Viewpoints 2
Web Extra – Unit 3, Page 33
Read the text and answer the questions.
The Story of Toy Story The 1995 film Toy Story was the first feature film to be entirely generated by computer. It was a tremendous success, both commercially and artistically. It received rave reviews, and was praised both for the story and its technical aspects. Worldwide, the film made over $361 million. But this final version did not happen effortlessly, as a quick look behind the scenes will show. The plot focuses on the relationship between Woody, a toy cowboy, and a new, expensive toy astronaut called Buzz Lightyear. But the characters that feature in the released version of the film started out very differently. Originally taken from a short film called Tin Toy, the astronaut Buzz evolved from a character called “Tinny”, while Woody changed from a ventriloquist’s dummy to a stuffed cowboy doll. At one point, a Barbie character was suggested, but the idea was never developed because Mattel, Barbie’s creators, refused to permit her appearance in the film. There were also changes in casting. Although Tom Hanks, whose voice is heard in the final version, was always the first choice for Woody, the film-makers had hoped that Billy Crystal would supply the voice for Buzz. However, he turned them down, a decision he now regrets, and Tim Allen filled the role. Because the film uses only computer-generated imagery, much hard work was needed from the technical crew. For example, before animation could begin, clay or computer models of the characters were created, and each character received coded instructions controlling the way it could walk and talk. A total of 110 animators worked on the film, which cost $30 million to make. Toy Story has won numerous awards. It has also created a whole range of spin-offs such as Toy Story dolls. In 1999, a sequel, Toy Story 2, was released followed by Toy Story 3 in 2010. Will we see Toy Story 4 within the next decade?
1. What evidence does the writer give in paragraph 1 to support the idea that the film Toy Story was a success – 1. commercially: ................................................................................................................................... 2. artistically: ........................................................................................................................................
2. Indicate if the characters belong in the final version of the film (F) or were suggested for an earlier version (E): 1. a ventriloquist’s dummy …… 2. Buzz Lightyear …… 3. Barbie ……
3. “There were also changes in casting.” (paragraph 3). Which actor was not changed? …………………………………………
4. Choose the correct answer. The film’s technical crew … . a. made models of the animators before work began b. were controlled by a set of coded instructions c. included over one hundred animators d. made a combined salary of $30 million 1
Viewpoints 2
Web Extra – Unit 3, Page 33
5. Write T (true) or F (false). Then copy the words that justify your answers. 1. Toy Story was an easy film to make. …… .......................................................................................................................................................... 2. Buzz Lightyear originally appeared in the film Tin Toy. …… .......................................................................................................................................................... 3. Billy Crystal is sorry that he didn’t supply the voice for Buzz Lightyear. …… .......................................................................................................................................................... 4. Toy Story uses computer-generated imagery only. …… .......................................................................................................................................................... 5. Toy Story 4 is already scheduled for release by 2020. …… ..........................................................................................................................................................
Webquest Go to Pixar, How We Do It: http://www.pixar.com/howwedoit/index.html Click on the lever to learn how a Pixar film is made. The put the sentences below in the correct order. 1 …… 1. An employ pitches his/her idea to the team. ……
2. Animators paint, draw and choreograph the movements in each scene.
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3. The artists write storyboards that show the sequence of actions.
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4. The music and sound effects are added.
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5. Sets and characters are shaded to allow for different lighting.
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6. The artists create the world and the characters as well as sets and props.
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7. Props like chairs and toys are added to make the world believable.
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8. All the files that make up the “shot” are rendered into a single frame of film.
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9. They write a summary of the main idea of the story.
…… 10. A video (reel) is made of the storyboard to check the sequencing of the story. …… 11. A virtual camera creates shots to capture the emotions and storyline of each scene. …… 12. The characters, sets and props are sculpted by artists, then scanned in or modelled in 3-D on the computer. …… 13. Scratch voices (temporary actors) record the storyboard scenes. …… 14. Digital lighting is added to give a stage-lighting effect.
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