Looking for the Ocean: A Pixar Journey

5. They Always Put It In My Cherry Coke: Red’s Dream

In this semi-(but-not-fully)-serious episode, Danny and Mark try to find something to say about the Pixar short, Red’s Dream. A VeggieTales tangent leads to a discussion about faith, religion and Christian movies. They also launch the game show segment of the pod, introducing the Letterboxd Game and the Game of Lists.

4. Happy Father’s Day from Tom Cruise: Luxo Jr.

Danny and Mark discuss the groundbreaking short Luxo Jr., which changed animation forever. Do either of us have a working VHS player? Why is it called a pencil test if there are no pencils? Do we gender lamps, and why?

3. Too Darn Hot: The Student Films of Pixar

Danny and Mark discuss the student films of John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Pete Docter. They question the Brain Trust’s auteurism in films made when they were younger than our hosts. They also discuss the ghost of Billy Wilder, if the CalArts style exists and is something we should be worried about, and whether the films of Pete Docter caused Mark to lose his mind.

2. Windows, Water Droplets, Beach Chairs, Moving!: The Tech Demos of Pixar

The lads discuss Pixar’s proof of concept videos from the early 80s. They compare them to Stan Brakhage shorts and modern weather reports, and they also briefly touch on Macintosh propaganda, a pencil with lungs, and the aesthetics of early 2000s science television.

1. Introduction and The Adventures of Andre and Wally B.

Danny and Mark discuss the show’s concept, The Adventures of Andre and Wally B. (1984), Pixar’s very first short film, why any of us are here, and who is responsible for the opening flute music. They also play a game in which they try to provide an insightful commentary track before the film reaches the end of its minute and a half runtime.