I received an all-expenses-paid trip to San Francisco for the coverage of this press event for Disney•Pixar. However, all opinions are my own.
A few years ago before the movie came out I had the opportunity to travel to Pixar and not only learn about the process for making this movie and the inspiration for it but also got to meet and talk to the producer, animators and so many of the people involved in the process of making the movie. I was truly in awe of the detail and work that went into it but above all I was touched by the work that went into truly honoring and sharing the Mexican Day of the Dead traditions in a loving way. One of the experiences we had was learning about the animation process for the whimsical and colorful skeleton characters in Disney’s movie COCO.
As I have mentioned before El Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a tradition that has great significance for me and my family. One of the most important things about el Dia de Muertos is that, in contrast to Halloween, it’s a celebration of life and a joyous occasion. Sugar skulls or calaveras and skeletons are a big part of the Day of the Dead traditions and in the movie, COCO Miguel’s ancestors, who live in the Land of the Dead, are all skeletons.
During one of the sessions we attended, we learned all about the process for developing and animating the skeletons and how they were able to make these characters express feelings and be relatable to the audience. If you think about it, making Miguel’s deceased ancestors feel like a warm and loving family even though they are skeletons has to be pretty challenging. For the Aztecs skulls are a positive symbol not only for death but also for rebirth, however, this is not the case in Western civilization where they are viewed as something scary, spooky and negative. One of the things that are immediately obvious when you watch the movie trailers is that the skeletons are friendly, caring, fun and relatable characters.
Daniel Arriaga Character Art Director on COCO shared with us that the skeleton where some of the hardest characters that have ever been created at Pixar. From figuring out how they moved even though they had no muscles to finding ways to giving the characters personalities, there were many things to take into consideration. Early on the animation team decided to give them eyes and eyelashes so the skulls would look alive. They also used clothing, hats, and hair to differentiate them and make their personalities really come to life.
Clear expressions are important so that the audience can understand how the characters are feeling, showing emotions on a skull was very important to connect to the audience and to accomplish these they team gave a wider array of flexibility and movement to the skulls.
For Aztecs skulls were a positive symbol, not only of death but also of rebirth. As part of the Dia de los Muertos traditions, people wear skull masks or paint their faces to look like skulls. Flowers are often incorporated into the face-painted skull designs with the purpose of making skulls colorful and festive and using them as a symbol that celebrates life and helps people overcome the fear of death.
Because face painting is a big part of the Day of the Dead celebrations COCO’s animation team wanted to have this not only in the Land of the Living but also in the Land of the Dead. Face paint was used on the skulls applying unique designs and colors for each character. This was done in a subtle way so it would not distract from the facial expressions of the characters and in my opinion, it not just gives them lots of personality but also a sense of authenticity.
The movie Coco by Disney Pixar excellent showcases the colorful world of skeletons and is set in Mexico. If you are going to plunge into the fairy-tale about Miguel and his travel in the Land of the Dead, there are a few ideas that can be used for inspiration for creative work. Are you a student who struggles with writing assignments? Consider turning to an essay for sale to get excellent work done in a shorter time. Welcome to the magic of Coco and bring it to all your dreams and plans!
If you haven’t seen COCO yet you can check out the movie trailer below!
You can read more about Disney•Pixar’s COCO by visiting the Disney Movie website HERE. And be sure to follow the hashtag
For even more fun ways to teach kids about Día de los Muertos and its traditions, be sure to read my article about the best Day of the Dead movies for kids.
Disney COCO Movie Free Printables and Activities
After watching the movie check out these Coco-themed crafts and free printables, perfect for a fun Coco movie-inspired party or activity. It includes free coloring pages for characters like Dante, Miguel, Ernesto, and Hector, along with a printable template for creating Coco‘s guitar. Additionally, readers can find instructions for making paper marigolds and a fun maze activity. The article also suggests related activities like alebrijes paper crafts and a Coco “Remember Me” lotería game.
Discover More About Disney Pixar’s COCO with These Articles
If you’re as captivated by COCO as many are, these additional articles provide a deeper look into the movie’s cultural significance, characters, and the creative work behind the scenes. From learning about the inspiration behind the film to understanding its portrayal of Mexican traditions, these articles will help you appreciate COCO even more. Whether you’re curious about the animation process or how the film shines a light on Latino culture, these articles have something for everyone and will make watching the movie so much more meaningful.
