My Visit to Disney Animation, and Learning How MOANA Was Created!

A special thank you goes out to Walt Disney Studios for arranging “My Visit to Disney Animation, and Learning How MOANA Was Created” as well as sponsoring my trip and accommodations to the Be Our Guest Event. Opinions expressed are that of my own.

When you get back from a trip to Los Angeles to learn about the amazing inner workings of Disney films, Animated shows, as well as ground breaking television, well you just have to take a moment to reflect on all of the awesome that just happened.

Earlier this week, I had announced that “Moana” is out on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand and to celebrate this release, I attended a Q & A session with the creative team as well as a Polynesian themed dinner at the Roy E. Disney Animation Building.

To get started with the evening, our group first took a tour through an exhibit of props, photos, and materials from the film MOANA.

It was amazing to see and be so close to a Disney Movie that is loved by so many. Plus, it was totally cool to be beside a replica of Moana’s iconic boat.

We then headed to a theater to check out the contents of the MOANA Blu-ray Combo Pack. In addition, there was a Polynesian Dance demonstration by Moana Choreographer Tiana Liufau.

This presentation also included discussing the bonus features including Things You Didn’t Know About , Voice of the Islands, The Elements of Mini Maui, Island Fashion, and Maui Mini-Movie: “Gone Fishing”. Each of the bonus features were first introduced by the creative team of the film and then followed by a discussion with our group.

🌺 Check out these awesome Polynesian Dancers, I wish I could move like that and their clothing is so beautiful.🌺 . . . Last night as part of the #BeOurGuestEvent I got to witness an amazing presentation to celebrate the release of “MOANA” on BLU-RAY Combo Pack, out today March 7th. . . . My children just can’t get enough of this collection of Bonus Features and of course we sing the songs and reenact the scenes from the film. To learn more details about the MOANA Blu-ray Combo Pack, visit the front page of funlearninglife.com as well as follow the hashtag #MoanaBluray! {Sponsored} . . . . . . . . #mediaevent #livecolorfully #thatsdarling #thehappynow #flashesofdelight #petitejoys #livethelittlethings #liveauthentic #nothingisordinary #finditliveit #howyouglow #colorventures #thatcolorproject #momswithcameras #DisneyFan #Moana #DisneyPrincess #InstaDisney #DisneyLove #DisneyFamily #beautifulplace #Traveler #Travelgram #VisitLosAngeles @DisneyAnimation

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Director John Musker shared about what inspired MOANA and the documentary, Voice of the Islands.,”… this whole journey started over five years ago when Ron and I were casting about for ideas, and usually what happens is you pitch ideas to John Lasseter who is our executive producer… he said research, we’ve got to do research… actually have to go to the islands in the South Pacific, and Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti…We really did dig deep into the culture. ”

Members of the Creative Team Behind Moana: Director John Musker, “Mini Maui” 2D Animation Supervisor Eric Goldberg, Costume Designer Neysa Bove, Director Ron Clements, Producer Osnat Shurer

He elaborated, “We met with so many incredible people and we learned so much from them from archaeologists, anthropologists, linguists, villagers, sailors, navigators and, it really was a life changing trip. After we got back we decided that the story we had before we left, we didn’t want to do that anymore. We kept Moana, we kept the character Maui, but we created a whole new story based on that research trip.”

Directors Ron Clements & John Musker

Director Ron Clement’s explained “… by far it’s the most insightful film that’s been pulled together on any of these research trips and I think that’s been done in connection with any of these films. It actually has some emotion as well as information in it and I think you’re really going to enjoy it…(The documentary crew) talked to some of the same people (as they did on their trip) and got some amazing footage and it really does give you a genuine insight into what the culture is all about and what we reacted to when we were there.”

Producer Osnat Shurer and Moana Choreographer Tiana Liufau

Director John Musker then shared, “This was our first CG film… We’ve been used to doing hand drawn films, that kind of detail we couldn’t do with our drawn films but now with CG you can get all that texture … and thank goodness, we had Neysa steering us through that… in addition to that, we had tattoos in our movies and the character of Maui, of course, when we had read about him he was covered in tattoos and they told his story.”

He continued, “A wonderful development artist who worked on the movie very early on did a drawing where the tattoos were coming alive. They were actually moving around on Maui’s body and this is animation. It’s about moving things. So, we’re like yes, that would be a great use of animation to really have the tattoos come alive and tell his story. And as we developed the story further, it evolved where there was one in particular we focused on. We called him mini-Maui, (he was Maui’s) Jiminy Cricket was all from a story point of view of getting inside Maui’s head.”

Polynesian Dancers

2D Animation Supervisor Eric Goldberg then explained, “I have a long history of working with Ron and John on many films. My first film at Disney was Aladdin and kind of a great gig to kind of land on your feet and get the genie as your first character…In Moana, the animated tattoo character we came to know as Mini-Maui, presented us with the opportunity to combine 2-D and CG animation in a way that had never been done before.”

Costume Designer Neysa Bove

Costume Designer Neysa Bove also explained the process of costumes for the film, “Costuming or design, you have to create so many renditions because you present so many options and let these guys go shopping. I would say, “go in her closet, pick. ” She continued, “…just for the necklace, I think we went through 20-something different designs, for one costume… at the end of the day, I think that and I don’t know if you guys do this, but I would always look at it and think, “If I was a little girl, what would I wanna wear?” So, I always think that when I look at it. Like, would I be excited to wear that?”

