In connection with The Croods: A New Age home release this month, we attended Universal Pictures Home Entertainment’s “Camp Croods” virtual ...

In connection with The Croods: A New Age home release this month, we attended Universal Pictures Home Entertainment’s “Camp Croods” virtual event and got a first look at fun activities families can join.

Note: This posted was written in partnership with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for the films home release. I was invited as media to the virtual preview. However, any personal views expressed are always 100% my own

Since we're fans of the films, we enjoyed being part of "Camp Croods". But we're also big fans of going to the museums and learning cool things. It was a real treat for us to get an in depth look into the museum and the programs they have to engage families.


During our virtual “Camp Croods: at the La Brea Tar Pits" preview there was a lot of interactive activities. We even had a chance to ask questions to the The Croods film makers, story artists as well as the "Camp Croods" Smithsonian Natural Museum Staff.

My son was so excited when his question to Director, Joel Crawford got picked to be answered.

Daniel (MommyFactor): What made you want to do Guys backstory, instead of doing another Croods adventure?

Joel Crawford (Croods Director): It felt like the first Croods was so much Epp and Grug story, since we go to see them meet Guy. But I remember watching the first Croods and thinking, it's so interesting that Guy's been traveling as a kid his whole life.

So when we approached the second Croods film, I wanted to see where he came from. And ultimately The Croods: New Age is about seeing things from someone else's point of view and meeting different people.

So it seemed like the right way to start the movie, from Guys point of view.

It was fun to interview everyone since we learned a few things about making The Croods: A New Age film, how animals today connect to the prehistoric times and SO much more!

Here are a few highlights from the virtual event
Director, Joel Crawford shared there was 100's of creatures, including a Rumbble Bee and a Kangadillo, created for The Croods film and showed us a few, while explaining what made them unique.


Paleontologists, Laura shared how they find and dig up bones, including real life bones of Saber-tooth Tigers. She also shared some of the challenges they face while figuring out how to put the bones together.


Animator, Heidi Jo Gilbert taught us step by step how to draw Chunky (we love him!) while sharing how fun it was to create new characters and see how they'd fit into the world of The Croods. Her favorite character is Dawn, who was inspired by her nieces and nephews.

There was a lot more interactive moments I could share, but I don't want to tell you everything! I'd rather you join in and experience "Croods Camp" with your family! Here's how!

La Brea Tar Pits, part of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC), and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) have partnered with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment to bring families and kids “Camp Croods,” based on the DreamWorks Animation family film The Croods: A New Age.

The two separate interactive programs will feature hands-on activities and scientific investigation to explore the Ice Age, human origins and fate of saber-toothed cats.

Families will have the chance to meet real-life paleontologists and archaeologists, participate in DIY art projects, explore virtual tar pits (La Brea Tar Pits camp), take a virtual tour of the Human Origins exhibition (NMNH camp) and experience drawing demonstrations that bring the fan favorite prehistoric Croods characters to life.

Camp Croods at La Brea Tar Pits

• Thursday, February 11, 2021, 3pm-4:30pm PT / 6pm-7:30pm EST
• Saturday, February 13, 2021, 10-11:30am PT / 1pm-2:30pm EST
• FREE. Registration required.
• RSVP - www.tarpits.org/campcroods

Camp Croods at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

• Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 6pm-7pm ET
• FREE. Registration required.
• RSVP - www.s.si.edu/croods

After learning so many cool things, I'm sure your family will enjoy watching The Croods: A New Age in a new and exciting way.

The Croods: A New Age is available now on Digital and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray™ and DVD February 23, 2021 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

To learn more, visit - www.dreamworks.com/croods

Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheCroods
Twitter - www.twitter.com/Dreamworks
Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecroods


#TarPits
Facebook: @tarpits
Twitter: @labreatarpits
Instagram: @thelabreatarpits


#Smithsonian
Facebook: @SmithsonianNMNH @Smithsonian
Twitter: @NMNH @Smithsonian
Instagram: @smithsoniannmnh @smithsonian

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey releases on Netflix and it's a great holiday film for all families to enjoy. To get a behind-the-scen...

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey releases on Netflix and it's a great holiday film for all families to enjoy. To get a behind-the-scene peek into the making of Jingle Jangle, I joined a virtual roundtable interview with David Talbert (director) & Lyn Sisson-Talbert (producer). It was such a treat.

