Talking With Pixar Producer Kori Rae – #MonstersUEvent

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.

Kori Rae Pixar Producer

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.

Pixar Producer Kori RaeKori 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 Logo

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

 

 

 

 

 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire At The 2013 Cannes Film Festival

Being a fan of The Hunger Games (read the whole series), I had to share these pictures with you of photos taken during the 2013 Cannes Film Festival,  Photographer credit: Dave Benett

Hunger Games Photo Call

Catching Fire At The 2013 Cannes Film Festival

Hunger Games Catching Fire At The 2013 Cannes Film Festival

  The Hunger Games: Catching Fire At The 2013 Cannes Film Festival

Catching Fire At The 2013 Cannes Film Festival

Make Professional Videos On Your Cell Phone FREE With Magisto – #MagistoMoms

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Magisto. I received a promotional code for premium features to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”

Logo for Magisto Video Maker

This last week I had to make a couple videos in my Photoshop class. I was pretty impressed with the app that my teacher had showed us that it had me interested in looking for other apps that I can use for FREE to make cute and silly videos with my kids and pets.

Yesterday I downloaded the Magisto app to my iPhone. This is a video editing app that makes is super easy to make a professional video that is complete with effects and transitions in just a click or two. The Magisto app is currently available for both the iPhone and Android devices. Once you create your video and it has been produced, you can choose to share  in one click via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or email.

When you produce your email you will get an email with the link to your video. Once you are on that link not only can you share your video as I mentioned above, you can also choose the embed option so that you are given code to embed your video on your website if you like. Below is a fun video I created for fun with the app to see how it works:

 

The Magisto video editing app is really neat and easy to use. You can use videos on your phone that you have already taken, or you can use the app to take videos. To create a video you shoot or select a video, select a editing style and then a song. There is a free version with this app, but there is also a premium account that will give you more magic for your videos. Right now my readers can get 3 FREE downloads on the Magisto app by using the coupon code: MomsRule in the settings area of this app. This coupon code is valid through the end of May so hurry and take advantage of it.

For those that got a good video on Mother’s Day, there is still time to enter the Magisto Mother’s Day Challenge for a chance to a Samsung Galaxy Note Tablet. This contest ends  on May 17, 2013 at 11:59pm Eastern Time.

To download the Magisto app for FREE, visit the following links:

 

Mike and Sulley in New “got milk?” Ad

Monsters University Got Milk Ad

Connect with the Milk Mustache community for tips, tools and activities including tasty morning recipes for all the little “monsters” in your family.

Oxygen Network’s I’m Having Their Baby – Season Two + $50 Gift Card Giveaway – #ImHavingTheirBaby

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The post is sponsored by Oxygen Media, but all thoughts and opinions stated herein are 100% my own.
I'm Having Their Baby Oxygen Channel Logo

Last year I watched the reality series on the Oxygen channel, I’m Having Their Baby that not only touched my heart, but had me a little emotional and in tears in some of the episodes. This was a 6 part series that followed different women who were pregnant and were choosing to give up their babies for adoption. Each of the ladies had a different story on why they were choosing adoption and in the end, not everyone chose to give up their child.

Here is a recap of Season One’s stories along with links to view the full episodes:

  • Episode 101: Mary and Claudia – Mary is a young married woman that cheated on her husband and wants to give up her child to save her relationship. Claudia is a young woman who became pregnant accidentally with her boyfriend of one month and when they broke up, she wanted to give up the baby for adoption.
  • Episode 102: Amanda and Mariah – Amanda and her boyfriend decided to put their baby up for adoption because they can’t afford another baby, their prospective adoptive parents were a gay couple. Mariah is a teen mom who is pregnant with her second child and knows that she can’t afford to take care of another.
  • Episode 103: Jamie and Sydney – Jamie is a young single mom that already has three children. Sydney has recently graduated college with plans to move to CA to become a social worker who unexpectedly got pregnant.
  • Episode 104: Brandalynn and Mercedes -Brandalynn is a mom who is struggling to already support her first child. Mercedes is a young woman that became pregnant after unprotected sex with boyfriend and both of the parents think adoption is the best but will be hard.
  • Episode 105: Nicole and Sara - Nicole is a single mother of three that has already put one child up for adoption. Sara is a 16 year old in high school that knows she cannot afford to support a child.
  • Episode 106: Megan and Lindsay - Megan is a college student that wants to join the Navy and thinks she can only get to the life she wants by giving up her child but he father is against it. Lindsay is already a single mom and is pregnant with twins, she knows she cannot support three children on her own.

