Wanna peek behind-the-scenes at Pixar? Then check out the two events that the Cartoon Art Museum will be holding next month on the Emeryville campus

Jim Hill

17 years ago

Guess who flew in for a visit yesterday? JHM alumni Roger Colton. Who’s now the proprietor of his own snazzy spot on the Web, the Blue Parrot.

Anywho, Roger dropped by because he wanted to give JHM readers a “heads up” about two very snazzy events that are actually being held on the Pixar campus on Saturday, September 15th (FYI: These events are a benefit for the Cartoon Art Museum. The only museum in the western United States dedicated to all forms of cartoons and comics).

First up is the Family Fun mini-conference. Open to guests eight through 18, this special afternoon events kicks off in Pixar’s upstairs gallery space. Over milk and cookies, visitors to the studio will get the chance to tour displays of pre-production art of “Ratatouille.” Then everyone heads downstairs to Pixar’s state-of-the-art theater. Where staff artists will explain this animation studio’s unique movie-making process as well as share some behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the making of “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille.”

Once that’s complete, these guests will then be treated to a screening of a new Pixar short, “Your Friend the Rat.” Afterwards, they’ll have the chance to get creative in an exclusive workshop that will be led by the event’s speakers as well as various studio employees.

If you’re not really into milk and cookies … Well, I guess you could attend the night-time version of this event: Pixar Animation Studio’s fourth annual benefit for the Cartoon Art Museum.

Just like at the Family Fun mini-conference, the festivities kick off in Pixar’s upstairs gallery space. Where over wine and hors d’oeuvres this time, guests can get an upclose look at some of the maquettes and concept paintings used in the development of “Ratatouille.” At 7 p.m., the festivities shift downstairs to the campus’s 240-seat theater. When Dr. Michael B. Johnson will serve as the moderator of a panel discussion about how Pixar puts together its pictures. Among those studio veterans who have been invited to take part in this panel are story superviser Mark Andrews, supervising animator Dylan Brown and director of photography Sharon Calahan.

After this presentation is complete, guests are welcome to linger in Pixar’s atrium and chat with the evening’s speakers as well as other artists over dessert and coffee.

Tickets for the Family Fun mini-conference are $90 for Cartoon Museum Members, $125 for non-members. A family ticket (which will admit up to 4 children and adults) is $450. As for the night-time reception, Cartoon Museum Members can purchase tickets for this benefit at the reduced rate of $150 per person. All other guests must pay $200 for admission. Though — that said — reserved tables for ten are available for $2500.

Now I know that this may sound a bit pricey. But please keep in mind that all proceeds from this event go directly to the Cartoon Art Museum (With the money raised from ticket to the Family Fun mini-conference being set aside to fund youth programming at the facility). Plus the cost of your admission ticket will be tax-deductible. earmarked

More to the point … How many times do us civilians get the chance to visit Pixar? This could be your one and only chance to explore the Emeryville campus. So don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Please note that tickets for both of these Cartoon Art Museum benefits will NOT be sold at the door. So if you’d like to attend, you need to arrange your admission before Saturday, September 15th.

From what Mr. Colton told me, this event is expected to sell out quickly and there are only a limited number of seats available. So if you’d like to get in on the fun, please call 415-227-8666, ext. 300 to purchase tickets.

And tell them Roger sent you …

Your thoughts?