Trip to Samoa

Travelling to Samoa with the Disney crew was a very special experience. On this trip we had the Directors, and producer but we also had people from the arts department, story writers and more - taking in, photographing, sketching, recording – just trying to capture the essence of the Islands in every way.  From the first moment we arrived John Musker had his sketch pad out and started capturing moments in the way that only people trained in the art of animations can. There were many sketches done of all of us including one of the producer when she got seasick on the way to Savai’i.

SamoaOpetaia at Coconuts

 Conference room at coconuts Opetaia with John Musker

 Dinner at Coconuts Seafood at Coconuts

At 4.30am the next morning we were on the way to the ferry for the trip to Savai’i . It was quite a long trip but totally worth it. First were the blow holes – I have never seen anything like it. The directors who are passionate about the personality the sea was going to have in the movie just loved it and everyone got soaked when massive spouts erupted out of the rocks.

Next was the trip to the spirit land. This is where Opetaia had a hugely inspiring time. We met with a very old and fragile gentleman who appeared to look into people’s hearts and souls and he was telling the story of the spiritual canoes visiting with the ancestors and took us on a walk through bush and up rocks to show us the place they come to. 

On the way to Savai'iBlowholes

 The Disney team observing the Blowholes Disney team

 Spirit man in Savai'i Savai'i

 

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