Toy Story:
TO Communication AND BEYOND
An overview of Toy Story/Toy Story 3 and its relationship to Interpersonal Communication
This webpage was created in response to the theories and information that was taught in Interpersonal Communication. The different tabs are topics of information that were covered each week in class. The paragraphs under the tabs each attempt to relate a certain theory or concept learned in class to the movie Toy Story or Toy Story 3. This class was offered at the University of Northern Iowa and was taken during the spring semester of 2013.
Toy Story
Toy Story is a classic. This iconic story line was put into motion in 1995. The film was expected to be a bust, but soared to infinity and beyond. In this movie, Woody, a leader of a group of toys living in Andy's house, has to make room for a new toy that threatens Woody's postion as leader. The audience goes for a ride as Woody tries his hardest to communicate to a Buzz, a strong-willed toy that believes he is a real space ranger, that Buzz Lightyear really is just a toy. The two go through a long adventure together as they get lost at Pizza Planet, end up at Sid's, and try to make it home before Andy and his family move out of the house.
Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3 was released in 2010, 11 years after Toy Story 2, and people of all ages were captivated by this nail-biting adventure that ends like a sappy chick flick. Woody, Buzz, and the gang all are back together and are preparing for their new lives while Andy heads off to college. The toys have to make a decision between staying in the attic or donating themselves to Sunnyside daycare. They end up at Sunnyside and soon realize the leadership is corrupt and the toys have to work their hardest to get out of the Sunnyside system and make it back to Andy's house before he leaves for college.
Character Overviews
Woody
Woody, played by Tom Hanks, is a strong-willed, warm hearted toy that goes through a lot of change due to the fact that he is a toy and a strong leader. Woody has to accommodate new toys when they come into Andy's home. He works hard to make sure that everyone is comfortable and knows they will not be replaced. Still, Woody has his own insecurities. When Buzz comes along, Woody has his work set out for him while he attempts to remain in power. His stubborn attitude only worsens the situation, but fortunately, everything pans out in favor of all the toy's best wishes. Woody continues to work hard to make sure that Andy is cared for and loved by all the other toys.
Buzz Lightyear
Buzz Lightyear, played by Tim Allen, is an equally strong-willed leader that truly believed he was a space ranger when he arrived at Andy's house and met Woody and the gang. After solving their disputes, Buzz and Woody together make one of the best dynamic duos in the theatrical realm. Buzz uses his "flying with style" skills in multiple ways while the toys are on adventures. Buzz works alongside Woody to make sure that the gang is always supporting Andy and caring for him, even when times get rough.
Andy
Andy, played by John Morris, represents the youth of the 1990's. His free soul, imaginative mind, highly developed play skills, and openness to adventure make him the perfect owner for the toys. Andy is the character that both movies are based around. Andy is the main concern. In Toy Story, the toys must make it back before Andy moves into a new home. In Toy Story 3, the toys go through a lot of trouble to make sure that they are back before Andy heads off to college.
Bonnie
Bonnie, played by Emily Hahn, appears in the Toy Story 3 cast of characters. Her sweet soul, shy spirit, and undeniably adorable face make her the perfect fit to play a character that symbolizes the child that rests mostly dormant, but still alive, in all of us. Bonnie is the catalyst for getting Woody to a place where he learns that the toys are in need of his help back at Sunnyside. Bonnie also represents the new youth of this world as she takes the toys into her own care and plays with them just as Andy did years ago.
Jessie
Jessie, played by Joan Cusack, represents the fear in all of the toy's hearts. She always fears the worst when it comes to the potential of being abandoned by Andy. Jessie has a wild spirit, she's almost always positive, and she's third in terms of leadership. Jessie stands alongside Buzz and sometimes even convinces him to follow her own lead. Buzz and Jessie's relationship is a large focal point in this project. Their relationship was easy to relate many theories to.
Bo Peep
Bo Peep, played by Annie Potts, was originally supposed to be played by Barbie, but because Toy Story was supposed to be a flop, Barbie was not approved by Mattel to be in the script. Instead, Bo Peep is a quiet and somewhat more sexual version of Barbie. She's less of a pop-icon and more of a symbol of beauty and poise. Bo Peep's relationship with Woody is also frequently used as a connection to a theory throughout this project.
Barbie
Barbie, played by Jodie Benson, is a bubbly blonde toy that adds a lot of dimension to the team. She falls immediately for Ken. But, she represents a true friend. She sticks up for what she believes is right and does not tolerate any trouble that might come to her friends. Barbie and Ken's relationship is also used often throughout this project.
Ken
Although Ken, played by Michael Keaton, is a dangerous and villainous character in the beginning, Ken undergoes static growth throughout the course of the movie. Ken becomes a leader in his own group. Ken decides that having a fun and groovy operating system at Sunnyside would be a much better alternative to the dark system ruled by Lot's-O. Ken and Barbie together make quite a groovy team.
Chuckles
Chuckles, played by Bud Luckey, is a catalyst to getting Woody on the road back to Sunnyside to return to his friends and help them escape Sunnyside. Chuckles, a seriously somber clown, tells Woody about the problems that Lot's-O has from his own experience. Chuckles once was alongside Lot's-O when he was replaced and found himself at the mercy of Sunnyside.
Lot's-O
Lot's-O, played by Ned Beatty, is the tyrannical leader at Sunnyside daycare. His harsh past, being replaced by a new toy when he was left behind, makes his situation especially interesting. His actions are fueled by his anger and hatred from being replaced. Although he could use his anger to better the world, instead he uses it to hurt others. This makes him an especially interesting character for consideration in this project.
About the Author
My name is Hanna Martin, I am currently an undecided undergraduate at the University of Northern Iowa. As was stated above, this project was put together for a class I am taking for my spring 2013 semester. I have loved Toy Story since I was a child, but after watching the third movie in 2010, I became a true fan. I have a Toy Story backpack, poster, figurine, sweatshirt, dish set, and much more. I decided my extensive knowledge and slight obsession with these movies would make it easy for me to base this project on. Quite frankly, this project has only expanded my love for this movie, seeing as it is so applicable to real life situations!
See notes for pictures A-K.