To be an animator you have to be obsessed with magic. To make life out of nothing but a pencil sketch and digital instructions is a form of magic for certain. But not all cultures view magic, or life, in the same way. How a studio deals with adapting its films to different audiences can mark the difference between a good studios and a great one.
Disney’s Pixar has been making great films for years, and adapting them for international audiences too. A new featurette from the team in Emeryville focuses on how they make their films cross-culturally relevant, including:
- A Direct Reflection of Culture: Riley’s Dad from Inside Out daydreams about hockey for U.S. audiences and soccer in international versions.
- Appealing to Local Tastes: Did you know that broccoli is widely enjoyed in Japan? For Inside Out, Riley is instead repulsed by bell peppers.
- Sometimes There Is No Direct Translation: Despite there being no spoken word in the iconic opening sequence of UP detailing Carl and Ellie’s relationship, necessary alterations were made to communicate Ellie’s dream to live in a place called ‘Paradise Falls.’
Although it may appear seamless to audiences, this video displays how Pixar Animation Studios puts considerable thought into making Pixar movies enjoyable for viewers across the globe.
Have you ever watched any foreign language versions of Pixar films? What did you think?