Cartoon Art Museum To Host Fifth Annual Benefit At Pixar Animation Studios

The Cartoon Art Museum will host its fifth annual benefit at Pixar Animation Studios on Saturday, October 11, 2008. From Pixar's inception in 1986 with the premiere of its iconic short film, LUXO JR., to the studio's latest full-length feature, Disney-Pixar's WALL-E, attendees will get an insiders' perspective on the mastery behind these computer animated creations. This special evening starts with a reception at Pixar's Emeryville campus. Guests will gain access to a gallery exhibition featuring the pre-production artwork from WALL-E, as well as other artwork by Pixar employees. Attendees will then be escorted into Pixar's state-of-the-art 235-seat theater to hear stories from artists, gain insight into Pixar's unique movie-making process and catch a glimpse behind the scenes at the productions of FINDING NEMO, THE INCREDIBLES, RATATOUILLE and WALL-E. After the presentation, guests will have an opportunity to converse with the speakers and other Pixar employees. Pixar Animation Studios is located in Emeryville, California. Gates open at 5 p.m.. Free parking is available on site. Hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served during the art exhibition viewing from 5:30-6:30pm. The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. hosted by Dr. Michael B. Johnson, lead, Moving Pictures Group at Pixar and will include other Pixar employees, including Angus MacLane (Directing Animator of WALL-E), Jeremy Lasky (Director of Photography on TOY STORY 3, FINDING NEMO, CARS, and WALL-E), and Derek Thompson, (Story Artist for WALL-E), as well as a sneak-peek at Pixar's upcoming short film directed by MacLane. The presentation will be followed by dessert and coffee, plus the opportunity to mix and mingle with artists in Pixar's atrium from 8:00-8:30pm. This event is expected to sell out quickly and there are only a limited number of seats available. Cartoon Art Museum members can purchase tickets for the reduced rate of $150, while the non-member rate is $200. Reserved rows for ten are available for $2,000. Call 415-227-8666, ext. 300 to purchase tickets. Tickets will not be sold at the door.