Being a mother of four, I know the fears of being pregnant. I can remember having worries with each of my pregnancies, trying to read everything I could about being a parent.  Having a child definitely changes your life forever, for the parent and the child. Now that I am a parent of two teenagers, the thought of my daughters getting pregnant at an early age is something that worries me. I want my children to graduate and go off to college, but sometimes you can’t make all their decisions for them and only hope for the best. Although I can’t say that adoption ever came across my mind in terms of my own children, I have had thoughts in the past of adopting a little boy before I was blessed with a son of my own.

Oxygen Channel LogoBeing a fan of reality TV shows, I really enjoyed watching the I’m Having Their Baby docu-series last year on the Oxygen channel.  It was very interesting being able to watch all twelve of these ladies go through the adoption process and also see the feelings of the fathers, the other family members and especially the adoptive parents.

This month Oxygen.com has rolled out a follow-up web series on their website that features five of the birth mothers from season one. This web series includes short-form videos that will focus on these these women’s lives after the adoption. You will get to find out how they are handling the decision they made as well as their current relationships with the adoptive parents. Take a peek of the episode, “I’m Having Their Baby: Raising Nayamah” below:

I’m Having Their Baby Season Two premieres  on Wednesday June 12 @ 10/9c! Get a sneak peek of the new season at: oxygen.com/baby.

I’m Having Their Baby $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

One of my LUCKY readers is going to receive a $50 Visa Gift Card just for watching the web series episode featured above and letting me know your thoughts. To enter this giveaway for your chance to WIN, use the Rafflecopter below:

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Good Luck!
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The Monsters University Sororities – #MonstersUEvent

Monsters University Sororities At Pixar Studios

  • OOZMA KAPPA (OK) – A collection of wholesome, good-natured misfits, the adorable brothers of Oozma Kappa (OK) have bonded over their inability to make it through the Scaring Program. With only four bodies in the house, they don’t even have enough members to compete in the Scare Games. What they lack in Scariness and self-confidence, they make up for in heart.
  • ROAR OMEGA ROAR (R?R) – The Roar Omega Roar fraternity is made up of the best of the best. They’re the smartest, most skilled, Scariest monsters at Monsters University, and come from families with a long, proud history of Scaring. While the R?Rs may be preppy in dress, they are ferocious in action and downright ruthless, if necessary. Self-declared as the most elite house on campus, the R?Rs are lead by Johnny Worthington who presides over the house like an all-powerful monarch. Eager to continue their Scare Games winning streak, the R?Rs will do whatever it takes to stay on top.
  • PYTHON NU KAPPA (PNK) – Pretty in pink, the sisters of Python Nu Kappa (PNK) are not to be underestimated. Led by their fearless queen bee Carrie, these ladies are smart, cold-hearted and merciless. Covered in pink from head to toe, the PNKs sweet exterior quickly turns terrifying when the Scare Games begin.
  • JAWS THETA CHI (JOX) – Big on brawn but short on brainpower, the Jaws Theta Chi (JOX) fraternity brothers are rarely seen without their flashy letterman jackets. The JOX are brutal competitors who never hesitate to do whatever it takes to beat their opponent, even if it’s breaking the rules. Despite practically living at the gym or on the field, these sports-loving monsters often prove that bigger doesn’t always mean better when it comes to Scaring.
  • SLUGMA SLUGMA KAPPA (EEK) – The athletic sisters of Slugma Slugma Kappa (EEK) spend most of their days working out and running drills to perfect their Scaring skills. Their initiation is a triathlon, and training together 24/7 has strengthened the bonds of sisterhood so much so that these strong, self-assured girls are ready to out-work and out-scare any monster they encounter together.
  • ETA HISS HISS (HSS) – The Eta Hiss Hiss (HSS) sorority has been around since the beginning of Monsters University and the members are as mysterious as they are terrifying. The HSS sisters might be pale, mysterious and sullen, but these intimidating Goth girls are fierce competitors and tough as nails. Fittingly, their most distinguished alumna is one of the most powerful, Scary monsters on campus who every new Scare student strives to impress—Dean Hardscrabble.

