Post #122815 by Tiki-bot on Sun, Oct 31, 2004 12:56 PM

First, if you want to see "The Incredibles" with as little pre-exposure as possible, you probably shouldn't look a these pics. But they don't give anything away, really. There's 3 concept art paintings of the island base that I think are relevant to TC-er's art tastes - and just plain cool.

Last Friday, a group of TC folks had the opportunity to tour the Pixar facility in Emeryville, California. This was made possible by the very kind donation of Mark Walsh, tiki aficianado and supervising animator at Pixar, and the ever-generous Humuhumu, who purchased the tour at our spring fund-raiser party for the AIDS Lifecycle. Their generosity knows no bounds and we are all grateful to Mark and Humu, who invited us along on her fantastic tour.

Mark was an excellent guide and host, and we got to see a lot of ultra cool stuff that we couldn't photograph. Everyone there is super excited about Brad Bird's "The Incredibles" and most said it is their favorite Pixar movie to date. TCers will love is the design of the Incredibles' 60's/mid century modern home, done in a graphic, over-saturated style that looks fantastic. I wish I had a pic to show of the concept art for the interior, but no pics were allowed other than the large prints in the lobby you see here.

I really wish I could show you the animators' work area. Artists have their office interiors and facades made up as castles, western towns (with wood siding, porch and awning), and quite a few tropical themes. There were musical mechanical animals from a Chuck E. Cheese-like restaurant and blow-dryer salon chairs in the lounge areas, along with a functional saloon style bar complete with shaved velvet wallpaper and booth seating. And this is only a fraction of what's there - it's quite overwhelming. Sadly, Mark's tiki bar had been dismantled to make room for more employees, but will soon be reborn when he completes his free-standing tiki-hut office.

In the lobby: Mrs. Martiki (Rebecca), Martiki, Mrs. Pineapple, Hanford (he's real!), Cynfulcynner, Humuhumu and Humu's mom. The guy in red tights might be Tiki-bot or Mr Incredible, it's hard to tell us apart.

Our guide, Mark, explains the fine art of animating a shark while pointing to a non-animated shark.

A pumpkin from the contest earlier that day.

Hanford spins The Incredibles game in the lobby "play area".

Humuhumu cuddles up to a friend.

Concept art blown up huge from very small paintings and displayed in the lobby.

Friday afternoon means food and beers in the lobby, and maybe a game of badmitten(!)