Todd James Pierce

Original Disneyland train cars reunite at Carolwood Foundation's Combine event

2011-06-09T12:12:00Z

I am not nearly old enough to have attended Disneyland in the 1950s. The first time I went to the park, I was five years old. This was the 1970s. But I have long been interested in the park as it existed in those early years: how art directors and set designers used their cinematic skills to recreate the environments of movies and TV in a real-world setting, how camera-repair men and auto-body stylists built a narrow gage railroad, a fleet of miniature cars, and even an omnibus. This is what attracted...(read more)

Remembering Fess Parker and Frontier World

2010-03-19T04:05:00Z

As he pays tribute to this Disney legend, Todd James Pierce talks about the time that Fess fessed up about the Davy Crockett park that he almost built...(read more)

Disneyland history comes to life at D23's first anniversary party

2010-03-12T05:00:00Z

Todd James Pierce shares some of the great pastories that he heard this past Wednesday night when he chatted with Tony Baxter, Bob Gurr and Becky Cline at this after-hours gathering at The Happiest Place on Earth...(read more)

Disney Legend Harriet Burns: A model (maker) of a mother

2010-01-14T05:00:00Z

Todd James Pierce talks with Pam Burns-Clair, co-author of “Walt Disney’s First Lady of Imagineering, Harriet Burns,” a brand-new book which will make its debut this Sunday at the NFFC-Disneyana Fan Club’s Show and Sale...(read more)

Blaine Gibson remembers Harriet Burns, the First Lady of Imagineering

2010-01-12T05:00:00Z

Todd James Pierce talks with this Disney Legend about his longtime WED co-worker about the numerous contributions that Ms. Burns made to theme park attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, The Enchanted Tiki Room as well as the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough...(read more)

“Milt Kahl : Animation’s Michelangelo” paid tribute to a true Disney Legend

2009-04-30T04:00:00Z

Todd James Pierce reports in on Monday night’s Marc Davis Celebration of Animation event at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Where many industry vets recalled Kahl’s artistry & attitude...(read more)

CalArts celebrates the 100th birthday of animation pioneer Jules Engel

2009-04-20T04:00:00Z

Todd James Pierce reports on Saturday night's event, where industry vets Henry Selick, Mark Kirkland and Jorge Guttierrez discussed the impact that Engel's teachings had on their careers...(read more)

Oscar nominees share behind-the-scenes stories at AMPAS' Best Animated Feature Symposium

2009-02-20T05:00:00Z

With the Academy Awards now just days away, JHM contributor Todd James Pierce reports in from last night's event at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Where the directors of "Bolt," "Kung Fu Panda" and "WALL-E" all talked up their toons...(read more)

"Coraline" post-premiere party offers an up-close look at how this stop motion movie actually came together

2009-02-09T05:00:00Z

JHM contributor Todd James Pierce checks in from the Portland Art Museum. Where he got to wander among the sets & the props used to create this Henry Selick movie...(read more)

Toon Tuesday : A tribute to Ollie Johnston

2008-08-26T04:00:00Z

JHM contributor Todd James Pierce looks back on last week's event at the El Capitan theatre. Where the cream of the animation industry came together to remember this Disney Legend ...(read more)

Remembering Harriet Burns (1928 - 2008)

2008-07-28T04:00:00Z

JHM contributor Todd James Pierce reflects on the life & career of this Disney Legend reviews...(read more)

Looking back on the Disney-MGM Studio Backlot project -- Part 4

2008-05-31T01:00:00Z

JHM guest writer Todd James Pierce concludes his 4-part series about the 40-acre entertainment district that the Walt Disney Company once wanted to build in Burbank by revealing why this project went off the rails...(read more)

Looking back on the Disney-MGM Studio Backlot project -- Part 3

2008-05-30T01:00:00Z

JHM guest writer Todd James Pierce continues his 4-part series about the 40-acre entertainment district that the Walt Disney Company once wanted to build in Burbank. Today's installment actually takes JHM readers inside of this proposed park...(read more)

Looking back on the Disney-MGM Studio Backlot project -- Part 2

2008-05-29T01:00:00Z

JHM guest writer Todd James Pierce continues his 4-part series about the 40-acre entertainment district that the Walt Disney Company once wanted to build in Burbank. Which Universal Studios then tried to derail ...(read more)

Looking back on the Disney-MGM Studio Backlot project -- Part I

2008-05-28T01:00:00Z

JHM guest writer Todd James Pierce kicks off a brand-new series for JHM. Which discusses that 40-acre entertainment district that the Walt Disney Company once wanted to build right in the heart of beautiful downtown Burbank...(read more)