Skip to content

Behind Brave: The Pixar Process

  • by

You may recall that I took a trip to Pixar Studios to learn more about the upcoming film Brave, and you may also recall that the experience was awesome. In addition to learning about bagpipes, archery, and kilts, our wandering group of press and bloggers spent some quality time with the creative team behind the film. Emphasis on creative.

Louis Gonzales is a Story Artist at Pixar and was part of the team that traveled to Scotland for research (it’s all relative, they had to travel to the dump for Toy Story 3). It sounded amazing. He told this great story about a small, simple dinner they had one night while in Scotland, and how a woman had started singing a haunting, beautiful song that really touched him. He was so inspired that he created a scene with a similar song. His version wound up being a lullaby sang to Merida by her mother. There was a whole process that he had to go through in order to have the scene added to the film. It involved his having to sing falsetto in front of the Pixar bigwigs, and from the sample he played us it’s lucky he has such a fantastic day job:Read More »Behind Brave: The Pixar Process

Battle between Disney and Universal Catches Eye of New York Times

There has always been a cross-town rivalry between Walt Disney’s theme parks and Universal Studios’ attractions. When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, Universal Studios had already been offering studio tours at it’s Hollywood park for decades. When Universal Studios decided to build in Orlando,… Read More »Battle between Disney and Universal Catches Eye of New York Times

Magic Kingdom Update – New Fantasyland, Storybook Circus, and more

There was a lot to see on my latest walk through the Magic Kingdom. They’re moving at a quick pace now to get ready for a July opening for a few attractions and a ‘holiday’ opening for more of new Fantasyland. The second Dumbo spinner… Read More »Magic Kingdom Update – New Fantasyland, Storybook Circus, and more

DCA History Lesson: Parades

I don’t know about you, but if I lived in California, I would be jumping for those D23 tickets to go do a Carsland and Buena Vista Street walk-through before the official opening on, everyone together now, JUNE 15th! But, alas, I am in Florida, recapping the past ten years of DCA for you to enjoy before that lovely June day. Today, we will talk about the 2 now deceased (maybe not the best word choice…) parades that ran up and down the Performance Corridor for years. No, I’m not kidding, it was called the Performance Corridor instead of a Parade Route…oh DCA.

First up, we have the infamous “Eureka”. Named after the state motto, it was also the name of the deity that was represented on each of the floats, dressed as to reflect certain regions of California. She was in the sun logo, Hispanic California, an angel from “The City of Angels,” Beach-Loving Beauty, Chinese woman of Chinatown, and the Golden Goddess representing the Golden State. With each float came its respectable share of interesting costumes (A man dressed as the Hollywood Bowl, two men on stilts as the Golden Gate Bridge, etc.). In addition to the odd costume choices, the float performers were really cool, with the beach/surfing float containing a skateboarding half-pipe being used and the City of Angels section having drummers hanging off the side of float.

Though it did gain a small cult following among some Disney fans, it ultimately was not successful (Shocking!) at DCA. The problem? It had no Disney Characters. Not even Mickey. Though “Tapestry of Nations” at Epcot had no characters and was very popular, this parade had a very hectic and discombobulated feel to it that off put some, unlike “Tapestry”. It opened with the park in Feb. 2001, closed for the off-season, returned for the Summer of 2002, and never ran again.

After the park became such a folly for Disney and the crowd numbers weren’t what they were expecting, they needed something to pull the people in and fast. The solution? “Disney’s Electrical Parade”.

Read More »DCA History Lesson: Parades

Photo Update – Downtown Disney Orlando

It’s been awhile since we dropped in on Downtown Disney to see what’s new. As it turns out, nothing major. Splitsville is still under construction with almost no change to the facade, although that will have to happen soon if they want open later this year as they’ve announced. They have been going at it inside. The escalators are now gone in what will be the two-story bowling alley / lounge.

Rainforest Cafe is still working on a new volcano that will actually erupt with a lava flow.

In theory, it will look like this:

Disney has yet to announce plans for what will replace Hyperion Wharf, the concept that was originally planned to replace Pleasure Island. But so far no activity on the spot formerly occupied by a couple of night clubs.

Our tour continues below the jump:

Read More »Photo Update – Downtown Disney Orlando

Marvel – A Fan’s View

Editor: Please welcome Barb Webb of the excellent ComicBookMom.com with her first post. In 2009, when the Disney Company announced the acquisition of Marvel, mixed feelings from fans on both sides of the cartoon fence flooded the Internet. Disney fans wondered how characters like Deadpool… Read More »Marvel – A Fan’s View

Revenge: Grief

My Revenge viewing buddy described this week’s episode as: “omg omg omg holy sh*t”.

After finally catching the episode on Thursday, I can only agree.

Unlike last week’s yawner, this episode started with a crying Emily digging a grave. Since this show is nothing like it seems, we could only guess who the grave was for.

Operation White Haired Guy is in full swing and Emily and Daniel’s wedding has now turned into a full-blown publicity stunt ala Ashley’s “brilliant” brainstorms.

It’s no surprise Emily is more into uncovering the whereabouts of this white-haired man (WHM) than discussing table linens and the most minute details of the next “royal wedding”. (Oh, I wish I made that up. Ashley called it that, quick to remind Emily that Daniel is the royalty.)

Read More »Revenge: Grief

New Clip from Pixar’s Brave – Fergus Shares A Legend

We’ve already seen most of the footage in this latest clip shared by Pixar, but I can’t get enough of the family at the center of Brave. What about you? Who else would like to see a ‘walk-around’ Fergus in the parks?