Hello, Hello! I am back today with some fun information that I can’t wait to share with you. It all started with a plane ride to Los Angeles, California and settles in at a roundtable discussion with few amazing young men that are on their way to the top … the stars of Disney•Pixar’s latest collaboration THE GOOD DINOSAUR!
Now, I have to be honest, I’ve never gone into an interview situation where the talent is met with a mixture of applause and “mom awwwws” as they walk in BUT that totally happened here. What can I say, they are absolutely adorable kids, and sometimes you just can’t help yourself. Just look at them! Aren’t they cute?
Photo Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Anyway, during our roundtable discussion, we had the opportunity to ask the young talent from THE GOOD DINOSAUR, Marcus Scribner (voice of “Buck”), Raymond Ochoa (voice of “Arlo”), and Jack Bright (voice of “Spot”), some questions about themselves and the film and here is what they shared with us!
Question:How did each of you get into character?
Raymond Ochoa: Research. I did a lot of research on the Apatosaurus. First off, I had no idea what he looked like, so that was one thing. After I looked it up, I kind of saw the long neck and he was kind of kind-looking and sweet in the front of it. But, also it’s a Pixar movie so you know it has to be kid-friendly obviously, so it was pretty difficult to make him sound that way. I think trusted my voice and making it sound good, so I hope it worked.
Marcus Scribner: It definitely worked! I saw the movie and Raymond’s voice definitely fit the Apatosaurus. I agree with Raymond, it was definitely research because, like he said, I had no clue what an Apatosaurus was. What I saw in The Good Dinosaur was like, oh that’s a Brontosaurus and then I was like oh, nope, it’s called an Apatosaurus. So, I did research and definitely getting into character really helped because Buck is really gruff and he’s really a tough character. He’s very rambunctious, so to play a character like that I really had to just let all my emotions through and really give it my all and play it towards the mic. Doing voiceover is very different from live-action so I was really able to release the character within.
Jack Bright: Playing Spot … it was just fun! You get to make all his noises, you go all-out; you just make noise! Like going around the house annoying my brother, they were like, how did being so annoying, making all those noises get you to be in a movie? It’s very fun. Growling, yelling, howling; it’s very fun.
Raymond Ochoa: I think he had the toughest character. He doesn’t have to talk. You have to bring out emotion just within these howls and growls, all these things, but I think you did an amazing job, amazing.
Photo Credit: Louise Bishop / MomStart.com
Question: How long did you work on your voice sessions?
Raymond Ochoa: It was about a year. I had been working on this movie, the past year, but, many people have many different answers for this one. People would say; fellow actors in the movie, I did a day and it was over. For me, they would call me back, I would do the entire script, then go back home. They would fly me back up to Pixar, and it was literally just like that. It was about a six-hour session every time.
Literally, every minute I was there, I enjoyed it so much! The people that I was working with, like the director Pete, he is so amazing and he’s so helpful to you by providing you with what needs help and what the scenario was around you. I didn’t have anyone to play with but it felt like I was acting with Jack and I was acting with Marcus because he did all those characters. I want to thank Pete because he is such an amazing director.
Marcus Scribner: I did close to the amount of time that Raymond did. I was there for about a day and, [LAUGH] wow, a whole day. I agree with Raymond. Working with Peter Sohn was amazing because he really brings the characters to life. He lets you know how he wants the character to be portrayed and it really allowed me to get into the character that was Buck. He’s definitely different from the character that I play on television, so getting into a new character was a fun experience and Peter has a lot to do with it.
Photo Credit: Louise Bishop / MomStart.com
THIS! This question right here … how often does one get to sit down with young celebrities and ask the real questions? I love it!
Question: How do you balance being celebrities and the girls and your moms and your dads? How do you balance everything? Social media, girls trying to pick you up, how are you dealing with that?