Note: I was invited as media to the movie screening and film makers roundtable. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

Here is what they shared about Netflix's Jingle Jangle.

Since this is a holiday themed film, my first question is how they decided what "holiday themes" to keep for the film, while letting go of others.

Picking Jingle Jangle Holiday Themes

David Talbert: For me, it's not as much a holiday movie as much as a movie that takes place during the holidays. The holidays are always portrayed as the happiest times, but it's also times that has the most pain it in too. We remember people that was once here, that are no longer here. Or you remember that toy that you didn't get.

The tradition is really family, is the biggest thing to take away from this for me. The tradition of being able to restore the family. For 22 years with my wife, we've had wonderful family traditions, just she and I.

Then when my son came, she brought traditions from what she did as a child. I brought all the traditions of what I experienced as a child. I think holidays are really family and connecting. I think that's what the film shows.

Lyn Sisson-Talbert: We wanted to create a tradition, as well because this is the type of film that you get together with your family and watch. To be able to have something like this, our goal was to have that classic holiday piece that you can sit down with your friends and family, year after year and watch.

Inspiration for Jingle Jangle

David Talbert: It was a poem I wrote and that was kind of the spirit of the film. Really it's a film about love, humanity, family and finding your mojo again. So that's what inspired me. Love is the inspiration for most of the work that I create.

Importance of Including STEM Elements

David Talbert: I think it's important to show not only the performing arts elements of song and dance, but to really show that all kids are not only magical, but also mathematic, scientific and innovative.

I think to inspire young girls and boys all around the world to kinda of break out of what would be stereotypical, what would be expected. There's really no ceiling.

Look at the generation that going to be watching this. They're going to say that there's nothing that I can't accomplish. I think it's just important to put those kind of image out into the world.

Lyn Sisson-Talbert: We want kids to find they're "square root of possible". We want them to figure out, what is their formula to make things successful. And that's the theme throughout.

We had to push through to make this film happen and we want them to find, that "square root of possible".

I'm a bit of a nerd and geek when it comes to that stuff. So we loved wrapping it around such a lush story and a beautiful setting, to where kids will be like "I want to do that too, I like math also, this looks fun and good".

Anyway to encourage them to like homework, to like math, we're going to try to find a way.

Adding Elements from Different Films

David Talbert: For me growing up watching films, my favorite was Willy Wanka and The Chocolate Factory, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Original Dr. Dolittle, The Wiz, all these were my films growing up.

Anything you watch as a kid, they inspire you, they influence you. And I just wanted to have something for this generation. I wanted all people of colors and background to be represented in worlds of wonder.

Lyn Sisson-Talbert: I loved Annie growing up. The curly red hair. Mary Poppins was a favorite also. I just loved being in that imaginary world with songs that you could sing in the mirror to yourself. All things that we loved to do as a kid.

But as David said it was really important to show a world of all colors. Especially something that our son can see himself in, and feel like he can be magical. So that was the real thing, how do we bring this world together today?

The take away message from Jingle Jangle

David Talbert: Jeronicus journey is a faith journey. It's trying to believe in yourself. It's not about religion but it's about trying to reconnect with what's in you.

A lot of things as adults, I wrote that character as me, cause a lot of times you go through life and you lose that faith and you stop believe in things. But things have worked all along, they've just been waiting for you to believe in them.

I think that's a message for everyone, I think a message adults. Children will get that as they get older, but I think it's a message for everyone. Which is spiritual, which is moral but I think everyone can wrap their minds around it.

Lyn Sisson-Talbert: Also, we want to take away forgiveness. And helping those who's light has maybe nee dimmed. Help them make it shine bright again. You want your kids to be good kids and you want to raise good and kind people.

I think that's really important. We need a little more kindness in the world today. So that was a big take a way for us.

A musical adventure and a visual spectacle for the ages, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a wholly fresh and spirited family holiday event.

Set in the gloriously vibrant town of Cobbleton, the film follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker) whose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder.

But when his trusted apprentice (Emmy winner Keegan-Michael Key) steals his most prized creation, it’s up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (newcomer Madalen Mills) — and a long-forgotten invention — to heal old wounds and reawaken the magic within.

