My trips to Los Angeles with Disney are always packed full of fun. We get so much insight into the behind scenes, I love it!
One of the movies that we had the privilege of getting a few sneak peeks for was Moana. While not a true story, it is based on the heritage and beliefs of the people of Oceania. Disney spent the time researching and studying culture to make the story as true to the history as possible.
We had the opportunity to chat with some of those that actually did the research; Head of Animation Amy Smeed, Head of Story Dave Pimentel, Story Artist Dave Derrick, and Development Sr. Creative Exec Jessica Julius. Hearing about their experiences and the time taken is always just a pure pleasure. What is Moana about?
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast South Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.
We got to see a few clips from the movie itself while hearing about it and I really cannot wait to see this one. We will get to see a true Disney heroine in a totally different setting than we are used to!
The character of Moana is one that I know every little kid will fall in love with. She is FUN, adventurous and always up for breaking the rules to find an adventure. She quickly learns of her heritage and history on the island. Her father tries to keep her on the island but her instinctive pull is to travel the oceans, it’s in her blood and you get to learn of that history in the movie.
Maui, played by The Rock, is a demi-god. With quite an ego! You will love getting to know each of the characters.
One of my personal favorites with these animation trips is when we get to learn to draw! One of the characters in the movie is “Mini Maui”. Maui is played by The Rock. He has a lot of tattoos and one is “Mini Maui” which is basically his conscious in the movie.
We were able to learn to draw Mini Maui with the actual animator!! I won’t be quitting my day job anytime soon but it was certainly fun!!
I actually did a short time lapse video so you can draw it too!
Before every Pixar film, you get to see a fun Disney short. We actually got to watch the one for Moana, it is called Inner Workings and you are going to LOVE it!
“Inner Workings,” a new short from first-time director Leo Matsuda (story artist for “Big Hero 6,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) is the story of the internal struggle between a man’s pragmatic, logical side and his free-spirited, adventurous half. Created by a small team at Walt Disney Animation Studios in a unique, fast-paced style that blends CG and traditional hand-drawn animation, the short explores the importance of finding balance in daily life. “Inner Workings” opens on Nov. 23, 2016, in front of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana.”
I loved every minute of this one!! It shows the inner struggle that many people experience their day to day job, getting into the monotony of work or following your heart and doing something that you love. Inner Workings will definitely hit home with many!!
Catch Moana AND Inner Workings in theaters on November 23rd
Moana Facebook Page | @DisneyMoana on Twitter
@DisneyAnimation on Instagram | @DisneyAnimation on Tumblr
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