First up, Danny writes in to ask:
Jim,Any reason that you know of why Pixar started skimping on their DVD packages? Up to and including "The Incredibles," no company did the medium justice better than Pixar. But the discs for "Cars" and "Rataouille" (which I have an advanced copy of) are pathetic in comparison. Most notably absent are audio commentaries from Lasseter and Bird and little to no coverage of the Pixar artists. Are there fully-loaded versions on the horizon, or some other reason to why Pixar DVDs have become so run-of-the-mill? Thanks for the great site!Danny
Jim,Any reason that you know of why Pixar started skimping on their DVD packages? Up to and including "The Incredibles," no company did the medium justice better than Pixar. But the discs for "Cars" and "Rataouille" (which I have an advanced copy of) are pathetic in comparison. Most notably absent are audio commentaries from Lasseter and Bird and little to no coverage of the Pixar artists.
Are there fully-loaded versions on the horizon, or some other reason to why Pixar DVDs have become so run-of-the-mill?
Thanks for the great site!Danny
Dear Danny --
Given that I am regularly accused by JHM readers of being far too tough on that Emeryville-based animation studio, let me say -- right from the get-go here -- that this single disc thing isn't Pixar's fault.
Copyright 2007 Disney / Pixar. All Rights Reserved
If John Lasseter & Brad Bird had their way, the theatrical release of every new Pixar film would immediately be followed by a multi-disc edition of that same movie. We're talking about a DVD that would then walk you through every phase of production, that would go into great detail about how that particular picture was made.
Which I know is just what all you Pixar and/or animation fans would really like to see ... But here's the harsh reality, kids: 95% of the people who actually purchase these new Disney / Pixar titles (at least during the first two weeks that these films are out on store shelves) aren't actually animation fans. But -- rather -- they're parents who just want something new that they can then drop into the family DVD player. Which will hopefully keep the kiddies quiet for an hour or so, so Mommy & Daddy can then get some work done.
Seriously, folks. That's what Walt Disney Home Entertainment has learned over the past 5 years through extensive survey work and consumer products testing. That the group that buys the largest number of new Disney / Pixar DVDs (i.e. parents of small children) just don't care for the two disc editions of these films.
Why For? Would you believe that it's because Mom & Dad are concerned that -- in their rush to load this new DVD into the player -- that they might accidentally drop the wrong disc into the machine? Which will then cause their kid to complain about how they're not able to see the movie. Which now negates the whole point of buying this new Disney / Pixar film in the first place. Which was to provide these parents with something that can then entertain and/or distract their children for a few hours.
Look, I know that that sounds a little cold-hearted. But the way I hear it, that's actually why WDHE opted to go with single disk editions of all of the new Disney / Pixar releases. Because that's what parents really wanted.
In fact, to address the ease-of-use concerns that some parents have with the DVD format ... Well, that's why Walt Disney Home Entertainment invented the FastPlay system. Which effectively allows Mom or Dad to just drop the newest Disney DVD into the family player and then walk away. All on its own, without anyone having to navigate through any menus, this disc will begin to play.
Mind you, before this DVD starts showing the main feature, it will first run coming attractions for every soon-to-be-released Disney / Pixar theatrical film and/or DVD. Which means that any child who's actually watched this disc will be well indoctrinated about what new movies they should be asking Mommy & Daddy to take them to and/or which DVD to ask for next. But for some parents ... That's a relatively small price to pay for a little peace and quiet.
As for us hardcore animation fans ... Not to worry: WDHE's business plan does eventually call for two disc editions of these new Disney / Pixar films to hit store shelves. But usually two to three years after the release of the original DVD versions of that same movie. More to the point, the multi-disc editions of these films will deliberately be sold at a much higher price point. So that the Mouse gets the maximum amount of return off of what is then basically a library title.
Copyright 2007 Disney. All Rights Reserved
Of course, another reason that Walt Disney Home Entertainment has been stinting on the Extra Features that it's been folding into its DVDs lately is that they now want consumers to start buying their new Disney / Pixar titles in the Blu-Ray format. Take -- for example -- the Disney Blu-Ray version of "Cars" that hits store shelves next Tuesday. This Hi Def disc features a never-before-seen deleted scene from that John Lasseter film. Plus -- if you take advantage of this Blu-Ray DVD's "Cine-Explore" option -- Lasseter himself will walk you through the making of this movie. All this, plus the "Car Finder" game. Which then allows you to hunt for the 200 different makes & models that Pixar created for this road picture.