From the imagination of writer-director David E. Talbert and featuring original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, Davy Nathan, and "This Day" performed by Usher and Kiana Ledé, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey reminds us of the strength of family and the power of possibility.

Cast: Forest Whitaker, Madalen Mills, Keegan-Michael Key, Sharon Rose, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Kieron Dyer, Justin Cornwell, Lisa Davina Phillip, Hugh Bonneville

Netflix Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey | Everything is Possible | Official Trailer |



Written and Directed by David E. Talbert
Produced by Lyn Sisson-Talbert, p.g.a., David E. Talbert, p.g.a., Kristin Burr, p.g.a., John Legend, Mike Jackson, David McIlvain

To learn more, visit - www.netflix.com/title/80232043

To celebrate SPIES IN DISGUISE being release digitally on Movies Anywhere, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD, I'm sharing a few facts I le...

To celebrate SPIES IN DISGUISE being release digitally on Movies Anywhere, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD, I'm sharing a few facts I learned during my behind-the-scenes experience at Blue Sky Studios in Greenwich, CT

Note: I was invited by 20th Century Studios as media for the press tour. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own


During my exclusive tour at Blue Sky Studios, I interviewed the filmmakers and animators, watched “making of” presentations, and even learned how to draw Lance, the star pigeon of "Spies in Disguise".

It was a day filled with lots of cool experiences that I know you'll enjoy reading about before, during or after you watch "Spies in Disguise" at home with your family.

So here are a few "Behind-the-Scenes" Facts for Spies in Disguise

A Spy Movie for Kids

Directors Troy Quane and Nick Bruno were excited at the prospect of making, what they believed could be, a kid’s first introduction on to spy movies. It was important to them that “Spies in Disguise” had all the familiar elements of the genre: exotic international locales, dazzling cinematography, big action set pieces, futuristic gadgetry and a great score with a memorable theme.

Says Bruno, “We didn’t want to make this a spoof. We wanted to make this a legitimate spy movie that just happens to be animated.”

Adds Quane, “We both embraced the crazy idea – a man turns into a pigeon, which is insane.

They then imagined what would happen if they were to replace the heroes of successful spy movies with a pigeon, and what they discovered was that the more grounded and cool the trappings were, the funnier it was with a pigeon in the center of it all.

Finding the Right Walter and Lance

In addition to being a spy movie, “Spies in Disguise” is a buddy comedy with humor from the differences between its two main characters; Lance and Walter.

“It was a dream come true when he (Will Smith) came on board to the project. As an actor, he really cares about stories and storytelling and making the movie as best as it can. He was a collaborator the whole way through and really helped to shape Lance’s character.” said Bruno

Finding "Walter" was more challenging because they didn’t want him to be the stereotypical computer scientist nerd or the butt of the joke.

"So it was really important to us that he be affirmational, so kids will go to see the film initially wanting to be like a Lance Sterling, but realizing that the hero is really inside them, like Walter Beckett.” Bruno explains

“Trying to find that balance was really tough, but once we met with Tom Holland, we knew we had found our Walter. Tom has a charm and an earnestness about him that brought Walter to life.” Quane explains


One of the activities during my tour was meeting with animators Ty Carter and Graham Silva to learn how they gave the pigeons personality.

They explained how each pigeon had their own "style" of drawing shape and coloring. Even thought they were drawing a pigeon, they still aimed to keep certain traits for Lance as a human for Lance as a pigeon. Like his signature bow tie!


Then we learned a quick step by step on drawings Lance. While my pigeon lance came out OK, I confess watching Ty and Graham draw is much better then trying to draw myself. While it was a supper fun exercise, I learned that it's a lot of work that goes into drawing ALL the characters for different scene. Lots and Lots of work.

Why a Pigeon?

What was genius about the script, and therefore, made Walter’s idea so brilliant, is that pigeons are actually amazing creatures, and they are the perfect disguise!

Bruno explains, “They’re in every city around the world. No one pays pays attention to them. Nobody even knows that they’re there. So they’re hiding in plain sight. Because they have eyes on the side of their head, they can see in 360 degrees, which means that at any given time, they can see your face and their butt. And you can’t sneak upon them.”