Producer Osnat Shurer

Producer Osnat Shurer revealed during our Q&A one of her most highest compliments on this film, “.. there were many, many moments, but one that stands out is, I got to go back to Tahiti. We were announcing that we were translating the movie into Tahitian, this is the first time ever the movies have been translated, ‘cause everybody speaks French, and it was a request that we got from Hinano, who you saw in the (Voice of the Islands) film.”

She continued, “Five years ago, we were able to make this happen, and the joy, the love, the, the reception that we got, it’s going to go into all the schools. We’re doing the mix after next week. It’s the only movie ever in Tahitian. It’s going to be in 60 schools, the Tahitian Language Academy’s involved, and people were just like, “Thank you. We’re bringing our culture back, and bringing our language back.” So, to me that was the most meaning.”

Knowing all of these aspects of MOANA just makes me love this film even more!

Want to know what else to expect on the MOANA Blu-ray Combo Pack Bonus features? Details are below:

Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray & Digital 3D/HD/SD:

Theatrical Short Film: “Inner Workings” – With introduction by the filmmakers, is the story of the internal struggle between a man’s pragmatic, logical side and his free-spirited, adventurous half. Created by a small team at Walt Disney Animation Studios in a unique, fast-paced style that blends CG and traditional hand-drawn animation, the short explores the importance of finding balance in daily life.
Maui Mini-Movie: “Gone Fishing” – When Maui decides it’s time to take charge of the ocean and catch his next meal, Moana must show him the error of his ways … with a little help from her friends!
Voice of the Islands – An in-depth look at how Pacific Island people and cultures inspired the filmmakers to create the story of “Moana.”

Things You Didn’t Know About …
- Meet the stars of “Moana” in this dynamic Q&A featuring Dwayne Johnson, newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho, and famed animation directors Ron and John.
- Meet the musical team behind “Moana” in this fascinating Q&A featuring Opetaia Foa‘i, Mark Mancina and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Island Fashion – Find out how costume designer Neysa Bové took on the unique challenge of creating costumes using materials and techniques native to the islands of Oceania.
They Know the Way: Making the Music of “Moana” – Musicians Opetaia Foa‘I, Marc Mancina and Lin-Manuel Miranda take us on a personal journey through their involvement in the movie and how it changed their lives.
Fishing for Easter Eggs – Dive deep into the ocean and fish for the Easter Eggs hidden by the animators at Walt Disney Animation Studios.

The Elements of … – This series of four mini-docs explores the technical achievements behind some of the ground-breaking effects used in the film.
- Mini Maui – Meet “Mini Maui,” Maui’s tattoo sidekick. Animated by legendary hand-drawn animator Eric Goldberg, we explore how the 2D world collides with CG animation to bring the demigod’s tattoos to life.
- Water – In the movie, the ocean is a character. This piece explores how the water is given a personality, along with the technical feats of creating a believable ocean landscape farther than the eye can see.
- Lava – Te Kā is a creature made of lava, smoke and fire. This piece dives into the challenges of making an animated creature of massive scale brought to fiery life by character, technical and effects animators.
- Hair – One of the greatest technical achievements of the film was the animation of the beautiful, curly hair on Moana and Maui. Take a look at the hair-raising detail that goes into animating each strand, adding performance to the movie that has never been seen before.

Deleted Song: “Warrior Face” – With introduction by songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Deleted Scenes – Ron and John introduce the following deleted scenes: Race the Wind/Ties that Bind; Discussing Moana’s Future; Under the Sea; Grandmother’s Warning/Legend of Maui; Education of Moana; Father, Daughter, Boat; and Canoe Race.
Music Video: “How Far I’ll Go” – Performed by Alessia Cara.
“How Far I’ll Go Around the World” – Multi-language reel of the song “How Far I’ll Go.”
Audio Commentary – With directors Ron and John.

In addition, the DVD includes:

Theatrical Short Film: “Inner Workings,” Music Video: “How Far I’ll Go” and Audio Commentary

About the MOANA:

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana,” the sweeping story of a spirited teenager who sets sail on a daring adventure to save her people, starring newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho as the voice of brave and tenacious Moana and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (HBO’s “Ballers,” “Central Intelligence”) as the larger-than-life demigod Maui, has dazzled both critics and audiences. The film earned a 95% critics’ consensus on Rotten Tomatoes and the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office opening weekend.

“Moana” stars Auli‘i Cravalho as the voice of Moana, Dwayne Johnson as the voice of Maui, Temuera Morrison (“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Once Were Warriors,” “Six Days, Seven Nights”) as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Rachel House (“Whale Rider,” “Hunt for Wilderpeople,” “Eagle vs Shark,” “Boy,” “White Lies”) as Moana’s trusted Gramma Tala; and Nicole Scherzinger (Grammy®-nominated singer, West End’s “Cats”) as Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; Jemaine Clement (“The BFG,” “Despicable Me,” “Rio,” “Rio 2,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” Flight of the Conchords) voices Tamatoa, a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab; and Alan Tudyk (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Big Hero 6”) lends his voice to stowaway rooster Heihei. To purchase visit MOANA Blu-ray Combo Pack.