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UP nominated for Best Picture!

The man of the hour as he tries to stem the tide of phone calls this morning.

What a ride! It's been a long journey that's about to culminate in March. For myself I am counting today as the win. We made it to the big boys table with UP being nominated for Best Picture along with the other live action movies. We make movies, we tell stories. These days the fact that a movie is made completely with computers or whatever percentage is not a discussion anymore. It is just making movies.

My thanks to our stellar, award-winning crew but especially to our Story crew. They did a lot of heavy lifting that won't have a category to celebrate at these award shows but they so rightly deserve every bit of goodwill this movie gets. They are the best story crew I've had the privilege of serving with as Story Supervisor. You guys make me proud. I thank you.

Here's the logo for our Story Crew t-shirt. We wear it proudly and this week is an especially good week to walk tall in one of these. All hail, STORY!



UPdate: Here's the squadron photo we took after dealing death from above to all unholy story issues.


Josh Cooley composed the photo, Bill Presing had the airman headgear and we all took headshots with it one day. Viola! From left to right, Back row: Brian Wright, Bill Presing, Enrico Casarosa, Ronnie del Carmen, Josh Cooley, Tony Rosenast. Front Row: Justin Hunt, Nick Sung, Rob Gibbs, Bobby Rubio (not in the photo, Pete Sohn, Ken Bruce and Jamie Baker). The beauteous Shannon Ryan is emblazoned on the plane as our babe/department manager among beasts. She is known as "The Ryan." We couldn't have the entire crew with us that day but then again it is a war after all.

2010 Golden Globe Award for UP

We had a little champagne toast this morning with the guys. Hip hip! Hurray!

I almost missed it. I was driving home and caught the original broadcast winding down. I got email and notices on line congratulating me. I did see Pete Docter accept the award on the rebroadcast as well as Bob Peterson and Jonas Rivera in their group hug. Amazing.

ABC interview of Pete

Apparently they hung out with Paul McCartney quite a bit and noted that he's such a gentleman and a lot of fun.

My congratulations to Michael Giancchino for his Golden Globe win as well. I am very lucky to have worked with his music on this movie and on the Dug short.

Michael Giacchino after the award Q & A Wait for Pete heckling Michael.

Honored to have served on the movie with the entire UP crew. Among the highlights of being in this business I can say this is the brightest.

Old New

Counter Reset. The doodles I do are fleeting and so with anything I draw. I could lose these. I just had that happen in a big way over the holidays and I mourn for those things that I wrote and drew. After the trough of necessary emotions I chose to leave it as memory. I can't really have them them with me everywhere. Which I know is what I had insisted on doing.

I choose to draw some more and what survives will be up to the fates.

Good Start. Enrico just sent me a link to the Muji website that holds their manifesto. Both of us are pre-sold audience. We love Muji. A reason to fly to New York or Japan. I mean, literally on the list of things we have to do while there.

MUJI

Old hold fold cold sold mold Been playing Word warp on the iPhone and I thought I would quit after I break the million mark score. I'm way past that and I still do it.

Non sequitur I turned another year older on the last day of last year. Last week. I say it today. Steve Purcell says, "There's something that actually makes sense about starting the New Year right on the heels of a birthday." Never thought of it that way in all the years I've had this mill stone birthday. I think I will see it like that from now on.

Hold a sec... I am writing this on my work desk. I had just remembered that I had Muji pens lost along with that bag. I had a lovely brush pen that I was getting really attached to. As I opened applications on the computer I see a brown paper bag below the screen. I didn't carry all my Muji pens with me! I had these here still! I had a kid smile on my face if you happened to pass by with a camera. Underline this with silver.



This is going to be a great year.

Unreality Check

Cappuccino foam Nina drawing at Caffe Trieste. Zazu makes good espresso drinks. The foam holds up, then I draw.

Yesterday was the day. September 28, 2009 was a Monday. The morning was at the El Cerrito swim club trying to get my breathing lesson down. Then rush to work, grab coffee (and a small cinnamon swirl) and then on to a meeting.

Right after the meeting I pace about and decide I should take my photo with the phone. What I remember of a day is harder now. I should remember more but not many win that battle over time. This post should help. Cryptic, huh? But maybe I just like Mondays--direct opposition to that song about hating them.

I should say something about the long silence in blog posts. Or I just start posting and get on with it, eh? Things are afoot. The house is empty and looking to see if the city will have a new place to call home. All's good. Spectacular, really. I'm off to Japan in less than a week to travel for the movie. I will be traveling most of October. I should pack.

UP opening weekend: 68.2 million!

WHOA! Not bad for an old man movie, eh? All the work and anticipation had culminated in a grand showing of love for Pixar movies and this movie's story. On Friday I was at the Disney studios signing books with Ricky Nierva and we were met with very grateful people--people who are in the same studio, and industry--thanking us for this movie. On Saturday I did a signing and talk for the public at Nucleus where I was met with the same response. I must say that this is unique for us. We usually will get compliments on "a great job" or "an amazing movie" but this is different. People are thanking us for this movie's story. I am so honored to be part of this movie.


Pete, myself and Bob during one of many recordings at Studio B at Disney. Being around where Walt made the classics sure brings out the animation fans out of us.

Amazing. There was a time when we were just figuring out how to dig ourselves out of one difficult corner after another when this day was so far in the future. It wasn't real. Now here we are. My thanks and eternal gratitude to Pete Docter who took me along on this journey and believed in what I was going to do for him. Bob Peterson for showing me where the funny was only EVERY time. Jonas Rivera for making sure I can show up for all of it and having my back.

Our story crew was unobtrusive. We worked hard and kept on the path, fought the battles. I am so very proud of each and every one of them. That deserves its own post. Be sure of it.

It's out there now. Up is welcomed into people's lives and I am forever grateful.

UP is released tomorrow! Plus a booksigning!

I love these guys. This has been the most rewarding movie I've ever worked on. From left: Russell (likes chocolate), Dug (loves everyone) and Carl (likes grumbling)

Nothin' but blue skies! The movie finally opens tomorrow, May 29,2009. Man, it seems we've been waiting forever. With the movie opening Cannes and the studio screenings one can almost think that the movie's been out there already. But NO! The general public will be able to see what all the fuss is about. If you got time please search out the reviews for this movie. It's been such a gift to us who made it. Made all the hard work all worth it. But now the real proof: The general public gets to see it.

BUT WAIT! WE ALSO HAVE A BOOKSIGNING AT NUCLEUS THIS SATURDAY!

That's right! On Saturday yours truly will be at signing at Nucleus Gallery in Alhambra.

Artist Ronnie Del Carmen will be visiting us from San Francisco on Saturday, May 30th, to talk about his work on the upcoming Disney•Pixar film "Up" where he served as story supervisor & lead story artist. Ronnie will show a short slide presentation and participate in a Q and A session.


"The Art of Up" Artist Panel and Book Signing with Ronnie Del Carmen

May 30, 2009
Opening Reception / May 30, 2:00PM - 5:00PM

Nucleus Gallery
210 East Main St, Alhambra CA

Please come by if you are around--Hey, it's free admission! I will be signing both Pixar books as well as the brand spankin' new "And there you are." Limited copies only so the first few will be able to get a signed copy. Real busy, eh?

Actually, I'll be at Disney studios tomorrow (Friday) doing a book signing then stay overnight for our Nucleus signing. Hope to see you guys there.



Nucleus Gallery
AWN: The Art of UP Artist Panel in L.A. on May 30