Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine on Captivating Hearts Through Music in ‘Wish’

November 17, 2023November 17, 2023 Michael Lee

Wish, Walt Disney Animation Studio’s 62nd film, which also celebrates the studio’s 100th anniversary, is an original animated musical fairy tale story that explores the origins of Wishing Star. The visual storytelling captures captures a stunning illustrative watercolor feel and pops off the screen thanks to CG technology. While achieving the look and feel wasn’t easy, finding the voices that would honor the legacy of animation would be even more of a challenge. And Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose, who voices Asha; and Chris Pine, who voices King Magnifico bring voices to the characters that feel timeless.

Animation, InterviewLeave a comment

‘Wish’ Creatives on Celebrating Disney’s 100th Anniversary

November 16, 2023November 16, 2023 Michael Lee

Since the 1980s, Walt Disney Animation Studio’s opening theme has enchanted audiences with “When You Wish Upon A Star.” It’s a theme that continues to resonate with all who look to the stars to guide them. And so, Wish directors Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, co-writer and Disney Animation CCO Jennifer Lee, along with producers Peter Del Vecho and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster-Jones set out to pay homage to the classic Disney animated features that came before it, while embracing the new techniques and technologies of the future.

Animation, Movies, MusicLeave a comment

Disney’s ‘Wish’ Wednesdays Continues with Affirmation Song “I’m a Star”

November 8, 2023November 9, 2023 Michael Lee

The songs of Disney animated musicals have quite a range. There’s the “I Want” Song, the villain song, the welcome song, and the romantic song just to name more than a few. And every once in a while there comes a song that affirms that you, yes you, can be a star. And so, the studio has debuted “I’m a Star” as a part of their weekly release series, Wish Wednesdays.

Animation, Music

Disney’s ‘Wish’ Wednesdays Drops Its Latest Magical Song, “Welcome To Rosas”

November 1, 2023November 2, 2023 Michael Lee

Disney has released “Welcome to Rosas,” their latest song for the Wish Wednesdays campaign. Following songs like “One Jump Ahead,” “Casa Madrigal,” and “Belle,” “Welcome to Rosas,” sung by Asha (Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose) gives audiences an idea of the size and scope of the kingdom where dreams and reality collide and one can have their wish come true, just as long as you give it to the charming but narcissistic King Magnifico (Chris Pine).

Animation, Movies

Disney Announces Limited Early Screenings of ‘Wish’

October 26, 2023October 27, 2023 Michael Lee

Disney is certainly showing its confidence in their upcoming release of Wish. Their 62nd animated musical feature serves as a celebration of the studio’s centennial anniversary. So Disney is paying it forward by giving fans early access to screen the film in 750 theaters nationwide.

Animation, Movies

Disney and Make-A-Wish Launch Wish Together Campaign

October 4, 2023October 5, 2023 Michael Lee

Disney and Make-A-Wish have been making life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses come true for the past 40 years. And with the impending release of the animation studio’s Wish, the two are launching their biggest campaign yet.

Animation, Interview, Movies

Jennifer Lee on Ushering in the Future While Honoring the Past with ‘Wish’

September 29, 2023September 28, 2023 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Wish is a momentous celebration for many reasons. The 62nd animated musical, which commemorates Disney’s 100th anniversary, centers on the legend of the wishing star while utilizing a hybrid of watercolor styles and CG animation. And Disney animation’s chief creative officer Jennifer Lee wants audiences never to forget that a dream is a wish that your heart makes, and that Wish is an ode to see the greatest possibilities of who we can be.

Animation, Interview, Movies

‘Wish’ Producers Discuss Bringing Julia Michaels to Write Seven Songs

September 28, 2023September 28, 2023 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Wish is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. And with good reason. Just in time to celebrate the studio’s 100th anniversary, Wish is a hybrid of two different animation styles. The 2D watercolor techniques combine with modern CG technology. And it creates for a unique look that has been tested many times through their shorts.

Animation, Movies

Discover the Origins of the Wishing Star Through Animation and Song in ‘Wish’ Trailer

September 27, 2023September 28, 2023 Michael Lee

Walt Disney’s animated musicals are built upon a legacy of rich innovation, resonating storytelling, and heartfelt songs. So for Wish, its 62nd feature, which also celebrates the studio’s 100 anniversary, Disney veteran director Chris Buck and first-time director Fawn Veerasunthorn, using a script written by Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore, are delivering audiences a celebration of the visual storytelling medium. Now a new trailer gives us a better look at how 2D watercolor techniques and 3D animation work in tandem to create something that’s a century in the making.

Animation, Movies1 Comment

‘Wish’ Footage Celebrates Generations of the Classic Disney Animated Musical

September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 Michael Lee

The wishing star is a timeless way to make your dreams come true. It is also the source of visually stunning and recurring thematic magic for almost all Walt Disney Animation Studio features, past and present. So, it only makes sense that Disney would be celebrating its centennial anniversary with Wish. The studio’s 62nd film is an all-new original animated musical that honors when you wish upon a star while blending watercolor techniques and contemporary 3D animation to create a unique look 100 years in the making.

Animation, Movies1 Comment

D23Expo: The Future Classics of Disney Animation

September 10, 2022September 10, 2022 Mike Manalo

Disney is a household name. From the moment we learn to walk or talk, we are exposed to the most legendary stories and cinematic classics that the company has produced over the past 100 years; from Snow White to Encanto.

Animation, Movies

Arendelle Antics at the ‘Frozen II’ Press Conference

November 22, 2019November 22, 2019 Mike Manalo

We made it folks! It’s been a few months and our countdown is at last complete! Frozen II has arrived! That’s right, give yourselves a big pat on the back for sticking with us! To cap off everything, we wanted to take you all inside, perhaps, the most fun press conference we’ve ever covered here at The Nerds of Color. We got the chance to hear from (and bask in the glory of) national treasures Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Evan Rachel Wood, Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez, and Peter Del Vecho! Here’s how the magic went down.

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Animation, Movies, Reviews2 Comments

NOC Review: ‘Frozen II’ is the Best Animated Movie of the Year

November 14, 2019December 25, 2019 Mike Manalo

The Oscar Race for Best Animated Feature is over. It’s going to be Frozen II. As someone who thought Frozen, now considered by many to be a classic animated film on par with The Little Mermaid, was a very good-not-great movie, it was going to be tough for its successor to melt my icy cold heart. Rest assured, this one is grander, deeper, more challenging, and even more gorgeous than its predecessor. Walt Disney Animation Studios has made a near perfect movie here, and they deserve to be proud. Frozen II outdoes the first in every respect! Heart melted!

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Animation, Interview, Movies

Into The Unkown: A First-Look at ‘Frozen II’

September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 Mike Manalo

For the first time in forever (or at least 6 years), audiences will be returning to the kingdom of Arendelle, when Frozen II finally hits theaters everywhere this November. The Nerds of Color was recently invited to Walt Disney Animation Studios to take part in a special day (no, not Coronation Day) of festivities and panels to get a glimpse behind the icy scenes, and see what it took to bring this highly anticipated movie to life. And so, to countdown to this Fall’s biggest movie event, every month until November we’ll be presenting special inside looks at the movie, as well as interviews with the filmmakers and artists who worked incredibly hard to reunite us with Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and, of course, Olaf.

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