Judging by online discussion, Day & Night has been one of Pixar’s most well received shorts.
Now it’s your chance to tell director Teddy Newton why you love his latest film. Comment on this blog post to enter for the chance to win an autographed copy of his latest release from Chronicle Books, Day & Night!
Many will enter, one will win. Here’s the challenge. Entrants must keep their blurbs short to be eligible for consideration. Teddy Newton will be reading each and every one of your comments entered before 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, August 8th, 2010 to determine the winner — anything submitted after that date will not be eligible.
The contest’s winner will be notified on this blog post after Monday, August 9th, 2010. Expect a follow up e-mail from Chronicle Books to collect your prize.
Important: Read the entire blog post before commenting. Please remember to submit your current/contactable e-mail address and your name/city. Registered users, submit e-mail in profile. Keep it short and sweet, but by all means, try to stand out. Be civil! Sorry, open to residents of the US and Canada only. Thanks for participating in Upcoming Pixar’s first contest ever!
Update: Our contest is now closed. Thanks to everyone who participated! One winner will be announced soon…
Update 2: Remember how we told you that there would only be one winner? Well, we (unknowingly) lied. Click here to see the winners. Yes, plural!
Good luck, readers!
Last modified: August 6, 2010
Dear Teddy,
I loved your short because it was amazing. I saw it in 3D. Spectacular. In 2D. Wonderful. I loved the CGI world inside the 2D characters. My favorite Pixar short.
Sincerely,
Forster K.
Teddy,
I am a longtime fan of your work, so I was very much looking forward to your directorial debut. Day & Night certainly met my hefty expectations. It was one of the most mind-blowing shorts I’ve ever seen; a nonstop blast of creativity. The storytelling was really fun and interesting and the way that the distinct personalities of Day and Night were achieved just through the animation alone was brilliant. I hope you work on plenty of projects in the future and that they’re all nearly as good as Day & Night!
-Bryan K
I knew your short would be amazing but i never expected it to be that emotional. The end nearly brought me to tears with the radio broadcast sequence. Truly a very moving message you gave us all. You have a true gift for story telling. That was a perspective changing piece of art, Bravo!
I am a huge fan of Pixar’s shorts, but to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an interesting concept matched with such an intriguing visual. Day & Night pushed the boundaries of animation by blurring the line between 2D and 3D animation. I applaud you!
Dear Mr. Newton,
Your short was absolutely amazing. I saw it with 2 of my siblings and we LOVED it. The 3 of us were so immersed into it that we completely forgot that we were at the movie theater to watch Toy Story 3. My sister actually got out of her seat when the credits rolled. “Day & Night” is incredible and you have set the standard even higher now for Pixar shorts. Thank you for your gift to the world!
-Ann
P.S. Were you born with that cool Chatter Telephone voice?
Dear Teddy,
Thank you for Day and Night. It was an entertaining ride. What I really want to thank you for was the message of Day and Night. And it was a very powerful message.
You chose to make a film about diversity. Through the whole film and especially through the radio broadcast, you remind us that deep down we have similar interests. That deep down, we aren’t all that different.
Thank you,
Dan Chapman
Yosh- As a registered user, your e-mail should be part of your profile on Pixar Planet. Don’t worry.
In the past, Pixar has alluded to controversial subjects and issues plaguing our society. However, none had the bravery to blatantly shout the need for change in our universe. “Night and Day” featured dazzling art direction and innovative sound design, but the most important aspect was the message to fight ignorance and bring down social barriers in the world.
-Charles Q
The reason that I loved, loved, LOVED Day and Night is not just because it had one of the greatest messages to grace a Pixar film, showing that we are all really equals and should not be judgmental toward the mysterious, but also took 3D cinematography to a brand new level, combining all sorts of planes and dimensions, which creates a visual masterpiece. Thank you, Mr. Newton. Thank you.
—John
I enjoyed Day & Night because you brought a relevant and often challenging topic to light in a minimalistic way. The two characters were simple in design, the sound and music bytes left no need for dialogue, and the changing images were easily identifiable. It was more successful than a lot of modern 3D animation, and enjoyable for all ages.
