Pixar’s Up Tie-In George And AJ Now Online
George and AJis a short film-cum-animatic that, until today, was only officially available as an extra with the iTunes release ofUp. Now, though, the clip is online and you’re able to see it after the break.
LikeBurn-EorJack Jack Attackbefore it, this is a side story to the main narrative of the associated feature film, in this case featuring Shady Oaks caretakers George and AJ dealing with the aftermatch of Carl’s big escape.George and AJwas written and directed by Josh Cooley
You’ll have to tell me what you think about the style used here. I found it quite sweet and more than a little reminescent of the old LucasArts SCUMM game,Day of the Tentacle.
I would speculate that this was one of two pitched shorts for theUpdisc, withDug’s Special Missiongetting the nod for full production andGeorge and AJleft as a presentation piece. It was definitely too good to just toss aside, though, so I’m glad we’re now all getting to see it.
When it wasannouncedthat this short would only be available as an iTunes extra I was quite dismayed. I’d like to think there’s at least one format of every film that will include all available supporting material particularly interesting supporting material like this. I think Disney Pixar have done the right thing by releasing the short to YouTube, and I hope any fans who purchased the iTunes version ofUpjust to get this film don’t feel too hard done by. Don’t do it again, please, Disney.
You may have noticed that Carl’s voice was not performed by Ed Asner in this short, withSteve Purcellinstead doing the honours. Purcell is a story man at Pixar, since Cars, but in a former life was the creator of the rather superbSam and Maxand worked as an animator on several LucasArts video games.
I think I’ve just written myself around in a big circle and need a sit down. One more watch ofGeorge and AJwhile I’m at it…
