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A magic (red) carpet ride to “The Golden Mickeys”

Using photos that Jeff Lange took during his recent cruise on the Disney Magic, Jim Hill attempts to recreate what’s it like to attend a performance of the Disney Wonder’s newest stage show.

Published

20 years ago

on

So — let’s see — if last Sunday was the People’s Choice Awards and this coming Sunday is the Golden Globes … Then we must be right smack dab in the middle of awards ceremony season out west.

Me, personally? I take or leave award shows. But I know that there are a lot of you out there that secretly harbor fantasies of someday attending a star-studded affair like the Academy Awards. Maybe you long to stroll down the red carpet, to have your picture taken by the paparazzi.

Well, if that’s really your fantasy … Then maybe you need more wonder & magic in your life. The Disney Wonder & the Disney Magic, to be exact.

Yeah, the Disney Cruise Line has just the show for all you would-be celebrities out there: “The Golden Mickeys.” Presented once every cruise aboard both of these ships in the Walt Disney Theater, this live stage presentation is really something out of the ordinary. It features music from classic Disney films, singers, dancers, folks in character costumes all working in tandem with projected film. Not to mention that the show also gives its audience a little taste of what it’s really like to be a celebrity.

Here — using some photos that Jeff Lange took of this show during his recent voyage aboard the Disney Wonder — why don’t I try & recreate the whole “Golden Mickeys” experience for you? The fun actually starts out in the theater lobby, as you pass numerous colorful signs …


Photo by Jeff Lange.

Here, you and your family are assaulted by four relatively polite members of the papparazzi. Who snap your photograph as you stroll down the red carpet. Once you reach the end of the carpet, who should be waiting there for you but gossip columnist Rona Rivers? Who’s broadcasting live from the entrance of the theater and has nothing but good things to say about the outfit that you’ve chosen to wear to that evening’s ceremony.

Once you enter the Walt Disney Theater and take your seat, you can watch Rona continue to interview other passengers as they arrive for the event. You won’t miss a single comment that this gossip columnist gushes. Why for? Because Rivers’ comments are being broadcast live into the theater on two huge video screens that flank either side of the stage.

As the houselights come down, it’s finally time for “The Golden Mickeys” to get underway. This faux award ceremony — just like all the real award shows do — begins with an elaborate production number. Where you learn that this show is supposed to honor the Walt Disney Company’s most memorable animated features as well as pay tribute to the man who actually gave the Mouse Factory its start: Walt Disney.

Of course, this being a Disney show and all, things don’t go quite according to plan. With a drum roll, the curtain rises, revealing … an empty spotlight. It seems that the show’s master of ceremonies — who was supposed to be the ship’s captain — has suddenly been called away. Leaving “The Golden Mickeys” with no MC.

Which is how Ensign Benson — the award show’s frazzled stage manager — finds herself shoved out into the spotlight. Filling in for the captain as “The Golden Mickeys” ‘s temporary MC.

But it’s okay. Because Ensign Benson has friends in high places. Mainly Roy E. Disney, the former chairman of Feature Animation at the Walt Disney Company. Talking to the frazzled stage manager from the stage left video screen, Roy (supposedly speaking to the woman via ship-to-shore phone) says that he’s here to help. And — with that — Walt’s nephew introduces the show.

(A brief note here: Obviously, this portion of “The Golden Mickeys” was put together prior to Roy E.’s acrimonious exit from the Walt Disney Company in November of 2003. I’m told that — sometime further on down the line — the Disney Cruise Line as well as Disney Creative Entertainment [I.E. The two arms of the Mouse House who collaborated on TGM] will be making a decision about whether or not this pre-recorded piece of footage should be removed from the show. But — for the time being, anyway — Walt’s nephew is staying. Which — I know — will please a lot of you “Save Disney” fans out there … Anyway …)

“The Golden Mickeys” now officially gets underway with a film montage that cleverly illustrates Walt’s start in the motion picture business. Talking over these brief images from the “Alice” comedies as well as early Mickey Mouse cartoons, Roy E. sets the stage for Walt’s first big triumph. Which was the world’s first technicolor feature length animated film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

Mind you, Roy E. can’t just say “Here are some musical highlights from ‘Snow White.’ ” This being a Disney stage show and all, you really have to lay on the hocus and the pocus. Which is why Walt’s nephew first summons up the slave of the Magic Mirror. Who — using footage from the original 1937 film — then describes a girl whose “… lips are as red as a rose, hair as dark as ebony.”

