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PIXAR
A first: The two lead characters in 'Float' are Filipino Americans. |
ASAM NEWS &
VIEWS FROM THE EDGE
Animation takes a new twist, courtesy of Pixar, with its new short Float due out November 12 with the debut of the Disney+ streaming platform.
Float is one of six projects under its SparkShorts banner. It’s from writer/producer Bobby Rubio.
This is believed to be the first time ever Filipino American characters have been featured in animation. It’s also the first time Pixar has introduced Filipino CGI characters.
In his video blog on YouTube, Frank Bernard said SparkShorts is designed to bring more diverse storytelling to Pixar Studios.
Bernard described the story in Float this way. “The dad has tanned skin, large expressive eyes, a very prominent Filipino nose, and definitely epitomizes the traits of a Filipino father. The fact that he’s depicted as a very protective dad who tries to keep his son grounded, literally, is so Filipino, and it really shows Rubio is tying in his own culture in his work.”
Rubio has worked as a story artist for Incredibles 2, Inside Out, and Monsters University.
“I know what it means to see our culture represented on screen,” Rubio wrote on Twitter.
“I know what it means to see our culture represented on screen,” Rubio wrote on Twitter.
Rubio has worked on other Pixar hits including Incredibles 2, Inside Out, Up and Monsters and also the animate films Tarzan and Avatar: The Last Airbender series.
He shared how important it is to finally have characters that represent millions of Filipinos all over the world.
"I am proud to tell our stories. I know what it means to see our culture represented on screen! #RepresentationMatters," he wrote.
Excitement in the Fil Am community is building
"I am so grateful to tell our stories. I know what it means to be underrepresented... I’m going to do my best to tell MORE!" he wrote in another tweet.
Rubio is currently on a separate project entitled Neighborhood Legend, starring yet another Filipino American character in a story set in his hometown of San Diego, California.
You can get a look at all six Pixar SparkShorts in the trailer below.
You can get a look at all six Pixar SparkShorts in the trailer below.
“The SparkShorts program is designed to discover new storytellers, explore new storytelling techniques, and experiment with new production workflows,” said Jim Morris, president of Pixar Animation Studios. “These films are unlike anything we’ve ever done at Pixar, providing an opportunity to unlock the potential of individual artists and their inventive filmmaking approaches on a smaller scale than our normal fare.”
Added Lindsey Collins, vice president of development for Pixar, “We want to nurture our future storytellers and encourage them to share their stories with the world. Who are the future directors and producers and what crazy new ideas do they have brewing? What is the next big breakthrough in our industry? Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of Sparkshorts. The program was created to provide opportunities to a wide array of artists—each with something unique to say.”
Added Lindsey Collins, vice president of development for Pixar, “We want to nurture our future storytellers and encourage them to share their stories with the world. Who are the future directors and producers and what crazy new ideas do they have brewing? What is the next big breakthrough in our industry? Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of Sparkshorts. The program was created to provide opportunities to a wide array of artists—each with something unique to say.”
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