Pixar Animation Studios COCO tells the story of Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Miguel’s story not only takes him to The Land of The Dead but is also set against the backdrop of Dia de los Muertos (the day of the dead.)
The COCO production team during our press event offered both the background history and significance of Dia de los Muertos as well as how their research and specific cultural traditions informed their design of the fantastical story set on Día de los Muertos.
Adrian Molina (Writer and Co-Director) and Dean Kelly (Story Artist) relayed their research inspiration and how it infused the making of the story.
Dean Kelly and Adrian Molina (Photo by Marc Flores / Pixar)
Harley Jessup (Production Designer), Danielle Feinberg (DP-Lighting), Chris Bernardi (Sets Supervisor), discussed how expansive worlds of both the living and the dead were created through both research and imagination.
Danielle Feinberg (Production Designer), Harley Jessup (Production Designer), and Chris Bernardi (Sets Supervisor) (Photo: Marc Flores)
Fun Facts About the Making of Disney Pixar COCO and the significance of “Dia de los Muertos” Traditions
- The original pitch for the movie was about a boy who gets stuck in the “Day of the Dead” (Dia de los Muertos.)
- Research trips are known as the “Blue Sky” phase. It’s where the animators and filmmakers get immersed in the culture from visiting museums, churches, cemeteries and plazas in several Mexican cities (Mexico City, Oaxaca and Guanajuato) as well as spending time with families. And of course the food of Mexico.
- Marigolds are an important symbol in the movie and are meant to guide the spirits to the home or the cemetery. Why Marigolds? The scent of the flower is to get the attention of the spirit. According to production designer Harley Jessup the team turned marigolds flower into a spectacular marigold bridge made out of brilliant orange petals. The marigold bridge is used connect the land of the living with land of the dead.
COCO – Concept art by Robert Kondo. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
- The Land of the Dead was inspired by the Mexican town, Guanajuato which has many colored buildings.
COCO – Concept art by Ernesto Nemesio. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
- One of the key customs of the Dia de los Muertos celebration is “The Ofrenda.” Offrenda means offering and is an altar where family members leave family pictures, favorite foods and special objects that had meaning to the loved one. These special mementos are left out of love and respect.
About COCO – Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself magically transported to the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
Learn more about Pixar COCO in this interesting “behind the scenes” article featuring 2010’s Oscar®- and Golden Globe® for “Toy Story 3, Director Lee Unkrich and Producer Darla K. Anderson.
Visit the official COCO website // Facebook // Twitter / Instagram
COCO opens in theatres everywhere on November 22nd!
Disclosure: NYC Single Mom received an all- expense paid trip to San Francisco for the coverage of the Disney-Pixar COCO press event. All opinions are 100% my own.