(Another brief note: In all of the Disney Cruise Line press releases, “The Golden Mickeys” is described as being ” … the most technologically advanced stage show at sea.” Well, there’s a good reason for that. The way that this stage show seamlessly blends its live performers with footage that’s been culled from classic Disney animated films is nothing short of amazing. Time and again, scenes from these memorable movies are projected onto scrims and/or the back wall of the theater. So that they either re-enforce the emotion of the moment and/or comment on the action on stage. This innovation makes “The Golden Mickeys” the sort of show that you wish the Mouse would do more of … Anywho …)

Getting back to our review now … Eventually, an on-stage scrim clears. And who’s standing on stage but Snow White herself. the littel princess leads six of the show’s singers & dancers through a musical number that features excerpts from “Someday My Prince Will Come” and “Whistle While You Work.”

“But where are the seven dwarfs?,” you ask. Well, that’s where the audience comes in. Earlier in the evening, as families were making their way up the red carpet to the Walt Disney Theater, several children were recruited to take part in that night’s presentation of “The Golden Mickeys.” So now here come Snow White & Dopey — leading six little cruise passengers wearing white beards, caps and costumes. Everyone marching in step to “Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho.”


Photo by Jeff Lange.

Yep, it’s a Kodak moment. A spot in the show virtually everyone in the theater ignores that “No flash photography, please!” warning.

Anyway … After the “Snow White” portion of the show is concluded, it’s time for “The Golden Mickeys” ‘s next celebrity presenter. So who’s now supposedly calling in via ship-to-shore phone but Mr. “Home Improvement” himself, Tim Allen. Tim tells Ensign Benson that he’s there to help her introduce the hero portion of the show.

According to Mr. Allen, a hero in a Disney animated film can handle any situation. “Of course, a good utility belt never hurt,” Tim continues.”Unless it’s too tight or too low.”

With that, “The Golden Mickeys” begins its hero medley. First up, it’s Quasimodo singing “Out There” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Next (borrowing a page from Cirque de Soleil), it’s Tarzan and five monkeys performing “Son of Man” while twirling high above the stage on ropes. After that, Shang gives Mulan & her friends a martial arts lesson to the tune of “I’ll Make a Man Out of you.”


Photo by Jeff Lange.

Okay. So far we’ve had Disney princesses and heroes … So what should “The Golden Mickeys” do next? Send in the clowns!

To the tune of “Trashing the Camp” (You know? That Phil Collins’percussion piece from “Tarzan”?), Terk the gorilla leads Ensign Benson through a silly slapstick, trashcan-lid-smashing number that seems to have come straight out of “Stomp.” To add to the fun, Stitch suddenly shows up dressed as Elvis and joins in on this comic conga line.


Photo by Jeff Lange.

Sounds like a lot of fun, right? Well, of course, there are some Disney characters who think that “The Golden Mickeys” have been entirely too much fun up until this point. Which is why the villains now take over the stage.

And talk about making an entrance. First Ursula from “The Little Mermaid” appears on the big screen, as giant cloth glow-in-the-dark tentacles reach out into the auditorium and menace the guests seated in the first few rows of the theater. The next thing you know, Cruella de Vil and her miniature Rolls Royce have risen up out of the stage floor. Then the truck of the car opens and out pops Cruella’s boys (I.E. Four male dancers dressed all in spots). Who then join the fashion fiend in a rousing rendition of “Cruella de Vil.”


Photo by Jeff Lange.

And the elaborate production numbers in “The Golden Mickeys” just keep coming and coming. First Disney Legend Angela Lansbury (appearing just as Roy & Tim Allen did. In a pre-recorded sequence that is supposedly coming in live via ship-to-shore phone) introduces the “Friends” sequence in the program. Which is a hoedown featuring the characters from “Toy Story II,” who dance to the tune “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”

Next up is the show’s “Love” medley. Which features numbers from “Lady & the Tramp” (“Bella Notte”), “Sleeping Beauty” (“Once Upon a Dream”), “Pocahontas” (“Colors of the Wind”) and “The Lion King” (“Can You Feel the Love Tonight”). With each number featuring sets & costumes that recall the film (or — in the case of “The Lion King” — the Tony Award-winning stage adaptation of the movie).


