Since 2009, the D23 Expo has essentially been Disney’s own Comic-Con. Open exclusively to members of Disney’s D23 fan club, the Expo offers an expansive show floor as well as sneak peeks at upcoming Disney and Pixar productions. Previous D23 panels have included major announcements and extensive looks at upcoming Pixar films, and this year should be no different. Here’s a glimpse at what to look forward to when the convention kicks off next week:
Friday, August 9
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Art and Imagination: Animation at The Walt Disney Studios — Fans know that animation is the heart and soul of Disney. Get an up-close look at the exciting and innovative projects on the horizon from our animation studios, from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Thanksgiving release Frozen and Pixar Animation Studios’ summer 2014 feature The Good Dinosaur to Disneytoon Studios’ Disney’s Planes and far beyond. Join Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter and our filmmakers and stars for the behind-the-scenes scoop on our upcoming animated features, including exclusive film debuts, can’t-miss announcements, and thrilling live performances.
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pixar’s Small Fry director Angus MacLane signs Buzz Lightyear Small Fry action figures
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Pixar: Doing Our Homework — Learn from Pixar filmmakers why research is such an integral part of the filmmaking process. Once a story idea is seeded, Pixar filmmakers set out to become experts, embarking on research trips to immerse themselves in places, people, and experiences that inspire and inform their filmmaking. Whether it be spirited Scots, delectable French cuisine, or deep sea adventures, Pixar always focuses on creating an authentic film that captivates audiences with a new world to explore.
Saturday, August 10
1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Meet Brad Bird, the director of Pixar’s The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Disney’s upcoming film Tomorrowland
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Disney Legends Awards Ceremony — The 2013 Disney Legends Awards, hosted by Disney CEO Bob Iger and noted television personality Tom Bergeron (host of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and America’s Funniest Home Videos), is a tradition that pays tribute to the talented people who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy. Since 1987, 249 men and women have been named Disney Legends in honor of their work at The Walt Disney Company. This year, Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University stars Billy Crystal and John Goodman, technology visionary Steve Jobs, television icon Dick Clark and four others—Tony Baxter, Collin Campbell, Glen Keane, and Ed Wynn—will be named and honored as official Disney Legends.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Art of The Good Dinosaur — What if the cataclysmic asteroid that forever changed life on Earth actually missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? Explore the world of possibility in Disney•Pixar’s upcoming original feature film The Good Dinosaur, directed by veteran filmmaker and longtime Pixar artist Bob Peterson. Take a closer look at the artistry and production design behind this remarkable film and immerse yourself in Pixar’s imaginative world where dinosaurs live on.
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Toy Story OF TERROR! and the Motivation Behind Pixar’s Short Form Content — From toys on vacation to tow-riffic four wheelers, Pixar keeps some of their most beloved characters alive and well through much of its short-form content. This fall, Pixar debuts its first-ever television special, Toy Story OF TERROR!, a new adventure with Woody, Buzz, and the gang. Hear from Toy Story OF TERROR! Director Angus MacLane, Producer Galyn Susman, and a few more of Pixar’s short-form filmmakers as they share their experiences and favorite moments and talk about the exciting challenges of expanding the worlds of these characters loved by audiences across the globe.
Sunday, August 11
1:00 p.m – 2:00 p.m. Women of Pixar — Jessie. Dory. Sally. Merida. Although they exist in different worlds and never cross paths, these iconic Pixar females have one thing in common: girl power. Meet a dynamic group of women from Pixar, whose experience and success at the studio have helped craft some of the most memorable animated films in recent history.
Take a look at the full schedule for information on non-Pixar-related events. While we won’t be attending, we’ll keep up with any Pixar news as it comes. It should be a very exciting weekend for Pixar fans!
Which panel are you most looking forward to?
Last modified: August 1, 2013