16 Toy Story
Toy Story was nearing release, and the marketing team was in full swing. Mom, Nathan, and I were in the living room, watching Tom Hanks and Tim Allen on TV, promoting the film during an interview. The interviewer handed them the new line of toys set to release with the movie.
"I still can't believe I got to meet Tom Hanks," Nathan said. We had met Tom and the other cast members during the voice recording sessions.
"Yeah, maybe try to put two sentences together when you meet him tonight," I teased, recalling how star-struck Nathan had been when he met Tom, struggling to string any coherent words together in his excitement. Tonight, there was a private screening at the studio, and I was excited to see the finished product.
Nathan's face shifted to one of embarrassment, likely remembering his encounter. I couldn't help but chuckle at the memory, glancing back at the TV where Tom Hanks and Tim Allen continued their banter, making light-hearted jokes about each other's characters.
The marketing team's efforts extended to children's TV channels, where advertisements featuring the Toy Story characters were aired.They were the target audience after all.
"Thanks for getting the books I asked for. Is there a due date for returning them?" I asked, turning my attention away from the TV.
"Ah, don't worry about it. Take your time; being a professor has its perks," he replied. "Why the sudden interest in Greek mythology?"
"Research for a new story I am working on," I replied.
Nathan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sounds exciting! Well, tell me, what's the story about?"
"You will have to wait for that like everyone else," I said.
Nathan chuckled, "Fair enough. I'll patiently await the grand reveal."
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We arrived at the studios for the private screening; the members of the cast and crew were there for the screening.
"I know it was last minute, but did you add the thing I asked for?" I asked Chris.
"Well, you won't see it in the screening now, but it will be in the final version," Chris replied.
"That's great; I thought it was too late," I said, relieved.
"What's so important about adding a picture of a clownfish?" He asked.
I chuckled. "Don't worry, Chris; you'll get it someday," I teased.
We entered the screening room, the excitement in the room palpable. I saw Tom Hanks walking towards me with a warm smile.
"Hey there! It's good to see you again, Daniel."
"Good to see you too, Mr. Hanks."
"Please, how many times have I told you to call me Tom," he insisted with a friendly grin.
"You remember my mom and her boyfriend?" I asked, gesturing towards them.
"Of course! It's a pleasure to see all of you again," Tom replied, shaking hands with Nathan and exchanging pleasantries with my mom.
"I am a huge fan, Mr. Hanks. I have watched all your movies…." Words tumbled out of Nathan in a rush; the man couldn't handle meeting celebrities, it seemed. I quickly interjected to help the poor man.
"Anyway, when are we starting?"
"Oh, I think in a few minutes," Tom replied.
Someone was calling for Tom, so he excused himself and left. I looked at Nathan, who was covering his face with his hands.
"That was smooth, Nathan, real smooth," I teased him. Even mom was chuckling at the scene.
"Let's just find our seats," he said as we made our way to the seats. The atmosphere in the screening room was buzzing with anticipation. As we settled in, the lights dimmed, and the logo of Stardust Studios appeared on the screen.
The movie began, and Toy Story unfolded in all its animated glory. In the original movie, there were songs, and I only remembered one. The song was 'You Got a Friend in Me,' which I wrote and gave to Chris, and I got to say the new rendition was really good. The other songs were new ones, and Chris and his team had done a good job of making them fit the theme of the movie very well. The movie was great. As the credits rolled and the lights came up, the room erupted into applause. The cast and crew gathered for a round of congratulations.
"That was a good movie," I heard a familiar voice behind me. I looked, and it was Tim Allen.
"Mr. Allen, I am glad you liked it," I replied.
"Keep at it, kid; you have a bright future ahead of you," he said and extended his hand.
I shook his hand. "Thank you, Mr. Allen."
He nodded and walked away. I looked around; mom and Nathan were talking with Chris.
"...it was amazing! You guys did a fantastic job," I heard Nathan say to Chris.
"The movie is great, Chris; we have a hit on our hands," I said, joining in.
"I hope so," Chris replied with a smile. "It's been a journey, but I'm glad we made it here."
"Yeah, so November then?" I asked to confirm the release date.
"Yes, November 24th. I hope everyone loves it as much as we do," Chris said with a small smile.
I chuckled, "Well, let's hope the audience enjoys the movie. But don't worry, Chris; I have a feeling we are going to make a lot of money."
"Don't jinx it," Lucy said from across the room, joining our conversation.
"Hey, I was right about the books, wasn't I?" I quipped, earning a laugh from the group.
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I sat on the couch, watching Tom Hanks on The Tonight Show, talking with Jay Leno. It was a week before the release of the movie. Tom shared anecdotes about his experiences working on Toy Story and the fun he had with the cast and crew.
