I found myself sipping coffee outside of an AMC theater in downtown Disneyland at 5:30 AM yesterday morning, surrounded by grown men and women dressed as the pirates of lore. Had I stumbled upon the last stragglers from an all night swashbuckling shindig? No. This was Disney’s “Pirates Fans First” event – a morning devoted to whetting the appetites of only the most ardent Jack Sparrow devotees with the world premiere of the Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides trailer in vivid, jump-out-at-you-and-pull-you-back-in 3D.
The 2D trailer was released online yesterday afternoon, but the winners of the ‘Fans First’ contest had the opportunity to catch the first glimpse of the 3D footage that theater goers will be able to see later this week. The trailer will screen at the head of TRON: Legacy beginning this Friday, December 17th.
After the trailer, participants were invited to ride the inspirational Pirates ride; swear and oath to the scandalous and seafaring way of life, enjoy breakfast at Disneyland, and take photos with “Jack” and his crew. We will have footage from the event, and the fans response to the trailer soon.
In the interim, we have some thoughts on the look of the film, as well as the short chat that we were able to participate in with On Stranger Tides director, Rob Marshall.
The 3D format of the trailer differed a bit from the more subtle, immersive 3D of TRON: Legacy and Avatar. It felt like a more finely-tuned version of classic 3D – the type that was originally created to pop out at the audience at opportune moments, giving them the sense that they are witnessing a cinematic pop-up book; something with all of the elements of the standard, and a little something extra.
The lush mountains and jungles all but surround you; swords thrust and parry towards the audience, and Jack all but sits in your lap to deliver his genuinely pithy one-liners.
Marshall himself introduced the trailer, much to the fans’ delight, and gave an insider’s look at the production and everyone’s favorite thief with a heart of gold and tongue of silver — Captain Jack Sparrow. When he was later asked to fill in the blank of the following sentence “Johnny Depp is___” Marshall replied simply “the best.”
The director had already assured fans of the popular actor’s virtues, citing his kindness, humor and wit, saying “Johnny Depp is, exactly everything that you would hope he would be” as a fan – going so far as to say the reason he did this film can be summed up in two words: “Johnny — Depp.”
It was Depp who approached Marshall to direct the film. When asked what method he used to direct the actor in a role that is already so solid and flushed out, Marshall said that Depp, “like any actor is looking for guidance, and is a real collaborator in that way.” Though the director did emphasize that he (Marshall) “is smart enough to let him (Depp) do his thing.”
Marshall described the filmmaking process for Pirates as an adventure unto itself – particularly in terms of their use of 3D in the exotic locations that serve as the backdrop for the film.
We were actually pretty pioneering in that way; because not many movies have actually taken 3D equipment into real locations. You know, stages, and green screen and that kind of thing. We were taking them into caves and into waterfalls, and jungles and swamps…. Some pretty amazing places. So we were experiencing an adventure, while we were also making an adventure.
For Marshall, 3D needs to be restricted to stories that depict and rely on “a world you need to enter.” In the case of this film, the director feels that the 3D serves to transport the viewer “inside the world of the Pirates, and there’s nothing like that, you get to actually get to experience the journey of the adventure with Jack Sparrow, with him. So it’s really cool for this movie, specifically, to be in 3D.”
There is a whole new element added to the adventure with the introduction of Penelope Cruz as “the first female pirate” who serves as both “fierce competitor” and violently inclined romantic interest for Jack. Marshall says “there is a real love hate thing between them; you know, they try and kill each other the whole time.”
The film is rounded out with what the director describes as “the most evil villain” yet in the series, Blackbeard (played by Ian Mcshane) and a Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) that is now playing on the other side of the law, which is, as Marshall says “really, really shady.”
When asked if the film would make any further nods to the ride, he replied simply, “there are two… but I’m not going to tell you which ones.”
Though he did admit that is is becoming fairly challenging to find ride references that have not already been utilized in the films.
Posted on: Sunday, December 12th, 2010 in: Ashley Tisdale
So the Christmas season is upon us once again, so here are some pics of my other girl Ashley Tisdale at the Citadel’s 8th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony last year.
Of course, I meant to post these last year, but I forgot. And it seemed kinda stupid to post xmas event pics in March.
… although considering how hot some of these pics are, maybe I should have!
I had actually planned on attending this event but had to cancel at the last minute.
I mean, Ashley’s hot as brunette, but I really love her as a blonde.
In honor of last Sunday’s spectacular KISS FM Jingle Ball I thought I would share this old Emily Osment photoset from KIIS FM’s Gifting Lounge 08/07/09 that I just happened to stumble upon.
… like I really need an excuse to post these hot pics.
Hey look, there’s even a pic of her with one of my other favorite Disney blondes, Chelsea Staub Kane.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen them together before.
Anyway, click any pic to see the full set.
(And sorry about that whole comment issue. I don’t know what went wrong – but it should work now.)
Apparently Fish Hooks is Disney Channel’s #2 animated series! (Second only to Phineas and Ferb) Wow … wait, aren’t there only those two? LOL
Also, I noticed that this is the first article that refers to Chelsea Kane as the voice of Bea. Of course, this is because Chelsea Staub decided that this would be a good time to change her “professional” name. She didn’t get married or anything like that. Anyway, this means that I need a new fansite now too, so I decided to go with Chelsea-Kane.com.