Raymond Ochoa: Well let’s just say it’s the good part of being in the industry. It’s defiantly a plus. But, okay, so I have three older brothers and they’re all in the entertainment business. My brothers and I are also actually in a music group together. So I kind of grew up — I’ve been acting in this business for a pretty long time now, so I kind of grew up knowing nothing but being in the entertainment business. But, being grounded, I have such amazing parents that help me stay grounded. And I have amazing brothers that kind of guide me throughout my life and help me whenever I need it.
It’s just so amazing. That’s how I really handle it because family is my main key. That helps me stay with everything, you know? Right now my main focus is not really on the entire girls’ thing but it’s mainly on my career and being successful at a young age so that’s my main focus.
Perfect answer and totally adorable! I literally blurted out … “Good answer” in the middle of the interview. Hey, I’m a mom, what can I say?
Photo Credit: Louise Bishop / MomStart.com
{POTENTIAL SPOILERS}
Question: Was there a particular scene that ya’ll enjoyed voicing and then seeing come to life in the movie later?
{POTENTIAL SPOILERS}
Jack Bright: I haven’t seen the movie yet so I’m looking forward to it. But I’ve watched the trailer a lot just to get used to it, I guess. And my favorite part is when Arlo is trying to get the berries from the tree and he falls and then he looks behind him and Spot walks and, I’m not sure if it connects but, when Arlo is walking down below, and then he looks up and Spot is on top of the big mountain, he looks down at him after he was telling him that … that’s one of my favorite scenes.
Raymond Ochoa: I particularly like the scene where me and him, me and Spot, were kind of in the sand and we start sharing our family. That actually was really touching to me, it was actually really difficult to film that scene, because I know Pete, he’s such an amazing director, he knows what he wants. He has his own vision so I think that was the scene that took probably the longest to film. That was probably the longest because he knew that that was going to be really impactful to the crowd and to the audience.
Just by saying that one line, it was just literally naming names, but just filming that was so amazing because once I did complete it, it was such a relief and it was like wow, I finally got what Pete wanted, and it was amazing. So that’s probably my favorite scene filming.
Marcus Scribner: My favorite scene to film was the part where I get to scare Arlo. That scene took a while to film because my voice is very weird right now so laughing is a little difficult. So it was like [LAUGH] and no sound really came out, so that scene took a little bit to film.
But to actually see it on the big screen was really nice and I was like oh wow, I actually sound like I’m laughing. But, Raymond was definitely right, working with Peter is what really got me to that place because he really gives you the direction that he wants you to go in, and you just act it out for him and it translated well on to the big screen.
Photo Credit: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Question: If there is one thing that you would want people your age to take away from the movie, what would it be? What are you really hoping jumps out at them while they’re watching the movie?
Marcus Scribner: I think one of the main parts of the movie is self-discovery, family and friendship. These are the three most important things that I took away from the movie. I mean, Arlo goes on this whole journey to get back home but, really throughout the whole thing he’s finding himself. So, that’s one of the biggest points and also developing a friendship with Spot. Throughout the entire movie he really has a connection to his family, so I think that’s one of the main points.
I think self-discovery is probably what I took away and what I hope that other kids take away from the movie.
Raymond Ochoa: What I think other kids should actually get to is the saying, don’t judge a book by its cover. Arlo judges spot to be this mean and evil person but later on in the film he realizes how caring and loving he really is. So, that’s why I really think everyone should take away the fact, don’t judge someone because you really don’t know who they are. You don’t know them, you don’t know about them. They could be the most caring person and you see something else. So yeah, everyone, don’t judge someone because you don’t know them.
Question: How does it feel to be a part of Disney•Pixar history?
Marcus Scribner: It’s a mind-blowing experience. I mean, I grew up watching movies like Toy Story, The Incredibles, all those movies, so working on a Disney•Pixar movie is like my dream come true. For it to be my first voiceover work, it’s really just mind-boggling. I just, I don’t even know what to say, and yeah. It was just, it’s amazing. [LAUGH]
Jack Black: Like Marcus said, I grew up watching Cars, like all those Disney films — I love Disney•Pixar. It’s a dream come true to actually be in one of their movies, like I never thought I would be in it. Instead of watching the movie you can actually like interact like with the characters, like you’re them, it’s really nice.
