Just moments ago, The LA Times broke the news that a new original short film, Sanjay’s Super Team will be the featured short paired with the theatrical release of The Good Dinosaur (November 25, 2015). First-time director, Sanjay Patel will take the audience on a very personal journey inspired by his Indian roots, “It took me a long time to feel safe with my identity”. The LA Times article also provides a brief description of the film (noted below).
The seven-minute short begins with young Sanjay watching cartoons and eating cereal in a bland, beige room as his father jingles a bell, beckoning him to join in meditation. Reluctant and bored by the ceremony, Sanjay begins daydreaming a kind of ancient, Hindu version of “The Avengers,” with the gods appearing like superheroes. As the daydream progresses, the color, light and animation of the film grows increasingly dazzling and cosmic, and Sanjay grows closer to understanding his father’s inner world.
Patel’s name may sound familiar as he has been working on many projects at the studio since his beginnings on A Bug’s Life. More recently, in 2012 Patel was interviewed on his personal project Don’t Worry, Ghee Happy: Hindu Stories in Pixar Form (which was one of the first stories we featured on our site) and highlights some of his gorgeous designs and vibrant colors of the Indian culture.
During the interview, Patel describes working at the Lido Motel – owned by his parents where they still work and live.
Sanjay grew up in San Bernadino, California, the son of motel owners. Throughout his childhood, he would work as the front desk receptionist because, at the time, his English was simply better than his parents. While working the sometimes boring job, Sanjay liked to entertain himself by watching good doses of Looney Tunes and other cartoons that were on television. Naturally, while gaining a good amount of animated imagery in his head, he found joy in expressing his creativity through drawing and doodling.
Interestingly enough, it was the summer of 2012 where Patel first pitched the idea for Sanjay’s Super Team to the executives at Pixar. Sanjay’s Super Team is produced by Nicole Paradis Grindle with music composed by Mychael Danna (known for Life of Pi). This upcoming June, the premiere of Sanjay’s Super Team will take place at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
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Finally, as of December 1, 2015, you’ll be able to dive into the art and background of the short film when the official Art of Sanjay’s Super Team is released by Chronicle Books. We can’t wait to learn more about the background and take in the artwork from Sanjay’s project.
What are your thoughts – chat about them in the Pixar Post Forum dedicated to Sanjay’s Super Team.
