Comments on: Pixar

Pixar

Heliochrome85 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:10:10 -0800

Dying of vascular cancer, all this girl wanted to do was to see Up!

By: ericb

ericb — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:12:45 -0800

Colby died about seven hours after seeing the film. Gosh darn, it's just my allergies which have hit me hard just now.

By: boo_radley

boo_radley — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:24:12 -0800

Pixar continues to be stunningly awesome. What a great company.

By: gemmy

gemmy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:28:12 -0800

The hospice company couldn't be bothered to send her the requested wheelchair when she was strong enough to leave the house. But when Pixar found out, they had someone at her house with a pre-release DVD +other gifts the next day. That says good things about the company (I don't care if the cynics point out that it was also a smart PR move). A horrible and uplifting story, all at once. Yea, it made me cry. RIP, Colby.

By: litterateur

litterateur — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:29:43 -0800

scblackman mentioned this story briefly in MetaTalk. (I just linked to the thread, because I'm new and don't know how to link directly to a specific comment, which is towards the end of the thread)

By: collywobbles

collywobbles — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:30:50 -0800

That's so sad.

By: padraigin

padraigin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:31:16 -0800

Jesus, like the movie itself didn't practically dehydrate me. Excuse me, I need to go hug a couple of kids now.

By: litterateur

litterateur — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:32:48 -0800

On preview: In regards to the following: "(I don't care if the cynics point out that it was also a smart PR move)" "Pixar officials declined to comment on the story or name the employees involved."

By: KevinSkomsvold

KevinSkomsvold — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:34:16 -0800

The movie is tear-jearking enough. This just added to the waterworks. Thank you for sharing this story!

By: kalessin

kalessin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:41:56 -0800

I think it's possible that what Pixar did was uplifting, an intelligent PR move and compassionate all at the same time. I think it's possible for all of these to be true.

By: pxe2000

pxe2000 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:42:26 -0800

I have some dust in my eye.

By: Artful Codger

Artful Codger — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:42:44 -0800

We just saw "Up" last night. Loved it. Very class act, Pixar.

By: hypersloth

hypersloth — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:44:17 -0800

I just linked to the thread, because I'm new and don't know how to link directly to a specific comment If you click on the time the comment was posted, it gives you the link with the correct anchor (#) already added.

By: mattdidthat

mattdidthat — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:46:38 -0800

Hello Pixar, I have just met you, and I love you.

By: filthy light thief

filthy light thief — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:49:05 -0800

litterateur - the post times have direct links, which would take you here. To be a crass bastard, I wonder how other studios would have used this story. Pixar was classy to not comment, as litterateur pointed out.

By: flibbertigibbet

flibbertigibbet — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:51:12 -0800

*sniff*

By: Dee Xtrovert

Dee Xtrovert — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:56:02 -0800

By: dhammond

dhammond — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:56:04 -0800

By: Flood

Flood — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:58:07 -0800

You have to love to simplicity, living in the moment, of kids. My adult brain could never allow my final dying wish to be so wonderfully simple.

By: ornate insect

ornate insect — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:59:59 -0800

I think it's the particular human being at Pixar, whoever he/she is, who answered the call, took the initiative, and made this happen, who should take credit more than the company itself. This isn't about the company, it's about human-to-human relations and obligations.

By: Joey Michaels

Joey Michaels — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:01:10 -0800

It amazes me sometimes how movies can occupy such a major place in our lives. Anecdote - a good friend of mine recently passed away due to what started as testicular cancer. For the last few weeks of his life, his was bed ridden and came in and out of consciousness. During his lucid periods, he liked to watch DVDs with his partner. Not a great film, but one of the last movies he watched was Mission Impossible 3. They ordered their movies through Netflix and, apparently, they had sent the wrong movie at first. My friend, again in one of his rare lucid periods, spent thirty minutes on the phone with Netflix aggressively demanding that they send him the right movie as quickly as possible because he wanted to see "the last decent movie Tom Cruise will ever make" before he died. His partner reports that they did send the movie and he was very satisfied with what would end up being the last movie he completed. That's obviously not nearly as cool or moving as this Pixar story - not even in the same ballpark. However, when people tell me that movies aren't that important in the grand scheme of things, I can't help but think that maybe sometimes they actually are.

