Monday, January 22, 2018

ArsenalCreative Names Mike Wynd VFX Supervisor

Santa Monica, CA, January 22, 2018 – ArsenalCreative has announced an expansion of its VFX team with the addition of award-winning VFX Supervisor Mike Wynd. He comes to Arsenal from MPC, where he spent 8 years as a VFX Supervisor.

Regarding Wynd joining the company, Cortney Haile, ArsenalCreative Partner and Executive Producer, said, “We’re so excited to have someone with Mike’s level of experience and expertise join our team. His skill set will be a huge asset to our growing studio and to our clients.”

Wynd has worked on numerous, high profile projects for such name directors as Rupert Sanders, Noam Murro, and Adam Berg. He is also the winner of a number of industry awards, including a Silver Clio and a Gold British Arrow, as well as a VES Award nomination.

“I’m really looking forward to coming on board with ArsenalCreative,” Wynd said. “2018 has brought me a brand new opportunity - to add my skills to the already high quality of their projects. Their stable of clients is exciting, as is the chance for me to join a truly great team of people who consistently achieve excellent work.”

About Mike Wynd:
 
Mike started his career in Melbourne, Australia, working for Computer Pictures, before landing at Images Post in Auckland, New Zealand. Eight years later, Wynd headed back to Australia to serve as Head of 3D at Garner MacLennan Design in Sydney, where he worked on many high-end animations and effects for numerous international clients, including the first “Lord of the Rings” movie. The purchase of GMD by the AAV Group then brought Wynd to Digital Pictures. Following that opportunity, he next assisted in establishing a new 3D/Design team at FSM, enticing him to join that company at the beginning of 2004.
The end of 2007 brought the call for Wynd to leave FSM and relocate to Los Angeles, where he worked for Moving Pixels. Later, he took on the role of VFX Supervisor for MPC. During the course of his eight years at MPC, Wynd travelled the world, working on many high- end commercials with top directors and agencies.

About ArsenalCreative:

ArsenalCreative is a design driven, multi-disciplinary, content creation studio based in Santa Monica, CA. The company specializes in groundbreaking design, animation, high-end visual effects, and finishing.

ArsenalCreative makes one-of-a-kind content for the commercial and entertainment industries. Fiercely collaborative, the studio is committed to providing an unparalleled client experience, pairing veteran creatives with modern technology to deliver premium results. See: www.arsenalcreative.com

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Friday, January 12, 2018

Disney Pixar's COCO on Digital Feb 13 & Blu-ray Feb 27



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


2018 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS WINNER
FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Host an Unforgettable Family Reunion in Your Home!
Disney•Pixar’sCOCO
Crosses Over Digitally in HD, 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere on Feb. 13
and 4K Ultra HD™ & Blu-ray™ on Feb. 27

The critically acclaimed animated film celebrates the importance of family, honoring your ancestors and following your dreams, and includes extensive extras for the whole family

BURBANK, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2018) — Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” —the story of a 12-year-old aspiring musician’s extraordinary journey to the magical land of his ancestors—won a 2018 Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Motion Picture, topped the domestic box office Thanksgiving holiday weekend, became the highest grossing film of all time in Mexico, broke records in China and earned widespread praise, receiving 96 percent from critics and 97 percent from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Now this vibrant tale filled with love and laughter arrives home Digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and on Movies Anywhere on Feb. 13, and on 4K Ultra HD,™ Blu-ray,™ DVD and On-Demand on Feb. 27.

Through fresh and fascinating bonus material, adventurers of all ages will tag along with filmmakers as they soak in DĂ­a de los Muertos in Mexico; explore the essential role of music in “Coco;” and learn how the cast and crew personally connect with the film’s message. They’ll step behind the scenes to discover the inspiration behind the film’s creative costuming; Miguel’s beautifully complicated family; Dante the loyal Xolo dog; and the stunning worlds of both the dead and the living. Features also include deleted scenes, insightful filmmaker commentary, the music of Coco and more. 


