Disney Animation Studio – Burbank, California
Wreck-It Ralph Press Day held at the famed Disney Animation Studios located in Burbank, California was equal parts educational, entertainmenr and just plain awesome fun. Interspersed throughout the day, we viewed 3 movies (Wreck-It Ralph, Paperman and Monsters, Inc 3D: reviews will be forthcoming); just call me Roger Ebert!
Wreck -It, Ralph Wall Poster at Walt Disney Animation Studios
After screening Wreck-It Ralph, which was not totally theatre ready with many scenes were literally black, greyed out and all you could see were outlines of the characters and landscape, we met with the Director Rich Moore and Producer Clark Spencer who gave us insights into the making of the movie. Did you know that that if not for a movie release date, they would literally keep making changes and with weeks until the opening they will be constantly editing scenes? Hence, why they like deadlines. I totally loved the Q&A with them because listening to them makes you realize how important it is to love what you do. Stay tuned for a more in-depth interview.
I think as movie goers, we really don’t know how much research goes into a movie, let alone an animated movie. Art Director Mike Gabriel and Visual
Development Artist Lorelay Bove discussed how their travels to Barcelona, Spain and other locales really impacted the look of the movie. Loreley,
a native of Spain inspired the Sugar Rush game in that it was inspired by the famed Gaudi architecture. I liked that they emphasized that traveling
and actually seeing a country’s art, food and people can provide more inspiration than surfacing the internet. An example were cookies they saw while
traveling and how the shape they saw was used in the movie.
Onto our Sugar Rush Race Car Competition judged by Mike Gabriel, Wreck-It Ralph’s Art Director which took place after screening Paperman, a short film that will play before Wreck-It Ralph and meeting Producer Kristina Reed. By the way, Sugar Rush is one of the worlds in Wreck-It Ralph. A competition was set up so that we could build our own Sugar Rush car. An entire table of candy, cookies, icing and “tools” (i.e tooth picks and straws)
was there for us to build our own car. Needless to say, this non driving New Yorker’s car looked very rudimentary and did win the competition but it was fun nonetheless.
Sugar Rush Car Competition
scenes from the movie are animated, Head of Animation on Wreck-It Ralph Renato dos Anjos “taught” us how to draw Wreck-It Ralph’s hand and Vanellope Von Schweet’s head. Here are the results. Do I have a future in animation? Ha! Ha! FYI, Vanellope’s head is basically a C and W combined with embellishments. Who knew? Here is my attempt at being an animator. Thoughts!! Be Nice.
The day isn’t over. We headed over to Old Disney Animation Building, where classic Disney films such as Bambi, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were made for the Monsters, Inc in 3D screening. Take note that the movie SAVING MR. BANKS will be filming there in a couple of months, starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as PL Travers at the Old Disney Animation Building. I love when I can say I know where that it when I see a movie.
Our trip would not have been complete without a visit to the Disney Walk of Fame where Walt Disney and Mickey are immortalized. That
said, nothing beats the building with the Seven Dwarfs as columns, now that is one unique building.
Whew, what an action packed day and one of the most memorable experiences. I love movies and admittedly, think I know a lot but meeting, talking with folks who do this for a living is such a unique experience, one I will never forget.
Stay social with Wreck-It Ralph which smashes into theaters everywhere on November 2nd!!
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Those cars look fun and amazing! What a neat experience!
the food they made is adorable! My kids can’t wait to see this movie!