5 Things You Don’t Know About Toy Story and A Sneak Peak Into The Pixar Archives!

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Press visit the Pixar Living Archives, located off campus, and view Toy Story development materials including sculpts and concept art with Archivist Christine Freeman on October 01, 2015 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)

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Sometimes I get to do really cool things when I go on press trips. This trip I got to see what the inside of the Pixar Archives looks like! This is a place that not too many people have seen the inside of, and I am one of them! Also, this place is so secure that if there was a zombie apocalypse, this would be the place to go!

Press visit the Pixar Living Archives, located off campus, and view Toy Story development materials including sculpts and concept art with Archivists Christine Freeman and Juliet Greenberg Roth on October 01, 2015 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)
Press visit the Pixar Living Archives, located off campus, and view Toy Story development materials including sculpts and concept art with Archivists Christine Freeman and Juliet Greenberg Roth on October 01, 2015 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)

Jonas Rivera was the founder of the Archives. After they made Toy Story, they realized that they should have the archives as a resource. The archives house everything from department notes, review notes, all the scripts, awards, press clippings, clothing, etc. If it had something to do with the film, you will find it there.

Press visit the Pixar Living Archives, located off campus, and view Toy Story development materials including sculpts and concept art with Archivist Christine Freeman on October 01, 2015 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)
Press visit the Pixar Living Archives, located off campus, and view Toy Story development materials including sculpts and concept art with Archivist Christine Freeman on October 01, 2015 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)

The Pixar Archives are really a living archives. They meet with each production as soon as there are 5 people on a project. They let them know what they need. They also support every team and department at Pixar.

Press visit the Pixar Living Archives, located off campus, and view Toy Story development materials including sculpts and concept art with Archivist Christine Freeman on October 01, 2015 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)
Press visit the Pixar Living Archives, located off campus, and view Toy Story development materials including sculpts and concept art with Archivist Christine Freeman on October 01, 2015 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)

They also have exhibitions that they lend their pieces out to. At any time, 500-700 pieces are out!

Press visit the Pixar Living Archives, located off campus, and view Toy Story development materials including sculpts and concept art with Archivist Christine Freeman on October 01, 2015 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)
Press visit the Pixar Living Archives, located off campus, and view Toy Story development materials including sculpts and concept art with Archivist Christine Freeman on October 01, 2015 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)

The crazy thing is that Toy Story will be out 20 years this year! It can't be that old! Here are 5 things I bet you didn't know about Toy Story:

  1. There are over 200 versions of Woody.
  2. Buzz Lightyear started out as Lunar Larry.
  3. Buzz Lightyear got his colors (purple and green) from Nancy and John Lasseter. It was their favorite colors!
  4. The inspiration for the mutant toys was from the “Unknown Museum” in Merin County. It was full of weird stuff.
  5. After they draw a character, they sculpt it. That is to make sure that the character is true to life.

Pixar Archives has over 5 million pieces in it! What did you learn about Toy Story or Pixar that you didn't before?

Lisa Martin

In April 2006, Lisa began blogging to stay connected with distant relatives and friends. As she delved into blogging, she discovered the potential to assist others by sharing her experiences. Lisa has actively engaged in numerous exclusive media ventures. Notable among these are her participation in events such as the Sony Mommy Bloggers Event, the Pampers Mommy Bloggers Event, the Epson Event in Chicago, the Stouffers Event, a memorable yacht excursion with Lands End, collaborations with 1-800-Baskets, an exclusive tour for bloggers by Mrs. Prindable’s, partnerships with Hallmark, PopCap games, Chicago Cubs Mastercard Priceless Events, and Rug Doctor. In addition, she has collaborated with Nutrisystem on a weight loss initiative, teamed up with Buick and Chevy, and served as a brand ambassador for Sprint. Lisa's collaboration portfolio also extends to Disney, where she has participated in press trips for significant movies such as Frozen, Guardians of the Galaxy, McFarland USA, The Good Dinosaur, The BFG, and Cars 3. Notably, for projects like Frozen, The BFG, and Cars 3, she was granted the privilege of walking the red carpet and conducting interviews with celebrities. The impact of Lisa's blog has gained recognition, with The New York Times referencing her content. Moreover, she has been featured in interviews by respected publications such as the Southtown Star, The Chicago Sun Times, and inside.

