I was provided an all expense paid trip by Disney to Los Angeles. All opinions are my own.
One of the fun things I got to see in Los Angles a few weeks ago was a behind the scenes look at Disney ToonStudios, where I was able to meet and talk with Planes Director Klay Hall and Producer Traci Balthazor-Flynn. This was a fascinating way to hear about all the planning that goes into making a motion picture! Both were very enthusiastic about their jobs and proud of the movie that they made.
Hall grew up in an aviation family, with a father who flew Naval aircraft in World War II and a grandfather who was a pilot. So his two great loves growing up were airplanes and drawing, and with the Planes movie he was able to combine them!
He was able to tour some historic aircraft with his sons, and even go for a ride with them. This trip is featured as a special extra on the Planes DVD, and it is a moving story about passing on traditions. Check out a clip below.
Hall and Balthazor-Flynn told us that making Planes took about 600 people over a time period of four and a half years! They said that one of their favorite parts of that period was doing the research for the movie. They knew they wanted a Mid West feel for Propwatch Junction, the home of the crop duster plane Dusty. So they set off driving around the Mid West to find airstrips to use as inspiration.
While the Mid West trip was fun, their favorite part of the research was visiting the U.S.S. Vincent Aircraft Carrier. They were flown out to the aircraft carrier for and got to spend a few days seeing the operation and learning all about Naval aviation. They said it was the experience of a lifetime, while Balthazor-Flynn admitted that actually landing on the carrier was a little scary!
The movie takes place all over the world, since it involves a global race. So the team visited many of the locations that would be featured in the film, including Germany, China, Japan, India and Mexico. They regretting not being able to make it to Nepal and Iceland, but that was about all they missed! The travels helped them get the details right, and have the movie reflect the culture and ethnicity of the countries.
We asked if they had a favorite character in Planes, and both did. Hall said that he likes the legendary Mexican plane El Chupacabra best, because of he is amusing. Balthazor-Flynn is partial to the forklift Dottie, who is both tough and caring, but not afraid to say what she really thinks.
Hall and Balthazor-Flynn are going to be starting work together on a new project soon, although they couldn’t tell us about it yet. They did tell us about the Planes sequel, which is already being developed, and will feature Fire and Rescue planes. That sounds like that will have lots of excitement and danger!
After the interview Hall graciously took us back into the restricted production area to show us his office. It was quite an office, with an amazing collection of memorabilia that features a World War II flight suit!
You can learn more about Planes on Facebook or at the Planes website, and don’t forget the BluRay/DVD will be released soon, on November 19th!
Gosh this looks like it was so much fun, good for you 🙂 I would have loved to have done this!
So much fun!! Great to hear them talk about their passion behind creating the film. Such a cute movie too 🙂
I love that Disney took the time to go and look at each destination highlighted to make sure they were true to life in their story. I love Planes and hope that there are more amazing movies in this franchise.
This made the visit for me! I adored them both!
Wow! Just wow! My kids would be astounded of such a trip! Your trip was amazing!
thanks for sharing!