By: katillathehun

katillathehun — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:02:58 -0800

Oh jeez. COME ON, Pixar. You couldn't stop with Astro Zombie's girlfriend. Now you have to make *me* cry?

By: cazoo

cazoo — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:04:15 -0800

Colby couldn't see the screen because the pain kept her eyes closed so her mother gave her a play-by-play of the film. I was holding on pretty well until I read that line at the end of the article.

By: _dario

_dario — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:04:53 -0800

By: shadytrees

shadytrees — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:11:56 -0800

Pfft, this is just another … EmotionsFilter … post. sniff

By: jquinby

jquinby — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:13:03 -0800

By: uncanny hengeman

uncanny hengeman — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:14:09 -0800

Make A Realistic Wish Foundation

By: Joe Beese

Joe Beese — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:14:09 -0800

By: smartyboots

smartyboots — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:15:22 -0800

My guess that, while there clearly had to be someone who heard the message and escalated it, it probably was a corporate decision - to allow a dvd out of the building, for one thing, and also because they got there the next day. They flew someone from the bay area to southern california to get that movie to her. Musta been something else to be the employee who delivered it. What a great story.

By: Brockles

Brockles — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:15:24 -0800

Pixar officials declined to comment on the story or name the employees involved. Honestly, I find that the best thing about this story. It just made all the rest of it so... just. And right. And fucking wonderful.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:17:47 -0800

Father of nine-year-old daughter here. Read the article. Cried.

By: FfejL

FfejL — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:25:21 -0800

Father of nine-year-old daughter here. Read 5 paragraphs in. Could not continue. .

By: GuyZero

GuyZero — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:33:53 -0800

Yeah, totally crying. But, as one of the commenters on Reddit said, if my daughter said she wanted to see 'Up' before she died, I'd throw out the DVD player and never let her go near a theater again. because the she wouldn't die, right?

By: Mister_A

Mister_A — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:38:00 -0800

Yes, doing the right thing is often a good PR move. Bravo Pixar. Now I think I have something in my eye, too; must be contagious.

By: graventy

graventy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:39:22 -0800

It's too bad they didn't have a girl-centric picture to show her. I kid, I kid!

By: Space Kitty

Space Kitty — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:41:17 -0800

*SOBS*

By: Ron Thanagar

Ron Thanagar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:41:24 -0800

I'm not crying It's just been raining on my face .

By: Tomorrowful

Tomorrowful — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:41:49 -0800

I don't have a goddamn thing in my eye. I'm tearing up, dammit. Okay? Okay.

By: Artw

Artw — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:43:24 -0800

Somethings in my eye. Honest.

By: onhazier

onhazier — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:46:17 -0800

You know, if Pixar's next movie had a character named Colby or even a simple "In memory of Colby" in the credits, I'd be totally cool with that and the resulting catch in my throat.

By: Mister_A

Mister_A — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:49:13 -0800

By "catch in my throat" you mean uncontrollable bawling, right?

By: Mister_A

Mister_A — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:49:49 -0800

Cuz I would not make it through a movie that featured a character named Colby.

By: naju

naju — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:02:20 -0800

Colby could no longer be transported to a theater and her family feared she would die without having seen the movie. That's when you say: okay, just this once, I'm gonna torrent.

By: Snyder

Snyder — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:03:50 -0800

Puts my problems in perspective, this does. It's a hell of a thing. Nothing else to say.

By: OolooKitty

OolooKitty — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:09:20 -0800

By: rusty

rusty — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:19:03 -0800

You know what's awful? I saw this and thought "Oh, how nice for Pixar to get themselves more good PR, and only on the back of a dead child." And then I read it, and thought "Of course they wouldn't comment. That would seem crass. Well done." And what I hate is that none of those thoughts have anything to do with Pixar or this actual story. They're all about what omnipresent marketing and, more important, the constant assumption of marketing has done to me. I hate that. I want to be able to enjoy this story without that reflexive mental sneer, and I can't. Because I still suspect this was very well managed by Pixar's marketers.

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:24:33 -0800

Because I still suspect this was very well managed by Pixar's marketers. The worse part is that commerce taints the story, and always will — except perhaps for her parents. Maybe that's all that matters, in the end.

By: sonic meat machine

sonic meat machine — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:26:24 -0800

incredible .

