Talk:Cars (film)

Fair use rationale for Image:Carsanimation.png

Image:Carsanimation.png is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

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BetacommandBot (talk) 04:11, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

A fair-use rationale has been added. Mr. Absurd (talk) 04:32, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Speculation: Amboy, CA, might not have been the only basis for "Radiator Springs"

I suspect the creators of th4e movie took inspiration from the town of Tucumcari, New Mexico, as well, another old town on Route 66. 68.36.214.143 (talk) 00:32, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

There may also have been other places on the Mother Road...speculating further, suppose someone were to make a fanfic prequel about the Lincoln Highway? 68.36.214.143 (talk) 00:36, 6 January 2008 (UTC)

Mater's Likeness

Either the authors of this article need to provide verifyable sources or keep their hands off the "Edit" link. Just as my opinion that McQueen was made to resemble a mid 1960's Corvette by Ramone's paint job was deleted from this article, it is strictly opinion that Mater's likeness is that of a vehicle that he was not directly based on, and must similarly be deleted.

My source for my claim is the "Four Women on the Route" souvenir shop and diner. At this diner sits a 1951 IHC L-170 book tow truck, which I have seen and touched (i.e. the truck really exists). According to photographic evidence available for public review there, Joe Ranft was touring Route 66 before the movie was made, and saw this very truck sitting off in a nearby lot, just rusting away. He decided right there on the spot that this was to be the basis for Mater, and actually helped dig the thing out (a tree was growing up through the back frame).

Mater's cab, hood, boom lift and overall shape are consistent with the 1951 IHC L-170. Only the bed is different (the actual truck lacks a proper bed). The truck has since been named "Tow Tater" by a group of local school children.

I will change the article back to indicate the correct origin shortly, unless someone can clarify the rules (and don't just link to a rules page, spell it out for the benefit of all who read this). Vanessaezekowitz (talk) 21:29, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

In a nutshell, you need to provide unbiased third-party verifiable sources to support your personal observation. Preferably legitimate news sources that quote the film's creators talking about the inspiration for Mater. If you do not provide these types of citations, then the chances of your edit being reverted may increase as the edit would fall under WP:OR. (yes, i linked. please read it.)SpikeJones (talk) 02:34, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia's original research guidelines state that a person with "specialist knowledge" in a field may quote themself directly as a reliable source, provided said person maintains a NPOV, writes about their previous work in the third person, and is otherwise verifyable. The "reliable sources" guidelines specifically state that a printed book may be used as a source as long as the author is an expert and has already published in the past. Moreover, the guidelines explicitly state that "The threshold for inclusion in Wikipedia is verifiability, not truth." The book "The Art of Cars" by Michael Wallis and others, published by Chronicle Books and apparently officially licensed by Disney/Pixar, is an appropriate and verifyable source. Furthermore, the movie's credits explicitly thank Mr. Wallis for being a primary source of inspiration for the movie. Quoting the book's dedication:

"In Galena, Kansas, we found a lonely old tow truck that most folks would pass by without a second glance. Our Head of Story Joe Ranft, however, saw beyond the rust and broken-down parts — he saw the inspiration for the character Mater."

Joe Ranft was head-of-story for 10 years, until his death. The above quote was taken from wordpress.com, but I believe it constitutes fair use in that they are quoting someone else's work. More here: http://rwarn17588.wordpress.com/2006/10/05/four-wheeled-inspiration-for-mater-is-found/

Per Wikipedia's verifiability policy, the author must have published similar material in the past, which this guy has. A list of Wallis's other works can be found on his website, here: http://www.michaelwallis.com/

Incidentally, the truck in question is still in running order after all these years.

Vanessaezekowitz (talk) 07:22, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

Right, so go read WP:CITE and see how books are cited in WP so you can see how the information you would like to add to the article should be cited. The info you add needs to be contained in the citation and not be from any WP:OR you do on your own (ie it doesn't matter that you touched the truck yourself). SpikeJones (talk) 12:10, 16 January 2008 (UTC)