Got plans for tomorrow night? Change ’em.
Or — at the very least — set up your Tivo and/or throw a tape into the old VCR and be sure & record what ABC is airing Saturday night between 8 – 11 p.m.
“What’s the big deal?,” you ask. “Isn’t ABC just supposed to be showing ‘The Wonderful World of Disney’? Which will then be presenting the umpteen millionth airing of Toy Story,’ a film that I already have on VHS and DVD. So why would I want to make a point of recording something that I already own?”
Because of what else ABC will be airing to help fill out this three-hour-long block of airtime. Which is a brand-new documentary about Pixar Animation Studios.
Copyright Leslie Iwerks Productions, Inc. / Sam Hurwitz Productions
This film chronicles how Pixar went from this humble little CG studio that produced short films & TV commercials to the powerhouse that we know today. Among the entertainment industry luminaries & celebrities that will be taking part in Saturday night’s program are George Lucas, Steve Jobs, Roy Disney, John Lasseter, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen & Billy Crystal .
Hosted by Pixar favorite John Ratzenberger, the documentary portions of the Pixar 20th Anniversary special promise to take you behind-the-scenes at the Emeryville-based animation studio as well as give you a special sneak preview of Pixar’s newest animated feature, “Cars.”
Best of all (for all of us animation fans, anyway), this documentary was written, directed & produced by Leslie Iwerks. Iwerks (for those of you who don’t know) is the grand-daughter of animation pioneer Ub Iwerks. In addition to being an accomplished filmmaker herself, Leslie is also the co-author of “The Hand Behind the Mouse” (Disney Editions, May 2001), the definitive biography of her grandfather.
FYI: This TV special is not the only Pixar 20th anniversary project that Ms. Iwerks currently has in the works. Later this fall, the companion book for this feature-length documentary will eventually emerge. Which will cover all of the stories that Leslie wasn’t actually able to fit into this ABC television special.
But you don’t want to wait ’til then to get in on the fun of Pixar’s 20th anniversary. So cancel those plans for Saturday night. Or — at the very least — program your Tivo and/or your VCR to tape ABC from 8-11 p.m. Because you really don’t to miss Ms. Iwerks’ documentary.