"And will those Extra Features be offered on a non-Blu-Ray DVD version of 'Cars' ?," you ask. Well, the way I hear it, WDHE doesn't have any plans to release a disc like that anytime soon. So if you want to hear John Lasseter's insights about how "Cars" actually came together ... You're going to have to get yourself a Blu-Ray player.
Sorry about that.
Next up, Michael W. writes in to ask about the future of the "Magic of Disney Animation" facility at Disney-MGM Studios / Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Hey Jim, I wanted to ask you about the old Feature Animation Building in the MGM backlot. As a cast member at the future Disney Hollywood Studios, I have heard rumors going around that John Lasseter came through the building about a year ago (January 07) in the interest of converting it back into an animation house for the shorts division. I was wondering if you have heard anything about this visit. If it is true, when could we see this happen. Thanks for your insight! -- Michael
Hey Jim,
I wanted to ask you about the old Feature Animation Building in the MGM backlot. As a cast member at the future Disney Hollywood Studios, I have heard rumors going around that John Lasseter came through the building about a year ago (January 07) in the interest of converting it back into an animation house for the shorts division. I was wondering if you have heard anything about this visit. If it is true, when could we see this happen. Thanks for your insight!
-- Michael
Michael --
I wish I had better news for you. While I did hear that Lasseter did a walk-thru of Disney Feature Animation -- Florida when he visited WDW earlier this year (and John did reportedly marvel at how this actually-designed-by-animators building looked like it would have been the perfect place to produce cartoons), there's been no serious discussion at the corporate level of re-opening that facility.
I mean, Walt Disney Animation Studios is getting back into the shorts business. Starting with "How to Install Your Home Theater" (Which will debut at a theater near you in less than three weeks. Given that this new Goofy cartoon is tacked on to the front of Walt Disney Pictures' big holiday release, "Enchanted"), there are three other shorts in WDAS's pipeline:
But all of these films will be produced in Burbank using WDAS's own talent.
Mind you, this is not to say that there hasn't been some interesting gossip making the rounds about what's happening next at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Particularly the sorts of features that that studio will be producing in the not-so-distant future.
Copyright 2008 Disney / Walden Media. All Rights Reserved
According to several folks who attended last month's "A Conversation with Disney's Mark Zoradi" presentation at the 2007 Heartland Film Festival, the president of the Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group -- while he was talking up upcoming Mouse House releases like "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," "WALL * E" and "Bolt" -- may have dropped a bit of a bombshell. In that, while Zoradi was talking about other projects that Disney had in its development pipeline, Mark reportedly let slip that WDAS already had a second traditionally animated film in the works.
Wait. It gets better. A JHM representative who was attending this same event then quizzed a Disney publicist about Zoradi's comments. That publicist (who asked not to be identified) confirmed that such a project is in fact in the works. And this yet-to-be-named movie could be hitting a theater near you sometime in 2010, more likely 2011.
Just to clarify here: We're talking about a traditionally animated film in addition to "The Princess and the Frog," that John Musker / Ron Clements production that's currently due to be released in 2009. And -- no -- we're not confusing this movie with Glen Keane & Dean Wellins' "Rapunzel," which is still slated for 2010.
Now given that there have previously been rumors that -- following the release of "Bolt" and "Rapunzel" -- Walt Disney Animation Studios would revert to being a strictly traditional animation operation. With Pixar then becoming the arm of the Mouse House that produces CG-animated features, while Robert Zemeckis' new ImageMoversDigital unit would then handle all motion capture projects for the studio.
So now, what with top officials at Disney Studios making less-than-veiled references to WDAS having a second traditionally animated feature in the works ... One wonder what impact (if any) this intriguing new development is going to have on all those Burbank-based artists & animators who specialize in CG. If Walt Disney Animations Studios does go back to making traditional animated features, where do these guys then fit in the company's future plans?
Anyway ... That's it for this week, folks. Have a great weekend, okay?
Jim, it's actually "Glago's Guest." There is a poster for it outside of the Animation Building next time you're in Burbank.
I can understand the reasoning behind only releasing single disk DVDs. Honestly of all of the DVDs I own I don't think that I've watched the special features on more then 2 of them. Why spend the money when 95% of the buyers don't actually watch them?
There was a thread over on Animation Nation reminiscing over the old Animation Building in Florida. It sounds like it was really fun for tourists, but animators hated working there. It was referred to as the "Fish Bowl" because that is what it felt like. They could set up an Ink and Paint department for creating limited edition reproduction cells for sale.
