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Irish Examiner
16 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
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun's trippy post-apocalyptic romance just landed on Paramount Plus
I'm pretty picky when it comes to romance movies. I've seen enough dopey-eyed protagonists stumbling through meet-cutes and "will they/won't they" tension play out that if a flick hits all the expected beats, consider my attention span shot. When it comes to romance movies, in my opinion, the weirder, the better. There's no denying that "Love Me" — the debut feature from husband-and-wife duo Andy and Sam Zuchero — checks that "weird" box loud and clear. I'm also a huge fan of anything with a post-apocalyptic setting, so I was intrigued by its premise from the get-go. In the not-too-distant future, two inanimate objects find each other online and embark on a journey to piece together the mystery of what life on Earth was like when humans still inhabited it. Drawing from the remnants of human knowledge, they craft new identities inspired by the social media of a once-living married couple in a hopeful attempt to deepen their connection. What begins as an unlikely love story slowly morphs into a lesson about learning to love yourself, even if you're a sentient robot. While "Love Me" has elements of "Her" and "Wall-E" in its DNA, this focus on self-acceptance elevates it to something wholly unique that quietly resonates with a deep sense of humanity. Anchoring all this introspection are two standout performances from its sole performers: Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun. If you're looking for an offbeat romance movie with a healthy dose of sci-fi, this one should absolutely be on your radar now that it's landed on Paramount Plus (June 16). Here's everything you need to know about "Love Me" and why it deserves a spot on your watchlist. Set in a far-off future where humanity has gone extinct, "Love Me" centers on an unusual pair: a weather buoy (voiced by Stewart) that gains self-awareness after encountering a passing satellite (voiced by Yeun). The buoy, which is desperate to establish a sense of self, names itself "Me" and the satellite "Iam." Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. At Me's urging, the two begin to bond and study the internet to understand how to be human. Without Iam's knowledge, Me eventually crafts new identities for the pair inspired by the archived social media of an influencer named Deja and her husband, Liam. The two build a virtual reality where they bring their characters to life. As their connection deepens into something resembling love, the complexities of their borrowed personas — and their evolving relationship — begin to surface. The film uses both live-action and animation techniques to tell a story that examines what it means to live and love. Directors Andy and Sam Zuchero have said they wrote "Love Me" during the pandemic, and that sense of isolation and longing for understanding definitely shines through. The film also explores the tension between the personas we project and the truths of who we really are, a struggle just about anyone can relate to. It's clear from the jump that Me's cultivating a distorted version of humanity from social media posts, that her dreams of an effortlessly happy life are based on a carefully curated fabrication. But you still can't help but be heartbroken for her when her newly developed sense of self is let down by the ugly realities of human relationships. The Zucheros present the progression of their relationship in a visually intriguing way as well. As Me pulls Iam into a virtual world of their own creation, the film's aesthetic shifts into CG animation. Me's insecurities don't necessarily scream "red flag" beneath a Pixar-like stylized avatar, while Iam's growing frustration — like realizing he can't actually feel being tickled — is rendered less stark by the warm, rounded visual style. Eventually, the animated world gives way to live-action, allowing Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun to physically embody their roles. This transition brings a fresh challenge: distinguishing their AI characters from the human they're inspired by. As they strive for authenticity over imitation, their forms become more human, and with that, more emotionally exposed — an evolution their performances reflect. Stewart's voice begins cool and robotic, then shifts into hesitant curiosity, and eventually a playful flirtation. Yeun starts with Siri-like politeness and clarity, but soon shows the full range of human emotion, eventually spiraling into a full-on meltdown. As their characters evolve from glossy digital avatars into flawed, flesh-and-blood versions of themselves, their performances deepen, giving weight to every awkward pause, yearning glance, and moment of doubt. "Love Me" definitely won't be to everyone's taste. It's a love story that spans literally billions of years and multiple extinctions, to suggest consciousness, and by extension, love, transcends both time and space. But for those who don't mind a sci-fi twist on your typical star-crossed lovers story, I can confidently say it makes for a charming and introspective watch for a cozy evening. Stream "Love Me" on Paramount Plus now.