"Coco" is packaged several ways to ensure viewers get the most out of their in-home viewing experience. The Multi-screen Edition (formerly the Blu-ray Combo Pack) includes Blu-ray, DVD and a Digital copy, giving viewers the flexibility to watch the film on different devices. Those with 4K Ultra HD capability may opt for Digital 4K Ultra HD or the 4K UHD Combo Pack, which includes 4K UHD, Blu-ray and a Digital copy. 4K Ultra HD provides four times the resolution of HD, bringing the rich color, textures and sounds to life and immersing viewers in two fantastically animated worlds. Dolby Atmos audio heightens the memorable score created by Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino and his 83-piece orchestra, as well as original songs like “Remember Me” by the Oscar®-winning team behind “Frozen,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.

BONUS FEATURES*

                Blu-ray & Digital:
·         Deleted Scenes with Introductions - Director Lee Unkrich and co-director Adrian Molina talk about the deleted scenes and the part they played in the development of “Coco.”
o    Da de los Muertos - In this musical extravaganza, the colors and excitement of Día de los Muertos come to life as we meet superstar Ernesto de la Cruz.
o    The Way of the Riveras - A musical number in which Abuelita and Miguel prepare their Día de los Muertos celebration while she teaches him Rivera family history and traditions.
o    Celebrity Tour - Héctor, a Land of the Dead tour bus guide, agrees to help Miguel, revealed to be a living boy, on his quest to find de la Cruz.
o    The Bus Escape - The Rivera family catches up to Miguel and Héctor and attempts to halt their mission to find de la Cruz.
o    Alebrije Attack - Miguel and Héctor are interrupted on their journey to find de la Cruz by a fierce alebrije.
o    The Family Fix - After de la Cruz reveals his true colors, the Rivera family puts their dismay aside and comes together to repair the smashed guitar needed to send Miguel home.
o    To the Bridge - As the Land of the Dead counts down to the end of Día de los Muertos, Miguel and de la Cruz come head-to-head on the marigold bridge.
·         Filmmaker Commentary – Presented by Lee Unkrich (director), Adrian Molina (co-director) and Darla K. Anderson (producer).
·         The Music of “Coco” - Collaborating with musicians of Mexico and some unique instrumentation, this documentary explores the beautiful fusion of music essential to the story of “Coco.”
·         Paths to Pixar: “Coco” - Explore how the film crew’s personal stories resonate with the themes of the movie itself.
·         Welcome to the Fiesta - A musical exploration of the skeletons that make the Land of the Dead in “Coco” so wondrous and intriguing.
·         How to Draw a Skeleton - Pixar artist Daniel Arriaga gives a lesson on the quick and easy way to draw skeletons using simple shapes.
·         A Thousand Pictures a Day - Join the “Coco” crew on an immersive travelogue through Mexico, visiting families, artisans, cemeteries, and small villages during the DĂ­a de los Muertos holiday.
·         Mi Familia - Developing the Riveras was a labor of love that took the cast and crew on a deep dive into the meaning of family.
·         Land of Our Ancestors – Watch Pixar artists lovingly construct layer upon layer of architecture from many eras of Mexican history, bringing the Land of the Dead to life.
·         Fashion Through the Ages – The cast of characters in “Coco” are from many different eras, making for some magnificent costuming opportunities.
·         The Real Guitar – The majestic guitar that spurs Miguel on his journey through the Land of the Dead is a unique creation. Watch as it is initially designed by a Pixar artist and ultimately realized as a real instrument by a master luthier in this poetic ode to craftsmanship.
·         Dante - How the crew fell in love with the uniquely Mexican breed of Xoloitzcuintli (or “Xolo”) dogs that inspired Dante.
·         How to Make Papel Picado - Join Pixar artist Ana Ramírez González as we learn how papel picado is made traditionally, and then try your own approach to this beautiful art form.
·         Un Poco “Coco” - A montage of original animated pieces used to promote “Coco.”
·         “Coco Trailers” - Trailers include “Feeling,” “Dante’s Lunch,” “Destiny,” “Journey” and “Belong.”

                        DVD:
·         Filmmaker Commentary
·         Dante

About “Coco
In Disney•Pixar’s Coco,Pixar Animation Studios’ 19th feature film, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt)—despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster HĂ©ctor (voice of Gael GarcĂ­a Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.