By: Brainy

Brainy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:27:02 -0800

Sometimes I wish I was interested in 3D animation, because I really just want to work at Pixar.

By: maudlin

maudlin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:29:11 -0800

What's the greater evil? Denying this girl her last wish, or satisfying her last wish even though you will still benefit from the PR? There was absolutely no way they could NOT get good press from this, apart from somehow swearing the family to secrecy. But that would mean the family wouldn't get the opportunity to show their gratitude by praising Pixar in public, which means that any attempt by Pixar to appear self-sacrificing and modest would actually hurt the family. Sometimes you do good even when it hurts you. Other times you do good even though you benefit. So fucking what? Doing good is not a zero sum game.

By: corey flood

corey flood — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:29:18 -0800

By: Cookbooks and Chaos

Cookbooks and Chaos — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:33:57 -0800

By: Scoo

Scoo — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:34:08 -0800

Grant a dying child's last wish or STFU Rusty.

By: nzero

nzero — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:37:38 -0800

Well done Pixar. *sniffle* Also: If anyone here is in advertising, or marketing: Kill yourself. Just a little thought...I'm just trying to plant seeds. Maybe one day they'll take root. Ya try, ya do what you can. Seriously though, if you are- do. Uhhhh no, really, there is no rationalization for what you do and you're satan's little helpers. Ok? Kill yourself. Seriously. You're the ruiner of all things good. -Bill Hicks

By: OolooKitty

OolooKitty — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:38:22 -0800

The little girl got her dying wish, and that's all that matters.

By: nola

nola — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:39:01 -0800

rusty none of that matters, do you know why? Because we all die whether we market well or not, whether we avoid or not. Go see the stupid movie, don't. It's no matter. If this was marketing, all it's managed to do is fill me with a sense of nihilizm.

By: rusty

rusty — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:47:08 -0800

I'm gonna be tarred as the local Pixar hater forever now, after this and not liking Wall*E. Oh well. My point isn't that Pixar did anything wrong, or shouldn't have done this. My point is that my ability to view it as people doing something nice for another person has been (possibly permanently) compromised by the endless stream of marketing that infuses every other aspect of life now. Just listen to Bill Hicks is all I'm saying. The ruiners pre-ruined this for me.

By: tkchrist

tkchrist — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:47:53 -0800

Because I still suspect this was very well managed by Pixar's marketers. Yeah. Pixar totally gave her cancer. BTW, you know Bill Hicks had an agent who used a PR firm and both employed marketing agencies. So. Yeah.

By: nola

nola — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:54:08 -0800

And I'm sorry if I'm inadvertently raining on anyones inspirational parade. I just can't read this story without wanting to scream NO NO NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Can't you just feel that girl's desire to live? I can I don't want to die at the age of 10. I want a chance to go on. I get no feeling of inspiration from this story. It's just shitty all around, she should have had a chance to grow old and bitter like everyone else.

By: nzero

nzero — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:55:12 -0800

BTW, you know Bill Hicks had an agent who used a PR firm and both employed marketing agencies. So. Yeah. *gasp*

By: uncanny hengeman

uncanny hengeman — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:58:04 -0800

What's the greater evil? Denying this girl her last wish, or satisfying her last wish even though you will still benefit from the PR? There was absolutely no way they could NOT get good press from this, apart from somehow swearing the family to secrecy. But that would mean the family wouldn't get the opportunity to show their gratitude by praising Pixar in public, which means that any attempt by Pixar to appear self-sacrificing and modest would actually hurt the family. "Some are born great marketers, some achieve greatness in marketing , and some have greatness in marketing thrust upon them." -my main man, Willy S

By: mazola

mazola — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:59:14 -0800

Aw geez, who can criticize goodness? Oh yeah, Rusty. Coda: and then the RIAA sued the family for $1.92 million for having a bootleg copy of a film in their house

By: mattoxic

mattoxic — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:06:56 -0800

If anyone here is in advertising, or marketing: Kill yourself. And do they get a dying wish? Maybe it could be "lets not get carried away"

By: yeoja

yeoja — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:07:24 -0800

By: nzero

nzero — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:13:03 -0800

And do they get a dying wish? Maybe it could be "lets not get carried away" Or for everyone to develop a sense of humor.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:16:16 -0800

The ruiners pre-ruined this for me. Cut to shot of Livia Soprano: "Poor you." I mean, really, if you've let marketing and cynicism turn you into a cynic yourself, forever incapable of seeing or believing something else, well... that's sad. You shouldn't give up like that. IMO.