Which sorority would you choose to join?

My Trip To The Walt Disney Family Museum – #MonstersUEvent

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.

The Walt Disney Family Museum

I have been to plenty of museums in my time, but not any museum has been as interesting as The Walt Disney Museum in the Presidio of San Francisco. Being the Disney fan I am, I was excited when I had the opportunity to take a press trip this month with 24 of my fellow bloggers to the museum  to see just what was inside.

Walt Disney Family Museum

I have to admit that I have passed this beautiful building a few times while driving through the Presidio and was always curious as to what was inside.  It was definitely something on my list of places to see in the bay area.

Diane Disney Miller“My father has one of the most well-known names around the world, but as the Disney ‘brand’ has grown, the man has become lost”, said Diane Disney Miller.

Wanting her father’s legend to live on, Diane Disney Miller, the daughter of Walt Disney founded The Walt Disney Museum as a way to tell the story of the man behind the Disney name. A place to showcase some of Walt’s Academy Awards, personal photos, original drawings and so much more. When the Museum originally opened, no photos were allowed but since, the policy has changed and I was able to snap over 200 photos inside.

WDFM-sign

The Museum is located in a historic 40,000 square foot brick building that is currently owned and operated by the Walt Disney Family Foundation, a non-profit foundation. You can’t tell from the outside, but this beautiful building houses 10 interactive galleries that are amazing to see.

Walt Disney Awards

While walking through each of these galleries, I was honestly amazed with all that Walt Disney has accomplished.  There was also things I learned that were pretty interesting. I bet you didn’t know that Walt Disney went to France at 16 years old to drive an ambulance in the war. Or maybe you did.  :)

war-ambulance

While taking the tour you will find exhibits that feature state-of-the-art technology, listening stations and more than 200 video screens to keep you entertained. I think some of the things at the museum that I found most interesting to see were the original drawings from Walt’s movies like Pinocchio.

pinocchio-drawings

Although I enjoyed the whole experience, I really liked the 14 foot model of Disneyland that you can find on the tour.

Model of Disneyland at WDFM

In addition to learning about the good times that Walt Disney experienced and the awards and nominations he received, you will also learn of the not so good times.

Disney Studio On Strike

Don’t let me forget to mention that this Museum also features a glass-walled back exterior that frames an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge!

Walt Disney  Musuem view of the bridge

I could go on forever talking about Walt Disney and the information I learned while on my trip. I am glad that I got to see it for myself and want to go back with my family so that my kids can learn about the man behind some of their favorite childhood movies

If you are a fan of the Disney brand and in the San Francisco area, I encourage you to check the Museum out for yourself. After the tour you will have truly a more appreciation of all this man’s hard work and accomplishments and maybe gain some motivation to try something you thought you could never do too.

I loved this picture I found at the end of my tour that I found so true.

a-mark-of-happiness

The Walt Disney Family Museum is open from 10am to 6pm on Wednesday through Monday. Admission can be purchased at the door, or by visiting www.waltdisney.org. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors & students and $12 for children 6 to 17. Admission is FREE for those that are 6 and under.

If you are unable to visit the Museum, but want to see more of what is inside, feel free to check out my Walt Disney Family Museum Photo Album on Google+.