Meeting Moana #Moana

Meeting Moana

By Erin

I attended an early press day as a guest of Disney for purposes of this post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

MOANA village costume designs. Artist: Neysa Bové, Visual Development Artist.

The other month we learned all about the creative process of creating the characters for Moana. We met the members of the team who brought Disney’s adventurous heroine to life, from the initial sketches to costume design to animation – and how both research and the actress bringing Moana to life helped inspire the artists creating her character. Bill Schwab (Art Director, Characters), Amy Smeed (Head of Animation), Malcon Pierce (Animation Supervisor, Moana) and Neysa Bové (Vis Dev Artist) shared us the story of how Moana was brought to life. The magical characters were all inspired by the people they encountered during their travels to the islands of the Pacific, filmmakers populated their story with a host of dynamic characters. A top-notch voice cast helps bring the characters of Moana to life. I wanted to share a little bit about each of the characters you will meet on this special journey we get to experience with Moana.

MOANA village costume design. Artist: Neysa Bové, Visual Development Artist.

Walt Disney Animation Studios has another masterpiece in the making, Moana, a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. Moana is a vibrant, tenacious and compassionate 16-year-old who is struggling to find her true self. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder.

Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds. Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. So come get ready to sail away on this magnificent journey and meet Moana, her family, friends, and other creatures she meets along the way.

MOANA

Moana is an adventurous, curious, tenacious and compassionate 16-year-old who is on a journey to find her true self. While her father, Chief Tui, pressures her to follow in his footsteps and lead their island one day, Moana is drawn to the sea. We get to witness firsthand her love for the sea, and it is magical. The people of her village are forbidden to go beyond the safety of the reef, yet the open ocean seems to beckon Moana. “It doesn’t seem possible for her to fulfill her heart’s desire and still be true to her people and her culture,” says director Ron Clements. “She descended from navigators, but she doesn’t know it.”

Her island is threatened by a terrible darkness, which causes Moana to break the rules and sets sail on an epic adventure to save her people and find the answers she’s been searching for her whole life. Says director John Musker, “She is inspired to solve the problem of this world that has been haunting them and has made voyaging impossible. If she can face this problem that’s plagued them for a thousand years, perhaps voyaging could resume.”

Moana is a strong hero who sets out to retrieve what her people lost a long time ago. Moana wants to save the world. She’s a powerful role model for today’s audiences, perfect for young girls to look up to.

The perfect voice was found to bring Moana to life. Auli‘i Cravalho was called on to provide the voice of the tenacious teenager. “She has the spirit of Moana,” says Shurer. “We tease her and she teases us right back. There’s a fearlessness, but at the same time genuine warmth. She is a natural talent and a professional—but still a kid at heart.”

MAUI

Maui is a demigod—half god, half mortal, all awesome. Charismatic and funny, he wields a magical fishhook that allows him to shapeshift into all kinds of animals and pull up islands from the sea. Maui was once considered the greatest hero in Oceania. Watch for Maui’s tattoos. His body is covered with tattoos of his extraordinary feats, including a mini-version of himself that acts as Maui’s conscience. The tattoos are animated and really help to tell the story and adds some comedy that is fun to watch. “Maui is responsible for the trouble that threatens Moana’s people,” says Musker. “He’s paying a price for his actions and is somewhat of a lost hero—a shadow of his former self. Moana needs him to right his wrongs and restore what’s been lost.”

Alongside Moana, Maui brings his super strength—as well as his super-sized issues. “He has an all-encompassing drive to succeed that gets him into trouble,” says Clements.

Dwayne Johnson voices Maui. “He’s very connected to his Samoan roots,” says Clements. “Maui is a charismatic character and Dwayne is nothing if not charismatic. He has great comedic timing, nails the action scenes and is so likable. And he can sing.”

Gramma Tala

Gramma Tala, Moana’s confidante and best friend, shares her granddaughter’s special connection to the ocean. Although her son, Chief Tui, is a no-nonsense leader, Gramma Tala most definitely dances to the beat of her own drum. She feels in her soul that the ocean has big plans for Moana, but she won’t reveal the legendary secrets of their wayfinding ancestors till the time is right.

“Gramma Tala is the keeper of the ancient stories,” says screenwriter Jared Bush. “She knows the history of their people and understands how important it is that Moana holds onto her dreams. But she never gives her the answers. She lets Moana find her way.”

Rachel House is the voice of Gramma Tala.

Chief Tui & Sina

TEMUERA MORRISON (“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Once Were Warriors,” “Six Days, Seven Nights”) voices Moana’s father, CHIEF TUI, the gregarious and well-respected leader of the people of Motunui Island. NICOLE SCHERZINGER (Grammy®-nominated singer, West End's "Cats") voices Moana’s mother, SINA, who always has her daughter’s back. Playful, sharp and strong-willed, Sina appreciates Moana’s longing to be on the water, but also wants to protect her daughter from the fabled dangers beyond the reef. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Moana’s father is Chief Tui, the gregarious and well-respected leader of the people of Motunui Island. He wants Moana to follow in his footsteps as leader of their people, but fears his daughter’s connection with the ocean and the world beyond. “Her dad tells her again and again she must not venture out into the dangerous sea,” says Bush. “He insists her role is as future chief of their people. He reminds her of this massive responsibility and how important it is for her to embrace it. Temuera Morrison lends his voice to Chief Tui.

Moana’s mother always has her back. Playful, sharp and strong-willed, Sina appreciates Moana’s longing to be on the water. But much like Tui, her hard-headed husband, Sina wants to protect her daughter from the fabled dangers beyond the reef. Above all, Sina trusts Moana to make the right decisions. Nicole Scherzinger voices Sina.

The Kakamora

The Kakamora are wild, coconut-armored pirates who live on a trash- and flotsam- covered vessel that floats freely around the ocean. The Kakamora may be small, but they are ruthless warriors who will stop at nothing to get what they want. They are cute in an odd way, but I sure wouldn’t want to make them mad!

Tamatoa

Awwww isn’t he cute? Tamatoa is a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab who lives in Lalotai, the realm of monsters. The conceited crustacean wants to be more than a “bottom feeder” and overcompensates for this perceived shortcoming by covering himself in all things shiny. The avid collector fiercely holds onto his ever-growing array of artifacts, along with a nasty grudge against Maui. Jemaine Clement provides the voice of Tamatoa.

Heihei

Heihei is super hilarious to watch. Heihei was actually a pretty smart rooster when they first created him, but as they evolved his character for Moana, they turned him into a not so bright rooster, making much comedy ensue. Heihei is one dumb rooster—the village idiot, in fact. When the clueless chicken accidentally stows away on Moana’s canoe, he lands a front-row seat for her epic journey. But when Maui targets the feathered fowl as his next meal, kind-hearted Moana sticks her neck out to save Heihei. Alan Tudyk is behind the voice of HeiHei.

Pua

PUA is Moana’s loyal pet pig with puppy energy and an innocent puppy brain. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Pua is Moana’s loyal pet pig with puppy energy and an innocent puppy brain. He’s guileless and sweet—he’d do anything for Moana. Pua just wants her to be happy. I am so excited to see more of Pua, I want a Pua of my own now. 🙂 Moana Poster

Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”) and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), Moana sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016. Just in time for the holiday season!