By: PuppyCat

PuppyCat — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:18:24 -0800

You know what? If the effing hospice people had done their job, Pixar wouldn't have gained crap from this. Pixar didn't go seek out this little girl or her family and I think they kept this as low profile as they possibly could have. Cynicism runs rampant here at MeFi, but once in a great while, folks just do the right thing. That being said, here's what I'd like to see as a counter-piece to this- someone else needs to out the sorry sons of bitches that couldn't get this poor kid a wheelchair for a couple of days. That'll put a damper on Pixar's free 15 minutes.

By: Dee Xtrovert

Dee Xtrovert — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:21:44 -0800

I don't want to get all Hannah Arendt / banality of evil on anyone, but the easy thing for Pixar and Pixar employees to do would have been to ignore this request as someone else's business. That would have been far worse, and was far more likely an event. I know people who work at big record labels and big movie and television studios, and do you know what? A lot of them are wonderful, kind people who'd go out of their way for a poor kid like this, without even thinking - just as people anywhere else would do. Someone made the call to make this little girl's dream come true, and good for them for doing so. This little girl was 94" around her stomach - nearly eight feet - when she died. I can only imagine the pain and misery she suffered from that alone. And she just wanted to see a movie before she died. Poor thing.

By: Ron Thanagar

Ron Thanagar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:34:56 -0800

Not to be crass but one of my most fervent hopes is to die before my kids. Because the alternate would completely kill me. Crap. Now I'm tearing up again. Bigtime strength to you out there who have suffered that kind of loss. Seriously. -

By: fontophilic

fontophilic — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:43:23 -0800

Having had very minimal experience caring for an injured family member, who was wheelchair bound, I can say that some wheelchair van drivers and medical supply people are amazing caring people. Others are udder assholes unable to recognize that maybe you're in an emotionally trying time, and view you as dollar signs. Moving my grandmother, with a broken femur, to and from hospitals, nursing homes, and our home, was very difficult. Wheelchair vans had to be scheduled a week in advance. It's unlikely that the hospice had their own van or transportation staff, for whatever reason it's a separate, specialized thing. Yay healthcare. But that's not what's important here. Also for several months afterward I viewed every bump on the ground, raised threshold, step, stair, curb, or sunken living room as the enemy, and realized what a godsend ADA must have been.

By: Solon and Thanks

Solon and Thanks — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:46:35 -0800

Her parents, at the end of the article, basically talked about the adventure book and all the things she'll miss... what stuck me the most about this is what a simple wish it is, what a little thing it is to watch a movie. I'm glad, at least, that Pixar was able to give her that much.

By: Astro Zombie

Astro Zombie — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:48:10 -0800

Pixar also declined to comment on or publicize when they invited my girlfriend to join them. I suppose they might have guessed it would get out -- we made a point of it, to reward them with whatever publicity we could offer -- but there was never any guarantee of it. So whatever PR benefits they might get from this sort of behavior is obviously uncertain and secondary to them. They treat their audience with respect and real affection, down to making a point of performing small acts of gratitude, as with my girlfriend, and with larger acts of compassion, as with this story. I can't think of any other company that has a track record like that.

By: edgeways

edgeways — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:52:31 -0800

At what point does it stop being Disney-Pixar and becomes Pixar-Disney) at least the movie making part)

By: KevinSkomsvold

KevinSkomsvold — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:04:44 -0800

rusty: "You know what's awful? I saw this and thought "Oh, how nice for Pixar to get themselves more good PR, and only on the back of a dead child." And then I read it, and thought "Of course they wouldn't comment. That would seem crass. Well done." And what I hate is that none of those thoughts have anything to do with Pixar or this actual story. They're all about what omnipresent marketing and, more important, the constant assumption of marketing has done to me. I hate that. I want to be able to enjoy this story without that reflexive mental sneer, and I can't. Because I still suspect this was very well managed by Pixar's marketers." Believe me, I understand what you're trying to say. I'm one cynical prick but there are times when I have to dial down the "paralysis by analysis" and simply enjoy a story for what it is. I may have the unfair advantage of having an 8 year old daughter who adored this movie. I cannot fathom going through what this girl and her family went through. I can appreciate the wonderful gesture by Pixar which, putting myself in the parents shoes, could bring some respite from awful grief they must be experiencing.

