I just got back from a screening of the first Toy Story film. It was being shown as a fundraiser for a middle school in Sonoma Valley, CA, and happened to be introduced by director John Lasseter. Mr. Lasseter spent much time talking about the development of Toy Story with a focus on the contributions of Bud Luckey. Mr. Lasseter focused on Mr. Luckey because tonight he intended to screen Boundin, the new Pixar short, which Bud wrote and directed. Boundin is set to appear before The Incredibles.
Bud narrates the short and provides the voices for all of its characters. His narration takes the form of lyrical, cowboy-style poetry with song (and of course dance) mixed in when appropriate. The music is done by Riders in the Sky, previously responsible for Toy Story 2s Woodys Roundup.
The story Bud weaves with his even voice and old world myth/lore is both entertaining and wise. Its primary character, a young lamb, learns a valuable lesson by shorts end. This lamb is naïve and quite proud of his beautifully white, woolen coat. He is so in love with his coat that he dances for joy; his neighbors (prairie dogs, an owl, a couple of fish, and a rattlesnake) all join in on his exuberant dance. The lambs dancing comes to an abrupt end when his voluptuous, pure coat is unceremoniously and unexpectedly sheared off! The poor lamb is left naked in the rain. *frowny* The rain parts with the arrival of the Jackalope, a true shaman if Ive ever seen one.
The Jackalope wears a look of contentment as he bounds into view. His carefree bounds end with a jerk as he notices the poor lambs dreadful appearance and disposition. Upon inquiry the lamb shares his tale and complains of being so pink; he no longer feels the desire to dance. The lamb's neighbors have been laughing at him. The Jackalope reassures him that pink is nothing to be ashamed of, but also recommends that the lamb give up dancing. As a superior substitute the jackalope offers bounding. He explains that life has its ups and downs, but what is important is to keep at it, i.e. dont let the downs get you too down and dont let the highs get you too high. The lamb tries it, and loves it! He bounds into the air from rock to rock while his neighbors look on in shock.
Flash-forward to winter and the lamb has grown a new coat. This time, when May (and shearing time) rolls around, he isnt worried. He allows the ranchers to shear him while he simply smiles with the grace of a Bodhisattva. He knows that it wont be long before hes boundin again.
Upon completion of the short (and a healthy round of applause from the audience), Mr. Lasseter asked if we wanted to see it again. After a chorus of affirmatives, he complied. What a great guy!
The film was very well done. The animation is as good (if not better) as what weve come to expect from Pixar. But, as we all know, cool animation can only take a film so far. What makes this short a winner is the intelligent and artistic writing and performance of Bud Luckey. The piece is essentially a cowboy poem, and it touches on many cowboy themes. The moral of patient endurance as well as the presence of the mythological Jackalope give evidence of the writers familiarity with the genre. His calm, rhythmic delivery of the couplets and musical passages are spot on. After viewing, it is evident that Luckey put much of his soul into this piece, and it is that heartfelt openness and honesty that sells this short.
There is a thirty second clip and some additional material on Pixars site.
