Moana Press Day Recap

Disney press days are filled with excitement; New looks at character development, cultural background, and concept art indulge anxiously awaiting fans. Guests of Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, were treated to plenty of new looks at Disney’s upcoming animated film, Moana.

A look at “Inner Workings” concept art

Disney animated films are typically preceded by a short film and Moana will not be an exception. The short, directed by Leo Matsuda and currently known as Inner Workings, gives an Inside Out-like treatment to a man’s internal organs. There is a conflict between his heart
and his brain, creating a fun-loving short that is sure to please the crowd.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios

Additional scenes from Moana were showcased, including both finished and unfinished sequences. Directors Ron Musker and John Clements (of Aladdin and The Little Mermaid fame), were on site to offer some of their comments on what the audience was seeing. One scene featured the full-length version of “We Know the Way”, a song written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’l, and Mark Mancina, which was previously teased in the film’s trailer.

Disney is known for their immersive research trips when working on a new project. When creating a film, the Disney animators and directors travel to work on location so they can learn about the native culture and work on what they want to bring to the film. For Moana, multiple Polynesian Islands were visited to ensure this rich culture was featured significantly. The directors wanted to make sure Moana not only told the story of a fictional character, but also the story of the setting’s culture.

To wrap up an exciting day, guests were treated to a demonstration on traditional Polynesian dances and music, as well as special dishes inspired by the culture.

Disney’s Moana tells the story of a young Polynesian girl intent on sailing the ocean, despite her father’s disapproval. The film features the voice talents of Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk, with music by Disney veteran Mark Mancina, Tony and Grammy award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, and South Pacific artist Opetaia Foa’i. Moana will be released in theatres November 23, 2016.

Are you excited for Disney’s Moana? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on Facebook.