By: Rhaomi

Rhaomi — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:07:28 -0800

This might sound crass, but wow, what a perfect movie to go out on. Especially for someone so young. I mean, yeah, it's a great kids movie, with lots of humor and fanciful imagery. But the core message -- that exciting, globetrotting adventures might sound romantic, but in the end all that really matters are the simple happy moments you spent with the people you loved -- that's just... right. I hope it helped give her and her family peace. Lastly, because it made me smile: Up theme, piano and clarinet duet

By: KevinSkomsvold

KevinSkomsvold — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:07:41 -0800

Astro Zombie: "Pixar also declined to comment on or publicize when they invited my girlfriend to join them..." Another great Pixar story. I was thinking of this when I read the post but couldn't remember which Mefite was involved. Thanks for reminding me!

By: honeybee413

honeybee413 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:19:22 -0800

Beautiful (but terribly sad) story. Yay Pixar for doing the right thing, and to hell with the cynics.

By: dirigibleman

dirigibleman — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:25:25 -0800

As someone who lost a close relative who didn't get to see me get my PhD, this has hit me harder than I thought it would.

By: w0mbat

w0mbat — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:32:16 -0800

It's good that she made a realistic wish not like some of these kids. Yeah, I'm going to hell.

By: GuyZero

GuyZero — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:33:07 -0800

You know why this defies cynicism? Have any of you tried to get approval for company-paid travel lately? I can't get approval to visit customers and partners, much less get approval to hand-deliver my product to one customer for free. That this idea made it through the company without getting squashed with a "not my problem" is the miracle here. Because that happens a heck of a lot. He didn't just deliver a DVD, the person sat down and told the girl stories about the making of the movie. I mean, really, cynical? Someone saw someone suffering and found that they had a unique opportunity to help out. PR people are human too you know. Believe it or not.

By: jontyjago

jontyjago — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:51:43 -0800

Read half the article, read the comments, thought yeah OK, read the 2nd half the article and now have tears streaming down my face. Wow. Fucking love Pixar. Always have, always will.

By: sonic meat machine

sonic meat machine — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:08:44 -0800

I just thought of something. This situation reminds me of Ikiru, which I recently saw for the first time. I'm not sure if it's the illness (both involve cancer of the stomach) or the bureaucrat/corporate employee going out of his way to do something incredibly kind.

By: revmitcz

revmitcz — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:11:58 -0800

This thread is no place for comments like this. Really, now. maudlin said it best and I weep for anyone who truly thinks this was little more than simple PR hackery. It's a beautiful thing to read about, and if you have a heart, it should go out to the family of Colby.

By: maryh

maryh — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:20:00 -0800

That poor kid. My heart goes out to her family. . And the people from Pixar who got involved displayed real humanity. I know I've worked places where a request like this would have been shot down; the actions of the employee(s) happen to reinforce the appearance of a healthy corporate culture, so good for Pixar. But I'm sure the guy who screened the dvd for Colby and her family is going to carry that day with him for a long time to come. Such sadness.

By: pkingdesign

pkingdesign — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:24:20 -0800

Cazoo: Colby couldn't see the screen because the pain kept her eyes closed so her mother gave her a play-by-play of the film. I was holding on pretty well until I read that line at the end of the article. Yeah... just had myself a cry on the couch. It's nice to think that there was some happiness and enjoyment even at the worst, most unfortunate point of this child's life. And just plain good that someone made it happen. Let's hope we can all do something so kind (anonymously, maybe) at least once some time soon.

By: Mitheral

Mitheral — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:35:52 -0800

This isn't the kind of thread that usually garners this comment; however, there is no way I'm clicking on that link. *going to go hug my daughter now*

By: emelenjr

emelenjr — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:49:08 -0800

^Q _Q Q

By: ooga_booga

ooga_booga — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:03:12 -0800

Rhaomi, just listening to the theme sets the waterworks off. Man, I love that movie but it's just wrenching. I'm glad that Colby got to "watch" Up in the end. A pox on the hospice care company and kudos to Pixar. .