Photo by Jeff Lange.

The show just continues to build and build. Until finally — at the “Golden Mickeys” finale — when Mick himself finally appears on stage, the audience has no choice but to stand & applaud. They have simply been beaten into submission by almost an hour of solid Disney entertainment. After a brief flash of on-stage pryro and the obligatory shot of confetti & streamers into the auditorium, the audience is then invited to join the show’s cast at “The Golden Mickeys” after-party. Which (depending on the weather) are usually held up on deck.

Of course, some guests (like Jeff) will want to take away more than just a few memories and/or photographs from their “Golden Mickeys” experience. Which was why Mr. Lange was pleased to see that the ship’s on-board shops actually carry copies of the faux statuettes that were featured in this show. Which could be purchased for a mere $24.95 and — just like Jeff did — taken home & proudly displayed as part of your Disneyana collection.


Photo by Jeff Lange

All in all, “The Golden Mickeys” show has made a fine & fun addition to the Disney Cruise Line’s line-up of nightly entertainment. Though this new stage show has only been performed on the Disney Wonder since Labor Day of 2003 (and on the Disney Magic since just last month), it’s already been drawing rave reviews from the ship’s passengers. Which perhaps explains why DCL now usually presents “The Golden Mickeys” on the cruise’s “Formal Night.” As if they were saving the best show for last.

So kudos to DCL show director Joe Calarco and choreographer Karma Camp, the two folks who basically created “The Golden Mickeys.” It’s going to be really hard for these two to top themselves. Though — from what I hear — Joe & Karma are currently giving it a shot.

To explain: Calarco & Camp are already allegedly in rehearsal with a brand-new show for the Disney Cruise Line. One that will commemorate the Disney Magic’s trip to the West Coast to take part in this summer’s “Happiest Celebration on Earth” festivities. When JHM learns more about that show, we’ll be sure to share those details with you here.

Anyway, that’s JHM’s attempt at recreating “The Golden Mickeys.” So, what do you former Disney Cruise Line passengers think? Did we get the tone & the feel of the show right?

 

Related Topics:

Jim Hill is an entertainment writer who has specialized in covering The Walt Disney Company for nearly 40 years now. Over that time, he has interviewed hundreds of animators, actors, and Imagineers -- many of whom have shared behind-the-scenes stories with Mr. Hill about how the Mouse House really works. In addition to the 4000+ articles Jim has written for the Web, he also co-hosts a trio of popular podcasts: “Disney Dish with Len Testa,” “Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor” and “Marvel US Disney with Aaron Adams.” Mr. Hill makes his home in Southern New Hampshire with his lovely wife Nancy and two obnoxious cats, Ginger & Betty.

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General

Seward Johnson bronzes add a surreal, artistic touch to NYC’s Garment District

Published

10 years ago

on

June 23, 2015

By

Greetings from NYC. Nancy and I drove down from New
Hampshire yesterday because we'll be checking out
Disney Consumer Products' annual Holiday Showcase later today.

Anyway … After checking into our hotel (i.e., The Paul.
Which is located down in NYC's NoMad district), we decided to grab some dinner.
Which is how we wound up at the Melt Shop.


Photo by Jim Hill

Which is this restaurant that only sells grilled cheese sandwiches.
This comfort food was delicious, but kind of on the heavy side.


Photo by Jim Hill

Which is why — given that it was a beautiful summer night
— we'd then try and walk off our meals. We started our stroll down by the Empire
State Building
…


Photo by Jim Hill

… and eventually wound up just below Times
Square (right behind where the Waterford Crystal Times Square New
Year's Eve Ball is kept).


Photo by Jim Hill

But you know what we discovered en route? Right in the heart
of Manhattan's Garment District
along Broadway between 36th and 41st? This incredibly cool series of life-like
and life-sized sculptures that Seward
Johnson has created.


