Our Trip to Build-A-Bear Workshop #MLP

To celebrate the season 4 finale of My Little Pony with Hub Network (which airs next Saturday at 10am Eastern), I and TV Boy were offered a trip to Build-A-Bear Workshop to make our very own pony friend!*

Our closest location is Easton Town Center in Columbus, OH. We were greeted by our Bear Specialist Amy and began our journey to making TV Boy a stuffed version of his favorite pony, Rainbow Dash.

This kid isn't happy or anything.

After we picked out our friend, we headed over to the heart station. All Build-A-Bear animals have a special heart inside that kids can choose attributes they want their new friend to have.

Making our heart

After that, you are offered the opportunity to add sounds and scents to your friend. We decided against a scent (TV Boy's room is smelly enough as it is! Ha!) but we did choose a sound: Rainbow Dash phrases. It includes "This needs to be about 20% cooler", which made me super happy. For the My Little Pony animals (or really any animal, I guess!) there is also an option to add the theme song.

Adding sounds.

After the sounds and smells, it's time to STUFF! We headed over to the big stuffing station!

Rainbow Dash takes shape!

Before the friend is stitched shut, you have to add the heart. If you haven't been to Build-A-Bear and plan to go, wear something comfy... adding the heart is a workout! You have to jump, spin, warm the heart, tap into a heartbeat, touch it to your nose, your heart, your head...

Making ponies is hard work!

And then you make a wish! For the first time ever, TV Boy made his wish silently, so I don't know what he wished for. Then you give it a kiss, and in the heart goes!

Now she has heart!

Once your pal is stuffed just the way you like it (kids can choose how soft their animal is or isn't), you head over to the bath station, where your animal gets a brush and blowout.

Taking a bath!

Then it's time to accessorize! The My Little Pony line has all the pony dresses from the show that are made for each specific character, along with some MLP themed outfits that any animal can sport. TV Boy went with the Rainbow Dash dress from the series and some sparkly pink sneakers.

All cool ponies need accessories!

Finally, you head to the birth certificate station, where you can name your new friend (we stuck with Rainbow Dash, of course) and fill out some information about yourself. Every pet has an individual identification tag that is stuffed into the animal so in case it is lost, it can be returned to any Build-A-Bear Workshop where they can get the tag out, scan it, and return the pal to its rightful owner. (I wish our loyal thrift store best buddy Doggie had the same feature!)

Filling out our information

Then it's time to head home in your awesome Build-A-Bear carrier, complete with personalized birth certificate, suitable for framing!

Going home with Rainbow!

The My Little Pony line currently in stores only features some of the characters: Rainbow Dash, Twilight (in Alicorn form!), Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity. Each pony is $25 and clothing and accessories are sold separately. Scents and sound options are also an additional fee.

Build-A-Bear at Easton

Right now, there are also mini friends to go with the ponies, featuring Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Spike the dragon. We ended up buying a Scootaloo to join Rainbow Dash, because of course you need a friend!

Pony friends!

I want to extend a special THANK YOU to our new friend Amy at the Easton Columbus Build-A-Bear location. If you're local, be sure to stop in and tell them The TV Mom sent you!

Thanks Amy!

Be sure to tune in to My Little Pony on Hub Network Saturdays at 10am Eastern, especially next week for the season finale!

*Disclosure: We were given a free trip to Build-A-Bear with a free friend in exchange for promotion for Hub Network. Please see the Disclosure tab for more information.

Behind the Scenes with FROZEN Animation Rigging

Time for another episode of "What the Heck TV Mom Was Doing in L.A. Last Month" and more coverage of Disney's Oscar winning animated film, Frozen! This time, we head to the Animation Rigging Lab under Animation TD Supervisor Greg Smith.

Welcome to Disney Animation Studios Rigging Lab!

First we sat down and were treated to a neat presentation about the way the CG animation worked and how the team for Frozen had some challenges that they actually created new software to overcome. For instance, Elsa's hair, and to a lesser extent Anna's, was rigged with individual clumps of hairs, totalling more than 400,000 individual hairs--which is about four times what a normal human being has on their heads and at least double what Rapunzel had in Tangled! This gave the animators a chance to actually "style" the characters' hair in much a similar manner as real hair. And speaking of hair, Olaf too had some "hair" issues that the animators had to deal with... he only had sticks for hair remember, but they had to be bouncy and full of life. You'll find out more about that by watching the video below (which, I promise, is only around seven minutes long).