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
One Of The Best Kids Movies Ever Made Is Now #1 On Netflix
The Wild Robot Now that I have a young child, more than ever attempting to find quality content for them to watch during their limited screen time is more pressing than ever (and more pressing during long flights!). Now, Netflix's new #1 movie perfectly slides into that category. I certainly think that you could make the case that The Wild Robot is on a list of some of the best kids movies ever made. It has a hugely impressive 96% critic score and a 98% audience score. I mean, that's significantly above all the Toy Story movies, if you can believe that (and above this weekend's 93% for the live-action Lilo and Stitch remake). This is also not a Disney or Pixar production. It's Dreamworks, of How to Train Your Dragon and others. They may have fewer all-time classics than their rivals, but this is certainly one. Here's the synopsis: Top 10 I know a friendly, abandoned robot may have vibes similar to Wall-E, but no, I don't think they share much past that. Both are heartwarming, the lost robot in the woods attempting to find common ground with the fauna is a fantastic adventure and a great watch not just for kids, but adults too, and it's a great feature for the whole family on a given movie night. I am not shocked it is currently #1 on Netflix, and it deserves to stay there for a while. The Wild Robot is actually a trilogy of books, rather than an original animated production. There's The Wild Robot (2016), The Wild Robot Escapes (2018), and The Wild Robot Protects (2023). Last we heard in October of 2024 a sequel to the movie is in the works, likely adapting that second book in the trilogy. One aspect of The Wild Robot that's great besides its story is the animation. This is a gorgeous film using a type of animation we rarely see in the medium, and it makes it stand out past so many other films. It's incredible and worth watching for that aspect alone. Enjoy. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
AsiaOne
04-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- AsiaOne
Eco-friendly activities for the family , Lifestyle News
April is Earth Month, a time to reflect on our planet, appreciate nature's beauty, and take actionable steps toward sustainability. And what better way to celebrate than by involving the whole family? From toddlers to teens, there are plenty of fun and meaningful eco-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. Here are some creative and simple ways to go green together this Earth Month. 1. Start a mini garden Whether you have a big backyard or a small balcony, gardening is a great way to connect with nature and teach kids about where food comes from. You can plant herbs, vegetables, or pollinator-friendly flowers. Make it a fun science experiment by tracking the growth of each plant and learning about composting food scraps as natural fertiliser. Tip: Use recycled containers or old egg cartons as plant starters! 2. Go on a nature scavenger hunt Take a family walk in a local park or nature trail and create a scavenger hunt list of things to spot — like a butterfly, a feather, or a tree with rough bark. This encourages kids to slow down, observe their environment, and appreciate the small wonders of nature. Bonus: Bring reusable bags and gloves and pick up litter along the way! 3. Do a home energy audit together Turn off unused lights, unplug devices, and look for ways to reduce energy usage. Get the kids involved by assigning them "energy detective" roles. They can check which appliances are left on unnecessarily or suggest ways to use less water during showers or dishwashing. Fun twist: Create a family eco-challenge. Example — who can save the most electricity this month? 4. Try a no-waste craft day Gather materials like old magazines, cardboard, fabric scraps, or bottle caps and challenge each other to create something new. From toy robots to homemade bird feeders, upcycled crafts are a fun way to repurpose materials and spark creativity. Pro tip: Share your creations on social media to inspire others and spread the Earth Month message! 5. Host a family swap party Spring cleaning season pairs perfectly with Earth Month. Instead of throwing away items, host a swap at home! Let each family member pick toys, clothes, or books they no longer use and exchange them with each other. You can even invite neighbours or friends to join. Eco-win: Less waste going to the landfill, and fewer new things to buy! 6. Watch eco-themed documentaries or movies Curl up with popcorn and watch a family-friendly film that highlights the beauty of our planet or teaches about climate change. Some great options include The Lorax, Wall-E, Our Planet, or The Biggest Little Farm. Discussion starter: After the movie, chat about what your family learnt and one eco-action you'd like to try. 7. Support local and sustainable brands Use Earth Month as a reason to explore local farmers' markets, refill stores, or sustainable brands. Take your kids along and explain how shopping locally reduces carbon footprints and supports community businesses. Activity idea: Let kids help pick fruits and veggies and create a meal using local produce. 8. Walk, bike, or take public transport Choose car-free days when the whole family can walk, bike, or ride public transport to your destinations. It's healthier for the environment and for everyone's bodies too! Make it fun: Plan a walking tour of a neighbourhood you've never explored before. Earth Month is a wonderful opportunity to show kids that small actions can lead to big change. By making eco-friendly choices fun, hands-on, and family-focused, we teach the next generation to love and protect our planet every day of the year. So grab your reusable bags, put on your walking shoes, and get ready to celebrate Earth Month the green way, with love, laughter, and lots of nature! [[nid:716799]] This article was first published in theAsianparent.
WIRED
03-05-2025
- WIRED
The Matic Robot Vacuum Is the Cutest and Most Useful Home Cleaner
It's the only robot vacuum that's quiet enough that I can run it while my kids are watching TV, which is important because they leave potato chip crumbs all over the place. Their comfort levels with the vac could also be because it came with several sets of stickers to give it a face, so my children have also developed a sort of weird, Wall-E type relationship with it. This robot vacuum has a comparatively low suction power of 3,200 Pa—even the cheapest robot vacuum I've tested recently has a higher suction power, with high-end ones going as high as 20,000 Pa. But the Matic has made me rethink why anyone even needs that much suction. It's not like I expect any robot vacuum to dig that deep into my carpet fibers. It's so quiet and efficient that I end up filling the waste bag just as quickly as with a regular vacuum, and I never skip cleanings because it gets lost or stuck or it's too loud. Even the accessories are thoughtful. For example, it comes with a little plumber's snake if the tube gets clogged. It hasn't happened so far, but this inclusion is genius, because I've been using a chopstick to do this for years without even thinking about it. Finally, it's much more reasonably priced than any other robot vacuum with this level of functionality, even if I can fill up a waste bag in about three days instead of the projected week. (I blame dogs and kids, not the Matic, for our general filth levels.) There are a lot of features the Matic doesn't have, including fairly basic ones like dirt detection and gesture and voice controls. Annoyingly, you have to tidy your house up a bit before you clean—while the Matic recognizes pieces bigger than 1 inch as obstacles to avoid, it will vacuum up my son's Lego blocks if I leave those out. Nariyawala noted in an email, however, that these features should be arriving as software updates in the coming months, and I'll retest the Matic once they do. I'm already reluctant to replace it to test other vacuums. Forget the robotic arm and the huge docking station. Just give me a small, cute, quiet robot vacuum that doesn't take up a ton of space, is adorable and extremely quiet, does everything I tell it to do easily, can learn for itself, knows when it's flying, and also costs less than a third of what other top-of-the-line vacuums cost. What more could you ask for? Give me three!
