Latest news with #Andy
Irish Examiner
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'It's four or five seconds a week per animator': The maker's of Pixar's new film, Elio
Three decades ago, a new animation studio prepared to release their first-ever feature film in cinemas, a buddy movie featuring a quirky cowboy and a space superhero. The fledgling studio was called Pixar and their first release — Toy Story —broke the mould for animated storytelling and changed the course of movie history. Almost thirty years after the world fell in love with Andy's toys and other Pixar classics, their 29th feature film comes to our big screens. Elio, the tale of a space-obsessed boy who finds himself accidentally beamed into outer space — where he's mistaken for Earth's chief ambassador — sends its protagonist on a intergalactic voyage of self discovery. While it might not quite scale the heights of classics like Monsters, Inc, Up or Wall-E, Elio again blends the intimate with the universal in a richly detailed tale. It all comes about through years of story building and preparation, attention to detail and animators who spend dozens of hours creating just a few seconds of film footage over the course of their work at Pixar's studios in California. 'The logistics are a big part of my job,' says Elio's producer Alice Mary Drumm. 'For Elio, we probably had about 250 people at the peak of the crew, but we had over 400 people involved throughout the film. Almost everyone at Pixar touches the film in some way, and there are 1,200 of us. The average animator is animating about five, five and a half feet a week, which is basically one shot. It's four or five seconds a week per animator, maybe a little less. At our peak, we are probably going through one or two minutes of animation a week.' It's the kind of painstaking craftwork that makes Pixar best in show in a golden era for animated filmmaking. Featuring subtle nods to sci-fi classics like Alien and Close Encounters, and a backstory involving Nasa's Voyager space probe, Elio tells the story of a recently orphaned boy who has a loving but testing relationship with his aunt. He's a space-obsessed boy with a lively imagination who has long dreamed of encountering alien life - so he's thrilled when he's accidentally beamed up into outer space. Elio arrives at the Communiverse, an interplanetary organisation with representatives from various galaxies, and is mistaken as Planet Earth's leader. But when he's tasked with helping prevent the fearsome and powerful Lord Grigon from seizing control of the Communiverse, he needs to get savvy fast with the help of his eccentric sidekick, Glordon. When Elio's wish to be abducted by aliens actually comes true, he meets an array of space inhabitants, including Glordon, the tender-hearted son of a fierce warlord ruler. Taking on a sci-fi movie means creating two very different worlds within one movie, and Pixar's production team got to work, says director Domee Shi. 'Tackling a sci-fi movie, you can basically design the alien world to look like anything, the sky's the limit, and that's kind of daunting. Production designer Harley Jessup and his art team did such an amazing job with finding the look and feeling of the Communiverse. He really challenged himself and the team to design a space that we've never seen before in any of our movies at Pixar, but also in other sci fi movies from other studios. 'A good North Star for us was thinking about space as this aspirational wish fulfilment for Elio, a lonely boy on Earth who feels like an alien. The moment that he arrives in space, it has to be the opposite feeling of how he felt on Earth. If Earth was desaturated, cold, and he felt visually boxed in, then space is huge, colourful, vibrant, full of organic shapes and alien designs that are not humanoid at all, but still feel quite friendly and appealing.' From the antics of superhero family The Incredibles to the happy/sad emotional rollercoaster that was Inside Out, as the studio approaches its 30th year, almost everyone has an opinion on the former movie they hold closest to their hearts, which tale resonated with them the most as they watched on the big screen for the first time. They include, it emerges, the filmmakers themselves. 'I grew up watching Pixar movies, and they were some of the first times I experienced cinema that could change me,' says Madelaine Sharafin, making her feature directorial debut with Elio, who was a toddler when Toy Story debuted in cinemas. 'I hadn't realised that a person can watch a movie and come out feeling incredibly different about themselves and about the world, or even that a movie could make somebody cry. 'The one that really changed things for me was watching Monsters Inc, which I think is one of my favourite movie endings of all time (when Sully and his best friend Boo are reunited). I think it's brilliant. I would finish the movie, and then I'd immediately restart it, because I was so moved. I didn't want to leave that feeling.' Mary Alice Drumm, Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian attend the UK gala screening of Elio. Picture: Tim P Whitby/Getty Looking back for director Domee Shi, it was the opening moments of Up, in which a grumpy and heartbroken widower takes to the skies — not knowing he had a stowaway on board — that first resonated. 'Pixar films, they just felt different than other animated films,' says Shi. 'Because they always have such an emphasis on good story, and they really treat animation like a medium, not a genre. They never shy away from telling stories with deeper or more adult themes, and you always walk away from a Pixar film feeling a little bit changed in some way, and that's our hope with Elio too. 