Photo by Jim Hill

And — yes — that is Abraham Lincoln (who seems to have
slipped out of WDW's Hall of Presidents when no one was looking and is now
leading tourists around Times Square). These 18 painted
bronze pieces (which were just installed late this past Sunday night / early
Monday morning) range from the surreal to the all-too-real.


Photo by Jim Hill

Some of these pieces look like typical New Yorkers. Like the
business woman planning out her day …


Photo by Jim Hill

… the postman delivering the mail …


Photo by Jim Hill

… the hot dog vendor working at his cart …


Photo by Jim Hill


Photo by Jim Hill

… the street musician playing for tourists …


Photo by Jim Hill

Not to mention the tourists themselves.


Photo by Jim Hill

But right alongside the bronze businessmen …


Photo by Jim Hill

… and the tired grandmother hauling her groceries home …


Photo by Jim Hill

… there were also statues representing people who were
from out-of-town …


Photo by Jim Hill

… or — for that matter — out-of-time.


Photo by Jim Hill

These were the Seward Johnson pieces that genuinely beguiled. Famous impressionist paintings brought to life in three dimensions.


Note the out-of-period water bottle that some tourist left
behind. Photo by Jim Hill 

Some of them so lifelike that you actually had to pause for
a moment (especially as day gave way to night in the city) and say to yourself
"Is that one of the bronzes? Or just someone pretending to be one of these
bronzes?"

Mind you, for those of you who aren't big fans of the
impressionists …


Photo by Jim Hill

… there's also an array of American icons. Among them
Marilyn Monroe …


Photo by Jim Hill

… and that farmer couple from Grant Wood's "American
Gothic."


Photo by Jim Hill

But for those of you who know your NYC history, it's hard to
beat that piece which recreates Alfred Eisenstaedt's famous photograph of V-J Day in Times Square.


Photo by Jim Hill

By the way, a 25-foot-tall version of this particular Seward
Johnson piece ( which — FYI — is entitled "Embracing Peace") will actually
be placed in Times Square for a few days on or around  August 14th to commemorate the 70th
anniversary of Victory Over Japan Day (V-J Day).


Photo by Jim Hill

By the way, if you'd like to check these Seward Johnson bronzes in
person (which — it should be noted — are part of the part of the Garment
District Alliance's new public art offering) — you'd best schedule a trip to
the City sometime over the next three months. For these pieces will only be on
display now through September 15th. 

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Wondering what you should “Boldly Go” see at the movies next year? The 2015 Licensing Expo offers you some clues

Published

10 years ago

on

June 10, 2015

By

Greeting from the 2015 Licensing Expo, which is being held
at the Mandalay Bay
Convention Center in Las
Vegas.


Photo by Jim Hill

I have to admit that I enjoy covering the Licensing Expo.
Mostly becomes it allows bloggers & entertainment writers like myself to
get a peek over the horizon. Scope out some of the major motion pictures &
TV shows that today's vertically integrated entertainment conglomerates
(Remember when these companies used to be called movie studios?) will be
sending our way over the next two years or so.


Photo by Jim Hill

Take — for example — all of "The Secret Life of
Pets" banners that greeted Expo attendees as they made their way to the
show floor today. I actually got to see some footage from this new Illumination
Entertainment production (which will hit theaters on July 8, 2016) the last time I was in Vegas. Which
was for CinemaCon back in April. And the five or so minutes of film that I viewed
suggested that "The Secret Life of Pets" will be a really funny
animated feature.


Photo by Jim Hill

Mind you, Universal Pictures wanted to make sure that Expo
attendees remembered that there was another Illumination Entertainment production
coming-to-a-theater-near-them before "The Secret Life of Pets" (And
that's "Minions," the "Despicable Me" prequel. Which
premieres at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival next week but
won't be screened stateside 'til July 10th of this year). Which is why they had
three minions who were made entirely out of LEGOS loitering out in the lobby.


Photo by Jim Hill

And Warner Bros. — because they wanted "Batman v
Superman: Dawn of Justice" to start trending on Twitter today — brought
the Batmobile to Las Vegas.


Photo by Jim Hill

Not to mention full-sized macquettes of Batman, Superman and
Wonder Woman. Just so conventioneers could then see what these DC superheroes
would actually look like in this eagerly anticipated, March 25, 2016 release.


