In celebration of the release of Disney•Pixar’s latest film, Coco, Filipino animator Gini Santos visited her home country on Nov. 6 to 7. Santos created a history in Pixar as the first woman Supervising Animator.
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Pixar Pinoy Pride
Three years after she was born in Pasay City, Gini and her family to Guam. She then returned to her home country years later to study at St. Scholastica’s College (high school) and University of Santo Tomas (UST), where she graduated with a degree in Fine Arts with a major in Advertising.
She was then hired by Pixar in 1996. What follows is history as they say. Santos worked on many critically praised Pixar films, including the Academy Award®-winning Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Up. Eagle-eyed Pixar fans may have noticed some Filipino references in Finding Nemo such as the address P.Sherman.
“The welcome’s been amazing. After all the hard work we’ve done for Coco, to be recognized as a Filipino who worked on the film, which has gotten a great response, has been amazing,” said Santos, who was back home to meet the local media.
At the special advanced screening for Coco on Nov. 6 at Newport Cinemas in Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, Santos was presented with a plaque of appreciation by the city of Pasay “for being an exemplary citizen of Pasay City.” The award was presented to her by City Administrator Atty. Dennis Acorda, representing Mayor Antonio Calixto. Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, OPPA President, also awarded here a plaque recognition. The Original Pilipino Performing Arts aims to support aspiring Filipino artists by providing them with opportunities to improve their skills and craft.
About 250 lucky students learned animation from Santos on November 7 in Newport Mall. “There’s a vast amount of information on the internet about animation. Look out there and learn,” advises Santos. “Keep pursuing and trying things.”
Disney•Pixar’s Coco
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). 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 Héctor (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist Monsters University) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (Toy Story 3), Disney•Pixar’s Coco opens in Philippine theaters on Nov. 22, 2017.
For more information, check out:
http://movies.disney.com/coco,
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Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
Olaf (voice of Josh Gad) teams up with Sven on a merry mission in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 21-minute featurette, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. It’s the first holiday season since the gates reopened and Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) and Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel) host a celebration for all of Arendelle. When the townspeople unexpectedly leave early to enjoy their individual holiday customs, the sisters realize they have no family traditions of their own. So, Olaf sets out to comb the kingdom to bring home the best traditions and save this first Christmas for his friends. Directed by Emmy®-winning filmmakers Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers Skelton (Prep & Landing), produced by Oscar® winner Roy Conli (Big Hero 6), and featuring a screenplay by Jac Schaeffer and four original songs by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure opens in front of Disney•Pixar’s original feature Coco in Philippine theaters on Nov. 22, 2017.
