I made a Disney/Pixar movie about The Journal, kind of

It all started in a group chat: “I asked an AI to make me in different styles. This is what I got,” my brother sent.

My brother then sent pictures of himself in multiple cartoon styles, from The Simpsons to Bob’s Burgers to anime to even Animal Crossing. And they were uncanny, like Matt Groening or Loren Bouchard had sat down and drawn him.

“HOW?” I texted back.

“I used the Bing Image Creator,” he replied, “And just got very descriptive with it.”

Curious, I immediately went to the website on my phone, signed up for an account, and asked AI to make images of me in the same styles, with the addition of Gravity Falls and The Sims. My cartoon likenesses were adorable and I couldn’t believe how much they looked like me. I immediately shared with the group, saying “Okay, I LOVE this!”

My friends started sending pictures of themselves in different cartoon worlds, and I sent another wave of pics of my husband in the cartoon styles. Overall, it was a good way to spend a Thursday night.

I didn’t think much of Bing Image Creator until a week later. Scrolling through TikTok, I saw a trend where couples were remaking their favorite pictures in Disney/Pixar style.

So naturally, I was back at Bing, remaking pictures of me and my husband on our wedding day and on some of our favorite date nights throughout the years as if we were a Disney couple. I even posted the recreation of my wedding picture on my Facebook, and after a bunch more likes than I’m used to seeing, I started thinking of what the news team would look like.

When I first started working here, the news team was myself, Will, our managing editor and Tyler, our self-described investigative reporter. So I made the original team, and sent it along to Will and Tyler.

Tyler responded with “We look so cool. I’m definitely the comic relief.”

Will responded with “I look like my uncle did back in the 70s. These are cute.”

I sent, “Mine looks like my mom. I don’t think I’m the comic relief, but not the main character either. I think I’d be the supportive side character.” The main character slot I reserved for Will.

This began the idea for a Disney/Pixar movie — that I’d definitely like to see — called “Journal.” I mocked up a poster and sent it to the group.

Tyler then gave the idea to have a movie with the team when he was managing editor as the sequel. I loved that idea, and made another poster with the team at that time, called, of course, “Journal 2.”

And then finally, with myself taking on the role of managing editor, we arrive on the third movie in the franchise, “Journal 3,” now featuring the current team.

Now, I’ve seen a bunch of journalism movies — my favorites being “Spotlight” and “Anchorman,” but a lot of those movies hinge on a huge story.

For this franchise, I’m thinking more of a workplace comedy/slice-of-life. I’m not sure if slice-of-life would be as popular. But, one thing I do know, that if it has the Disney/Pixar name behind it, it’s sure to blow up and be a work of art, (unless it’s “Cars 2.”)

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