- Getting A Sneak Peek At Disney Pixar’s COCO Movie
This article gives you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how Coco was made, including details on the animation process and cultural research. - COCO Takes You On A Musical Journey Through The Sounds Of Mexico
Discover how COCO uses authentic Mexican music to enhance the story, taking viewers on a rich and vibrant musical journey.
- 10 Interesting Facts About COCO’s Character Dante
Find out fun facts about Dante, the lovable dog in COCO, and how he was inspired by real-life Mexican hairless dogs called Xoloitzcuintli. This is one of my most popular COCO articles, everyone wants to know more about the funny and quirky pup Dante.
- Promoting Positive Latino Role Models
COCO highlights positive Latino role models, showcasing a strong cultural identity and the importance of family values. - COCO Shines A Spotlight On Mexican Folk Art Bringing Alebrijes To Life
This article explores how COCO features Mexican folk art, especially the magical creatures called alebrijes, and their cultural significance.
- A Movie About Ancestors, Memories And Familia
This article delves into the heart of COCO, focusing on the film’s themes of family, honoring ancestors, and preserving memories. - Why This Animated Movie Means So Much To Latino Families
This article explains why COCO resonates so deeply with Latino families, celebrating the culture, traditions, and strong family bonds in the movie. Here I share how important it was for my kids to see a movie where a culture so similar to ours (we are from Guatemala) was celebrated in such a loving way. There are so many things we identified with from our love for tamales and music, to our strong family bonds and honoring and remembering loved ones that have passed away through traditional Dia de los Muertos foods.
Day of the Dead Activities and Crafts For Kids
Here are some more fun Day of the Dead activities and crafts for kids that will help them celebrate the holiday while learning about its traditions. From creative crafts to festive treats, these ideas are perfect for getting everyone involved in the spirit of Día de los Muertos!
Make a Sugar Skull Quilling Project with Your Kids
This Easy Day of the Dead Craft teaches kids how to make a sugar skull using the art of paper quilling. By rolling and shaping strips of colorful paper, kids can create a fun and decorative sugar skull to celebrate Día de los Muertos. It’s an easy and creative project that helps kids learn about the holiday while making a unique decoration.
Paint Sugar Skull Pumpkins for Day of the Dead
In this Sugar Skull Pumpkins craft, kids can paint pumpkins with bright colors and sugar skull designs for a fun twist on Day of the Dead traditions. This project is easy and perfect for decorating your home for Día de los Muertos while involving children in the creative process. It’s a festive and unique way to celebrate the holiday with a fun craft.
Create a Sugar Skull Paper Garland with Your Kids
The Sugar Skull Paper Garland craft is a simple and colorful way for kids to help decorate for Día de los Muertos. Using colorful cardstock, children can cut out and decorate paper skulls to string together into a garland. This easy craft is perfect for teaching kids about the meaning of sugar skulls and adding festive flair to your celebration.
Bake Pan de Muerto with Fun Variations
This Easy Pan de Muerto Recipe walks you through making the traditional sweet bread used during Día de los Muertos. You can also add fun variations like making pan de muerto calaverita decorated with sugar skull designs, or filling the pan de muerto with Mexican hot chocolate ice cream or marigold cream for a special twist. These playful variations are sure to make your Day of the Dead celebration extra delicious and memorable.
Make Day of the Dead Skeleton Cookies
Day of the Dead Skeleton Cookies are an easy and fun recipe where you decorate skeleton designs on sugar cookies using icing. This simple recipe is great for kids who want to get involved in the kitchen while learning about Día de los Muertos. The cookies are perfect for a festive treat to share with family and friends.
Cook with Marigolds: Easy Recipes for Día de los Muertos
These Easy Recipes Using Marigolds (cempasúchil) are a unique and flavorful way to honor Día de los Muertos. Try delicious options like Marigold Flan, Cempasúchil Cream-Filled Pan de Muerto, or Marigold Atole, each using the bright and symbolic marigold flower. These recipes add a special touch to your holiday table and are a beautiful way to connect with tradition.
Throw a Day of the Dead Themed Party
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with a lively and colorful party featuring fun decorations like a sugar skull piñata garland and and let the kids make their own creative sugar skull masks . Keep the festivities sweet with kid-friendly treats like sugar skull fruit pizza (one of my favorite Day of the Dead desserts), these super easy to make white chocolate-covered strawberries, and if you really want to take your Dia de los Muertos party to the next level this festive Day of the Dead cake with buttercream frosting is a must! For a unique dessert, try making coconut pumpkin budin shaped into into a sugar skull to delight your guests! Get some more Day of the Dead party ideas and free printable here!
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
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