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Tag Archives: Pixar

February 12

February 12, 2013 – The Pixar Short The Blue Umbrella Premieres at Berlin International Film Festival

On February 12, 2013, the Pixar short film The Blue Umbrella made its debut at the Berlin International Film Festival; it would later be released alongside with the animated feature film Monsters University. The short was written and directed by Saschka Unseld, and features a score by Jon Brion. The film is notable for not starting in the traditional manner of a story department, but in the camera and staging department.

The short begins on a day that quickly becomes rainy, and the citizens of the city quickly pull out their umbrellas as the rain falls rhythmically on a city that becomes alive. Out of a sea of black umbrellas, one bright blue one marvels at the rain, until he spies a red umbrella next to him. He can’t help but stare at her, and she looks back at him, the mutual attraction between the two palpable. The two stay close to each other for a while, but are quickly separated as their owners go separate ways. The blue umbrella, realizing he’s about to be put away, uses the wind to free himself and fly across the city, on the lookout for the red umbrella. Spying her, he makes his way over, but is swept into the highway by a passing bus. The city tries to help him, but unfortunately, he is hit by a car and left on the sidewalk. His owner eventually finds him and pulls him up, and he is also greeted by the red umbrella, whose owner stopped to help. The pair are seen enjoying time together as their owners talk over coffee.

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February 2

February 2, 2013 – The Turtle Talk with Crush Attraction Opens in CHOC Children’s Hospital

“Located in the new Disneyland Resort lobby, this interactive experience gives patients and families a chance to have live conversations with Crush, the animated sea turtle from the Disney-Pixar film Finding Nemo.

On February 2, 2013, thanks to a $5 million donation from the Disneyland Resort, a new tower was dedicated at the CHOC Children’s Hospital. Themed after the Pixar film Finding Nemo, the tower featured several intricate elements, including a version of the attraction Turtle Talk with Crush, where patients would be able to interact with the popular character through an animated show done twice a done. An interactive orientation was built in conjunction with his new tower to help CHOC employees understanding the new offerings in an engaging manner, based on the Cast Showcase that Disneyland created for it cast members to introduce them to the offerings of Disney California Park.

January 18

January 18, 2016 – The Quick-Service Restaurant Pizza Planet Arcade Closes

“Today…serving your local Star Cluster…”

On January 18, 2016, the quick-service restaurant Pizza Planet Arcade closed. Located on the Streets of America in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park, the restaurant was themed after the restaurant of the same name from the Toy Story series of films, and served pizza and salads. The area was originally slated to be a Muppet-themed restaurant, but this changed after the original deal between Jim Henson Productions and the Walt Disney Company fell through; after Pizza Planet Arcade closed in 2016, the place then became the quick-service pizza restaurant PizzeRizzo, themed after the Muppet character Rizzo the Rat.

January 5

January 5, 2011 – Toy Story 3 Wins People’s Choice Award

On January 5, 2011, the 37th People’s Choice Awards were held at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California. There, the Pixar film Toy Story 3 added to its growing list of accolades by winning the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Family Movie, winning against Despicable Me, How to Train Your Dragon, The Karate Kid, and Shrek Forever After. The film was also nominated for Favorite Movie, but lost to The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

December 24

December 24, 1960 – Animator Glenn McQueen is Born

“Glenn is not gone from us. He’s still alive in all of us.”

On December 24, 1960, Glenn John McQueen was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. After graduating from Sheridan College in 1985, McQueen scored a scholarship to the New York Institute of Technology Computer Graphics Lab; this lab is notable for being the top computer lab for the development of computer animated films, with several future Pixar employees having studied there. McQueen himself would become a Pixar employee in 1994, where he became an animation supervisor for the films Toy Story; A Bug’s Life; Toy Story 2; and Monsters, Inc. He was noted for his brilliance in the field of animation, with John Lasseter calling him the “heart and soul” of the animation department. Unforutnately, McQueen passed away in 2002 during the development of Finding Nemo; the film was dedicated to his memory, as was the character of Lightning McQueen from the Cars franchise. When Pixar Canada opened, it was named the Glenn McQueen Pixar Animation Center in his honor.

December 9

December 9, 1985 – Pixar is Incorporated in the State of California

On December 9, 1985, Pixar Animation Studios became incorporated in California. By this point, the company had several successes in computer animation while working for Lucasfilm, including the “Stained Glass Knight” sequence in Young Sherlock Holmes and The Adventures of Andre & Wally B, the first computer animated short film by the studio. In 1986, Steve Jobs completed the purchase of the company from George Lucas and Lucasfilm, officially becoming the independent company Pixar.

June 19

June 19, 2015 – The Pixar Short Film Lava Premieres in Theaters

“I have a dream I hope will come true, that you’re here with me and I’m here with you.”

On June 19, 2015, the animated short film Lava premiered in theaters alongside the animated feature film Inside Out. Written and directed by James Ford Murphy, the 7-minute short film is a song sung by Kuana Torres Kahele and Napura Greig. The short is about a lonely volcano who watches all the wildlife couples around him and sings a song about his dream to find his mate. He sings every day, hoping somehow he will find love. After many years alone, the volcano is about to become extinct, unaware that an underground volcano has heard him the entire time and has fallen in love with him. She erupts to the surface, ready to meet him. As he has used up all of his lava, he is unable to sing his song to her; as she sings his song back, he is revived, and the two are joined together, singing about their “lava.”

June 9

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June 9, 2007 – Crush’s Coaster Attraction Opens in Disneyland Paris

“Spin, dive and fight against the current as you get swept up in a whirlpool of adventure.”

On June 9, 2007, the attraction Crush’s Coaster opened in the Toon Studio area of Disneyland Paris. Based on the Pixar film Finding Nemo, guests board a turtle shell before diving into the ocean and reliving the best parts of the film, including the journey through the East Australian Current. Guests also have the opportunity to play a game on their phones while waiting in the queue, where they must catch starfish and avoid obstacles.

May 29

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May 29, 2008 – Buzz Lightyear Will Fly on the Space Shuttle Discovery

“An eighth space ranger won’t have a seat at all. In fact, he will be packed tight inside a box and won’t even get to enjoy the ride up. But it’s nothing veteran spaceman Buzz Lightyear can’t overcome.”

On May 29, 2008, NASA formally announced that a new member would be joining the crew of the space shuttle Discovery: a 12-inch tall figure of Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear. Part of a joint effort between NASA and Disney Parks, Buzz was chosen to help encourage and foster an interest in children the studies of science, technology, and mathematics. The partnership also features an online program called Space Ranger Education Series, which helps teach kids more about the math and science behind space exploration. The Discovery launched into space on May 31.

May 26

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May 26, 2017 – The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters Begins

“Are you ready to see your favorite Disney•Pixar characters LIVE! at one of the most magical places on earth?”

On May 26, 2017, the live concert event The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters began its run in Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios Park. This limited-time concert showing featured a full orchestra performing songs and score pieces from Pixar films, accompanied by character appearances of Woody, Jessie, and the Incredibles, among others. The show was performed at three different times each night, following the performances of Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage at the Theater of the Stars.