Interview - Up's Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Disney/Pixar Film Stars Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer
Oct 30, 2009
In Part #2 of this roundtable interview, Up writer/directors Pete Docter and Bob Peterson revealed how they developed the story, and their real-life adventure in Venezuela. Here, they discuss the rewards of making the film, and what their kids think of their careers.
What's the most rewarding thing you've learned from making this movie?
Pete Docter: "Overall I'd have to say that the best thing was the experience of making it -- the research, the work, and most of all the amazing people we got to work with. Bob is a swell chap and an amazingly talented fellow."
What do you think it is the most important adventure in life?
Bob Peterson: "The great thing about this film and any film we work on is that it contains truths taken from our lives. Pixar lets the directors create an "autobiography." In other words, things that are important to us make it into the film. I do believe that the greatest adventures happen between me and my kids, my wife, and in small moments. A morning around the kitchen table eating breakfast is an adventure in my house!"
How do your children feel about your job? Do they think it´s great to have a father animator?
Pete Docter: "My kids don't seem to think it's unusual or unique. They probably think EVERYBODY works at a company where they ride scooters and eat candy. They're going to have a rude awakening when they graduate."
Bob Peterson: "I have 3 kids who each feel differently about my job. My 14-year-old has now grown up with 10 Pixar films. She loves what I do but doesn't want to brag to her friends - she wants to keep it "cool." At the same time she is taken by the glamour of Cannes, and the Oscars, and wants to go with me to these events! My 7-year-old is a good story sounding-board for what's funny to kids. He loves to analyze the humour in our films. My 4-year-old is confused when she hears my voice coming out of dogs and monster slugs!"
What was your experience like taking Up to Cannes?
Bob Peterson: "It was like Alice going through the Looking Glass! Or, to use another metaphor, it was like Pixar was NASA and they sent us as astronauts to another planet. We kept pinching ourselves that it was real. Cannes welcomes amazing live action films with unique content. To be the first animated film to open the festival was an honour! The standing ovation after the film ended will be a memory I will always cherish."
Pete Docter: "Cannes was amazing. It was overwhelming, like something out of a fever dream. Here we are, a bunch of geeks who draw cartoons, being mobbed by reporters and fans, at one of the most prestigious international film festivals in the world. I kept thinking, 'You've got the wrong guys!'
"But we think of what we do as filmmaking -- not anything more or less. We don't think we should get any special 'free pass,' or be seated at the little kids' table, just because we use animation to tell our stories. And being selected to open the Cannes Film Festival showed us that the film community feels the same way. It was very gratifying."
Can you give some advice to young people who want to work in animation?
Bob Peterson: "Several things. First of all, just start animating! Don't wait for someone to say it's okay. When I was younger I drew a comic strip that appeared everyday in my college newspaper - I got to draw a lot and get a ton of feedback from readers. This was invaluable to me as a storyteller today.
"Always carry a notebook to do sketches. Watch and analyze animation. Go to conferences and get to know people - it is who you know sometimes that gets you the job. The best advice is to make sure to get good life experiences - we draw from our experiences every day in story and animation!
Pete Docter: "I get a lot of people telling me, 'I'm thinking of making an animated film.' Well, don't think about it . . . DO IT! Today's technology makes it easier than ever to create films right in your home. I had a teacher tell me, 'You've got 10 thousand bad drawings in you before you get to the good ones. So get drawing.' The same goes for films (though, as you're making them, they're all works of genius)."
"Well folks, it looks like it's time for me to get back to work. I'm back over in the development department, working on another original film. It's due out in 2014 and I'm already behind schedule. (Just kidding.) Nice talking to you all -- see you soon!"
Up comes to Blu-Ray/DVD on November 2nd.
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