'The film that impacted me the most was probably Up just because I bawled my eyes out when I watched the first 10 minutes of it. There were no words spoken, but you got the sense of an entire relationship, marriage, a life. It was just amazing to see, like pure visual storytelling on the big screen.' For producer Alice Mary Drumm, it was the studio's imagination in bringing audiences a movie where the central character was a rat that resonated. 'There are so many great movies,' she says. 'Ratatouille, for me, was one — it's just incredible that any studio would make a movie about rats in a kitchen. It's such a crazy idea, and I think that encapsulates Pixar for me, that there's such creative freedom and such belief, while also holding the bar. It's about story and character, whether it's a rat, whether it's aliens, as long as we're focusing on that, and then we use animation, because we can do anything in animation. Those are the things that I think help us keep our compass at Pixar.' Elio is in cinemas from Friday, June 20
Edinburgh Live
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh locals praise 'lovely' Andy Murray after spotting him at shopping centre
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Sports star Andy Murray was spotted in Edinburgh's city centre on Thursday afternoon. The retired tennis champion was seen outside St James Quarter around 2.45pm on June 19 leaving locals starstruck. After taking photos with fans while waiting for a takeaway coffee, some noted how "lovely" the 38-year-old was during the interactions. He was pictured posing with a family before walking down near the Playhouse ahead of his sold-out show. One local who caught sight of the star said: "I was walking down from the St James Quarter when I saw a family taking a picture with someone, he walked past and I realised it was Andy Murray. "He went up to get a coffee and someone who was in line next to him stopped me to say how lovely he was to him. "It was crazy to see him walking about the streets of Edinburgh. I think he went down to the Playhouse after that." Murray is taking on a completely different venture throughout the summer with his Centre Stage theatre shows. The tour is taking place over four dates in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and two in London. He is taking to stage at the Playhouse on Thursday evening after tickets sold out back in November. We reported a number of fans were able to secure a seat, but hundreds were left disappointed after the quick sell out. One fan said on X, formally known as Twitter: "Went online at exactly 10am for Edinburgh Playhouse tickets and was already 1723 in the queue. "Sold out in about two minutes. Might need some more Scottish dates @andy_murray." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Another devastated fan wrote: "You're going to need a bigger venue or do more shows, please please please. I logged on five secs after the tickets went on sale for Edinburgh to find there were already 2,500 people in front of me in the queue. "Sold out by 10.15 so no chance." The show is set to put Andy in the limelight as he shares stories from his sporting years, with 46 titles under his belt. He will be providing insight into his relationship with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as BBC commentator Andrew Cotter interviews him on stage. Sharing the news on social media, Andy said: "I am stepping onto a different stage this summer. Come and see me on my first ever theatre tour, with Andrew Cotter, in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Hammersmith and Wimbledon."
CairoScene
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
This 'Lanunu' Is Free When You Order Drinks At Riyadh's Whoa Tea
Who is Lanunu and does she have Saudi Arabia carved into her left AirForce like a once famous Andy? Does she make the matcha she rests upon from scratch? In what can only be described as Toy Story meets late capitalism, the Labubu - an aggressively cute, sharp-toothed fur gremlin that looks like a raccoon who's inhaled multiple cortados - has taken the Gulf by storm. Originally spotted in Hong Kong (and definitely not the ancient Egyptian cat god's intern, despite what ChatGPT might suggest), the Labubu has found a second home dangling from luxury bags and haunting the dashboards of G-Wagons everywhere. But now, Riyadh's Whoa Tea has entered the chat. Unable (or perhaps unwilling) to casually hand out $300 collectible dolls with every mango yakult, they've birthed a pocket-sized local variant: Lanunu. She's pink, she's perplexing, and she comes free with your order - because nothing says 'refreshing tapioca treat' like a sentient puffball with fangs. Originally dismissed as a "fricative fashion statement" (which, honestly, sounds like something you'd need antibiotics for), the Labubu is now crossing into F&B territory. Next stop: Michelin-star kitchens? Petting zoos? Until then, sip carefully. Your drink might come with a side of tiny chaos - and a plush toy that looks like it might bite you in your sleep.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trans-formation: At LGBTQ+ job fair in city, stories of new beginnings and hope
