There is something amazing about the ability to tell a story without a single spoken word and still tell a profound and emotional story. And when audiences see Big Hero 6 they are treated to just such a story with the short film Feast before the main event begins. And I had the pleasure of sitting down with its director, Patrick Osborne, and producer, Kristina Reed, to learn all about how this mini masterpiece came to life.
“Feast,” a new short from first-time director Patrick Osborne (head of animation, “Paperman”) and Walt Disney Animation Studios, is the story of one man’s love life as seen through the eyes of his best friend and dog, Winston, and revealed bite by bite through the meals they share.
Feast Fun Facts:
- Feast was inspired by the app One Second Everyday that lets you record and edit down one second videos of your life. In 2012, Patrick Osborne created a video using the app about every dinner for 2012. The six-minute video told so much about his life that he decided to tell the life story of a family based on their dinners — starting with a single guy, through dating, getting dumped and finally creating a family.
- Winston, the dog in Feast, is a Boston Terrier because the distinct markings of the breed are visually appealing for this style of animation.
- There has never been a Boston Terrier in any other Disney movie.
- Kirby, girl in Feast, is named after Patrick’s grandmother.
- The town is based on Oxford, Ohio near where Patrick grew up.
- Patrick started as co-head of animator on Big Hero 6, but when Disney opened up a new pitch process for short films he pitched the idea of Feast. After a year of working on Big Hero 6, he took over his own project Feast.
- From the time Feast was green-lit, it took 53 weeks for production.
- Short films at Disney are worked on by animators in between projects. So deadlines are less about budgets and more about finding people within the company who have time to work on the project.
- Actually filming of Feast took 16 weeks, and post production another 4 weeks after that.
Feast is a treat to watch, and it was fascinating to learn the story behind the story. There is so much that goes into the creation of six minutes of animation. It is really remarkable. This short teaser gives you a glimpse of the cuteness that is Feast.
Already with an Oscar nod, Feast is on the short list of nominated short films advance to voting. Good luck Feast!
Catch Feast in theaters before Big Hero 6.
More Big Hero 6
- Get the low down on the Big Hero 6 red carpet premiere
- Learn 6 Big Lessons From Big Hero 6
- Check out the Science And Technology Behind Big Hero 6 + Learn How To Draw Baymax
- Exclusive Interview: Jamie Chung & Genesis Rodriguez
- Check out my Baymax voice over