Presentation on Anna's clothing from patterns!

Other obstacles included clothing--each female character wears full undergarments and petticoats, and they're all animated separately based on the type of fabric they are supposedly made from! Since fabric moves differently based on what type it is, that posed yet another challenge for the animators, which they touch on in the video below.

An animation rig! Dual screens, yo.

Being the geek that I am, when given the opportunity, I asked what operating systems they used for their various animation programs. Our Olaf hands-on demonstration (at the end of the video you can see a minute of my "animation" work!) was given to us on PC, and they used a Mac for their presentation (as well as I noticed on our tour that they were omnipresent on desks throughout the department)... and they responded just as I thought they might... Linux! He couldn't remember what breed of Linux system they used, but it was Linux-based. To those of you whose eyes glazed over or skipped this last paragraph entirely, I apologize, but I thought it was super interesting. It's why I asked... and immediately texted TV Dad to let him know, being that he's a Linux guy.

You can see in the picture above just how many different controls there were to move Olaf around, and how detailed his face animation can get. It was fascinating and I likely could have spent far longer in that room than anyone would have been comfortable with being that I'm not a Disney employee... but I digress.

So, here's the moment you've all been waiting for... the VIDEO! It's super short, and of course I didn't think to start taping until after the comment about Elsa's hair, but there is lots of interesting information to be gleaned from a mere seven minutes! Again, sorry for the video quality (iPad!), and your sound needs to be all the way up to hear it, but since we were in a smaller room, it's more clear than the Director/Producer interview video. Enjoy!




Finally, a funny story! So, as we were walking out after our session, one of the other bloggers asked for a photo of the three guys who gave the presentation. They giggled and asked if she needed them to pose a certain way, and she asked them to stand nicely or something, which they gladly obliged. I, being the not-too-swift-on-the-uptake gal that I am, also tried to grab them for a photo (one walked away), and jokingly, I told the two guys who remained they didn't have to pose any particular way for me. So, this is what I got:

This is why you should ALWAYS have them pose!

Yep. One smiled like a goof (what computer guy ISN'T a goof?) and one hid from me entirely. I couldn't help but crack up and told them that it was absolutely perfect for my needs. And it is. So, thank you awesome computer animator guys for indulging the silly side of my blog!

Stay tuned for more Behind the Scenes looks at Frozen here at TheTVMom.com, including (hopefully!) video of ME voicing Olaf in the recording studio! Plus, continuing coverage of my L.A. trip: The Pirate Fairy, Saving Mr. Banks, Disney Studios Lot, and the Animation Research Library and Archives!



Disclosure: I received a trip to LA in exchange for my unbiased coverage of the Frozen Blu-ray release. Please see my Disclosure tab for more information.

Radio Silence ENDED!

Hey TV Mom readers! Sorry about my absence from the world of blogging... I was on the other side of the country! Remember that awesome Disney trip I told you about? Well, that was this past week. I'm still recovering from a lack of sleep and a surplus of walking, haha!

I will have lots of super fun stuff to share with you about my trip over the coming weeks. However, you can catch a sneak peek by visiting my Instagram feed and The TV Mom Facebook page (widgets over there--> on the side of the blog!).

Also, you might notice a second Facebook page thingie... Crocky's Adventures. That's because.... (drumroll please!)....... I have a new mascot!

Meet Crocky!

Crocky there is a character in the new movie The Pirate Fairy, which I got to see and fall in love with while I was in L.A., and releases on April 1st! More on that later, I just needed that for exposition. I got Crocky while I was there and, being slaphappy waiting for my 12:50am flight home, I decided to have a little fun with the guy. I thought it'd be hilarious to take pictures of him traipsing through the hotel lobby where we were hanging out and through LAX airport while we awaited my flight (the last out for the night of the group). One thing led to another, and the awesome hashtag #CrockysAdventures was born in my sleep-deprived brain. And it was incredible. As I posted the pictures and the likes poured in both on my Facebook and my Instagram account, it was requested several times that Crocky get a forum of his very own.