Photo by Jim Hill

That's the thing that can sometimes be a wee bit frustrating
about the Licensing Expo. It's all about delayed gratification. You'll come
around a corner and see this 100 foot-long ad for "The Peanuts Movie"
and think "Hey, that looks great. I want to see that Blue Sky Studios production
right now." It's only then that you notice the fine print and realize that
"The Peanuts Movie" doesn't actually open in theaters 'til November
6th of this year.


Photo by Jim Hill

And fan of Blue Sky's "Ice Age" film franchise are in for an even
longer wait. Given that the latest installment in that top grossing series
doesn't arrive in theaters 'til July
15, 2016.


Photo by Jim Hill

Of course, if you're one of those people who needs immediate
gratification when it comes to your entertainment, there was stuff like that to
be found at this year's Licensing Expo. Take — for example — how the WWE
booth was actually shaped like a wrestling ring. Which — I'm guessing — meant
that if the executives of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. didn't like
the offer that you were making, they were then allowed to toss you out over the
top rope, Royal Rumble-style.


Photo by Jim Hill

I also have to admit that — as a longtime Star Trek fan —
it was cool to see the enormous Starship Enterprise that hung in place over the
CBS booth. Not to mention getting a glimpse of the official Star Trek 50th
Anniversary logo.


Photo by Jim Hill

I was also pleased to see lots of activity in The Jim Henson
Company booth. Which suggests that JHC has actually finally carved out a
post-Muppets identity for itself.


Photo by Jim Hill

Likewise for all of us who were getting a little concerned
about DreamWorks Animation (what with all the layoffs & write-downs &
projects that were put into turnaround or outright cancelled last year), it was
nice to see that booth bustling.


Photo by Jim Hill

Every so often, you'd come across some people who were
promoting a movie that you weren't entirely sure that you actually wanted to
see (EX: "Angry Birds," which Sony Pictures Entertainment / Columbia
Pictures will be releasing to theaters on May 20, 2016). But then you remembered that Clay Kaytis —
who's this hugely talented former Walt Disney Animation Studios animator — is
riding herd on "Angry Birds" with Fergal Reilly. And you'd think
"Well, if Clay's working on 'Angry Birds,' I'm sure this animated feature
will turn out fine."


Photo by Jim Hill

Mind you, there were reminders at this year's Licensing Expo
of great animated features that we're never going to get to see now. I still
can't believe — especially after that brilliant proof-of-concept footage
popped up online last year — that Sony execs decided not to go forward
with  production of Genndy Tartakovsky's
"Popeye" movie.  But that's the
cruel thing about the entertainment business, folks. It will sometime break
your heart.


Photo by Jim Hill

And make no mistake about this. The Licensing Expo is all
about business. That point was clearly driven home at this year's show when —
as you walked through the doors of the Mandalay
Bay Convention Center
— the first thing that you saw was the Hasbros Booth. Which was this gleaming,
sleek two story-tall affair full of people who were negotiating deals &
signing contracts for all of the would-be summer blockbusters that have already
announced release dates for 2019 & beyond.


Photo by Jim Hill

"But what about The Walt Disney Company?," you
ask. "Weren't they represented on the show floor at this year's Licensing
Expo?" Not really, not. I mean, sure. There were a few companies there hyping
Disney-related products. Take — for example — the Disney Wikkeez people.


Photo by Jim Hill

I'm assuming that some Disney Consumer Products exec is
hoping that Wikkeez will eventually become the new Tsum Tsum. But to be blunt,
these little hard plastic figures don't seem to have the same huggable charm
that those stackable plush do. But I've been wrong before. So let's see what
happens with Disney Wikkeez once they start showing up on the shelves of the
Company's North American retail partners.


Photo by Jim Hill

And speaking of Disney's retail partners … They were
meeting with Mouse House executives behind closed doors one floor down from the
official show floor for this year's Licensing Expo.


Photo by Jim Hill

And the theme for this year's invitation-only Disney shindig? "Timeless
Stories" involving the Disney, Pixar, Marvel & Lucasfilm brands that
would then appeal to "tomorrow's consumer."


