Interview at Sketchoholic.com

This Thursday nite, July 1st, i'm being interviewed at Bobby Chiu's Sketchoholic.com

The cool part is during the interview there is a contest. Since I animated Mr. Tortilla-head in Toy Story 3, thought it might be fun for people to draw their own version of Mr. BLANK head. Take out the 'Potato' and put in whatever you want - Mr. Tire Head, Mr. Donut Head, you get the idea.

The most clever drawing, wins a sketch of Mr. TortillaHead by yours truly. And if your saying right now 'im not a artist, I can't submit' No worries, the most clever idea wins!

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Hope to see you all Thursday nite!

TS3 - Opening Night

Bought tix to Toy Story 3 - IMAX in downtown San Fran.

Was great to see such huge line going outside the theatre. A group of college kids made homemade t-shirts saying 'I saw TOY STORY 3 on Opening Nite', a child had his birthday party friends' wear different hats that had their favorite Toy Story character, and people were so happy, smiling ear to ear. It felt like the old days, waiting in line w my mom to see Empire Strikes Back.

Felt like a event.

My favorite part of going to a film I worked on opening weekend, sitting right next to someone who has no idea its me up there acting for them.

TS3 SHOTS

WARNING: Contains Spoilers. Wait to read until you've seen Toy Story 3

Below is a list of my TS3 shots:

1) Young Andy playing w his toys (VHS tape recording)

- Andy saying 'Buzz look out!' pointing Woody's hand. Grabs Buzz and flies him by the camera

- Andy points Buzz's laser to camera, then makes Buzz and Woody high five

- Andy watching t.v. - gives Rex a piece of Popcorn

2) Ken meets Barbie for the 1st time. Dreamweaver music playing in the background

3) Trixie typing on the computer

- Woody 'who's velociraptor257' Trixie pushes him aside 'thats just a dinosaur down the street'

- Trixie and Rex in the end credits playing a videogame

4) Mr. Tortilla-Head vs. the Pigeon

- Mr T. giving Woody the baseball signal for 'its all clear'

- Mr T walking sideways on the ledge, opening and closing like a accordian. Stops suddenly because of shadow.

- Close up of Pigeon giving a quizzical look

- Mr T saying 'what are you looking at feathers?'

- Pigeon vs Mr T fight. After many pecks, punches and a kick to the bird groin, Pigeon flies away and Mr. T rips in half

- Mr T parts falling on ground 'well thats just great!'

- Mr T parts spot vegetable garden in the distance

5) Hamm pulls out cork, toys spill on table. Pushes hard to get last toy out of his money hole. 'Someone loose a arm?!'

6) The Potatoheads putting themselves back together again 'Where's my arm?' 'Honey, my mustache!'

7) Mr Potatohead pouring sand out of his head 'it was cold and dark, nothing but sand and a couple of lincoln logs'

8) Hamm - 'those weren't lincoln logs!'

9) Ken's Fashion Dance

- Ken sticks out his behind, giving Barbie a air-kiss

- Barbie makes a cat-claw motion w her hand 'Meeoowww'

10) Woody and Toys final look at each other before going into their boxes

Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did animating it.

TOY STORY 3 in theatres today

------------- I need a drink! --------------

Hammond High, Welcome back...

A few months ago I was asked by my old highschool if I would like to come back and give the Commencement Speech. After the intial 'Public Speaking, No Way', I thought about it and realized how this is one of those moments in your life that you have to do. So gathering up my courage, I hopped on a plane back to Hammond, Indiana (or as the locals call it 'The Region')

Speaking to students that are taking their 1st steps into adulthood was not something I took lightly. Why was I asked to give advice on such a important day in these young people's lives? I guess it's cause I achieved my dream - but what does it take to achieve a dream. Then it came to me.

Drive.

17 years and 3 days ago I was standing on that very stage recieving my highschool diploma. I had no money, no clout, no connections, no plans for college, and was a C student at best. But I had something much more powerful then any of that - Drive. It turned every NO into WORK HARDER. And thats what I did. I worked like my life depended on it.

It really was a dream being back there. I got to walk those old halls w my now soon-to-be 16 year old daughter, show her where I asked her mother out on date for the very 1st time. I was asked to go to the principal's office, but not because I was in trouble but to shake hands. Watch the biggest smile I have ever seen on my father's face when the assistant principal announced 'He may be a Hollywood big shot, but he will always be a Region Rat!' The crowd applauded 3 times during my speech and I actually got a standing ovation!

I was really nervous the weeks leading up to this event until a friend gave me some really good advice - Enjoy This! I wrote those words on top of my speech w a thick black sharpie. He was right, I enjoyed every moment of it. Its one of those life moments that I will always look back on and smile.

Thank you Unter for such good advice and Thank you Karen, my wife. I couldn't have done it w/o your amazing words.

Seconds before giving the speech to 500+ people

In my Harry Potter robe standing in front of the movie posters I send back every year

Ladies and Gentlemen, the class of 2010!

My old locker (trying to remember my lock combination)

Wildcat Pride fills the halls after graduation

My old art table!! I can't believe its still there!

One of the proudest moments, Buzz on a Chicago Bus!!

Many late nights taking that bus home after working on my demo reel in hopes of getting a job one day at Pixar.

Gotta do two of the most important things when in Chi-town, see my daughter and catch a Cubbies game (notice my TS3 crew hat, Tri-County Sanitation)

Ken's Dream House

Look what showed up in the atrium at Pixar

To bad I didn't get to meet Ken, I guess he was out shopping