And the Facebook page was born!

So, while you're waiting with baited breath to hear about *MY* adventures in Los Angeles on the various Disney lots and studios, you can check out Crocky's Adventures on Facebook, which I'll be posting to continually because I'm a dork like that, HA! Pop over and give him a like, you won't regret it!

*Disclaimer: The "Crocky" plushie was received as a gift from DisneyToon studios in return for my participation in the #PirateFairyBloggers group. "Crocky's Adventures" in no way represents the views or opinions of DisneyToon studios or any affiliates thereof, and all uses of him in this manner are for entertainment purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are those solely of TheTVMom.com, and are in no way influenced by receipt of the plushie. Please see my Disclosure tab for more information.

"I'm going on a trip and I'm taking an apple, a basket, a cucumber..."

Who remembers that horrible game? Or, perhaps you're like me and you know that's actually a line from a very funny play by Larry Shue called The Nerd... in which I starred as Mrs. Waldgrave my senior year in high school, thankyouverymuch. (I found a link online to a different, probably more recent production from a different high school... there was no youtube when I was in school... there was hardly internet. I'm old. Anway, link HERE where you can see the whole show, but video number five has the scene I mentioned.)  However, the sentiment in that title is what I'm REALLY here to talk about...

I'm heading to Los Angeles/Hollywood next week! Where it's WARM! And not SNOWING!!!

Image courtesy Disney.

The reason I get to go is even more awesome. I'm getting a sponsored* trip to go check out Disney Animation Studios and some awesome Disney films with a group of new blogger pals (and a few I met back in October at the Hub Halloween Bash event!) in anticipation of the release of Disney's Frozen and The Pirate Fairy on Blu-ray!

I get to board a plane and head for sunny California (BUH-BYE cold Ohio winter weather!) next Monday at stupid-o'clock in the morning, which I'm okay with, actually, because it's a direct flight and I'll have the whole day on Monday when I get there to do some sightseeing for a change! Walk of Fame, here I come! I also managed to score a ticket on my own to a taping of the Comedy Central hit "@Midnight" for Monday evening since the studio isn't far from the hotel I'll be staying at, and I'm secretly hoping I can meet the one and only Chris Hardwick (Geek Squee!). You'd better believe I'll have a Sharpie in my pocket in hopes of an autograph!

Image courtesy Disney.

On Tuesday, I get to head to the famous Disney Animation Studios to meet Frozen's Director, Chris Buck, and producers Jennifer Lee and Peter Del Vecho, and participate in a Q&A session. Then, we get a cool hands-on demo of the rigging process used in the film with Character TC Supervisor, Gregory Smith. And, if that wasn't enough awesome behind-the-scenes fun, which you all know I *love*, I get to do a voiceover recording session with the Audio Engineer Gabe Guy! I am seriously hoping there is video involved that I get to post. Voiceover actors are among my favorite interviews I've done, and I'll finally get a look at what they all do every day! There is also a SUPER SECRET event after all of that, which I'll get to post more about later this month!

On Wednesday, I get to truck over to the DisneyToon Studios for an advance screening of the new animated feature The Pirate Fairy, and then have a chat with Director Peggy Holmes and Producer Jennifer Magee-Cook. Finally, we'll all get a walk through of the creation of one of the characters, seeing the character evolve from design to animation. (An About.com review of the film will follow as well!)

I also get to fly home on my first ever "red eye" flight Wednesday night, not arriving back home until Thursday morning. I will then hibernate most of Thursday, haha! I'm glad TV Dad had the foresight to take that day off too!

In anticipation of my trip, I hit up my favorite BIG RED LOGO store (you know, the one you can't go into for two things and come out having not spent over $50?) and picked up some new Disney-appropriate wardrobe...

Geek chic!

I plan on bringing the Sharpie with me when I wear that Mickey shirt on Tuesday, because I want some Disney Animation autographs on that sucker! And Marvel is now owned by Disney. (Because. Yeah. I didn't buy that thanks to my huge geekness or anything...) I still have to find a plain shirt to wear to the @Midnight taping though, they have a policy about that.