-Erin
Teddy,
Day & Night had a powerful message that has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and try things that I have never done before. With your combination of 2D and 3D animation, you’ve shown to me that there is still much more that we can uncover that is beautiful and unique, whether it’s undiscovered territory or simply a wonderful little short.
Thank you for inspiring me,
Mai Nguyen
DAY, so full of joy
Laughter, sun, AND then there is
Magic found in NIGHT.
A little haiku that doesn’t do your wonderful short enough justice, by Stephanie from Lansing, MI.
🙂
To me, “Day & Night” does for 3D what “The Wizard of Oz” did for color. Both mediums were around before either film was made, but they changed how people viewed those medium.
Sure, “Day & Night” is enjoyable in 2D, as I bet “The Wizard of Oz” is in black and white. Not only is your short film clever, but it doesn’t try to get laughs at the sake of storytelling. It conveys a wonderful story about accepting people for who they are. That said, 3D adds another dimension, showing the power of cinema and how even just an extra level of visual perspective can add to your emotions.
~Matt B.
Day and Night… What do I say about this one? There is so much that could be said….
I think I was looking forward to Day and Night as much as I was to Toy Story 3, because funny enough, even though I was there for TS3, I couldn’t stop talking to my friends about what Day and Night might be like.
Afterwords, Day and Night was the first thing we talked about. We could only afford to see it in 2D, but that didn’t stop us from talking about how creative, fun, and hilarious the short was. After the fun we had watching the short, we all agreed that you need to direct another. Maybe not a sequel, but something. We really look forward to whatever work you might do next, and I can’t wait for the Toy Story 3 DVD to come out so I can show my family your creative and entertaining short too. 🙂
Thanks for making a good showing even better!
~ Sam
I loved it because it was a fresh and creative way to use 3D technology. When I saw Toy Story 3 in Beijing, China at the midnight premiere I missed out on seeing this short so I saw Toy Story 3 again in America just so I could see this short film in its intended 3D format. This may not be my favorite Pixar short, but it is my favorite Pixar short to watch in 3D. The art and format was new and really stood out to me.
Email: Narniaexpert@gmail.com
City: Colorado Springs, Colorado (formerly Beijing, China)
Loved the short, but I couldn’t figure out why it was called Day & Night instead of Night & Day. Night & Day has such a better ring to it. Any insight?
Jeff
Ann Arbor, MI
I loved Day & Night, but being from Australia, there is no point in me coming up with a creative message, other than to say I really loved it.
Ted! Why the hell are you reading all these? That seems unnecessary.
Anyway, keep up the good work. You rock. And just personally, I would LOVE to see some more stuff in the vein of The Trouble With Lou, or those ‘scrapped’ Iron Giant storyboards. Basically, unadulterated Teddy Newton. Find a way to do that. Maybe a website or something.
Dear Teddy,
Thank you for Day & Night, not only was this short a technical marvel to behold, and more than worth the price of a 3D IMAX ticket, but because of the message in this short, my family have finally come to accept my aunt’s interracial marriage after nearly 4 years of not speaking to her, thank you for bringing my family together again Teddy, thank you for showing them in 6 minutes what I’ve tried to for 4 years.
Thanks again,
Gil Perez (giljr_perez@sbcglobal.net)
Dallas, TX
To the creative Mr. Newton,
First off, let me congratulate you on your success with having the privilege Day and Night being presented before Toy Story 3. It was a delightful treat, and my favorite short by far.
Traditionally, the shorts that have come from Pixar have helped push the boundaries for the technological advancements in computer graphics, and I believe Day and Night has made one of the biggest leaps I have ever seen. We had always thought about putting 2D into 3D, as a transistion, but why not the other way? Why not place the 3D at the mercy of 2D? And for that kind of backwards thinking, I admire you.
Thank you for creating a fantastic eye candy short with a fantastic inspiring message. I can’t wait to see what else comes from you and Pixar.
Congratulations,
Lauren G.
Day & Night was both vividly spectacular (combing 2D and 3D aspects of the animation world) and had a great message. We fail to see that we are afraid of what we don’t know and that there can also be beauty in stepping out of our comfort zone and seeing the world in a new light. I am completely amazed at the fact that this message can be expressed in a way that stands out to people of all ages, race, gender etc.
