Up Where We Belong

By Nellie on May 29, 2009

Can you believe it? Its finally here, Disney/Pixar's new animated feature film Up is in theatres today. I've been keeping my eye on this film since last year and reading reviews about it on blogs like /Film and IGN. Need more persuasion? You can find glowing and heartfelt reviews on Up from the New York Times to Slate magazine to MTV's Movies Blog.

As popular as this film is becoming what's more interesting and inspiring are the stories of the people behind the film. As industry insiders know, Pixar is not an easy crowd to get into, take it from Up's writer and co-director Bob Peterson. In an interview with The Washington Post Bob said it took him seven years to find a way into Pixar. As lucky of a number as "seven" is, seven years of courting a company takes mad persistence and unflinching passion (Lucky? Not so much). But maybe that is why all of Pixar's films bring so much heart to each story and keep audiences around the world anticipating the next film.

If you'd like a head start in finding your way to Pixar take some time this weekend to read up on their Intern/New Grad FAQ page. While you are there check out their New Graduates and Interns pages to learn more about the company via employees and recent interns. Take it from Mike who was a Technical Director Intern/Past Production Engineering Intern at Pixar from the University of Waterloo:

The coolest thing about this place is that this attitude is also present at every level of management in the company. One day, we had lunch with Ed Catmull, the President and Co-Founder of Pixar. He told us that we are and always will be a storytelling company. Our job is to make timeless stories that inspire people, make them cry and make them laugh. We are not here to just make a quick buck.

When the intentions and goals of the entire company are so grand, Pixar becomes something MUCH more than just a job. It is much more than just a cool place to work. It is a place where you can live out your childhood dreams of storytelling and filmmaking, and know that your hard work is inspiring people of all ages, all over the world.”

One character from Up that is sure to be memorable and heartfelt is Dug the Talking Dog (voice of Bob Peterson). Enjoy this video of the creators' passion and take on Dug.

Hey, it wouldn't be a ThinkTalk Blog without our kickin' Links...

CareerDiva Shares: Advice on what to do when your job has been postponed. It may feel awkward to be a little pushy with finding out why the job was pushed back but read what the experts say about this issue.

Zen College Life Occupies: You (College Student) with How to Use Your Summer Vacation and adds a bonus blog on More Great Things To Do This Summer. Yes, still think about your career but remember if you don't know how to relax and enjoy life you'll probably burn out before your time!

Applicant Changes: The way you spruce up your resume. Maybe you don't want to get too crazy with what you send a future employer but creatively customizing your resume to fit a job description is never uncalled for.

Xatal Dishes: Perspective on when and what classes to take for the next semester. Xatal blog is written by UC Santa Cruz freshman Paul. He offers great advice to students transitioning from home life to dorm life.

Poorer than You Schedules: Their channel to ABC channel tonight at 9pm EDT for a special called UN-BROKE: What You Need to Know About Money. Hollywood celebs like Seth Green, Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Oscar the Grouch and more are all in this one hour special to entertain and talk about money and finance. This should be interesting for us twenty-somethings having to excel-spreadsheet our finances for the first time.

Have a great weekend and see you at the theaters with my 3-D glasses for UP in 3-D!