Interview With Directors & Producer of Pixar's COCO #PixarCOCOEvent
A Glimpse into the Making of COCO with Producers and Directors
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Engaging Conversations with COCO’s Producers and Directors
One of my favorite parts of this job is sitting down with the creative minds behind the movies. This month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Director Lee Unkrich, Writer and Co-Director Adrian Molina, and Producer Darla K. Anderson from Pixar’s COCO.
While we only previewed about 25 minutes of the film, we were eager to get our questions answered.
Initial Reactions to the Concept of COCO
When asked about the initial reaction to the idea of the film, Unkrich stated, “I first pitched the beginnings of this idea back in September of 2011. Everybody immediately sparked to the Dia De Los Muertos idea. This first story that we developed was different than what we ended up doing with Coco, but it was a unique concept that excited everyone.”
It was revealed early on that COCO is Miguel’s great-grandmother and the keeper of stories & memories. “COCO earns and deserves having the movie named after her,” Unkrich added.
The Challenges and Successes in Creating COCO
When asked about the challenges and successes in storytelling, Molina explained, “Creating a story is like solving a Rubik’s Cube. It’s always a process of creation and revision. The hardest parts are letting go of ideas you love for the sake of the story. But sometimes, when you let something go, you find a new place for it. That’s the beauty of creating these films.”
Inspiration Behind COCO
The origin of COCO came from a deep love and appreciation for Mexico, its people, and its culture.
Unexpected Discoveries and Changes in Perspective
When asked about his trips to Mexico for research, Unkrich mentioned, “I thought I understood what Dia De Los Muertos was all about, but I was surprised to learn how differently it’s celebrated in different parts of Mexico.”
Finally, Molina summed up the film’s essence: “It’s definitely about family and tradition, but it’s also about following your passions and making choices in life.”
Be Ready for COCO’s Arrival
Disney & Pixar’s COCO will hit theaters on November 22nd, 2017.
| | My Sparkling Life Blog |
|———–|————————|
| Affiliates | This blog post may contain affiliate links that fund the blog |
| Disclosure | The post’s author discloses that she received compensation for the travel experience she’s writing about |
| Interviewees | Director Lee Unkrich, Writer and Co-Director Adrian Molina, Producer Darla K. Anderson |
| Movie | Pixar’s COCO |
| Initial Pitch | The initial pitch for the movie was made in September 2011 |
| Working Title | The working title for the movie was ‘COCO’ |
| Challenges | The most challenging part of the storytelling process was creating a story that felt balanced and cohesive |
| Surprises | The author was surprised to learn about the diversity of Dia De Los Muertos celebrations across Mexico |
| Film’s Themes | Family, tradition, following passions, making choices in life |
| Release Date | The movie hit theaters on November 22nd, 2017 |
The Creative Geniuses Behind COCO
In the realm of animation, few studios are as creative and innovative as Pixar. The minds behind Pixar’s COCO, namely Director Lee Unkrich, Writer and Co-Director Adrian Molina, and Producer Darla K. Anderson, have crafted a masterpiece that not only entertains but also educates and inspires.
Delving Deeper into the Concept of COCO
When Unkrich initially pitched the concept of COCO, it was met with instant enthusiasm. The idea of a film centered around the Dia De Los Muertos was a fresh and unique concept that excited everyone involved. Over time, the story evolved, but the core idea remained the same: honoring and celebrating the rich culture of Mexico and its people.
The character of COCO, Miguel’s great-grandmother, is the heart and soul of the story. She’s the keeper of memories and the embodiment of the film’s themes of family, tradition, and legacy.
Storytelling: The Challenges and Triumphs
Creating a story, according to Molina, is like solving a Rubik’s Cube. It’s a process of creation and revision, of letting go of cherished ideas for the betterment of the story. Yet, it’s also about finding new places for those discarded ideas, discovering their true potential. This process, while challenging, brings about the beauty of storytelling.
Unraveling the Inspiration Behind COCO
The inspiration for COCO stemmed from a profound love and appreciation for Mexico, its people, and its vibrant culture. This deep respect for the Mexican culture is evident in every frame of the film, from the intricate designs of the characters to the stunning depiction of the Dia De Los Muertos.
Unexpected Discoveries and Shifts in Perspective
Research trips to Mexico offered the creators of COCO a wealth of insights and surprises. Unkrich, for instance, discovered the diverse ways in which the Dia De Los Muertos is celebrated across Mexico. These experiences have not only enriched the film but also broadened the creators’ perspectives.
At its core, COCO is about family and tradition, but it’s also about chasing your dreams and making choices. It’s a film that beautifully balances these themes and offers a captivating story that resonates with audiences of all ages.
FAQs About COCO’s Producers and Directors
Who are the creators behind COCO?
Director Lee Unkrich, Writer and Co-Director Adrian Molina, and Producer Darla K. Anderson are the creative minds behind Pixar’s COCO.
What inspired the creation of COCO?
The creators were inspired by a deep love and appreciation for Mexico, its people, and its culture. The idea of a film centered around the Dia De Los Muertos was a unique concept that excited everyone involved.
What is the central theme of COCO?
At its core, COCO is about family and tradition, but it’s also about chasing your dreams and making choices.
What were the challenges in creating COCO?
Creating a story, according to Molina, is like solving a Rubik’s Cube. It’s a process of creation and revision, of letting go of cherished ideas for the betterment of the story.
What was the role of research in creating COCO?
Research trips to Mexico offered the creators a wealth of insights and surprises. These experiences have not only enriched the film but also broadened the creators’ perspectives.
Be Ready for COCO’s Arrival
Disney & Pixar’s COCO will hit theaters on November 22nd, 2017.
FAQs about COCO’s Producers and Directors
1. Who are the producers and directors of COCO?
The movie COCO was directed by Lee Unkrich and co-directed by Adrian Molina. The producer of the film is Darla K. Anderson.
2. What was the initial reaction to the concept of COCO?
When the concept of COCO was first pitched in September 2011, everyone immediately sparked to the Dia De Los Muertos idea. The story that was initially developed was different than the final product, but the unique concept excited everyone involved in the project.
3. Who is COCO in the movie?
In the movie, COCO is Miguel’s great-grandmother. She is the keeper of stories and memories. The movie is named after her because she earns and deserves it, according to director Lee Unkrich.
4. What were the challenges in creating COCO?
Creating the story of COCO was likened to solving a Rubik’s Cube. It involved a process of creation and revision, with the hardest parts being letting go of ideas for the sake of the story. But sometimes, when something was let go, a new place for it was found, which is the beauty of creating films like COCO.
5. What was the inspiration behind COCO?
The origin of COCO came from a deep love and appreciation for Mexico, its people, and its culture.
6. What were some unexpected discoveries during the making of COCO?
During research trips to Mexico, it was discovered that the Dia De Los Muertos is celebrated differently in different parts of Mexico. This was a surprise as it was initially thought that the celebration was the same throughout the country.
7. What is the essence of the film COCO?
The film COCO is about family and tradition, but it’s also about following your passions and making choices in life.
8. When was COCO released?
Disney & Pixar’s COCO hit theaters on November 22nd, 2017.
9. Who are the main characters in COCO?
The main characters in COCO are Miguel, his great-grandmother Coco, and a trickster skeleton named Hector.
10. How long did it take to make COCO?
The development of COCO started in 2011, and the movie was released in 2017. Therefore, it took around 6 years to make the film.