Thank you for opening our eyes again.
– Aicha
I loved Day & Night because it so perfectly integrated very smooth 2D animation with 3D scenery and animation. Not only that, but the style was magnificent! Before I saw it and heard the description of the short, I thought that there would be NO WAY it could work out. After seeing it twice and thoroughly enjoying it both times, I can conclude that I was wrong, and I am proud to admit it. This short was beyond fantastic!
Chris
Gainesville, GA
magiciandude@gmail.com
Ash / Covina, CA — crash.russell [at] gmail [dot] com
I loved Day & Night, not only for it’s stunning and clever imagery, but also for the message I interpreted from it: to take the time to understand one another, to accept and appreciate our differences, and to understand that despite our differences we are all so much the same.
A wonderful lesson from a truly beautiful short. My favorite Pixar short yet.
Within mere minutes and without dialogue, you poignantly united two opposites and made them realise that they both have so much to offer each other.
In fact, you did that just through the ingenious blend of traditional 2D and modern 3D animation. I doubt Pixar would exist today if it wasn’t for the trailblazing work of 2D animators of such as Winsor McCay and Walt Disney. To me, Day and Night respectfully acknowledges the importance of their works in the digital age.
This mutual respect and unification is something I can only hope can occur more often in all aspects of society.
So thank you, Teddy, for showing us how it’s done!
Anders.
Adelaide, South Australia.
Day & Night was a perfect combination of story and technology. Using 3D in a non distracting way, while maintaining a classic 2D animated feel, but not forgetting the importance of story simply resulted in an outstanding quality short deserving of many awards.
-Ryan Valle
It’s hard to say so much while using few words. However, Day & Night did just that.
Day & Night was the most amazing short film to start before one of the most meaningful and memorable movie of my life. I thank you for that.
David
San Francisco, CA
mr.chauie@gmail.com
As an aspiring animator, Day and Night holds a special place in my heart. For so long, I’ve held such spite for CG animation—while I love what pixar has done, it is not hard to blame it for the death of traditional animation, which is where my true passion lies. I worry that, while those of us who have grown up primarily on traditional animation will still ask for the old ways, children today will grow to accept only CG animation, leaving traditional 2-D animation as an out-dated and uncared for art form. “Day and Night” bridged the two mediums beautifully, however, and seemed like a beacon of light, saying that the two mediums can exist together in this world, and more than that, can strengthen each other. Also, I felt that the short was incredibly heartfelt, and a message to us old traditional fans, letting us know that, even in (or maybe especially in) a big company like Pixar, the old ways are still cherished and respected. And still, the short can be interpreted with a more universal message of acceptance and appreciation of that which is different, making it accessible to all who view it. Thank you, Mr. Newman, for your brilliant work!
Sasha Schotzko-Harris
Galt, California
Hi Ted,
My favorite part of watching Day & Night is the reactions that I see from the audience who watches it. First of all, I love seeing 2D on the big screen, and elevating it with 3D imagery really helped to tear down that barrier between the American audience and 2D animation, so that prejudice didn’t get in the way… But what’s fascinating is how the audience responds to it, hearing them get the analogies between the visuals and the emotions they represent, feeling that they aren’t just “watching”, they’re “thinking”. And when the film gets to the message its communicating, you don’t get the impression that people respond defensively, because the film takes them to that intellectual level where we can avoid the stigmas that we find ourselves preconditioned to have… And I appreciate that the film doesn’t preach either, it just tries to be itself and celebrates that. Thanks for the experience!
-Thomas Larson
Mr. Newton,
I adored your short film, because it was playful, innocent,funny, adorable and celebrated differences (and similarities). And the message to just be yourself was the icing on this beautiful cake. I was completely blown away by this film, and it may very well be my favourite Pixar short yet. Bravo!
-Jayme
Beaumont, Alberta
Hello Mr.Newton!
One of the biggest reasons why I LOVE this short is because you make them move the way I used to always see cartoons move when I was a little kid. The lines curve in such gracefully goofy way—like that to me is animation and the characters don’t need so much detail outside because the movement explains it all. The style is also similar to that of the cartoons like the Pink Panther and I love it!
