The Real Stories Behind Toy Story Legacy and What to Expect for Toy Story 4 | #ToyStory4 Thursday 13 June, 2019
Thank you to Disney/Pixar Studios for giving me a first look at #ToyStory4 for the official press junket. Toy Stoy 4 debuts in theaters June 21st.
Did you know Pixar created 20 Films in 24 years? Its an amazing Animated Studio, one of the first digital animation studios in the world and it all started with Toy Story. The original Toy Story is the first fully computer-generated full-length feature film, and its amazing it is almost 30 years of this amazing story that is deeply loved and renewed between generations. It was an honor to visit the Pixar Stuidos in San Franciso to learn about the Toy Story 4 movie, but since we were there we learned more about all of the Toy Story film’s stories!
I’ve gushed here about how I literally grew up with this franchise. Its so cool and rare for a children’s film to continue to grow and modernize itself with each new era and generation. I was nine when the original came out, and it amazing to know by the time I have my own kids they will have a new version of Toy Story! As we prepare for Toy Story 4 release. I wanted to share some fun facts from where it started from 1995 to now! So many story (pun intended) and animated changes has morphed and developed over the years, so here are some fun facts I learned during the #ToyStory4 press junket at Pixar Studios.
ToyStory (1995)
Did you know Woody was original going to be a ventriloquist dummy? Ventriloquist’s dummies were usually associated with horror movies, Disney executive didnt want Andy to scare the children.
Tom Hanks and his character to Woody was emotional as his character means the world to him as his family. Touching because he’s been this character for almost 30 years.
Tom Hanks loved it from the start and very invested. I don’t know how many characters played the same roles like this for 25 years. He could associate when his child was born based on which ToyStory he was filming for. Very attached to Woody.
Did you know Buzz Lightyear’s name was originally supposed to be Luna Larry?
Pixar originally wanted Jim Carrey to voice Buzz Lightyear, but they couldn’t due to the low budget they were given for the film.
The name “Buzz Lightyear” is a tribute to astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
Brainstorm Name List before it became Toy Story (1993)
Hand Me down hero’s
Buzz and Woody
Toy Hero’s
Don’t Move
Toys in the Hood
To infinity and beyond
I’m no dummy
Plastic buddies
Small hero’s
Little hero’s
Never left behind
Has been hero’s
Would that have been something if any of these names would of been instead of Toy Story? Toys In The Hood cracks me up the most!
ToyStory 2 (1997)
ToyStory 1 & 2 were only 4 years apart
Toy Story 2 was the first sequel for Tom Hanks and Tim Allen
Jessie was originally going to be a Mexican woman named “Señorita Cactus” and take the flirty place of Bo Peep.
Improved software tools – shading tools were better and updated lighting sources
Toy Story 2 is one of three Disney movies to win a Golden Globe for Best Picture. The other two are Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King.
ToyStory 3 (2010)
Toy 2 and 3 was an 11 year gap
The number “95” appears frequently throughout all 3 films. This is in reference to the year the original Toy Story was released, 1995.
Studio grew in size
Enhancement to hair technology started with Monsters Inc.
Improvements with shading in humans
Established Special FX department
Toy Story 3 is also the first animated movie to make over $1 billion at the box office worldwide. It’s the #5 highest grossing movie of all-time.
ToyStory 4
9 year gap between 3 & 4
129 Pixar employees who worked on Toy Story, a total of 1,247 worked on Toy Story 4
Unlike Toy Story 1-3, Toy Story 4 was shot in widescreen to increase cinematic effect
Hyper detailed antique set
Toy Story 4 pays very close attention to details, no matter how small. It was important to the animation team is that they’re creating a world about toys, which, by nature, are tiny. That means that we see a lot of detail from their perspective that we don’t necessarily see from a human perspective and the computer animation department has evolved dramatically since the original Toy Story.
Greater levels of complexity and richness with shading
Software mimics the physics of life
New FX tool with rain sequence and dust and cobwebs
Complex lighting animated lights 1000s practical for the carnival scene
Dust particles into the air with extreme depth of fields. Those details are there to remind you that the characters are plastic toys that have lived a full life.
Similar to live-action films, Toy Story 4 uses a virtual camera to film their scenes. The virtual camera lens technology has focal length, depth of field, f-stop, etc. It also mimics camera movement as if it’s on a physical rig, tripod, track, dolly, or crane.
Animator Claudio de Oliveira actually had a pretty hard time finding sporks to experiment with to create the new character Forky, until he found a local pizza place that had them.
Do you like Easter Eggs? Director Josh Cooley has over 10 pages of imagery that list every single Easter egg that’s hidden in the film, especially during any scenes in the antique shop, which is filled with over 10,000 items.