It's a nice idea, jewalker, but my understanding is that Ink and Paint in Burbank is barely given enough work on reproductions to keep it from getting shut down. I can't see Disney splurging for a second Ink and Paint based out of Florida.
"I didn't know that the new Goofy short is in front of 'Enchanted' - I was already so excited to see 'Enchanted', but now I'm extra excited!!!"
Yup... that's the idea. They're not taking any chance on this one.
A second 2-D animation in the work? Please, dear God, tell me it's not American Dog!
Sander, I am not sure where you are getting your fuzzy numbers that account for the discrepancy between the numbers of Monsters Inc and Ratatouille. Maybe Jeanne Garafalo supplied them to you.
Ratatouille cost 30 million more to make than Cars, though Cars looks like the bigger budget picture. Rat also cost 35 million more than Monsters did back when it was made.
Rat did better overseas, sure. This isn't surprising seeing as it was set in Europe. I am sure everyone is happy about that, especially Disneyland Paris. But the studios get less of a cut of the overseas budget. So, I'm not sure if it's even made a profit yet. Meanwhile, Rat came up 40 million short of Cars domestically and 50 million short of what Monsters did domestically back in 01/02.
The budgets are rising and if they stay the same or keep rising, and the domestic total keeps falling by 40 million, sure I'd say the suits have something to worry about. Please tell me how I am "spinning" anything. I guess not all of the overseas numbers are in yet, but I am sure they mostly are.
Oh yeah, then there's that little matter of giving away SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS just to distribute this film and future Pixar films. So I guess paying billions of dollars for a film that makes a few million is considered a success in today's business world, which is a really scary thought.
Disney shelled out billions to swallow up it's potential competition and people aren't supposed to question that? I've never seen Jim say anything about the quality of the films and I don't recall him saying this film was a flop. He just commented on the domestic gross which was very disappointing.
You know, I find Pixar films to feature repetitive, uninspired character designs and unoriginal stories which substitute humor for emotional weight.
Having said all of that, I think they seem like nice films. You know, I like movies and I like animation and I like Disney so I can feel you. I think there is a lot of negativity and hate out there in the world right now, and some of it comes from Hollywood, so it's nice to see these cheerful little kid comedies out there.
But look, Disney has competition now, which it never did before the Pixar era. Shrek the Third really crushed the Rat. 321 domestic, and almost 800 million worldwide? Fox's Happy Feet did nearly as well domestically as Rat, and the Ice Age movies did great too. And who knows about Bee Movie? I think that could surprise people.
And yes, I realize this whole conversation is off topic more or less.
As far as the two disc sets go...I am conflicted. I think it is wise to offer these films and a lower price point to appeal to families which is by far their biggest audience. Rat was disappointing compared to the other films, yet it still did 200 million. But that was mostly from kids and their parents and not geeks.
At the same time, why not offer the two disc set to the Pixar geeks while the film is still hot? Aren't the Dreamworks and FOX/Blue Sky geeks shelling out the money for these special edition sets?
However, I just think everyone has gotten really spoiled when it comes to these discs jam packed with extras. We all expect them right away now for most every new mainstream film. I guess Disney could be creating demand by waiting a while but I think waiting say three years would be too long.
There isn't a lot of money to be made right now off of Blue Ray. They sell, just a tiny, tiny fraction of what DVD's do, though it could be geek incentive to add a little something extra to the discs, sure.
The Fishbowl at MGM Studios...really was a great gimmick that gave you something you couldn't get at the other parks and was essentially an edutainment attraction. It's the behind the scenes aspect of MGM and the edutainment attractions of Epcot and Animal Kingdom which gave these parks a life of their own. These weren't robots or actors pretending to be creating Disney toons, they were the real deal!
California Adventure never really was able to set itself apart enough from Disneyland, though they really tried at the beginning. That park just never had an anchor like this or the Studios Tour. And now it seems they are intent on making that park into Magic Kingdom II which I do not think will work. These parks need to have their own identities.
As for the future of Feature Animation, I am not getting my hopes up yet. Enchanted and Frog Princess don't excite me at all. When I think of Rapunzel, all I can think of is the film Don Bluth wanted to make and the short he did make for the Scissor Sisters music video. Now Don Bluth was someone who understood these films needed their unpleasant moments and that there was value in that for children and adults.
All modern animated films are so politically correct and try to just baby sit and cradle children for 90 minutes and I can't stand it! They should be preparing children for life and the real world, which is oftentimes unpleasant. Watch anything from the seventies people. Everything was so much more emotionally sophisticated. Watch The Rescuers. We were so lucky to have a film like that. Has Pixar attempted anything as emotionally challenging as Rescuers? Come close? Is that a good thing?
