Fly high with Pixar's 'Up'

As part of a promotion for its upcoming animated feature, 'Up,' Pixar has teamed with cluster balloon pilot Jonathan Trappe to send a flying armchair around the country this spring.

(Credit: Jonathan Trappe/Pixar)

Coming to a sky near you: a large cluster of multicolored balloons carrying a real-world version of the flying armchair featured in Pixar's forthcoming film, "Up."

The film, Pixar's 10th animated feature, focuses on the fate of 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen, his house, and a wayward 8-year-old who happens by one day. Together, launched into the sky by a cluster of balloons tied to the roof of Fredricksen's house, the two set off on, you know, the adventure of a lifetime.

For most of us, we'll have to go to the theater to share in the skyward experience. But in 20 cities around the U.S. this spring, a lucky few will have a chance to take part in a real-world manifestation of Fredricksen's flying armchair.

That's because Pixar has teamed up with cluster ballooning expert Jonathan Trappe to fly the armchair around the United States, accompanied by "a team of FAA-certified balloon pilots."

"The armchair flights will consist of a five-story-tall cluster of colorful balloons carefully attached to the gondola," a site dedicated to the project states, "allowing Media VIP aeronauts to ascend to tethered altitudes above the city and experience the world of lighter-than-air flight in a very unique way."

Even if you can't ride the armchair itself, Pixar and Trappe are offering some people the chance to be involved as volunteers. In each of the 20 cities, teams will gather at two in the morning to set the balloons off into the sky, and the project is taking applications now.

"Cluster ballooning takes a team of volunteers, all coming together to send the system aloft," the site says. "It is awe-inspiring to see a cluster system come together in the early pre-dawn hours. To be one of the people that send one of these rare systems aloft is something many people will remember their whole lives."

Lighter-than-air pilot experience, the site cautions, or some kind of ballooning crew experience, is preferred.

I don't know about you, but I do know that I'm going to do everything I can think of to be a part of it. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

[Angmarr]

i remember seeing how there REALLY WAS some guy who flew around for awhile in his balloon attached armchair!!!

p.s really waiting for this film, and I've never bothered with wanting to see any Pixar's

[theboyr]

I remember hearing the story before of a guy who thought if he loaded a bunch of balloons on his chair he may float above ground for a little.

He ended up shooting up like 1000 feet when they took off the restraints.

[terminalblue]

yeah...mythbusters covered it

[Angmarr]

@ terminalblue

ya!

[dargon19888]

If this is typical of Pixar's fare, you can expect an Oscar nod. Too bad Disney bought them. As a shareholder, with the annual report, you got a limited edition movie poster of their then current release.

With respect to Up, you should check out some of the soon to be released Alfac commercials. PR Wire reports that Afac teamed up with Disney for some cross promotional ideas. If they're like the other Aflac commercials, I can't wait to see them!

[bradsking]

You can actually get an exclusive look today at both the newly designed #99 NASCAR vehicle as well as the Aflac/Up Commercial at http://www.stitchkingdom.com/tag/aflac

[knowles2]

sounds like a brilliant promotion idea, shame it only happening in the US any chance of them taking it around world and when I say around the world, what I really mean is there any chance of them just bring it across the pond to London.
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