Concurs Quane. “They’re one of the fastest birds in the world. But because they’re so fast, they see at a faster rate of speed than we do, so everything to them feels slow motion. We would always refer to that as Pigeon Bullet Time. They see UV light, bands of light that we can’t see with the human eye.”

Quane continues, “On the surface, it seems like a joke, but really this is the best cover for a spy. No one knows you’re there. You’ve got all these built-in gadgets. It’s actually genius, as are all of Walter’s other gadgets.”

The Look of Spies in Disguise

“Spies in Disguise” has its own unique style, design and color palette, which helps it stand out from the other Blue Sky Studios films.

The film’s cool spy base, in keeping with the whole idea of espionage where things are hidden before your eyes, is concealed under the reflection pool of the Washington Monument. So it’s in sight, but never seen.

Thought went into the colors and the lighting used in the film. Production designer Michael Knapp developed a color language where warmer oranges and yellows represent teamwork and community. A warm shade of turquoise represent The Agency, whereas a cool shade of blue is isolating, which is why Lance’s tux is that color, he’s a man who “flies solo.”

The camera work in the film was designed to ground the movie in reality and to stand alongside the action-packed modern espionage movie. Care was taken to emulate the type camera moves that can be achieved in live-action iconic spy movies of the ‘60’s.

Now you can experience the thrills of SPIES IN DISGUISE released digitally on Movies Anywhere, 4K Ultra HDTM, Blu-ray and DVD on March 10.




The SPIES IN DISGUISE Blu-ray bonus features include multiple making-of featurettes and two awesome music videos. Additionally, the Blu-ray edition of SPIES IN DISGUISE includes “Super Secret Spy Mode,” an immersive, in-movie experience that takes you deeper into the story with Easter eggs, fun facts, and behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film.

SYNOPSIS

In this high-flying animated comedy, super spy Lance Sterling (Will Smith) and scientist Walter Beckett (Tom Holland) are almost exact opposites. Lance is smooth, suave and debonair. Walter is none of the above. But this unlikely duo must team up for the ultimate mission to save the world when a “biodynamic concealment” experiment transforms Lance into a brave, fierce, majestic...pigeon!


Digital & Blu-ray Bonus Features:

• Super-Secret Spy Mode
• Infiltrating Blue Sky Studios
• The Top Secret Guide to Gadgets
• “Then There Were Two” Music Video
• “Freak of Nature” Music Video
• Making the Soundtrack “Then There Were Two”
• Making the Soundtrack “Freak of Nature”
• “Lunch Break”* (Available on Digital Only )
• Gallery
• Color Keys and Moment Paintings
• Character Designs
• Locations
• Props and Gadgets Concept Art

To learn more, visit -

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpiesInDisguise
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SpiesInDisguise
Instagram: www.instagram.com/spiesindisguise

In connection with Disneynature’s film “Penguins” opening in theaters this week, I joined around-table interview with the filmmakers to lear...

In connection with Disneynature’s film “Penguins” opening in theaters this week, I joined around-table interview with the filmmakers to learn about Steve, a 5-year-old Adélie penguin, who goes on a journey during the icy Antarctic spring to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family.

While it seems like a simple story, there's actually alot that goes into capturing it all on film. I'm grateful to Lastair Fothergill (Director), Jeff Wilson (Director), Roy Conli (Producer) and Popi Borboroglu (Global Penguin Society) who took time to share some "behind-the-scenes info with me.

About Steve the Penguin

The filmmakers knew they wanted to tell the story of a new father—so finding a young male penguin was important. But what makes Steve, Steve?

“He’s becoming a father for the first time. He returns to the place where he was a chick to build a home and find a mate. It’s so fun to watch Steve compete with all the other penguins to set up his nest and win his mate. It’s hard not to relate to this guy” says producer Roy Conli.

“He’s feisty. He’s full of character, and in a sea of penguins, he’s the guy performing” says director Alastair Fothergill.

“This guy has a big challenge. He has to find some real estate within the breeding colony and build an appealing nest while every other male is trying to do the same thing. It’s that classic issue of keeping up with the Joneses that we might deal with in our own neighborhoods. In some ways, penguins are very similar because they’re so competitive over their nest sites and rock collections” says director Jeff Wilson.

