Disclosure – I received an invite to the #MonstersUEvent. All expenses were paid for and covered by Disney. This post is not a paid post and the opinions stated herein are 100% my own.

Last month during my press trip to Pixar Studios, we not only got to watch some of the footage from the new and upcoming film Monsters University, we also got to sit down  and talk about what goes on behind-the-scenes with some of the important people that contribute to the success of these cute animated films made at the Pixar Studios like producer, Kori Rae.

During our roundtable interview with Kori, our group was able to ask questions about the challenges that go along with creating a movie. We talked prequels and we talked sequels. Kori shared that the thoughts came along pretty early about another film in the Monsters, Inc. franchise. She told us that the team threw out ideas for a few days and that they wanted something involving Mike and Sully before Monsters, Inc. and getting to know the characters and how did they end up becoming who they were.  Here is what Rae had to say…

And so it was kind of a… Let’s, let’s go backwards, and, and then they just thought the college setting would be fantastic in a, in a world that we hadn’t really explored before, so, so it came out back then.

We of course had to ask Kori if there is any talk for a sequel to Monsters, Inc. We all wanted to know if someday we were going to find out where Mike and Sully are now!

I don’t know.  You know?  It’s if a great idea comes around, and, and, um, Peter and somebody wants to, to, to make it, sure.  But there’s, there hasn’t been any talk of it thus far.

While there is no talk yet of a a sequel to Monsters, Inc. just yet,  that doesn’t mean it won’t ever happen. I think there is a possibility of a sequel if the Monsters University film is a success when it comes to theaters next month. Being a fan, I am definitely hoping for another Monsters, Inc. Pixar film.

Kori Rae was born and raised in Bergen County, New Jersey but luckily made her way to San Francisco where she currently resides for the past 23 years. Kori Rae joined Pixar Animation Studios back in June of 1993 as a producer in the studio’s commercial division where she helped to produce several award winning commercials. Kori was part of a dynamic and entrepreneurial team that helped to shape and build Pixar into the successful studio it is today.

Kori is currently a producer of Disney Pixar’s upcoming film, Monsters University and was also an associate producer for Monsters Inc.  Kori also has helped to produce Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, The Incredibles, Up and Cars Toons.

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY opens in theaters everywhere on June 21st. Follow along the Monters University chat by using the hashtag #MonstersUEvent on Twitter!

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure – I received an invite to the #MonstersUEvent. All expenses were paid for and covered by Disney. This post is not a paid post and the opinions stated herein are 100% my own.

This month I had the opportunity to pack my bags and head to Emeryville California for Freshman Orientation at Monsters University. Once I arrived in Emeryville I met up with my fellow MU classmates and we jumped on board the bus that would take us to our campus. This wasn’t just any bus though, it was definitely a party bus!

When we pulled up Pixar Animation Studios we were greeted by a MU marching band, cheerleaders and even Squishy’s moms who looked happy to see us. As we got off the bus and made our way down the walkway to the quad, with the amount of excitement that was going on, we knew we were in for a full day of fun!

I will have to admit that I was a little excited to see this live marching band, it was a little loud being so close to them but definitely a great addition to the experience.

Once we got to the quad, we were greeted by different clubs that wanted us to join like the MU Debate Team, Greek Council, Art and the MU Improv Club.

After checking out the quad, we headed to the Student Center to pick up our official Monsters University Student ID cards.

Once we had our student id cards, we headed to the cafeteria to eat breakfast before our classes began. After breakfast we attended 5 fun classes where we learned a TON of neat information about how the animation process works and what is involved in making a movie at the Pixar studies. I will be sharing more about the stuff I learned in class soon!

After our classes were over it was time for LUNCH. We headed out to the quad we were greeted again by the marching band and cheerleaders. My school mate The Night Owl Mama and I got us some yummy lunch and grabbed a bench outside to enjoy our meal.

After lunch we headed inside to interview the producer (Kori Rae) and director (Dan Scanlon) of Monsters University. We also got to interview the director (Saschka Unseld) of the new upcoming short The Blue Umbrella. All three of these interviews were very informative and I will be sharing soon what I found out from all three of these interview.

After the interviews it was time to get our SCREAM on. Each of my classmates got to inside this capsule thing and scream as loud as we could. I was loud, but I wasn’t the loudest of the group.

At the end of  the day was Snack Time With Squishy. Not only did we get to have a fun little snack, we got to meet Pete Sohn aka “Squishy” and ask him tons of questions. Pete is such a down to earth guy and very funny. I think he is perfect for the character of Squishy and I will be sharing more about what he had to say too!

After we bombarded Pete with all of our questions, we ended the day with a tour of the Pixar Studio, shopping at the Pixar gift shop and of course some group photos of all the MU classmates!

View more pictures from my trip to Monsters University on Google+.

And now for the Monsters University Trailer:

 

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY opens in theatres everywhere on June 21st. Follow along the Monters University chat by using the hashtag #MonstersUEvent on Twitter!