of The Art of Pixar is how only nine of its 320 pages contain text (not counting captions of the pictures and artwork throughout the book, of course). This book is all about the art, or, more specifically, a type of art form which Pixar uses to perfect all their features and shorts. It is called, the color script. Also, it will include a foreword by Pixar honcho John Lasseter!

The Art of Pixar will have all the color scripts for all of Pixar's feature films and most of their short films, and it will be available on November 2! You can pre-order and read the official description of the book here.

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Lastly, another "Art of" book was just announced. No, it's not The Art of Brave (although we are likely to hear about that in a few months or so), but it is The Toy Story Films: An Animated Journey, or in other words, "The Art of all 3 Toy Story movies". Amazon.com has listed it as a 192-page book, hardcover, which will be available on August 7, 2012. As the name suggests, it will be a retelling of the making of the beloved Toy Story franchise, and will include concept art from Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and of course, Toy Story 3, as well as interviews with the filmmakers! Don't forget to check out the official description here.

If you are an avid Pixar and Toy Story fan, this book sounds like something you probably won't want to miss out on.

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Were you looking for a good book to read or one to look forward to? Well then, hopefully this blog post gave you some ideas.

For the Birds

Click to enlarge

How cool is it for a Pixar fan when you go outside and explore the world and then find something that resembles a famous Pixar icon? For me, it's pretty cool.

You probably remember the hilarious Pixar short For the Birds, which was released back in 2000. Yesterday afternoon, I was lucky enough to see the sight seen above and it immediately called the classic animated short to mind. So of course, I went ahead and photographed it.

Here's a closeup:

Seeing all those little birds lined along that telephone wire reminded me that anyone with imagination can turn a sight as simple as that into a fantastic short for the world to enjoy and cherish.

Seen any cool Pixar sights out in the world lately? A luxo lamp at the super market? A red-haired girl that looks like Merida? If so, please share it in the comments, or email it to pixarcornerunofficial@gmail.com!