Joy, ANGER, fear, sadness, and disgust are very familiar emotions. Next summer, those emotions will have a face. Watch the new teaser trailer for Pixar's next feature, Inside Out, coming to theatres June 19!
Inside Out, 2015. ©Disney/Pixar.
Nearly one year ago this month I had this idea to collaborate with art makers from around the country to pay tribute to one of the most beloved film studios. And although that idea itself was enough to push me forward creatively, I really wanted the event to be an art show that was designed to bring awareness and funds to 3 charities (LiNK: Liberty In North Korea, Invisible Children, and Give Clean Water).
On Saturday, October 11, I will be hosting an art show alongside several incredibly talented friends. The Pixar tribute benefit will take place at 9085 Aero Drive, San Diego, CA 92123. Drop by any time between 2-8:30 pm.
Entry is FREE, but everyone is welcome to DONATE A NEW TOY for children in need this holiday season.
On October 11, guests attending our Pixar tribute show benefiting LiNK: Liberty in North Korea, Invisible Children, and Give Clean Water, will see artwork from Rey Paez of West Covina, CA.
Rey's work is fun, whimsical, and incredibly imaginative. I recently had the privilege of asking him a few questions. Below are his answers.
Rey Paez signing his artwork.
1. The Pixar universe is full of characters we can relate to. Is there one particular character you identify with the most? Why?
Hmmm, this is a tough one because their are so many Pixar characters that I can identify with... But since I have to choose, I would say Sulley from Monsters Inc. He has a special place in my heart. Sulley is such a softy and caring character who always wants to help everyone out. He also has an innocence and naive side to him that I can totally relate to.
Sulley. Monsters Inc, 2001. ©Disney/Pixar.
2. What person, place or thing is inspiring you right now?
These days I get inspired by so many of the amazing artists I follow on Instagram.
3. You're showcasing a piece titled "Chuck & Jay" at For The Love of Pixar next month. Tell us about it.
It's basically a movie poster for a story I've had in my head for a while now. That story is about a little boy named "Jay" that's handicap and gets bullied at school. His one escape is drawing monsters in his notebook. One day he wishes that those monsters would come to life to be his friends and protect him from the bullies... And so the wish comes true.
Chuck. Original character design by Rey Paez.
That's the basic idea. Ever since I thought of this story I wanted it to have a slight Monsters Inc feel - it would be somewhat of an alternate world that the monsters would live in and so on. I'm hoping some day to turn this into a short story or something... I'll need to find a writer since I'm far from being a good one.
4. If you could travel back in time, what advise would you give to your 10 year old self?
Wow! Hmm... I would definitely tell myself to be more adventurous and try harder to get out of my shell... I was way too shy and cautious about everything growing up. I would also tell myself to not worry so much about what other people think! We should all really stop worrying about what others think or what their opinions are about us.
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Check out Rey's Instagram feed here to see a gallery of his work.
When a film hits theaters, very few people ever think about how it will be contextualized around the world. Often, we assume that one size fits all. But the truth is, culture matters. And so marketing departments will research the best ways to communicate a product they are attempting to sell in the language of the people they are trying to reach.
Although it is fascinating to see these Pixar movie posters using words and phrases tailored to a culture, I am mostly fascinated with the changes made to each film title.
Check out some of these wonderfully designed Pixar movie posters in their drastically contextualized forms.
Brave, 2012. ©Disney/Pixar.
Toy Story, 2010. ©Disney/Pixar.
UP, 2009. ©Disney/Pixar.
Monsters University, 2013. ©Disney/Pixar.
Cars 2, 2011. ©Disney/Pixar.
Finding Nemo, 2004. ©Disney/Pixar.
There are three charities our show is supporting through the sale of art on October 11. One of them is Invisible Children. IC is an organization that seeks to end the violent acts of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) which include abductions and abuse of children who are forced to serve as soldiers in places like Central Africa.
I recently had the privilege of asking Jason Russell, Co-founder of Invisible Children, three questions. Below are his answers.
3 QUESTION INTERVIEW:
1. The Pixar universe is full of characters we can relate to. Is there one particular character you identify with the most? Why?
Edna Mode is my all-time favorite Pixar character. I just love that they couldn't find anyone else that could play the part, so they had Director Brad Bird do the voice. She to me is the most original and memorable character.
Edna Mode. The Incredibles, 2004. ©Disney/Pixar.
As far as identifying with one character though, I think it would be a toss up between Lighting McQueen and Woody. At times I feel like McQueen. I have a tendency to want to move super fast and sometimes make it all about me, while the Woody spirit in me is old school, analogue, and knows the value of true friendships.