Keep up the good work Jim
Oh, I read Sanders message wrong. May bad Sand Man!
And....I never thought I'd say this, but....my apologies to Jeanne Garafalo.
I recall being on a press tour of the D-MGM Animation Building while it was still in full operation. We were badged on the way in and escorted to a small classroom on the second floor for a series of presentations. The last presenter finished early and left. Our minders had unaccountably stepped away as well. You just don't leave a half-dozen reporters on their own -- we soon 'escaped' from the room and had about 10 amazing minutes to wander the halls freely before they rounded us up again and herded off to lunch at the Brown Derby. I remember looking in doors and windows, seeing storyboards, maquettes and other art for features that wouldn't appear for years -- some I still haven't seen -- even work hanging on the hallway walls. There was also an awful lot of very elaborate and expensive tech equipment in there. I wonder if they've shipped it all to California or just mothballed it where it sits? I can't imagine just abandoning that facility.
The Goofy short will be attached to Enchanted? Really? Someone better tell Disney...they've already started sending out prints to screenings without any short attached, nor have they indicated to any of their distribution partners that a short will be forthcoming.
Mind you, I'm sure Jill Hill knows more than the studio does about this Andalusian based film. Why For? Because Jim Hill pretends to know everything.
I like her costume! I'm a KH fan as well, and I'm going to make Namine for myself, and a young Kairi dress for my little niece. :)
I can't wait for that short, because I grew up on those Goofy shorts where he'd do an instructional film...only to have everything go wrong. :)
There are so many holes to the 2-disc vs 1-disc argument....that i don't know if i'm getting bad info here or the executives are seriously that idiotic. And what's all this garbage about expensive 2-disc sets? Jungle Book, Transformers, Knocked Up, all recent purchases cost me less than $20. How much more are they really making?
And how does an argument that 95% (an absurd number if you ask me) of consumers don't bother with the 2nd disc. No company in their right mind would then rerelease a product aimed at 5% of a market. The popularity of DVDs was built by consumers who wanted more than just a movie. And the popularity of Pixar DVDs was probably built on how much bang for the buck they gave.
I just don't get how Disney would have this mindset for new movies and yet still release 2-disc sets for movies from the vaults. Is there some sort of research out there that says fans of the Jungle Book and Sleeping Beauty are more capable of delineating between a disc that says Movie and one that says Special Features? Versus fans of newer movies who aren't patient enough to spend the 30 seconds allowed to figure it out. Clearly Disney is surveying the worst parents in the world. I'd hate to see how they help their kids with their toys or homework. "I don't have time for this. Does your reading book have Fastplay?"
Thanks, LaDracul. I showed Alice, and she says thanks, too. "Is that 'Jim, You're a Moron'?" (That's what she calls the comments page.)
Happy Birthday Schnebs!
Good points, Hank Hill - don't agree with all of them, but a good solid read.
"Clearly Disney is surveying the worst parents in the world."
Yep. Our Disney Store (which we opened a year ago) originally had stars and colorful clouds all over the walls which were quite nice. The store is pretty bland but the wall paper gave it some warmth, color, and fun. Then, came... the survey.
Now are walls are white. Plain old white. It looks like a Walgreen's and all because of some survey that was given to some suburban simpletons. Apparently the dullards stated that the colorful, fun, and happy walls "distracted from the product."
I just want to ask the public one thing: Are you all out of your _______ minds?
Any woo, I agree that Disney IS surveying the worst parents in the world.
Falfa31... ever notice the similarities between the new Disney Store and the Apple Store?
I'm just sayin'...
I can understand how leaving out the second disc would help the absent minded parents, but why leave out the audio commentary? They've got enough people to make a dozen commentaries. They could put at least one on the family edition.
I don't know who surveyed whom, but with all due respect, I bought the "Ratatouille" DVD today at Target.
It is a 2-DVD set.
Includes a couple of shorts, making of, etc.
The price was $15.99.
Be a couple of days before we can view it.
"I don't know who surveyed whom, but with all due respect, I bought the "Ratatouille" DVD today at Target. It is a 2-DVD set."
That's a Target bonus, not a replacement for a true 2-disc release.
As for me, I don't care if it's one disc or two as long as the basics are covered. What gets me is the lack of a commentary when there is no viable reason not to include one. Most of the other stuff in the two-disc releases is nice, but not necessary, to my mind. The last two Disney films (Chicken Little and Meet the Robinsons) had them. It's a travesty that Pixar's did not.