By: Harald74

Harald74 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:22:03 -0800

Kudos to Pixar and the decent human beings that work there. But didn't the guy that flew down with the DVD have the hardest day at work ever? He probably just got home from the trip when he heard that Colby had passed.

By: woodblock100

woodblock100 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:25:54 -0800

there is no way I'm clicking on that link Me neither. My two have made it safely to adulthood, but there is still no way I could click that; reading this thread has been kind of a bit too much ...

By: Captain Cardanthian!

Captain Cardanthian! — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:52:42 -0800

This is the kind of story that makes me think I shouldn't have kids. Or that I should have immortal kids. How could anyone deal with so much sadness? .

By: Mikey-San

Mikey-San — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:53:47 -0800

there's all this liquid in my eyes and it keeps coming back when i wipe it away what is going on this is not normal

By: RavinDave

RavinDave — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:54:54 -0800

Big mistake, reading this while listening to Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" on the radio.

By: Ambrosia Voyeur

Ambrosia Voyeur — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:03:08 -0800

The worse part is that commerce taints the story Really? Then that would be the.... entire American story? The story of humanity? Is someone here commenting from a Communist nation? Commerce is everywhere. If not for commerce, one might argue the little girl would be dead a long time ago. Making a big fuss over the evil of marketing a la Bill Hicks isn't really that cynical, but it is facile and kind of pathetic. It makes me wonder what the hell happened to the complainant's sense of agency and self-worth. I mean, unless you're eating home-grown beets in your cave wearing a hide thong, or living a nice pirate/freegan/mooch lifestyle, you're still complicit and continuing to buy shit, so where's the beef? So yeah, Kudos to that kindly company for knowing when to hustle to give their product away free of charge. And remembrances for Colby, may she be at peace.

By: JHarris

JHarris — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:21:49 -0800

Blazecock Pileon: "The worse part is that commerce taints the story, and always will[...]" If you grant this, they have won. This thing you say, it has not always been so.

By: Dee Xtrovert

Dee Xtrovert — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:09:21 -0800

The worse part is that commerce taints the story Really? Then that would be the.... entire American story? The story of humanity? Is someone here commenting from a Communist nation? I laughed when I read this, as I'm from a (former) Communist country. How I got out of story is a very very long story, but I couldn't have done it without the efforts of six people in particular. Four of those are people some in America would know by name. Two of those four are household names. And do you know what? Not one of them had a thing to gain by doing it, and not one of them ever publicly mentioned their good deeds or used their actions to their advantage to even the slightest extent. They could have done, but they did what they did for their own reasons. I know them as humble and generous people, but I wonder how much more they might be willing to do if it weren't for the incessant, soul-crushing snark that public revelation of their kindness would incur. Perhaps if I were a child, I would be a big fan of Pixar movies. But I'm not a child, and I'm not a fan. I also abhor the sort of commercialism and sameness that has overtaken so much of America, and threatens to do so nearly everywhere else on Earth, and one could easily see Pixar as representative of this trend, and the attitude that motivates this trend. So I don't feel a need to defend Pixar per se. But since I've come to America, I've had many experiences where people and organizations one might view cynically have done wonderful things - big and small - without making a big fuss of it. The head of a Fortune 500 company showing up in high-needs school to assess the school's needs and speak to kids, and to make a life-changing, and uncredited, donation. Joe Strummer quietly picking up the tab for an entire bar, just because he had a great time chatting with fans. A country music legend paying for the education of an incredibly hard-working hip-hop kid he met at a car wash. I have a friend from part of the world who's studying for free here in America, courtesy of a kind man who left an eight-figure endowment to a university, without any requests to have any buildings or scholarships named after him. It'll change my friend's life, and it will help the area where he comes from immeasurably. Yes, we all see cheap publicity ploys by individuals and big corporations. I don't always feel at home here in America in the way I feel people born here must, but I've been a witness to a lot of humble generosity, even in the fraction of a lifetime I've spent here. I'm stunned that so many people here can't see a good deed as simply a good deed. Even with as many reasons for cynicism as I have personally, they're just outweighed by the amount of good acts I see daily. My deep wish is that the cynics here get out a little more and witness how nice a place the world really can be.