The voice cast of “Coco” includes characters from the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead. From the Land of the Living, Anthony Gonzalez (“Ice Box,” TNT’s “The Last Ship”) lends his voice to Miguel, RenĂ©e Victor (“Weeds,” “The Apostle”) provides the authoritative voice of Abuelita, and Jaime Camil (CW’s “Jane the Virgin,” Disney Junior’s “Elena of Avalor,” “The Secret Lives of Pets”) is the voice of PapĂ¡. Lombardo Boyar (“Happy Feet,” TNT’s “Murder in the First”) voices a town mariachi, and Ana Ofelia MurguĂ­a is the voice of Miguel’s cherished great-grandmother MamĂ¡ Coco. SofĂ­a Espinosa (“Gloria”) provides the voice of Miguel’s loving MamĂ¡, and Luis Valdez (“Which Way Is Up,” director La Bamba” and “The Cisco Kid”) lends his voice to TĂ­o Berto, Miguel’s hardworking uncle.

From the Land of the Dead, Gael GarcĂ­a Bernal (Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle”) helps bring to life charming trickster HĂ©ctor, Benjamin Bratt (Fox’s “Star,” “Doctor Strange”) is the voice of Miguel’s idol Ernesto de la Cruz, and Alanna Ubach (“Meet the Fockers,” Bravo’s “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce”) provides the voice of Miguel’s great-great-grandmother MamĂ¡ Imelda. Alfonso Arau (“¡Three Amigos!” director/ producer “Like Water for Chocolate,” director “A Walk in the Clouds”) is the voice of Miguel’s late great-grandfather PapĂ¡ Julio, Herbert Siguenza (“Larry Crowne,” “Ben 10: Alien Swarm”) lends his voice to both TĂ­o Oscar and TĂ­o Felipe, Miguel’s late identical twin uncles, and Gabriel Iglesias (“Planes,” “The Nut Job,” “The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature”) lends his voice to the Clerk. Natalia Cordova-Buckley (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D”) provides the voice of legendary artist Frida Kahlo, Selene Luna (“My Bloody Valentine,” “Celebrity Wife Swap”) voices Miguels aunt TĂ­a Rosita, and Edward James Olmos (“Blade Runner,” “Stand and Deliver”) lends his voice to ChicharrĂ³n.

Also lending their voices are Carla Medina, Dyana Ortelli, Blanca Araceli, Salvador Reyes, Cheech Marin, Octavio Solis and John Ratzenberger.

Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”) and co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist “Monsters University”) from a script by Molina and Matthew Aldrich (“Spinning Man”). Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”) produces, and John Lasseter is executive producer. “Coco” features an original score from Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“Up,” “Rogue One”), a song by Oscar winners Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (“Frozen”), and additional songs co-written by Germaine Franco (“Dope,” “Shovel Buddies”) and Molina. Also part of the team is musical consultant Camilo Lara of the music project Mexican Institute of Sound, as well as cultural consultants Lalo Alcaraz, Marcela Davison AvilĂ©s and Octavio Solis.

Disc Specifications
Product SKUs:                          Digital = 4K UHD with HDR (HDR-10 or Dolby Vision), HD, SD
                                                        Physical = 4K UHD Combo Pack (4K UHD+Blu-ray+Digital HD/SD), Multi-screen Edition (Blu-ray+DVD+Digital HD/SD) and DVD
Feature Run Time:                                Approximately 109 minutes
Rating:                                                                                         PG in U.S., G in CE, and G in CF
Aspect Ratio:                            2.39:1
Resolution:                                4K UHD = 3840 x 2160, HD = 1920 x 1080, SD = 720 x 480
Audio:                                         4K UHD Blu-ray = English Dolby Atmos, English, Spanish and French 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio; 4K UHD Digital = English Dolby Atmos (platform dependent), English 5.1, English 2.0; Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, English 5.1 DTS-HDHR, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Tracks, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio; DVD = English, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Tracks, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio
Subtitles:                                     Blu-ray = English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Closed Captions:                     Digital = English; DVD = English

Social Media
Facebook:                                                                  Facebook.com/pixarcoco
Website:                                                                     movies.disney.com/coco
Twitter:                                                                      Twitter.com/pixarcoco
Instagram:                                                                 Instagram.com/pixarcoco

ABOUT MOVIES ANYWHERE (MA):
Movies Anywhere simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers.  Movies Anywhere brings together the movies from Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film, The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Participating digital retailers at launch are Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu. Movies Anywhere offers a library of over 7,300 digital movies at launch, including new releases, and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can connect their Movies Anywhere account with participating digital retailers and enjoy their favorite digital movies from the comfort of their living room and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices and popular browsers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-ray and DVD disc packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere.  

