Interview With Pixar Research Guide For UP The Movie

November 2, 2009 | by Disney Dreaming

Adrian Warren is a Pixar Research Guide and real-life Adventurer, along with many, many other things! He is also a biologist, commercial pilot, cinematographer, photographer, film-maker AND author – phew! That’s a lot!

Adrian has worked on IMAX movies, but his most recent work was done on Disney/Pixar’s movie “UP.”

What aspects of “UP” the movie did you work on?

“Back in 2005 I received an email from the director (of “UP”), Pete. He had watched a documentary that I had made back in 2001 about this area in South America, which we refer to as the Lost World…He was looking for a very romantic, remote and exciting place to set his new film “UP,” so he invited me over to talk to his team about it and I went over and showed them pictures and film clips and talked about it. A few months later he sent me another email asking me to go do research with them in South America”

In 2006 Adrien joined the “UP” team in South America as a guide and watched as they drew sketches and watercolors of the areas he brought them.

It sure sounds like you do a lot from your bio! If you ever have any free time how do you spend it?

“I spend my free time with my little 4-year-old son. I take him on little adventures here in England.”

Adrian’s son has yet to see the movie “UP!” But he plans to soon!

How often do you fly?

“I fly every week. I have a little single engine plane which I use for photography…It is based in a little field by my house here in Somerset, England…I have gone as far as Africa in my little plane.

What is your favorite scene in the movie “UP”?

“I think the most wonderful scene for me, because it captures such amazing realism from the Lost World mountains in South America, is (in the movie “UP”) the first time they arrive in South America and they drift through the mist past this mysterious rock shape…and then the mist clears and they have their first view from paradise falls.

“UP” comes to Disney DVD and Blu-ray on November 10th – are you planning on buying “UP?”

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment