SCAD always gets people from Pixar to come speak to us and today Erik Smitt, a lighter and lead photographer, gave a lecture on lighting. I was too intimidated to say anything to all of the other Pixar visitors, but this time I decided to stay a few minutes after the lecture to talk to Eric. 

At first I asked him if he was aware he looks like Neil Patrick Harris and he laughed and got super happy because he loves that man dearly. Then I told him how much I appreciate Pixar’s decision to do a film based on Dia de los Muertos. I told him about how much it’s going to mean to me and the people in my culture. Especially when you consider that a Pixar film has never had a person of color for a main character. I was teary eyed and happy and he mirrored my emotion. He shook my hand and told me, “What’s your name? Ashley Hernandez, I sincerely hope we don’t disappoint you and your support and faith in us will be known at the studio.” 

and just akdgjdejfhf this has been SUCH a shitty week for me and this has made me so happy because not only did he listen to what I was saying, but he sympathized with me and made me feel sure that the movie isn’t going to be about white kids appropriating the holiday. And, hah, there was actually some white girl that was talking to him about how excited she was for the film because Dia de los Muertos influenced a video game she likes. He was just kind of like “Uhhh, we’re not really doing anything close to a video game. We’re in a totally different direction.” and then a professor near her told her that she was taking up too much of his time and like, PUSHED HER ASIDE and pulled me up to talk to him RIGHT WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO CHICKEN OUT AND WALK AWAY. 

Just. Ahhhh. I’m so glad I got to talk to him. And I’m never washing my hand again. Lovelovelove Pixar. ♥