Post any questions you have for the Directors or Producers in the comments section! I will have a six hour plane ride on the way there to think of some, but you know I love reader-sourced questions! Also, be sure to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and on The TV Mom Facebook page, all of which have buttons or widgets on the right sidebar, for all the up-to-the-minute coverage of my whirlwind adventure! Keep an eye out for the hashtags #‎FrozenBluray‬ and  #‎PirateFairyBloggers‬, which all of the bloggers will be using during the entire trip (those links go specifically to Facebook, but they will be used on all social media outlets).

In the meantime, check out this awesome video featuring The Pirate Fairy and singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield!





*Disclaimer: I am receiving an all-expense paid trip to LA in exchange for my coverage of these titles and this event. Views expressed in this post and all those related are solely those of The TV Mom and TheTVMom.com and are not in any way influenced by receipt of this trip, nor are they representative of Disney Studios or subsidiaries thereof. Please see the "Disclosure" tab for more information.

It's Time! The Hub Network Halloween Bash is HERE!

I finally have the green light (and the time to sit down at the ol' computer desk) to tell you, dear readers, all about my exploits in L.A. with The Hub Network's First Annual Halloween Bash!

Image courtesy Hub Network.

Thanks to my friends at Hub Network, they flew me out to Los Angeles last weekend (you knew that) so that I could attend the taping of the Halloween Bash.

First and foremost, we got to attend the red... er, purple... carpet arrivals. This was probably my favorite part, and you'll see why in just a second. We got to meet and chat with all the stars who were invited, presenting, hosting, and judging. Picture time!

Family Game Night host Todd Newtorn.

Khylin Rhambo who plays Dink in the new Ender's Game movie!

Kenan Thompson arriving (one of the best shots I got of him all day)

Actor Nick Purcha from the new Spooksville series.

Voice actor Jaden Betts from Doc McStuffins. 

Ian Patrick from ABC's The Neighbors series.

Rico Rodriguez from Modern Family.

Nick Purcha and Keean Johnson from Spooksville.

Aubrey Anderson-Emmons (Modern Family) and Chloe Noelle (True Blood)

The only other half decent shot of Kenan Thomspon.

Singer Cody Simpson.

Judge Coco Jones.

Nolan Gould from Modern Family.

Joey King from Oz the Great and Powerful.

Judge Hal Sparks

My favorite pic of Hal Sparks! He looked right at me and made this face.

Judge Martha Stewart.

Musical Guest Fifth Harmony.

Do you see what I see??? (And what stars on the carpet saw!)

The set!

And now for the best parts of the whole day for me: The hug and thumbs up I got from THE Bill Nye The Science Guy! Ahhhh! Does my gigantic smile give you any indication as to how big of a moment this was for me??? I got to HUG BILL NYE! (Insert geek-girl squee here.)

Bill Nye hugged me!!!

Thumbs up indeed!

Oh yeah, and then there's this...

Image courtesy Getty. I don't have an account, so watermark it is.

That's me, photo-bombing Martha Stewart and Hal Sparks. I'm a dork, yes, but the fact this exists in the world makes me beyond proud. I tweeted it to Hal Sparks, but he never responded. Poo. So, Hal, if you read this, sorry you have a dorky crazy redhead over your shoulder, but I did what had to be done! Ha!

My only note for Hub next year when it comes to pulling off Bash #2: Have a kids-only category. I was kind of down to see only one kid in the final six. There were definitely some kids I think would have been up front and center had they not been up against some of these professional costumers and cosplayers. Give them a more fair shake next year and make a "cute kids" category! :)

Now for a sneak peak clip, care of Hub Network! (And yes, I think that *IS* the kid who does the break dancing on SYTYCD!)


 

Be sure to tune in to Hub Network TOMORROW NIGHT, Saturday, October 26 at 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific to see what I saw! Comment with your favorite costume!

Also, don't forget to tune in earlier on Saturday for the new animated series, Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch on Hub Network!

Disclaimer: Hub Network provided travel and accommodations for me to attend this event. Opinions expressed herein are all expressly those of TheTVMom.com and were not in any way influenced by Hub Network. All images Copyright (c) TheTVMom.com unless otherwise stated.