2. What person, place or thing is inspiring you right now?
Hafiz's poems are inspiring me right now, especially this one:
God and I have become
Like two giant fat people
Living in a tiny boat
We keep
Bumping into each other
And laughing.
3. Years ago you decided to step up and be an agent of change in the world. What kind of encouragement would you give to someone who believes that their efforts can't make a difference?
Jason Russell; Co-founder of Invisible Children.
* There is no such thing as an act of love too small.
* Follow your passion, the money will follow you.
* Everyone at all times is asking the world these three questions: Do you see me? Do you hear me? And does what I say mean anything to you?
- I learned this last one from Oprah.
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To learn more about Invisible Children, click here.
There are three charities our show is supporting through the sale of art on October 11. One of them is LiNK: Liberty In North Korea. LiNK is an organization bringing North Korean refugees to freedom and safety, as well as providing resettlement support to help them fulfill their potential.
Here's the story of Yoon Suk, a refugee who escaped North Korean oppression as told by LiNK.
Yoon Suk has vivid, happy memories of growing up in North Korea. She had a passion for the arts and performed frequently on stage. But as she grew older, the happy memories began to fade and the hunger in her belly began to grow.
North Korea was in the throes of famine when Yoon Suk got married. She started a business in the jangmadang to support her family, but when she had no luck running it, she escaped to China to find work.
Not even a month after escaping to China, she was caught by Chinese police and repatriated back to North Korea. Yoon Suk was taken to a prison camp where she was verbally abused, beaten, and starved.
She escaped again to China shortly after her release from the prison camp. She was sold off three times by traffickers. With the last husband, she had her beautiful daughter. Yoon Suk wanted to give her daughter a better life, and knew that would not be possible in China.
Thanks to support from people just like you, Yoon Suk and her daughter escaped China together and are now on their way to safety in South Korea.
To read the rest of her story, make sure to check out the LiNK blog.
One of the things I appreciate about fan art is seeing how people take a popular idea, character or universe and completely reimagine it. As I was browsing the web for inspiration this week, I was delighted to see so many Pixar enthusiasts do this so well. Here are just 6 Pixar-inspired pop cultural mashups that are worth talking about.
X-Men meets Pixar mashup. 3D render by Victor Hugo.
Star Wars meets UP mashup. Illustration by James Hance.
Ghostbusters meets Cars mashup. Digital illustration by Joey Ellis.
UP meets Toy Story meets Monsters Inc. meets The Incredibles mashup. Illustration by Pamela Barbieri.
Breaking Bad meets Toy Story mashup. Illustration by Dave MacDowell.
Wall-E meets E.T. mashup. Poster illustration by Luke Flowers.
There are three charities our show is supporting through the sale of art on October 11. One of them is Give Clean Water. GCW is an organization in relentless pursuit of providing a sustainable clean water solution to everyone that needs it.
I recently had the privilege of asking founder Darrel Larson of Give Clean Water three questions. Below are his answers.
Left to right: Actor Adam Beach, Fiji Western Division Health Inspector Rakesh Kumar, and Give Clean Water founder Darrel Larson.
1. The Pixar universe is full of characters we can relate to. Is there one particular character you identify with the most? Why?
I can relate with Buzz Lightyear. I love gadgets and have always wished I could fly. As a kid I would always imagine I was flying when I was running down my street after school.
Also, his catchphrase, “To infinity and beyond", has always stood out to me because it mirrors my life verse. That life verse is Ephesians 3:20 which says, “To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power within us."
2. What person, place or thing is inspiring you right now?
My friend CJ Hobgood is a pro surfer who has faced many challenges in life, but who has the determination of a true champion! I see him fearlessly charging the scariest waves on the planet, and overcoming fears even after some pretty serious poundings. I watch him use his gift of surfing as a platform to inspire others to walk in faith. He’s a true champion with a servant’s heart. I’m also pretty inspired by the Ice Bucket Challenge right now. It's amazing how a little idea grew into a huge outpouring of support for ALS. Any time we can capture the hearts of the world to help change lives…that is epic! I want to spend the rest of my life doing that.
3. Years ago you decided to step up and be an agent of change in the world. What kind of encouragement would you give to someone who believes that their efforts can't make a difference?
Six years ago, Give Clean Water was birthed as an organization to provide a sustainable clean drinking water solution around the world. That is a big task, but every great idea starts as something small and grows into a passionate vision that weathers the ups and downs towards goal completion. The thing is, we are all people with that kind of potential, so don’t be afraid to dream big! But dreaming is only part of the equation. Faith, engagement, and execution of our dreams is key for those dreams to ever come true. Again, my life verse comes into play on this one because I believe if I can dream it up, God is capable of doing immeasurably more!
Water filter install in Fiji.
Click here to learn more about Give Clean Water.
