During my trip for the Disney Pete’s Dragon Red Carpet Event, I had the pleasure of previewing Inner Workings, the movie short that will open in front of Disney’s Moana (in theatres November 23) as well as interviewing the Moana Animation Team (Head of Animation Amy Smeed, Head of Story Dave Pimentel, Story Artist Dave Derrick, “Mini Maui” Animation Supervisor Eric Goldberg and Development Sr. Creative Exec Jessica Julius) on the making of what is sure to be a hit, Moana. And just for fun, Animation Supervisor Eric Goldberg gave us a drawing demonstration of how to draw “Mini Maui.”
Moana Disney Animation Team
5 Fun Facts I learned about the Making of Moana
- The team visited several pacific islands to truly understand the culture, the people, the food and most importantly, the Pacific Island history. Their work really provided a life changing experience as well as a deep understanding of the culture that informed the writing and creation of Moana.
- Before they went to visit the islands, they had no idea about the Polynesian’s navigation expertise. They also learned that there was a gap in Polynesian migration no one could explain.
- The music of Moana is written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), world music guitarist Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina (The Lion King). Quite a diverse group that is sure to bring about a hit soundtrack.
- Tattoos play a major character in the movie specifically “Mini Maui,” a tattoo that comes to life on the main character Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson.) During the presentation, we had the pleasure of being taught how to draw Mini Maui by Animation Supervisor Eric Goldberg, one of Disney’s amazing illustrators.
Here is Animation Supervisor Eric Goldberg’s Step By Step Drawing of Mini-Maui
And here is mine. Mr. Goldberg definitely does not have to worry that I will be taking his job.
Inner Workings Short
©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
I love the animated shorts that open Pixar and Disney movies and I had the distinct pleasure of previewing the latest effort “Inner Workings ”by Director of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Leo Matsuda (story artist on the Oscar-winning “Big Hero 6” and “Wreck-It Ralph.”)
Inner Workings focuses on a very rigid office worker whose everyday hum drum life is in a tug of war with his internal fun self. The director, who is Japanese- Brazilian talked about how the two halves of his background – the very Japanese disciplined self and his Brazilian party self inspired the movie’s character. And for those old enough to remember the Encyclopedia Britannica, Matusda discussed how the anatomy pictures inspired the look of the short.
Inner Workings is a blend of CG and hand drawn animation offering the movie goer, a quirky and unique story that makes you think about your own life showcasing one’s pragmatic self versus the need to have fun. I really enjoyed the short plus the music will make you want to get up and dance. Look for Inner Workings this fall opening in front of Moana.
©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
About Disney’s Moana:
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows why.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity.
Official Moana website // Facebook // Twitter
“Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016
Disclosure: NYC Single Mom’s travel and accommodations to attend the the Pete’s Dragon event is being covered by Disney. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