Disney’s official press release follows:
DISNEY TELEVISION ANIMATION REELS IN SECOND SEASON OF HIT COMEDY “FISH HOOKS” AND NEW ORDER FOR COMEDY SERIES “GRAVITY FALLS”
Disney Television Animation has reeled in a second-season pick-up of Disney Channel’s animated comedy series “Fish Hooks” and an order for a new animated Disney Channel comedy series, “Gravity Falls,” each creator-driven series from noteworthy storytellers Noah Z. Jones and Alex Hirsch. The announcement was made today by Eric Coleman, Senior Vice President, Original Series, Disney Television Animation.
Coleman said: “The heart of our work is storytelling, and in these two outstanding projects we have the pleasure and privilege of working with a team of talented artists, in every sense of the word, who are delivering wonderfully imaginative characters and relevant stories to kids and families around the world.” He continued, “We’re gratified that viewers have responded so strongly and positively to ‘Fish Hooks,’ and we believe ‘Gravity Falls,’ will be a perfect addition to our growing lineup of shows that are fresh, contemporary and custom-made for our audience.”
Eye-catching and funny, “Fish Hooks” is led by former freelance illustrator Noah Z. Jones (children’s books Always in Trouble and Not Norman: A Goldfish Story) whose unique character designs and sensibility first came to the attention of Disney Television Animation executive Mike Moon via Jones’ website. Moon asked Jones if he’d ever thought about doing anything in TV and, two years later, Jones’ imaginative story of three tween fish navigating high school debuted. Since its September premiere, “Fish Hooks” is neck and neck with “Phineas and Ferb” as TV’s No. 1 animated series among Kids 6-11 (1.52 million/6.1 rating) and Tweens 9-14 (1.14 million/4.7 rating)*, and is also second only to Disney’s hit “Phineas and Ferb” for 2010.
Jones is creator and executive producer of the series, working with a veteran television animation team — executive producer Maxwell Atoms (“The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy”) and directors Carl Greenblatt and Bill Reiss (both of “Chowder”).
Rendered in 2D animation set against photo-real backgrounds, the “Fish Hooks” stories follow three best fish friends (BFFs) as they navigate their way through the choppy waters of high school. In the second season, stories will dive deeper into Bea, Milo and Oscar’s friendship and their adventures at Freshwater High with their classmates including Jocktopus, Shellsea and Clamantha.
The lead characters, Bea, Milo and Oscar, are voiced by Chelsea Kane (fka Chelsea Staub), Kyle Massey and Justin Roiland, and the recurring voice cast includes Richard Simmons as Coach Salmon, Edie McClurg as Mrs. Goldfishberg, Jerry Stiller as Principal Stickler, Rachel Dratch as Esmargot, Atticus Shaffer as Albert Glass and Tiny Lister as Mr. Mussels.
Disney Television Animation has also received an order for the stylized series “Gravity Falls,” an imaginative, animated comedy about contemporary twins who are thrust into the mysterious town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. Slated for a spring 2012 premiere on Disney Channel, the series was created and will be executive-produced by Alex Hirsch (writer and storyboard artist on “The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack” and creative consultant on “Fish Hooks”).
“Gravity Falls” introduces twin brother and sister Dipper and Mabel Pines, whose summer plans are ruined when their parents ship them off to their Great Uncle Stan (aka “Grunkle Stan”) in Gravity Falls, Oregon. Grunkle Stan lives in and runs The Mystery Shack, a tourist trap which overcharges unlucky visitors for a glimpse at the world’s most bizarre museum, but little do Dipper and Mabel know that there really is something very strange going on and they must rely on one another to find their way in this unfamiliar town.
Disney Television Animation is an industry leader in the production of quality animated properties for television. Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.
*Source: NHI, 9/3/10-12/2/10, U.S. ratings, most current. Based on trackage level data with minimum 2 telecasts.
Well, as you can see, we did just get some more leaked personal pics.
I don’t know why she had to delete her twitter. Then she could just post this stuff herself and stay in control of it.
I mean, yeah, there are some hot pics here, but nothing really all that racy.
Nor quite see though enough. Darn.
Click any pic to see more and to enlarge.
EDIT: Speaking of cameras catching Miley doing things she probably shouldn’t be doing, TMZ.com has posted a video clip of Cyrus smoking a bong — reportedly filled with salvia, a psychoactive (though, in her home state of California, technically legal) herb — and then collapsing in a fit of giggles while her friends egg her on … and, somewhat inexplicably, Bush’s “Come Down” blasts in the background.
“Having a little bit of a bad trip,” Cyrus laughs in the video, moments after taking a hit. She then randomly switches topics, shouting (at something or someone off camera), “Is that Liam [Hemsworth]‘s lookalike, or what the hell is that? Is that my boyfriend?”
She then spends roughly the next 90 seconds laughing uncontrollably while someone behind the camera asks her to “tell us your thoughts, girl, tell us what’s on your mind!” and an unidentified man in the background totally houses a box of Frosted Flakes.
According to TMZ, the video was shot in Cyrus’ Los Angeles-area home on November 28 — five days after her 18th birthday — and it was one of her friends who did the filming. The website quotes an anonymous source as saying that “someone stole or copied the video from that friend’s camera.”