New Delhi: With no family support and no one willing to give him a job, transman Andy Kashyap, was forced to sell momos at a makeshift stall outside his rented room in Mohali to make ends meet three years ago. It was a visit to a job fair in Delhi organised exclusively for LGBTQI+ community in 2023 that changed his life. Today 29-year-old is a busy man, working at a diversity, equity and inclusion advisory firm and happily guiding other job seekers. A native of Ferozepur in Punjab, Andy's story reflects the challenges faced by qualified youth from the LGBTQI+ community when it comes to finding inclusive workspaces. From engineers to aspiring development professionals, one could see many queuing up at the one-of-its-kind job fair in the capital on Wednesday — the National Trans Employment Mela 2025. The fair was its third year, organised by NGO TWEET Foundation and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisory firm InHarmony working to build inclusive workplaces in collaboration with the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment. Social justice minister Virendra Kumar, in his inaugural speech, asserted that the job fair was one platform that not only opened doors to livelihood but also celebrated the immense talent and resilience of the community. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Run Your Business Like a Pro - Top Trending Accounting Software (Check Now) Accounting ERP Click Here Undo The event brought together over 160 transgender and non-binary candidates from across the country. Among the companies that came to the fair to recruit candidates one found prominent names like Publicis Sapient, Hexaware, EY Foundation, Mahindra Logistics, Godrej Capital, Procter & Gamble, The Lemon Tree hotels, HDFC Life and The Lalit hotel. As one walked from stall to stall it turned out that this was no regular job fair. At one end were recruiters doing all to ensure the conversations, questions and responses were sensitive and inclusive and at the other end were job seekers hoping against hope to get that one job where they would feel accepted for who they were without being judged. Andy, for instance, holds a degree from Punjab University in history and psychology and a diploma in hotel management. From earning a mere Rs 150 selling momos and doing other odd jobs, Andy has come a long way, not just earning Rs 17,000 a month but gaining confidence to undergo the required surgeries and hormonal treatment to assert and openly speak about his transman identity. Emerging from the Mahindra Logistics stall, 20-year-old Lalit Yadav from Dhanbad in Jharkhand could not hold back his excitement. The commerce graduate shared that he had landed his first internship based on his interview. Born Lalita, this young boy said he was lucky to have the support of his parents, his milkman father and housewife mother. The young transman aspires to one day prove successful in a govt service exams and serve as an officer in his home state of Bihar. Most others, however, shared stories of facing transphobia at home and outside. Ankita Singh, a 26-year-old automation engineer, is a case in point. A BTech graduate in computer sciences from Visakhapatnam and currently based in Hyderabad, the transwoman is currently jobless and was seen going from stall to stall sharing her CV. She said her first job at a start-up ended soon after her employers got to know about her identity. In her next job, she said she faced humiliation and insensitivity from her employers. "I am looking for a job that can give me respect and value my work based on my qualifications," she asserted. That finding a job is not easy is evident when one meets 24-year-old Prerna, a Delhi University graduate who is pursuing her master's degree in gender studies from IGNOU. Articulate and qualified, she failed to land a job of her liking last year at the fair but it gave her the platform to meet like-minded people. She currently works at an insurance company that provides her an inclusive atmosphere. "But I am back at the job fair to meet more people and employers. I work as an associate and have the confidence of seeking roles that allow me to take on bigger responsibilities going forward," she said with confidence. Amidst the flurry of activity, one saw 36-year-old Mani Mallarapu, a transman, quietly leaning against a stall holding onto his crutches. The Hyderabad native suffered polio when three years old. He barely managed to get past Class XII and could not study any further as travelling to town for higher education from his village was well near impossible. Working as a volunteer for survival with an NGO in Hyderabad, Mani was in Delhi on Wednesday to participate in the job fair at The Lalit hotel. "I know there is even less acceptance for a transman with a disability than for others, but I am here to still try my best," he said with a determination that underlined the essence of the job fair aimed at making inclusive workspaces a reality.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Kind run of early fixtures' - Forest fans on the schedule
We asked how you think Nottingham Forest will be getting on after the first ten matches of the Premier League are some of your comments:Andy: Fifteen points after 10 games - awful October A kind run of early fixtures will hopefully see us get a decent tally of points to get the confidence going once A fair chance of 18 or 19 points after the first 10 games. Of course, it depends on who we keep and who we sign. If we keep our core players and make three to four good signings, we might do better. On the other If Forest can get something like 18-20 points from the first 10 games, that would represent a great start. That would mean taking three points from the teams below and around our level, but without wins against the 'bigger' clubs. Assuming it doesn't go all our way against the teams around us and the fact we'll hopefully at least take one scalp against one of last seasons top five, I'd be proper happy with between 18- 20 pointsMossy: We should have a very good start with the games we have. Hopefully more players join us to make more competition for places and to rotate the squad during the season. We don't want to run out of steam this time!Mark: Forest could have about 12 points after the first three months of the season. Although it is a good start (on paper) there are some tough games up to game 10. A start of about 12 points would keep the wolf from the door while Europe is going on as well.