The Conservation Tie-In

For every ticket sold opening week (April 17-23, 2019), Disneynature will make a donation to the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) to help protect penguins across the southern hemisphere.

“People love penguins,” says Dr. Pablo Borboroglu, founder and president of the Global Penguin Society (GPS). “We feel attracted and emotionally connected to them. It could be that we feel attracted by their devotion to their partners and offspring, because they have to make a living, provide for their chicks and commute to find food.

While there are different types of penguins, the Adele were chosen because they are affected by global issues. While watching the story of Steve, audiences will not only be entertained by also exposed to the issues that affect the penguins.

Sometimes people don't have access to nature and animals. But films like these give people access, which leads to awareness. To support those looking for more information, there's educational guide and activity sheet.



SYNOPSIS

Narrated by Ed Helms (“The Office,” “The Hangover” trilogy,”The Daily Show with John Stewart”), Disneynature’s all-new feature film “Penguins” is a coming-of-age story about an Adélie penguin named Steve who joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family.

None of it comes easily for him, especially considering he's targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his happily ever after. From the filmmaking team behind “Bears” and “Chimpanzee,” Disneynature’s “Penguins” opens in theaters and in IMAX® April 17, 2019.


Facebook: www.facebook.com/Disneynature
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Disneynature
Instagram: www.instagram.com/disneynature

The character Wendy in Disney's Peter Pan is one of the very few females in the movie. Yet she made her mark by taking charge and caring...

The character Wendy in Disney's Peter Pan is one of the very few females in the movie. Yet she made her mark by taking charge and caring for Peter, the lost boys and her brothers.

Since Wendy was such a dynamic part of the Neverland adventure, I looked forward to interviewing Kathryn Beaumont (voice of and live-action reference model for Wendy) to celebrate Peter Pan Signature Collection release on Digital and Movies Anywhere and on Blu-ray June 5.

You can hear Wendy (Kathryn Beaumont) and John (Paul Collins) sharing what is was like filming on set in an all-new video clip in celebration of the 65th Anniversary of Peter Pan!

Peter Pan | Live Action Imagination


Kathryn Beaumont was 12 years old when she was chosen by Walt Disney to be the voice of Wendy. She also portrayed Wendy on film—but only for the benefit of the Disney animators, as a live-action reference model for their work. Prior to that, in 1949 Disney cast her as the voice of Alice in his animated adaptation of “Alice In Wonderland.”

In 1983 she returned to Disney to resumed her voice-over career recording as Alice and Wendy for theme parks, attractions, video games and television programs.

As you can see, Kathryn has a long connection with Peter Pan and The Walt Disney Company. I couldn't wait to hear what she had to share about working on the film.

How felt about being a female character going on an adventure, versus being "saved" like other female character at the time

Kathryn Beaumont: Actually, I didn't give that any thought at the time I was playing the role. These roles were both classics and was loved from way back, from before I was born. I grew up with those wonderful stories and enjoyed them immensely. I felt particularly honored I was chosen to play the voice of Wendy in the Disney version of these wonderful stories.

Then I got to do the live action. Those were some exciting times because I got to do both types of things. I was a lovely experience.

Did you have to prepare for the voice work for Wendy in Peter Pan?

Kathryn Beaumont: No, I was given a script for the voice part and we did the recording for the voice. Since I had the script, I had prior knowledge of what the scene would be about. A few weeks afterward came the live action, which was like doing a film. They setup one of the stages but nothing complicated. There wasn't alot inside the studio, just boxes and different things. You pretended about the characters we were taking to and all of that.

“For the character of Wendy,” she adds, “they wanted a characterization different from Alice. She wasn’t the practical little girl that Alice was because she was growing up and trying to be demure. This all had to come across in her voice. When Wendy got excited she would act like a little girl again and just rattle away. The writers built up dialogue for these moments.”

Do you have a favorite scene in "Peter Pan"?

Kathryn Beaumont: Well, I thought the flying scenes were fun, after I got used to being afraid of being up high and looking down from the rafters above the stage. I enjoyed that.

Why do you think families continue to enjoy Disney films like "Peter Pan"?

Kathryn Beaumont: I think families will continue to enjoy because Disney films are timeless and the talent that went into making these films are very special. It's wonderful to see the talent and work they did in an earlier period that still resonates. They're enjoyable as classic films.