This Post Has 24 Comments

  1. Thanks so much for sharing this! I love Toy Story, so reading these facts is a ton of fun! Lunar Larry! Thank goodness they changed it!

  2. Annemarie LeBlanc

    One of the places I would love to visit! The trivia you wrote in this post was really interesting! I can’t believe they even thought of the name Lunar Larry for Buzz Lightyear. Thank goodness they cnaged their mind. LOL.

  3. Rosey

    We were just talking about this movie today. one of those kid movies that makes the adults cry every time (Toy Story III).I love all of them though!

  4. Terri Beavers

    This is so interesting and how exciting that you’ve been there. I can’t believe that Toy Story has been out for 20 years. Time flies.

  5. MyTeenGuide

    It must have been fun to take a sneak peak at their archives. I definitely didn’t know about these things. Woody has 200 versions? Wow!

  6. Jeanette

    I love learning about behind the scenes stuff. It is so cool to hear. I didn’t know anything about Toy Story other than the actual movie, thanks for sharing this was a fun read.

  7. Robin (Masshole Mommy)

    I had no idea the original name was Lunar Larry. I definitely prefer Buzz Lightyear! I am such a huge fan of Toy Story.

  8. Liz Mays

    This is so cool. I had no idea they had so many versions of woody. I’m glad they went with Buzz Lightyear rather than Lunar Larry too.

  9. Nancy (@spiffykerms)

    Oh my gosh. Honestly, I actually haven’t even watched the movie Toy Story before. I need to get on that – I wonder if it’s available on Netflix lol.

  10. rika

    Thanks for sharing! I love Toy Story and always interested in animation! Super cool

  11. Crystal Lopez

    Toy Story is an incredible movie for kids and a personal favorite. I just love the story line and all of the advances that Pixar has even made in short story films for kids!

  12. Melissa

    This is so cool to see. We love Pixar and it is so fun to check out the behind the scenes stuff. Thank you for sharing, that Woody head was my favorite thing to see!

  13. ricci

    These are really cool facts about Toy Story. I just watched it the other day. I really loved this movie when I was younger!

  14. Ann Bacciaglia

    It would be amazing to go to the Pixar Archives. This must have been a fun day. Toy Story is one of my favorites.

  15. Katherine G

    I never knew any of these facts about Toy Story. Thank you so much for sharing those facts.I love learning new facts about the movies I love.

  16. Chubskulit Rose

    My kids love Toy Story especially when we went to Disney World and they get to hold hands with woody on the parade.

  17. Wood Arts Universe

    Even if I’m already an adult, I still love watching cartoon movies. Toy Story is one of the best movies that I really, really like.

  18. Tiffany

    What awesome Pixar facts! WE LOVE PIXAR! I just ordered a new video of their shorts for my daughter.

  19. ashleigh

    That is so interesting! I know that my kids love this series of movies, now I have some knowledge when we watch it next.

  20. Audrey

    I would be so geeked out if I got to visit Pixar!

  21. Rommy

    That is really amazing. I hope pixar will star making next generation of toy story movie.. i

  22. Jennifer Pilgrim

    There are over 200 versions of Woody? No way! This post was so informative. I cant wait to show Toy Story to my little girl when she is older.

  23. CourtneyLynne

    Omg so neat!! Toy Story is seriously one of the best movies!!! A family favorite!

  24. OMG how awesome is that!? I would LOVE to be able to go there and see behind the scenes! I love what you learn that isn’t known to most people.

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