Plus, you got two opposite characters and the story of how they learn to appreciate each other’s gifts and talents is great—a lovable story. Very interesting concept with the characters lacking detail and the black space—you told us exactly what to focus on. I saw different cities in Night and Day, and it was this big symbol of the world and how beautiful it all is in its own way. However, hot babe on the beach, now that’s just universal! That too I felt was a nice tip of the hat of 50’s, 60’s cartoons where the characters’ eyes are popping out at the pretty lady.
As an young, naive art student, who wants to work for an animation studio one day (crossing fingers for Pixar), when I saw this film, I thought, THIS is what I want to create one day. It has that warmth of a good story and wonderful visuals that makes it so magical (if that makes any sense). I mean when I saw it, I thought, “Man, if the SHORT is this good, Toy Story 3 is gonna be mind-blowing!”. I hope one day I can be part of team like yours who creates such great art. This is an instant classic.
Thank you for inspiring me,
Brenda Chi
Alhambra, California
My favorite thing about “Day and Night” was not its entertainment value. Many movies are entertaining. My favorite thing about “Day and Night” was not its social statement. Plenty of movies make bold statements. Yet those two types of movies are too often mutually exclusive, and ultimately, familiar. Yet “Day and Night” is unfamiliar. It is unfamiliar in its trek into the mysterious and relatively unexplored area of what can be both entertaining and enlightening. I believe the radio broadcast at the end applies to films too. The ones that are mysterious and unfamiliar are ultimately the most beautiful.
Thank you.
John
Jacksonville, Fl
jtw439@gmail.com
• • •
The thing that hit me most while watching Day & Night was this:
The theatre was full of people of all ages who all enjoyed Day & Night. Different age groups found different parts more amusing, but that showed the richness of it.
It looks like you and your team had a great time making it and I hope you are happy with the finished short film.
Have a good evening? morning? 3 minutes past tea time? 4pm Hawaiian standard time?
Joel K
• • •
Mr.Newman
I have loved all of pixar’s shorts when I see them in theaters,but this was by far the greatest one yet. I saw Toy Story 3 2 times and I couldn’t wait to see your short again. I can’t reember anyone who didn’t laugh.
I want to congratulate you on making my favorite short. I hope you make another one as good, or better than that.
Nathan T
Ft.Thomas,KY
Mr. Newton,
We live in a world today where everybody seems struggle to come up with truly original stories, as well as original ways of telling them. Everywhere we look, it feels like we’ve already seen whatever is “new.”
However, you and your crew were able to provide audiences with a film that is so incredibly original on such a huge number of levels. The originality and uniqueness of the story and style in “Day & Night” continues to blow my mind. The concepts there are off the charts. You guys really did come up with something new. Excellent work, and bravo for making a something we’ve truly never seen before.
Thanks,
-Justin
the email for Nathan T. is ntipp@yahoo.com
A Day and Night haiku:
It’s Negative space
with a Positive message
also bikinis
-Dan
Dear Teddy,
Thank you for Day and Night. It was an entertaining ride. What I really want to thank you for was the message of Day and Night. And it was a very powerful message.
You chose to make a film about diversity. Through the whole film and especially through the radio broadcast, you remind us that deep down we have similar interests. That deep down, we aren’t all that different.
Thank you,
Dan Chapman
Anonymous // Aug 6, 09:54 PM
Danchappa&gmail.com
Somerville, MA
Being seen differently is second nature to me being Asian American and having lived in three different countries growing up. I feel fortunate to have known various cultures at a young age. I truly believe that human beings are all about the inner self, just as it was shown beautifully in Day & Night. Everyone knows what it’s like to be different, because we are all different, and that is what makes this film so special. Thank you for this.
it was Beautiful
like jaw dropping! Beauuutiful
it was mind-boggling and made you realize that we need to accept the differences in each other and you’ll be surprised by all you can discover and you may discover something great and beautiful, which the animation and idea of the short film was well, Beautiful.
I’m sure “Fear of the Unknown” will be in all of our hearts. It made the short so magical and filled with Inspiration.
DAY & NIGHT is by far the most Amazing, Unimaginable, Pixar shot film! so I thank you Teddy Newton for creating something so Beautiful. 🙂 – ValeriaV
Uh, my user name is CreativeHat, but I can’t seam to log in.
