Thank you to Disney and Pixar Studios for hosting me during the #PixarCocoEvent which included a special #OlafsFrozenAdventure screening and Q&A. This post contains affiliate links.
Earlier this month during the Coco Premiere event, we had the chance to screen Olaf’s Frozen Adventure and chat with Directors Stevie Wermers-Skelton & Kevin Deters, Producer Roy Conli and Songwriters Elyssa Samsel & Kate Anderson.
When you head to the movies to watch Coco, you’ll also get the chance to see Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. Here are some fun facts and things to look for when you’re in the theater!
©2017 Disney
The project first started was the instruction that the featurette be centered around Olaf.
©2017 Disney
Look closely and you’ll see a recurring theme of “yule goats” throughout the featurette. This includes lots of traditional straw goats and even goats on Anna’s dress!
©2017 Disney
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure is full of Easter Eggs that celebrate previous Disney shorts and features. Look for Lanny and Wayne from Prep and Landing, Nessie from The Ballad of Nessie and Baymax’s fist hidden within the animation.
Listen for voices from behind the scenes when you watch the featurette. Songwriter Elyssa Samsel was the voice of the kittens. Her songwriting partner Kate Anderson provides the voice of the cat lady and cookie lady. Director Stevie Wermers-Skelton provides the voice for the candy cane lady.
©2017 Disney
An earlier version of the featurette had a goat character named Jingles who served as a sidekick traveling along with Olaf and Sven.
The “knitted” scene in the movie was done by hand. Each thread was hand painted, frame by frame.
The soundtrack features four all new songs, plus reprises and the longer “traditional” version of The Ballad of Flemmingrad. Elyssa and Kate were told to write the next “Silent Night.” I’m not sure if a song about Flemmy the fungus troll is going to do it, but When We’re Together is pretty catchy!
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure merchandise is available now. Sir Jorgenbjorgen shall be mine!
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure opens in front of Disney•Pixar’s original feature Coco in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017. Follow along with all of my #PixarCocoEvent coverage for more exclusive interviews and behind the scenes information!
Olaf (voice of Josh Gad) teams up with Sven on a merry mission in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 21-minute featurette “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.” It’s the first holiday season since the gates reopened and Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) and Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel) host a celebration for all of Arendelle. When the townspeople unexpectedly leave early to enjoy their individual holiday customs, the sisters realize they have no family traditions of their own. So, Olaf sets out to comb the kingdom to bring home the best traditions and save this first Christmas for his friends. Directed by Emmy®-winning filmmakers Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers-Skelton (“Prep & Landing”), produced by Oscar® winner Roy Conli (“Big Hero 6”), and featuring a screenplay by Jac Schaeffer and four original songs by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson, “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” opens in front of Disney•Pixar’s original feature “Coco” in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017.