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:21:01 -0800

Really? Then that would be the.... entire American story? The story of humanity? Is someone here commenting from a Communist nation? Just curious, but did you read the rest of my comment?

By: Civil_Disobedient

Civil_Disobedient — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:43:08 -0800

I kept thinking this story was about a dying girl's wish to see Russ Meyer's last film, which is a shame because it's not nearly as good as his early stuff.

By: orme

orme — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:01:37 -0800

"Do you think you can hang on?" Colby's mother said. "I'm ready (to die), but I'm going to wait for the movie," the girl replied. I want to be as brave as this little girl. I haven't even seen the movie yet, but I am going to soak my popcorn for sure.

By: Heliochrome85

Heliochrome85 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:03:37 -0800

Thank you Dee!

By: elfgirl

elfgirl — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:27:00 -0800

Universal did something similar for a friend's nephew who had an inoperable brain tumor. He was a huge Curious George fan and was already very sick when the Curious George movie came out in theaters in 2006. Universal sent him a DVD of the movie (about two weeks after it came out in theaters) and his doctor brought his wide screen TV over so the kid could have the "big screen experience". To my knowledge, no one knows about what Universal did other than those that know the family. Sometimes big, faceless corporations just do nice things.

By: Spatch

Spatch — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:33:54 -0800

I really shouldn't have read this uplifting but sad story right after I chopped up all these onions. Oh, man. .

By: Debaser626

Debaser626 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:55:10 -0800

What they're not telling you, is that she got the cancer from watching Cars.... Bastards.... seriously, *sniff* .

By: limeonaire

limeonaire — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:06:38 -0800

By: Mastercheddaar

Mastercheddaar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:09:12 -0800

. Not afraid to say this made me cry a little. But yeah Pixar has my vote from now on.

By: Fleebnork

Fleebnork — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:42:18 -0800

I want to be able to enjoy this story without that reflexive mental sneer, and I can't. This says a lot more about you than it does Pixar or omnipresent marketing. Sometimes people really do just choose to do the good and right thing. Now excuse me, my allergies are bothering my eyes a lot this morning.

By: Halloween Jack

Halloween Jack — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:43:23 -0800

By: Reverend John

Reverend John — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:03:36 -0800

By: rusty

rusty — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:14:36 -0800

Fleebnork: It says nothing about Pixar, that was my point all along.

By: mikepop

mikepop — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:15:53 -0800

And what I hate is that none of those thoughts have anything to do with Pixar or this actual story. They're all about what omnipresent marketing and, more important, the constant assumption of marketing has done to me. I can't help but think this is a ploy by rusty to trick Pixar into showing up as his house with unreleased movies until he is "cured" of his marketing-induced illness.

By: Mister_A

Mister_A — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:40:50 -0800

I don't think Bill Hicks would approve of the beatification of Bill Hicks.

By: eye of newt

eye of newt — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:49:03 -0800

For those criticizing rusty, read his post again. He was really criticizing himself for instinctively being cynical even though it wasn't applicable in this case. Hawaiian attire that is appropriate for church is strongly encouraged as a way to celebrate Colby's life. This is obviously a Mom who sees the best in life even in the worst of circumstances, and as a result Colby got to see her favorite movie before she died. The last few years have left us all a bit cynical. Maybe we all need lessons in a better way to approach life.

By: Fleebnork

Fleebnork — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:50:00 -0800

Fleebnork: It says nothing about Pixar, that was my point all along. Metafilter: I want to be able to enjoy this story without that reflexive mental sneer, and I can't.

By: KirkJobSluder

KirkJobSluder — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:54:56 -0800

By: jabberjaw

jabberjaw — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:07:39 -0800

I just want to point out that the guy who showed up probably wasn't in marketing, wasn't a peon, and wasn't a mid-level manager. It was either him, him or him. Who else would have "shared some quirky background details of the movie" as they settled in to see the movie?