I was excited for this film because of 1. Innovation 2. The Omage to handdrawn animation. I loved the film for these reasons, and for the awesome story, and the overall composition. I’ve also framed through this one and found every handrawn technique I could think (like smear drawing and MAJOR stretch). Animation heaven!
I’ve been a fan specifically of your artworksince I saw it in the Art of The Incredibles. Day & Night combines some of the best character expressions, with brilliant backgrounds and most importantly, a message we can all internalize.
Thank You,
Anthony DeLuca
AJAD223yahoo.com
The thing about Day & Night i loved was how simple it was, yet it showed so much emotion about how “ fear of the unknown” was in all of us. Sticking with the familiar is so common in our society that we hardly notice the things that are different. The pixar team has never failed to make inspiring, meaningful, and funny shorts/movies. and for that I Thank you,
-Maria K.
Tewksbury,MA
I loved it for the combination of the 2D and 3D animation. Both forms working together harmoniously to create a beautiful and compelling story. I had a smile on my face the whole time.
-Lorenzo B.
Sorry, I’m Lorenzo B. Forgot to say I’m from Jonesboro, AR
Dear Teddy,
The reason why I loved Day and Night so much is because it taught me that two opposites can create a similarity and become the best of friends. What I learned in your film, is that even though people may be opposites, we can all turn out the same in the end. Because, for example, at the end of the clip, each of the characters changed scenes that the other had, and that they are alike in many ways. It taught me that even though the world is different day and night, the world is still one. When I saw this opening day at the Toy Story movie, it literally blew me away. The creativity, the laughs! Day and Night literally kept me on my toes because I always wanted to know what would happen next!
I have this dream of working for Pixar or Disney Animations and imagination like yours make me really want to pursue that dream.
Thank you for a wonderful cartoon! And thank you for reading this!
Ashley
Los Angeles, CA
yasharashley@yahoo.com
Hi, Mr. Newton! I loved Day and Night because it was innovative! I enjoyed seeing what was essentially the crossroads of Disney and Pixar!
I loved your cartoon. It was very well-drawn; rather Spumcoesque. I hope you do more hand-drawn animation; and if not, I hope you can capture the same excellence in CGI.
How an audience member receives a film is directly correlated with his/her personal experience. “Day & Night”, I thought, was brilliant because it touched upon themes pertinent to who I am as a human being. The film, in particular, provided and taught the importance of the very virtue that keeps me going amidst all the struggles the world has to offer – and that virtue is hope. Hope is a virtue explored by countless other films, but I think what makes “Day & Night” unique is the way it distinguishes between and connects two aspects of hope: hope that we would someday achieve our personal desires, and hope for the people of the world to reconcile their differences. Although these two facets might seem unrelated at first, the movie teaches us that the former is unattainable without the latter. In the film, each character achieves his own wants – Vegas, fireworks, etc. – only after overcoming what the movie describes as “fear of the unknown”; in other words, fear to interact with those who are different and are thus unknown to us. The film lets us realize that once we reconcile our differences, and once we get rid of this “fear of the unknown”, we will reach a state in which WE, as a COMMUNITY, could help each other achieve our desires by sharing our individual talents. Thus, the only means through which we could keep our hopes to achieve our desires alive is to hold on to our hope for reconciliation and unity. This is a message you might be able to learn from a book, but the beauty of animation is that it allows us not only to learn this message but also to experience it, thereby allowing the message to transcend even our rationalistic minds and make it more meaningful to us.
Thank you Teddy Newton and Pixar for this short but very meaningful masterpiece.
Frolin Ocariza, Jr.
Richmond, BC, Canada
E-mail: star_wars_jerol AT yahoo DOT com
The First time I saw Day and Night, I cried. The theater was filled with ooohs and aaahhhs and whispers of how genius and original the concept and execution was. We were all amazed. It would be had for me to properly explain what makes Day and Night such a strong film as it touches on some of the most inner human emotions, but whatever it is still blew the audience and myself away all three times I saw it.
