Winnie the Pooh For Summer: Inspired by Three Stories by A.A. Milne

Who doesn’t love Winnie the Pooh, and friends Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo—and last, but certainly not least, Eeyore, who has lost his tail. We’re excited to have been invited to screen this wonderful adventure in the Hundred Acre Wood with this new Walt Disney Animation Studio’s feature.

Here’s some interesting factoids about this production:

Veteran Disney animator/storyman/director Burny Mattinson (a key animator on the 1974 short film “Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too!”) serves as senior story artist, with a dynamic young directing duo—Stephen Anderson and Don Hall—at the helm.

• Co-Directed by Stephen Anderson who also directed animated films “Meet the Robinsons” and “Journey Beneath the Sea,” among others; and he also worked on “Brother Bear” and “The Emperor’s New Groove.”
• Co-Directed by Don Hall who is a veteran story artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios with credits including “The Princess and the Frog,” “Meet the Robinsons,” “Brother Bear,” “Home on the Range,” “The Emperor’s New Groove” and “Tarzan.”
• Voices you’ll hear in “Winnie the Pooh”: Craig Ferguson (“The Late Show with Craig Ferguson”), Tom Kenny (“SpongeBob SquarePants”) and Bud Luckey (director of the Pixar short “Boundin’”).
• Zooey Deschanel (Actress/musician/singer/songwriter) provides the vocals for a special rendition of the beloved “Winnie the Pooh” theme song
• Where did the name “Winnie the Pooh” come from? Author A.A. Milne’s son’s teddy bear inspired the beloved character. The child named his bear after Winnie, a Canadian black bear from London Zoo.  Pooh was the name of a swan they encountered together.
• The six spirited new songs for Pooh and his pals, including “The Tummy Song,” “A Very Important Thing To Do,” “Everything Is Honey,” “The Winner Song,” “The Backson Song” and “It’s Gonna Be Great” were written by Tony® Award-winning songwriter Bobby Lopez, and his wife Kristen.

Story Synopsis:

“Ever have one of those days where you just can’t win, Eeyore?” asks Pooh.  Owl sends the whole gang on a wild quest to save Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit. It turns out to be a very busy day for a bear who simply set out to find some honey. Inspired by three stories from A.A. Milne’s books in Disney’s classic, hand-drawn art style, “Winnie the Pooh” hits theaters in the U.S. on July 15, 2011.

• Website and Mobile Site:           Disney.com/Pooh
• Like us on Facebook:                facebook.com/WinniethePooh
• Follow us on Twitter:                  twitter.com/DisneyAnimation

 

Brave – a new Animated Action Adventure Comedy from Disney Pixar

Meet Merida from Disney Pixar's Brave

We received notice of this new animated feature coming (next summer) from Disney-Pixar and thought we’d share it with you. First, because it features the character “Merida” who is a skilled archer and daughter of the King and second because it looks like another one of those animated films that remind you of childhood and living vicariously through the characters of the stories your parents read to you at night. Here’s a sneak peek…

More about BRAVE:

Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts.

Disney Pixar's Brave

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Wise Woman (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.

Directed by Mark Andrews (“The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “John Carter”) and Brenda Chapman (“The Lion King,” “Prince of Egypt”), and produced by Katherine Sarafian (“Lifted,” “The Incredibles”), “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and the signature Pixar humor enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The film takes aim at theaters on June 22, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Voice Talent:                 Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Robbie Coltrane

Directors:                      Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman

Producer:                      Katherine Sarafian

Like BRAVE on Facebook: facebook.com/PixarBrave

Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/disneypixar

BRAVE hits theatres everywhere in Disney Digital 3D on June 22, 2012!