By: flippant

flippant — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:08:57 -0800

By: zarq

zarq — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:16:50 -0800

For Colby Curtin: . At about 12:30 p.m. the Pixar employee came to the Curtins' home with the DVD. He had a bag of stuffed animals of characters in the movie and a movie poster. He shared some quirky background details of the movie and the group settled in to watch Up. Pixar officials declined to comment on the story or name the employees involved. As it should be. They did something incredibly nice for a young girl and her family at a moment's notice out of the goodness of their hearts, and without fanfare. What a wonderful thing. :)

By: mistersquid

mistersquid — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:27:46 -0800

By: Brockles

Brockles — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:28:49 -0800

It was either him, him or him. Who else would have "shared some quirky background details of the movie" I don't understand your logic at all. It could have been anyone from Pixar; you think that these quirky stories aren't shared among all the staff as part of the enjoyment of working on these projects? Quirky stories within a company are not kept secret for top level people's enjoyment only.

By: jabberjaw

jabberjaw — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:42:48 -0800

^ we're talking about Pixar, Brockles.

By: GuyZero

GuyZero — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:43:05 -0800

I'd wager it was an upper-level exec as those guys just bullshit all day and don't do any real work anyway. please god don't fire me if you read this people who manage me

By: Spatch

Spatch — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:54:28 -0800

It was either him, him or him. Who else would have "shared some quirky background details of the movie" as they settled in to see the movie? Even if it was, so much the better for Pixar not trumpeting this story and naming names. It would put all the focus on the Bigwig From The Movie Industry who stopped by some family's home. Would probably read the story from the Bigwig's point of view. The story, as OolooKitty quite simply stated, is about a little girl who got her dying wish. That's all the perspective we need.

By: zarq

zarq — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:11:04 -0800

If anyone here is in advertising, or marketing: Kill yourself. I'm a publicist. In the last 15 years, I've helped spark news coverage for (among other things,) various medical procedures that enabled couples to become parents, helped educate the public about two forms of cancer, a variety of potentially life-threatening vascular and circulatory disorders, and connected kids with congenital disorders to surgical teams that helped them see and hear. I'm completely realistic about the minimal impact I've made, who benefited and how, and who did the actual, hard work in every single case. (It wasn't me.) But publicists, ad reps and marketers aren't all craven, greedy, soul-less monsters, either. Some have ethics and standards. Please don't stereotype us all out of ignorance. Pixar deliberately chose not to take credit for granting a last wish to a dying 10-year old girl. Many other companies would have jumped at a chance to grab such a spotlight. But this story isn't about Pixar. Not really. It's about the young girl who was in so much pain before she died that she couldn't even watch that movie -- and her mom, who got a chance to tell her what was happening on the screen. As with this story, the gesture itself is less important than the person receiving it.

By: bendy

bendy — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:46:44 -0800

The mom names the Pixar employee on the girl's website. I emailed my friend who works at Pixar and she knew the story but didn't even know the employee's name until I told her.

By: Samizdata

Samizdata — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:52:32 -0800

Yay Pixar! .

By: tkchrist

tkchrist — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:56:38 -0800

OMG! zarq, DON'T KILL YOURSELF!

By: ahdeeda

ahdeeda — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:17:43 -0800

As if the article wasn't enough, I visited her Caring Bridge site, and now I'm crying like a baby. At work. .

By: Librarygeek

Librarygeek — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:50:01 -0800

ok, I really should not have read this at work. *tears *

By: grapefruitmoon

grapefruitmoon — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:15:50 -0800

Pixar needs to create a MetaFilter account so I can fake internet marry it. I'm surprised no one mentioned it, but it's the adventure book and Colby's mom saying that she'll have to fill in the adventures on Colby's behalf... that just ripped the still beating heart right out of my chest. That's ok, I don't need it back. I'll just use this smooshy piece of goo over here, that'll do just as well.

By: jabberjaw

jabberjaw — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:45:10 -0800

Aaand... The mom names the Pixar employee on the girl's website. ...there goes my speculation.

By: double block and bleed

double block and bleed — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:36:44 -0800

I'm a fully grown man and I'm not afraid to say that I cried at this. I just checked on all three of my boys, asleep in bed. No parent should ever have to bury their child. I think the PR argument is absolutely ridiculous. I don't care if Pixar, the Easter Bunny or Satan himself delivered the movie to this little girl. I'm just glad she got her wish. I know that I will never be able to approach my own death with the grace and dignity that she did. .

By: tehloki

tehloki — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:07:31 -0800

I would both laugh and cry if this had been a set-up by a scene organization to get a pre-release DVDrip of Up! out.

By: mustard seeds

mustard seeds — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:30:46 -0800