Pixar tries for a more realistic animation style in this clip for the new short film The Blue Umbrella

Whether you love Pixar or not, you have to admit they are the name to beat when it comes to feature animation. While the Pixar team expands little by little beyond the original group of directors, young up and comers are still given an opportunity to try their hand at originality with short films attached to the theatrical releases each year. Some of these shorts are downright fantastic (DAY & NIGHT, PRESTO) and there is not a single one that does not entertain.

The latest short film is THE BLUE UMBRELLA, which will be attached to MONSTERS UNIVERSITY. The short goes for a look very different from any other Pixar film. Yes, the central characters are anthropomorphized umbrellas, but they are photo-realistic as well. Pixar does have some stunning imagery that they intentionally exaggerate for a more cartoon style, but they definitely have the technology for realism.

Plot: It is just another evening commute until the rain starts to fall, and the city comes alive to the sound of dripping rain pipes, whistling awnings and gurgling gutters. And in the midst, two umbrellas—one blue, one not—fall eternally in love.

Director Saschka Unseld is likely to get a lot of praise for this film. Judging this 30 seconds of footage, Unseld has done more with umbrellas than Lindsay Lohan has done in her entire career.

THE BLUE UMBRELLA will open in front of MONSTERS UNIVERSITY in theaters on June 21, 2013.