-Robert
Lusby, MD
Day & Night is a blend of two things that are really important to me: solid 2D animation and warm-hearted storytelling. It was the animation that brought me to the short; it was like a tribute to the ways of old, when cartoons were crafted by the loving hands of Warner Bros. or Hanna-Barbera. But what keeps bringing me back is the story. It was the kind of story that comes from the heart—that isn’t hampered with dialogue, but instead relies on actions and expressions to make its point. I could never articulate with words what exactly it is that draws me to it, except that there’s a sort of magic that flows through the film. A magic that needs to be seen and felt to be believed and understood.
– Shawn
Hi Teddy Newton!
I really enjoyed Day & Night, I thought it was awesome and wonderful! I loved the look/feel of 2D animation, and it was very cool to see it combined with the computer animation. It was really nice how emotionally moving it was, without the characters ever saying a word. Day & Night was entertaining, creative, clever, funny, and positive! It was great how they came to admire each other and share their own unique “gifts” with each other. The sunset/sunrise scene was really beautiful!!
Thank you!
Susana Z. (Gardena, CA)
Mr. Teddy Newton, I loved Day & Night as it has reaffirmed my passion to become a character animator; a dream I have had since I was 4-years old. I am now 26 and finally pursuing my dream. Day & Night showed me that there are no limits to your dreams…and just when you think everything has been done before, that’s when you need to dream bigger! Thank you for inspiring me to dream bigger. See you at Pixar…
Kevin V
Buffalo Grove, IL
vlkers54@yahoo.com
Dear Teddy,
I’m a college student hoping to one day use my talents and skills to send the world positive messages about diversity. Your short was an inspiration because we rarely see people who have the resources to change the world use them.
You had a message of love to share and you used your talents and connection with Pixar to get it out there.
I hope one day that I will have the same audacity to share my own message.
Thank you for creating an entertaining and inspiring piece of art.
-Vanessa
vwilkins06@gmail.com
Hillsboro, OR
Dear Mr. Teddy Newton,
I loved Day and Knight not just because of the concept in general, but for the message as well. “Fear of the unknown.” It speaks to everyone to what they should be. As for the short itself it is just beautiful. The concept of combining 2D and 3D animation is genius and you not only provide great animation on both ends, but a heart to back it. The characters express so much personality for the few minutes they are on screen and the audience truly cares to what happens to Day and Night. Most filmmakers have trouble pulling this off for a full feature length film, yet you do it with ease. I commend you on such a tremendous short and I look forward to your future work at Pixar and in film in general. Thank you for your time.
Yours Truly,
Quinton Buxton
Acworth, Georgia
qbuxton@me.com
Mr. Newton, I have Asperger’s Syndrome, and have been mocked since I started public school in 6th grade. I’ve always been “weird”, and I loved this short. “Weird” isn’t bad. In fact, I’d say Walt Disney was pretty darn weird. I love your short because it’s true. People hate what they don’t understand. Your short is very special, and you should be proud.
Mr. Newton, I have Asperger’s Syndrome, and have been mocked since I started public school in 6th grade. I’ve always been “weird”, and I loved this short. “Weird” isn’t bad. In fact, I’d say Walt Disney was pretty darn weird. I love your short because it’s true. People hate what they don’t understand. Your short is very special, and you should be proud.
Virginia Hubbard
Knoxville, Tennessee
Incredigirl95@gmail.com
I honestly loved Day & Night so much more than any other short. I fell in love with the whole motif of day fearing night and vice versa because they were different and then seeing the beauty in eachother. It touched me. Fabulously done! Everyone needs to see the greatness in what some people might call ‘just a cartoon’.
Michelle Savin
Lindenhurst, NY
michellesavin@optonline.net
Teddy Newton,
Congratulations on your success! Day & Night is a spectacularly unique short film. It combines 2D and 3D animation in a really wonderful way. You definitely didn’t let ‘fear of the unknown’ stop you from pursuing this idea to the fullest! I applaud you in embracing something different and using your talent to create a truly remarkable short film.
Thank you for this delightful film with its heartfelt message.
-Hannah
Hi Teddy,
I loved the concept and the execution of Day & Night.The black backdrop is such an amazing was for the viewers to focus on the interaction of day and night Thank you for bringing something new and emotional, I look forward to much more of your work!
Thanks,
Kristina J.