Celebrate the 65th Anniversary of Walt Disney Animation's Peter Pan, available on Digital, Movies Anywhere and Blu-ray. Joining the Walt Disney Signature Collection, relive the animated classic with more than two hours of bonus features and new never-before-seen extras.

To learn more, visit - www.movies.disney.com/Peter-Pan

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PeterPan
Instagram: www.instagram.com/DisneyAnimation

This month Disney’s “Peter Pan,” will join the Walt Disney Signature Collection, when it releases on Digital and Movies Anywhere on May 29 a...

This month Disney’s “Peter Pan,” will join the Walt Disney Signature Collection, when it releases on Digital and Movies Anywhere on May 29 and on Blu-ray June 5. With a little faith, trust and pixie dust, families can let their imagination soar on this epic adventure to Never Land.

Speaking of pixie dust, one of my favorite “Peter Pan” characters is Tinkerbell! So when I was invited to interview Mindy Johnson, author and historian of “Tinker Bell—An Evolution”, I was ready to learn all the behind the scene pixie stuff! That little spark of light and sound brought so such fun to the story.

For those of you who don't know Mindy, here's some background info.

Award-winning author, historian, educator, musician, and preeminent expert on women in early animation, Mindy Johnson’s latest groundbreaking book Ink & Paint – The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation, (Disney Editions) redefines our collective history. This essential volume casts a light on the thousands of unsung female artists behind the creative and technical advances within the animation art forms of the Twentieth Century.

Mindy’s critically acclaimed book, Tinker Bell – An Evolution (Disney Editions) was honored with rare consecutive Family Choice Awards.

Now onto my interview with Mindy about Tinkerbell!

Mindy, as a historian and author, talk about the research you did for Tinkerbell

Mindy Johnson: That was quite an adventure. When I was first diving into it, I met with some of the researchers at the Animation Research Library. They said "we have a binder that has a lot of fairies. We're not quite sure, but we think their Tinkerbells"

That was mystery enough for me. I was fascinated. I've always loved the Tinkerbell character anyway. But to see these different versions, that were so far from what we know and love as Tinkerbell, was fascinating to me. So that spanned a 7 year odyssey of literally going through JM Barrie papers and connecting the dots on this character and how she developed.

The different explorations being done for her was roughly a 15 year time-span that Walt Disney was experimenting. Her hair style changed, along with the prevailing fashions of the day. But going back even to J.M. Barrie development of the character, her original name was Tippytoe. How she was formed in the play as a little flash of light, was one of the challenges that Walt Disney and his artist were exploring in embodying her for the first time. So it was a fascinating journey.

There's been many changes to Tinkerbell over the years, do you keep up or is your version of Tinkerbell separate?

Mindy Johnson: That's an interesting question. I'm always fascinated with how we interpret this character. Because she embodies so much. She's the instigator in the original play. And her role shifts a little bit in the books. But she's a constant presence. It's been great fun to see how the story of Peter Pan and Neverland and the many wonderful characters are a terrific platform to work within to find the before stories and all these other side off shoot stories.

I love seeing how she has expanded a little bit. She can be portrayed a little bit more modern or as J.M. Barrie's original envision of her.

If you could give Tinkerbell a power now in 2018, what power would you give her?

Mindy Johnson: I think she does in many ways *wink* and unify many people. Maybe a wee bit more of that. She teaches us to laugh at ourselves at times. She gets over dramatic with a lot of things but then can quickly turn on a dime with her emotions.

J.M. Barrie stated that she's so tiny she's only capable of one emotion at a time. Walt and the artist of Disney sorta took that idea and tried to find ways to convey her as a pantomime character. So Mark Davis and the various models that he had to work with, including Cathy, helped him to shape and define her.

He designed her to be a little girl from the waist up but a woman from the waist down. So she embodies quite a bit for being so tiny. I think for today's superpowers, I think she's already got what she needs.

Do you think Tinkerbell as a female character, has a relevance for females today?

Mindy Johnson: Absolutely. Like I said, she was a real instigator for the original films and play. But I think she spoke her mind and was tough. As tiny as she was, she could be right in the mix of the lost boys and pirates.

