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Production Underway
On New Disney/Pixar Computer-Animated Feature Finding Nemo
PT. RICHMOND - November 8, 2000 - Production is underway on Finding
Nemo (tentative title), a new computer-animated feature film from
Pixar Animation Studios (Nasdaq: PIXR) in partnership with Walt Disney
Pictures, it was announced today by Thomas Schumacher, president of Walt
Disney Feature Animation, and Steve Jobs, CEO of Pixar. The film is written
and directed by Academy Award®-nominee Andrew Stanton, who served
as co-director of the 1998 Disney / Pixar hit A Bug's Life and
is credited as co-screenwriter of Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story
2 and Monsters, Inc. Graham Walters, Toy Story 2 Production
Manager and Pixar veteran, is set to produce. Finding Nemo is scheduled
for a summer 2003 release.
Finding Nemo is an
underwater adventure between a father and son. Nemo, a boy clownfish,
is tragically stolen away from the safety of his coral reef home, and
his timid father must search the dangerous and unforgiving ocean to find
him. Finding Nemo is the latest original story from Pixar Animation
Studios, and follows Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2 and the
upcoming Monsters, Inc. which is scheduled for a November 2001
release.
"Finding Nemo has been swimming around in my head ever since Toy Story, and I'm
thrilled to have gotten the go-ahead from Pixar and Disney to make this
movie," said Andrew Stanton. "Pixar has always been a place
that inspires excellence from its artists, and I feel that Finding
Nemo will be yet another testament to that notion."
Stanton joined the Pixar animation
team in 1990 and was one of four screenwriters to receive an Oscar® nomination in 1996 for his contribution to Toy Story. His credits to the
latter film also include original story, story artist and additional voices.
He went on to receive screenwriting credits on A Bug's Life, Toy Story
2 and the 2001 Disney/Pixar animated feature, Monsters, Inc.
Selected to join Pixar on the basis of his independent animated shorts
-- "Somewhere in the Arctic" and "A Story" -- Stanton
went on to serve as directing animator on commercials for Trident, La
Nouvelle Polo, Lifesavers (co-director) and directed spots for Tropicana,
Bunn Coffee Makers and Listerine. He also co-directed with John Lasseter
on "Luxo Jr. in Surprise/Light and Heavy," which was produced
for "Sesame Street." A graduate of CalArts with a BFA in character
animation, Stanton's professional career also includes stints with Ralph
Bakshi and Kroyer Films, Inc.
About Walt Disney Feature
Animation
Walt Disney Feature Animation is a division of The Walt Disney Studios,
which has created and produced the most successful animated films of all
time. Walt Disney Studios is a unit of the Walt Disney Company (NYSE:
DIS), the world's foremost family entertainment company engaged in animated
and live-action film and television production; cable and broadcast television;
theme parks and resorts; character merchandise licensing; consumer products
retailing; and book, magazine and music publishing.
About Pixar Animation
Studios
Pixar Animation Studios (Nasdaq: PIXR) combines creative and technical
artistry to create original characters and stories in the medium of computer
animation. Under its partnership with Disney, Pixar has created and produced
the first computer-animated feature film, the Academy Award®-winning Toy Story, released in 1995; A Bug's Life, the highest grossing
animated film released in 1998; and Golden Globe-winner Toy Story 2,
the highest grossing animated film released in 1999. The Northern California
studio is currently in production on Monsters, Inc., scheduled
for release November 2, 2001, and Finding Nemo, scheduled for a
summer 2003 release.
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