North Hills, CA
Light & Dark
Awake & Asleep
Sun & Moon
Clouds & Stars
Birds & Frogs
Bees & Fireflies
Offense & Defense
Quiet & Loud
Rainbows & Fireworks
Jets & Horses
Music & Talk
Sunset & Sunrise
Day & Night
These opposites & different things make this a brilliant & fantastic animated short with heart & understanding!
Todd Franklin
Camdenton, MO
Teddy,
Day and Night was an amazing short. From the first frame to the last I was griped in a electric spell of fascination. The amazing detail to the 3-D world in a 2-D animation amazing-ness.
Tyler
Belleville, Ontario
Tyler.Tischbein@hotmail.com
Dear Teddy,
My mom and dad pressured me to pursue a “practical” course of study when I was in college, so I ditched my love of film and digital media for a degree in business. Even though I don’t call upon the theories, histories and practices of film in the humdrum financial career I’ve had for the past five years, each time a Pixar short and film is released for public consumption, I’m thrilled to be taken back to a place and time that recalls my true life’s passion.
Day & Night disarmed me. I’m enamored by your film because it challenges spectators to explore the concept of negative space. While WALL-E brought us to a world of silence and limited dialogue, Day & Night makes whole the visual emptiness that WALL-E first tested when it filled our sense of aural isolation. The beauty that is found in the things people rarely visually appreciate is exemplified in your short film: dynamic assymetry and simple stability are created in a whimsical eloquence.
It isn’t often that people will notice the white arrow in the Fed-Ex logo, the three feminine faces that don every Girl Scouts cookie box or the peacock in the NBC brand. To imagine beauty in negative space is difficult for me, and I commend you for the careful and dramatic chance you took on negative space, when you took us on the adventure that is Day & Night.
One day, I hope that I’ll be able to take creative chances like you did with Day & Night. I hope that I’ll be able to return to my passion for film and escape the monotonous career I chose. I’m grateful for your work and look forward to congratulating you on your next piece. Thank you for inspiring us all with your work.
Best regards, Justin R.
San Francisco, California
Dear Teddy,
I loved Day and Night because of the simple story you told so well. You made me wish that the whole world would see Day and Night and get the message that the world would be a better place if we celebrate our differences, rather than fight or try to beat the other person. Your short was just amazing and put me in a great mood to be awed by Toy Story 3.
Sarah Karger
Potsdam, NY
Perceiving the unknown and persevering to be known, to be recognized and seen as equal. This is the human dream, this is our greatest challenge.
“Day & Night” is a delightful and artistic step toward this impossible goal.
stephenhkoontz@gmail.com
Much like the film it preceded, watching Day and Night was an experience. As always with Pixar, I found myself thinking that I had never seen anything like it before. What a wonderfully brilliant way to tell the story of day and night, but also to illustrate the idea that all of us, however different we may be, all unite similiarly, and should embrace these differences and quirks. Teddy Newton took a simple idea and turned it into a story that can be appreciated by both kids and adults, in the same way every Pixar film has been. Thank you Teddy; you brought something truly spectacular to movie screens this summer, and into the lives of moviegoers.
Simoa
Boston, MA
Day & Night is the big-bang, a new beginning in animation. It’s at that border in no man’s land of where does it belong. I love the mysteries of day and night. They can appear flat or in space, at the same time, but when, where, and for how long. And, the message, I see in Day & Night, is we shouldn’t be afraid to discover something new.
Reynaldo
Milpitas, California
bernie_kropp@yahoo.com
Hey Teddy.
I wanted to say I loved Day and Night because it shows that no matter who you are or how different other people are from you, there is always a way to find something to cherish in everyone. That way is called love. Through acceptance and love, we could move past our differences and celebrate what makes everyone unique.
A simple message, communicated with some of the finest animation this side of the year 2000.
Thank you,
Joe Criger.
tibieryo@hotmail.com
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
I am simply amazing and transfixed on your talent. You don’t just make up a cartoon to a story, you create the unimaginable. The things we can only imagine you create into real, fathomable world. Thank you for all that you do.
Courtney Brombosz
cbrombosz@millikin.edu
Naperville, IL
The short was amazing because it took me back to the Disney cartoons I grew up with. Wonderful message and amazing characters!