From the generations of reactions I've seen from readers and audiences, I think that's the reason why both men and women embrace and love her. Which is why you see her carried out through the parks and early television. I think that still hold true today.

I so agree. Tinkerbell is still greatly adored by many, who will enjoy watching her in The Walt Disney Signature Collection edition of “Peter Pan”.

Celebrate the 65th Anniversary of Walt Disney Animation's Peter Pan, available on Digital, Movies Anywhere and Blu-ray. Joining the Walt Disney Signature Collection, relive the animated classic with more than two hours of bonus features and new never-before-seen extras.

To learn more, visit - www.movies.disney.com/Peter-Pan

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PeterPan
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TinkerBell
Instagram: www.instagram.com/DisneyAnimation

The GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN film premiere after party happened this week at the Gottesman Hall at The New York Public Library and it was a...

The GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN film premiere after party happened this week at the Gottesman Hall at The New York Public Library and it was amazing.

Note: I was invited as media to the movie screening and premiere after party. This post was written in partnership with the Role Mommy Writer's Network. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

Since I'm covering the film, I was excited to attend an advanced screening to interviewed the director, Simon Curtis, then attend the premiere after party and meet the cast!


I first met Domhnall Gleeson, who plays children's author A. A. Milne and father of Christopher Robin in the film. He was super nice!


Then I tried to meet Margot Robbie, who plays the wife and mother of Christopher Robin. But as you can guess she was very popular. So I settled for just taking a photo. It was still nice to see her in real life.


Then I met Will Tilston, who plays Christopher Robin. OMGosh he's SO sweet! And just as adorable in real life as he is in the film. The dimples!


Lastly I met Kelly Macdonald, who plays "Nanny" to Christopher Robin. She was also really sweet.


Simon Curtis, the director of GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN, was also at the premiere. I thought about asking him for a photo but since I had already met him for the interview, I thought I should just let him enjoy the party. LOL.

Speaking of the interview, here are a few things I learned.

After screening the movie, I wanted to ask the director, what is his favorite scene?

SIMON CURTIS: “I love the sequence when father and son play together in the summer. Those images of childhood that we are lucky we have. And you can see him almost falling in love with the idea of being a father and I think that is the heart of the film.

We were lucky because the two actors bonded really well in the film. When we were filming in the forest, which actually was the Queen’s special woods. It wasn’t actually a forest. One of the crew found this frog and handed it to him and suddenly Will just walked in with a frog. It was totally improvised. I’m quite proud of that.”


Ironically, my son, who I took to the screening, also had a question to ask.

My son asked: Why doesn’t Billy like being called Christopher Robin?

SIMON CURTIS: “It’s quite a complicated idea, but in the family they think the character in the book is Christopher Robin, and their boy at home is called Billy. So they were able to make the distinction between those two. But the world didn’t see it like that. They just assumed they were one and the same. That was part of the problem. The books became famous and he got all the attention that he didn’t want.

Other questions Simon answered included

What made you decide to film this?

SIMON CURTIS: “I just loved the script when I read it. So many films this day and age are absolutely about nothing. This (script) seemed to be about so much. And so many things that are important to us. Noticeably, family actually. And it has a message, as the nanny says on the bridge ‘pay attention to the people who are around you as they are not going to be around forever’. And I think that’s a good message to be reminded.”

What was filming like at the original place where A.A. Milne lived with his family?

SIMON CURTIS: “I think it’s kind of moving that we were thinking that if they would have sat on that actual rough foot bridge, the bridge, the pooh sticks bridge, is the bridge that the father and son would have invented that game on. It was meaningful for us to go back.”

Were there parts of the movie that were added to bring more interest?

SIMON CURTIS: “Well our objective is to tell the true story, but you can never be absolutely be sure. But the woman who is an expert in AA Milne, who wrote his biography, was very much on the side. So she approved everything we did. But obviously we can’t say every conversation was exactly what it was, but it is our intention to tell the true story.”

And what an amazing true story GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN turns out to be. There's so much about the film that will both surprise and delight you about the family that brought us the world of "Winnie the Pooh".

I'll be sure to share my full review in another post. But I encourage you to plan to see GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN when it opens in theaters

To learn more, visit - www.foxsearchlight.com/goodbyechristopherrobin