San Diego Comic Con Welcomes John Lasseter and Hayao Miyazaki - July 24, 2009
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Note: Click this link for pictures and complete video of this presentation on LP Lotion
The San Diego Comic Con has grown in 40 years from a group of friends swapping comic books to an international conclave with over 125,000 registered visitors. Publishers, authors, artists, and major studios share their latest news, as well as exclusive sneak peeks of eagerly anticipated projects. On Friday, July 24, John Lasseter hosted a seminar for Walt Disney Feature Animation and Pixar Studios, welcoming his very special guest, Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli.
Despite the fact that it was held in Comic Con�s largest venue, Hall H, hundreds had to be turned away at the door. Inside, 6,500 lucky fans were treated not only to a discussion of upcoming projects, but a series of exclusive film clips, some in Disney Digital 3D.
There was immediate excitement in the air as a lengthy sequence from Toy Story 2 was presented in 3D. As the clip ended, John Lasseter took the stage to thunderous applause. After asking the crowd if his shirt was loud enough (he was wearing a signature aloha shirt, this one for the Pixar�s latest release, Up), he expressed his excitement over the October release of both Toy Story films in Disney Digital 3D. He then presented a brand new trailer for the upcoming Toy Story 3, followed by a discussion of this eagerly anticipated finale to the Toy Story saga with director Lee Unkrich.
They started with some good natured joking about the director�s name (Lee Unkrich vs. Leon Kritch). Unkrich spoke of the daunting task of following the first two films with ideas that would be as compelling for the third. �At the end of Toy Story 2, Buzz and Woody, Woody especially, has made his peace with the fact that Andy�s going to grow up some day,� Unkrich said. He then went on to explain that facing the day that Andy goes away to enter college became the starting point for Woody, Buzz and the gang�s final film journey.
Lasseter promised that Toy Story 3 would be more than just another adventure�that like the first two films, there would be an emotional core as well, pointing out that, �Walt Disney always said that for every laugh there should be a tear.� Unkrich pointed out that this film would again involve the entire Andy�s Room gang, including new members Barbie and Ken. In a Comic Con exclusive, Unkrich then announced that Ken would be voiced by Michael Keaton. To the further delight of the crowd, he then presented a filmed interview with Ken, apparently �lost� since some time in the early 1980s. Unkrich concluded by reminding everyone to see Toy Story 3, opening June 18, 2010.
�Next I�d like to talk about a really exciting project we have going,� Lasseter began. �We�ve taken what many people say is the most beautiful love story ever told in animation, and we�re bringing it back to movie theaters on Valentine�s Day, 2010, but in a way that you�ve never seen it before�in 3D. Yes, Ladies and gentlemen, along with Toy Story 2 and Toy Story, we have decided to go back and take a look at what we could do with Beauty and the Beast.� After reminding the crowd that Beauty and the Beast is the only animated film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, Lasseter brought out one of the film�s directors, Kirk Wise. Together, they talked about bringing this beloved film to a whole new generation in 3D. With new technology, the original animation has been given a fully rounded, fully dimensional look, along with a sense of depth and volume, even in the settings. To illustrate this, a clip was presented of the opening number from Beauty and the Beast.
Next up, John Lasseter discussed a new ABC TV Christmas special, Prep and Landing. It depicts the little known efforts of the elite group of elves who covertly prepare homes for the annual visit by the big man himself, Santa Claus. Prep and Landing was originated by Chris Williams, director of Bolt, as a possible short subject and deemed a suitable subject for a half hour television special. The crowd was then treated to a world premiere clip.
As Lasseter began discussing the next project, he drew a big round of applause in saying, �When I went back to the Walt Disney Animation Studios� the first thing that we did was to bring back hand drawn animation.� He went on to say that he asked John Musker and Ron Clements, directors of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, to come back and pitch ideas. The result was their version of the classic fairy tale, The Princess and the Frog. The directors were then introduced and invited to come and talk about this holiday release from the Walt Disney Studios.
As John, John and Ron took their seats, John Musker began by saying he had attended classes at CalArts with John Lasseter. A large photo from those days filled the screen as he pointed out a couple of other distinguished alumni. Turning to The Princess and the Frog, Musker stated, �It�s a return for us to the classic fairy tale.� Although Disney had not presented a fairy tale in many years, Musker and Clements decided to present a twist on the classic story. The setting they have chosen for their American version is New Orleans in the Jazz Age of the 1920s. �There�s no more magical place on this continent,� chimed in Lasseter. Speaking of his favorite city in America, he said, �It has everything. It�s got music, it�s got magic, it�s got the bayou, the French Quarter�it�s amazing.