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS:
For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; and Lucasfilm. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!

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©2018 Disney/Pixar
*Bonus features may vary by retailer




FUN FACTS

THEM BONES – Filmmakers included subtle nods to the skeleton residents in the Land of the Dead. For example, the cobblestone streets feature some bone-shaped paving stones.

CHANGE OF PLANTS – Artists at Pixar Animation Studios like to add vegetation—grass, trees, bushes—to exterior environments. But “Coco” filmmakers felt the Land of the Dead should be different. The only living plants in the vibrant fantastical world are marigolds.
·         Filmmakers learned during their research trips to Mexico that the color and aroma of marigold petals are believed to help guide the spirit of a family’s loved one home during DĂ­a de Muertos.

RECYCLED Miguel’s loyal canine companion Dante is a Xolo dog—short for Xoloitzcuintli—the national dog of Mexico whose origins are deeply rooted in Mesoamerican civilization. The Xolo was regarded as the representative on Earth of the Aztec god Xolotl, the god of fire and lightning. Nearly hairless, Xolo’s also often have missing teeth and for that reason their tongue naturally hangs out. Filmmakers wanted to include this into Dante’s design and have his tongue behave like a character itself. To achieve the look, they borrowed the rig used in “Finding Dory” for “septopus” Hank’s dynamic tentacles.
·         Filmmakers invited local Xolo dogs to Pixar so artists could interact with the lovable dogs and study their anatomy.
·         Xoloitzcuintli comes from the Aztec god Xolotl and the Aztec word for dog, Itzcuintli.
·         Archaeological evidence found in the tombs of Aztec Indians, among others, indicates the breed may go as far back as 3,500 years.
·         Many consider Xolo dogs to have healing abilities.

PULLING STRINGS – In “Coco,” Miguel recycles an old guitar, patching it up and painting it to mirror Ernesto de la Cruz’s signature guitar. But filmmakers knew that if they assigned an adult artist to do the design, it wouldn’t look right. Director Lee Unkrich called on his son to tackle the project and create the recycled guitar’s design.
·         All of the guitar playing in “Coco” is technically accurate. Filmmakers videotaped musicians playing each song and strapped GoPros to their guitars to give animators reference footage.
·         Ernesto has an ofrenda room in his grand tower in the Land of the Dead where he keeps all of the offerings people have given him over the years. There are giant spirals of guitars and other instruments among the gifts.

HIT THE RIGHT NOTE – Additional facial rigs were added to Ernesto de la Cruz that enhanced his Adams apple, throat and cheek vibrations when he sings.

A LEG UP – When Miguel and HĂ©ctor pay a visit to ChicharrĂ³n in hopes of borrowing his guitar, it becomes clear that it’s not the first time HĂ©ctor has borrowed from his friend. ChicharrĂ³n sports a pipe where his femur once was—a bone forever loaned to HĂ©ctor.
·         ChicharrĂ³n is the least remembered character in the Land of the Dead. Artists wanted to showcase the effects of being forgotten: his face has more chips and grooves, and his bones are much looser and more weathered than his counterparts.

CLOTHES MAKE THE CROWD – More than 500 pieces of clothing were made to dress the crowd characters—from the residents of Santa Cecilia to the skeleton-attendees of Ernesto de la Cruz’s party in the Land of the Dead. Pixar artists spent time drawing in life sessions with Mexican folkloric dancers. Artists shaded, shaped and combined the 500 individual pieces in a variety of ways to outfit thousands of crowd characters.

CHIN UP – Character artists spend months finding the right look for each character. And because Ernesto de la Cruz is a larger-than-life character known around the world, they wanted to give him identifiable attributes, including a cleft in his chin—visible in both the living and dead versions of the character.
·         Artists gave the character a distinctive curl of hair that falls across his forehead.
·         He sports a pencil-thin mustache, which was common in the era Ernesto was popular.
·         Ernesto wears all white in the Land of the Dead. With so many vibrant colors surrounding him, it helped ensure that Ernesto would be the center of attention—just the way he likes it. Even his bones are pristine because he’s so well remembered. 
·         Animators gave Ernesto a bit of a swagger to showcase his celebrity status.