Toy Story 4 is a wonderful animated trip down memory lane in the make everyone fill like this is a warm bath with the nostalgic. Smooth and effortless. I love the Toy Story franchise because you connect with familiar characters and get attached, but also fall in love with new toys. In my next Toy Story post we will meet all of the new toys in #ToyStory4. Can’t wait to see this for myself and 9 year old Kiwi!
TOY STORY 4 opens in theatres everywhere on June 21st!
Did you learn anything new about Toy Story? Are you excited about Toy Story 4?
About the Blogger - Kiwi the Beauty
Kiwi is the free spirited blogger and content creator of KiwiTheBeauty.com. As a digital influencer, she produces creative inspiration around beauty, lifestyle, media and travel leisure. Her life mantra is to make manifesting fun! When she’s not blogging, she is eating trendy hipster food, carrying crystals, making it rain at her local farmer's market and binge brunching.
Follow her on her blog and social media at kiwithebeauty.com + @kiwithebeauty
I love hearing about the history of the Toy Story movies. We’ve been a fan since the beginning and so far, Toy Story 3 was my favorite. I also cried like a baby at it. I’m thinking based on what I’ve heard that Toy Story 4 is going to be even better.
The kids and I are so excited to see Toy Story 4. I love the changes over the past 3 movies, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this one stacks up, animation-wise
I can’t wait to see this movie. I’ve been waiting so long for this. I’m pretty sure I’ll be watching this one with my daughters too. They want to see it as well.
This is really a great post! It’s so amazing how the movie we loved while we were kids developed into something that the current generation will love! Thanks for sharing this!
Toy Story was part of my childhood in the 90’s and then also part of my daughters when she was younger, it’s always been something that has bought us together. We are ever so excited to see number 4 and I really loved reading your post.
The Toy Story movies have stood the test of time. These will be movies I share with my grandkids whenever that happens. Those original title ideas made me laugh.
It was great learning the history of Toy Story. In addition it really took me down memory lane. I have loved every Toy Story and I am awaiting Toy Story 4. Great post!
9 year gap between 3 & 4
I love hearing about the history of the Toy Story movies. We’ve been a fan since the beginning and so far, Toy Story 3 was my favorite. I also cried like a baby at it. I’m thinking based on what I’ve heard that Toy Story 4 is going to be even better.
I’m so excited to see Toy Story 4. I love the way it’s changed over the past 3 movies, and I’m looking forward to continuations of themes.
Thank goodness they went with Toy Story instead of those other ideas. Those names were real stinkers.
I can’t imagine Buzz being named Luna Larry. I am SO glad that they changed that! There are some pretty neat facts here. Thanks for the fun read.
I love that it was almost called Toys in the Hood LOL That was such an awesome trip to Pixar right?!
I’d really like to rewatch the earlier movies to see if I notice the animation changes. I’m excited for number four!
This is my most revered Disney animation movie. Love the story. Love the climatic situations that teach us all a lesson in each and every sequel.
The kids and I are so excited to see Toy Story 4. I love the changes over the past 3 movies, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this one stacks up, animation-wise
I cannot wait to see this movie. I’m buying tickets for my family.
I can’t wait to see this movie. I’ve been waiting so long for this. I’m pretty sure I’ll be watching this one with my daughters too. They want to see it as well.
So excited to see this movie! We are obsessed with the Toy Story Series.
Me and my nephew eagerly waiting to watch this almost one week left and we both are excited
This is really a great post! It’s so amazing how the movie we loved while we were kids developed into something that the current generation will love! Thanks for sharing this!
I am always glad to know the story behind the movie! It’s so interesting!
I am sure it’s going to be a great movie. People are going to melt their again. Looking forward of seeing this as well.
Toy Story was part of my childhood in the 90’s and then also part of my daughters when she was younger, it’s always been something that has bought us together. We are ever so excited to see number 4 and I really loved reading your post.
This movie is going to make you laugh, cry and love the movie even more. They have come very far for a lot of years now. What an amazing movie to see.
The Toy Story movies have stood the test of time. These will be movies I share with my grandkids whenever that happens. Those original title ideas made me laugh.
I’m more than a little behind with this series as I have not watched Toy Story 3. But you insight has me wanting to catch up!
I saw it during the pres junket and it is excellent.
Sounds like a great movie! I can hardly wait to grab my tickets to see it!
We love Toy Story and we can’t wait to see the movie. That looks like a really fun event.
I cant wait to see this movie. I love all the other Toy Stories so I bet I will love this one.
It is awesome to know all these details. I need to tell it to my kid!
Great post. I’m super pumped to be able to see this movie. Can’t wait!
This looks like so much fun. I cannot wait for the movie. I am so ready to revisit Toy Story again.
This is such a fun series – I’m glad to see it continuing!
It was great learning the history of Toy Story. In addition it really took me down memory lane. I have loved every Toy Story and I am awaiting Toy Story 4. Great post!
I basically grew up with Toy Story and will always love the movies and reminisce on childhood. I am excited to see the new one.