Raymond Ochoa: Well for me, I have three older brothers and I think my first ever Pixar movie I saw was Monsters Inc. and that’s my personal favorite Pixar movie. I love, I love Pixar, my other favorite movie in the world is The Incredibles and I love that movie. So, to be a part of them, to be a part of just one and being the title character of one, I’m just so grateful that I was given this opportunity because it’s just so incredible. I don’t know how it happened, but, someone’s looking down on me right now and he’s just like, I think you should have that opportunity and it is such an amazing thing I was given.
It’s just weird to think about later on in the future someone could be asked, what’s your favorite Pixar movie, and they can be like, The Good Dinosaur is mine. It’s just weird, to be a part of the history now, it’s amazing and I want to thank everyone that gave me that opportunity.
Photo Credit: Louise Bishop / MomStart.com
As I am sitting here reading through the roundtable questions, what strikes me is, you can’t hear the excitement in their voice, the fun and laughter, the playful banter between the three guys. Their eyes light up as they discuss being a part of the film and the characters that they play. It’s pure and it’s beautiful. Think about sitting down and talking to an adult about something and then sitting down and talking with a young person about the same topic. The responses are different, one will likely be more animated in their response, how the two see the world and any given situation is completely different. That made this experience that much more fun!
Plus, they are absolutely adorable. Marcus is a comedic genius, he is going places and he knows it! Raymond has a dazzling smile that brightens a room and when he talks, he knows how to use his words to work a room (in a good way). Then there is Jack, he was sitting back taking in the whole experience and you could see it written all over his face and the literal sparkle of his eyes. I wanted to ruffle his hair and the mom in me wanted to squeeze his cheeks. He walked in the room and I saw Spot, I wanted to call him Spot … perfect casting!
I’m so excited for these three young men and can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. At the same time, I don’t want to fail to mention that they all have taken something away from this experience. Like his character, Arlo, Raymond wants to be the best son that he can for his parents because he has so much respect for them. He even went on to talk about Jack, the voice of Spot and how kind he is, how amazing his soul is, and how he is a great person; just like Spot. Like Buck, Marcus strives to be self-confident and a leader.
Stepping away from the roundtable, there is one more thing that I need to add that really touched me. As I’ve noted before, I was in Los Angeles to attend the . While at the premiere, we ran into the actors, wished them luck for the evening and went on our way because they were very, very busy. Fast forward to heading into the theater and finding our seats; I was joyed to find that Jack was sitting two rows behind me! I knew he hadn’t seen the film yet and I was really excited to see if I could hear his reactions as he watched … and I did. His laughter is infectious and I found myself giggling when he giggled. I heard the small gasp when Spot his the big screen for the first and my heart warmed. Then, at the end of the film … he howled and my heart melted. If you have seen the film, you totally get it. If not … now is the perfect time to gather your family for an evening of fun. Take them to see THE GOOD DINOSAUR, now showing in theaters everywhere!
THE GOOD DINOSAUR IS OPEN IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE!!
“The Good Dinosaur” asks the question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? Pixar Animation Studios takes you on an epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo (voice of Raymond Ochoa) makes an unlikely human friend. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of.
Directed by Peter Sohn and produced by Denise Ream (“Cars 2”), Disney•Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur” opened in theaters on Nov. 25, 2015.
An Apatosaurus named Arlo and his unlikely human friend travel through a harsh and mysterious landscape, where Arlo learns to confront his fears, discovering what he is truly capable of.
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I was sent on an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles, California courtesy of Disney to experience The Good Dinosaur and a series of other adventures surrounding the movie. Regardless, all opinions expressed are still 100% my own.
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