Toy Story Essays - Film, Cinema Of The United States, Toy Story

Toy Story In 1995, Toy Story was produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Studios (Wiki). In the film a young boy named Andy and his toys that come to life when humans are not around, move to a new house in a new neighborhood and encounter many challenges following the event. Directed by John Lasseter, the film's music was composed by Randy Newman. The adventurous score paired perfectly with the film's fun spirit. 110 animators and $17.5 million dollars later (ToyStory), we were blessed with the release of the first Toy Story. Randy Newman, the composer for the film, is an American songwriter, singer, arranger, composer, and pianist born in 1943. He is known for his unique voice, satare pop songs, and unique film scores. His film scores include Ragtime , Awakenings , The Natural , and Seabiscuit. He has scored eight Disney-Pixar animated films including: Toy Story 1,2, and 3 , A Bug's Life , Monsters Inc. , Monsters University , as well as Disney's The Princess and the Frog and James and the Giant Peach. Newman has received twenty Academy Award nominations and has won twice for Best Original Song. He has also won three Emmys and six Grammy Awards. Newman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 for classics such as Short People, and as a Disney Legend in 2007. He was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2013 (RandyNewman). His musical style was influenced by the likes of Albert Bernstein and Ray Charles. He often writes full orchestral scores, but is also known for using a singular voice with piano. "You Got a Friend In Me", is arguably the most well known song from the film and is the only song to return in the next two movies as well. The leitmotif is used throughout the film, including the opening and closing credits. The use of voice, percussion, piano, woodwind, and brass instruments provides a bouncy backdrop for the main vocals of the song, sang by Randy Newman himself. Newman's peculiar voice gives the song a warm vibe that makes the viewers relate to the song. The leitmotif is played as Andy is playing with his toy, one of the main characters in the movie, which ties the scene together very well. The smooth undertones pair very well with the buoyant brass, and soft vocals. The tune is still well known, over twenty years after its release. "Strange Things" is used in the scene where Woody, Andy's cowboy doll, is being replaced by Buzz, a spaceman action figure, as the favorite toy. The exciting piano and bouncy bass line accompanies the vocals well. The lyrics depicts perfectly what is happening on the screen. Newman also provides the main vocals for this song as well. His rougher voice contrasts with the flamboyant music, which accurately describes Woody's relationship with Buzz and Andy at that moment on screen. The song has a funky vibe, as the instrumental tune is lively and exciting, is paired with the eccentric lyrics . All together the score is accurately chosen for the film. "Buzz" is personally my favorite piece in the film. The strings and flutes are used in the beginning, added onto by the low brass, and percussion in an exhilarating, suspenseful buildup. It is met by a bouncy tone carried out by brass and a lovely tune with the strings. Newman uses sounds similar to that of his inspiration Albert Bernstein later in the song, with rushing cords on strings and a heartracing tone is picked up by the rest of the orchestra. The crescendo is held throughout the rest of the song. The instrumental tune is full of twists and turns that leave listeners sitting at the edge of their seats in anticipation of what may happen. "Woody's Gone" presents light hearted woodwinds and strings, added by a curious ostinato of lower strings. A crescendo of the entire orchestra is held out until almost the very end of the song. The combative parts between the woodwinds and low brass with the stings gives a heart-pumping feel of desperation and urgency brought to an abrupt end by a decrescendo and quick