"You know, Jay, it's incredible. The author of the book that inspired this fantastic movie is just fourteen years old. Can you believe that?" Tom Hanks exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm.
The audience responded with a mix of surprise and applause. Jay Leno, always quick with humor, chimed in, "Fourteen? I was still trying to figure out my locker combination at that age!"
Tom laughed, nodding in agreement, "Exactly! But this young man, Daniel, wrote this amazing story when he was just ten years old. Talk about a bright future in the entertainment industry!"
Mom got excited when I was mentioned and hugged me, saying I was famous now.
"Isn't he already famous?" Nathan asked in amusement at the scene before him.
"Well, he is now even more famous," mom replied as she continued to hug me.
The buzz around Toy Story reached new heights as the release date drew near. The movie got more attention after Tom's Tonight Show appearance, and I was sure all the children who knew of my book would want to see it. They would be with their parents; the increase in the book sales after the marketing for the movie began showed a growing interest.
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"Toy Story has not only exceeded expectations but has set a new standard for animated films. The storytelling is rich and emotionally resonant, appealing to both children and adults. The characters are brought to life with impeccable animation, and the voice cast, led by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, delivers standout performances."
"Stardust Studios has outdone themselves with Toy Story. If this is their first film, I can't wait to see what they have in store for us next. The animation is nothing short of groundbreaking, with attention to detail that immerses the audience in a vibrant and imaginative world. The story, inspired by the brilliant mind of a young author named Daniel Adler, whose work I hope to see more of in the future. The film is a triumph, capturing the essence of childhood wonder while delivering a timeless message about friendship."
"Stardust Studios has crafted a gem with Toy Story. The visuals are stunning, the narrative is captivating, and the emotional depth is truly remarkable. Toy Story is not just a movie; it's an experience that will resonate with audiences for generations to come. The author of the book the movie is adapted from is a young man called Daniel Adler; if this is what he is capable of now, I wonder what he has in store for us in the future."
Mom finished reading some reviews; there were some negative ones, but it was overwhelmingly positive.
"Oh honey, this is great; they all love it," mom said as she pulled me into a hug. "I'm so proud of you, sweetie."
"Thanks, mom," I replied.
"Well, kid, you are in the big leagues now; can't wait to see your face on cereal boxes," Nathan said, teasing him.
I chuckled, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves; the movie is not even out yet."
"Well, I think we should use this buzz around the movie to our advantage," Lucy said as she was reading through the reviews.
She was talking about the final Toy Story book I had finished; it was now in the editing process. With the Toy Story series complete, I could move forward with other projects. The original work I had been working on the side was moving along slowly; it would be years until I had anything to show for it. Until then, I decided to start working on a more teen-focused story. I had been doing research for it since last year. I remembered the basic premise of the story and the characters; I had enough of the story to recreate it but not all. It was times like this I wished I had some supernatural powers that would have helped me remember the entire stories, but I didn't. So I was taking my time with it, trying to make it as good as the original.
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It was a Friday evening, and the Dunphy family was preparing to go to the movies. Phil is wearing a Toy Story-themed T-shirt, and Alex and Luke can hardly contain their enthusiasm. Luke had a Buzz Lightyear action figure and was playing with it; Alex wore a hat that was very similar to Woody's; it was one of the many merchandise that was released before the movie.
"Alright, gang, let's get this show on the road," Phil said with his usual enthusiasm.
"Haley, are you ready? We need to leave soon," Claire called up the stairs.
Haley, however, was less than thrilled about the choice of the movie. She emerged from her room, arms crossed, with a look of reluctance.
"Why do we have to go see a kids' movie? I'm not five years old anymore," Haley complained.
Phil, always the optimist, tried to convince her otherwise. "Sweetheart, come on; your brother and sister have been looking forward to seeing this."
Rolling her eyes, Haley retorted, "Yeah, I'm sure they are. But I've got better things to do than watch a movie about talking toys. This movie is for babies."
"Hey, I am not a baby," Luke said.
"It's not just a story for kids; it has a deep and meaningful story," Alex chimed in, defending the movie.
"Oh, please; we both know the only like that book because you have a crush on the guy who wrote it," Haley sniped.
"Nooo no, I don't, mom; Haley is being mean," Alex said as her face went red from Haley's accusation.
"Haley, we are going, no excuses," Claire put her foot down.
Haley reluctantly joined the rest of the family as they made their way to the car. Luke was still playing with the Buzz Lightyear action figure, making sound effects. They drove to the theater with Haley and Alex arguing, Phil trying to lighten the mood by making jokes, and Claire doing her best to keep the peace. It was just another day for the Dunphy family.