Hey there,
Saw you a couple of weeks ago at Siggraph. I must say your talk was the one I liked the most.
That day I probably watched Day & Night about 5 times and each time it amused me more and more, the fact that you told us about what inspired you doing this short film made it an instant favourite. Every time I see it , I see it differently but it always have the same message. The fusion of 2D & 3D, the unkown with the known , it was just speechless…
Short films like this, specially this one are the reason why I don’t run late for Pixar movies.
Plus, this was how I found out one of my favorite quotes ever: “ You know, to me, the most beautiful things in all the universe, are the most mysterious.”
I have your doodle & autograph already framed, above my desk so it keeps me motivated to do my artistic job.
Thanks Teddy, you are so talented & inspirational.
Melissa Dávila
Monterrey, Mexico
meli.davila@gmail.com
Teddy,
This short is absolutely one of my favorites!! Specially because, from my point of view, everyone could feel identified with the characters, because we always wish we could have what others have, and others always wish they could have what we do, and this becomes envy, and eventually we lose potential good friends because of this.
By the other hand, you proved that 2d and 3d animation are not fight we each other, you joined them in a awesome and unique way! In these days, people think that 3d animation is what rules, and 2d animation is “old school” and boring. And with this short it is proven that both of them (like the guys in day & night) can be part of the same world and have a great result by working together.
adrianafeehily@hotmail.com
Adriana Cervantes
Vancouver, BC, Canada
I loved the Day and Night short film. It was fun, inspiring and great to watch. And it goes to show you that even short films can give you a message. Keep up the great work and great giveaway!!
I went into Toy Story 3 knowing that Day & Night was going to be good and something to see based on the concept of a 2D animated outer layer filled by 3D. Seeing it in 3D was amazing and better than I expected. One thing that was really neat was when the two 2D animations moved behind and in front of each other because they were clearly moving along the z-axis of 3D space themselves. Overall, it was the principle idea of having these 2D animated characters move in 3D space while also acting as a matte for a 3D environment that was either night or day that made me really like the short.
Teddy,
I will do my best to keep it brief:
Day & Night was a bold movement in human expression and the integrity of film, and animation, as an art form. I couldn’t believe it. I was so glad to see a short film that made the brave choices that you and your team made. Day & Night conveyed characters with physical expression and outside (or inside I guess) visuals. It celebrated diversity in an entirely new, all encompassing way. It entertained while touching hearts. And perhaps most impressive, you and your team made the brave choice to create a short film which had a confusing premise, undefinable characters, and an indirect message, portrayed through contradictory mediums of animation… and you made it work. I don’t know how you did it, but it came together and surpassed with every flying color that Night and Day had in them.
Sorry, I got carried away there.
-Kevin Allen
I saw Toy Story 3 multiple times this summer (which meants multiple viewings of Day & Night), and the thought that came back to me every single time was the realization that Day & Night will most definitely be a short I hope to share with my kids one day.
Granted, I imagine my kids will grow up surrounded with PIXAR, but Day & Night was the first to provide the wondrous thought that a PIXAR experience will always be a family experience for me 🙂
Thanks for the future memories!
Beto Bravo
Phoenix, Arizona
onephoenician AT gmail DOT com
Martin,… we’re pal’s right? I seriously didn’t know about this contest until like 5 minutes ago! I’m like 20 minutes late, take my entry? PLEASE?
Sir Teddy Newton,
I think Day and Night was fantastic. It is likely my new favorite Pixar short. I think the concept is fantastic, and the execution was amazing. Things like the hanging off the cliff and the fireworks were incredibly clever, the characters went from annoying to lovable in just a few minutes, and the whole entire short was just top-notch. I hope to see you direct a full-length production sometime in the future, you’ve got the talent, as well as the rest of the team up there. 😉
The contest is now closed.
ffdude — There’s a loophole, the time stamp is an hour behind for some reason. You’re in!
Let me just first say, wow. The art the story it brings to me heart. Something that I have missed from so many recent animated shorts. Teddy knows how to bring characters to life. It did what movies used to and should still do, bring the audience into a new world.
Daniel Fradin
Los Angeles, California
Danielfradin23@gmail.com