Photo by Jim Hill

And just to sort of hammer home the idea that Disney is no
longer the Company which cornered the market when it comes to little girls
(i.e., its Disney Princess and Disney Fairies franchises), check out this
wall-sized Star Wars-related image that DCP put up just outside of one of its
many private meeting rooms. "See?," this carefully crafted photo
screams. "It isn't just little boys who want to wield the Force. Little
girls also want to grow up and be Lords of the Sith."


Photo by Jim Hill

One final, kind-of-ironic note: According to this banner,
Paramount Pictures will be releasing a movie called "Amusement Park"
to theaters sometime in 2017.  


Photo by Jim Hill

Well, given all the "Blackfish" -related issues
that have been dogged SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment over the past two years, I'm
just hoping that they'll still be in the amusement park business come 2017.

Your thoughts?

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It takes more than three circles to craft a Classic version of Mickey Mouse

Published

10 years ago

on

June 9, 2015

By

You know what Mickey Mouse looks like, right? Little guy,
big ears?

Truth be told, Disney's corporate symbol has a lot of
different looks. If Mickey's interacting with Guests at Disneyland
Park (especially this summer, when
the Happiest Place on Earth
is celebrating its 60th anniversary), he looks & dresses like this.


Copyright Disney Enterprises,
Inc.
All rights reserved

Or when he's appearing in one of those Emmy Award-winning shorts that Disney
Television Animation has produced (EX: "Bronco Busted," which debuts
on the Disney Channel tonight at 8 p.m. ET / PT), Mickey is drawn in a such a
way that he looks hip, cool, edgy & retro all at the same time.


Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights
reserved

Looking ahead to 2017 now, when Disney Junior rolls out "Mickey and the
Roadster Racers," this brand-new animated series will feature a sportier version
of Disney's corporate symbol. One that Mouse House managers hope will persuade
preschool boys to more fully embrace this now 86 year-old character.


Copyright Disney Enterprises,
Inc. All rights reserved

That's what most people don't realize about the Mouse. The
Walt Disney Company deliberately tailors Mickey's look, even his style of
movement, depending on what sort of project / production he's appearing in.

Take — for example — Disney
California Adventure
Park's "World of Color:
Celebrate!" Because Disney's main mouse would be co-hosting this new
nighttime lagoon show with ace emcee Neil Patrick Harris, Eric Goldberg really had
to step up Mickey's game. Which is why this master Disney animator created
several minutes of all-new Mouse animation which then showed that Mickey was
just as skilled a showman as Neil was.


Copyright Disney Enterprises,
Inc.
All rights reserved

Better yet, let's take a look at what the folks at Avalanche Studios just went
through as they attempted to create a Classic version of Mickey & Minnie.
One that would then allow this popular pair to become part of Disney Infinity
3.0.

"I won't lie to you. We were under a lot of pressure to
get the look of this particular version of Mickey — he's called Red Pants
Mickey around here — just right," said Jeff Bunker, the VP of Art
Development at Avalanche Studios, during a recent phone interview. "When
we brought Sorcerer Mickey into Disney Infinity 1.0 back in January of 2014,
that one was relatively easy because … Well, everyone knows what Mickey Mouse
looked like when he appeared in 'Fantasia.' "


Copyright Disney Enterprises,
Inc. All rights reserved

"But this time around, we were being asked to design
THE Mickey & Minnie," Bunker continued. "And given that these Classic
Disney characters have been around in various different forms for the better
part of the last century … Well, which look was the right look?"

Which is why Jeff and his team at Avalanche Studios began watching hours &
hours of Mickey Mouse shorts. As they tried to get a handle on which look would
work best for these characters in Disney Infinity 3.0.


Copyright Disney
Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved

"And we went all the way back to the very start of Mickey's career. We began
with 'Steamboat Willie' and then watched all of those black & white Mickey shorts
that Walt made back in the late 1920s & early 1930s. From there, we
transitioned to his Technicolor shorts. Which is when Mickey went from being
this pie-eyed, really feisty character to more of a well-behaved leading
man," Bunker recalled. "We then finished out our Mouse marathon by
watching all of those new Mickey shorts that Paul Rudish & his team have
been creating for Disney Television Animation. Those cartoons really recapture
a lot of the spirit and wild slapstick fun that Mickey's early, black &
white shorts had."

But given that the specific assignment that Avalanche Studios had been handed
was to create the most appealing looking, likeable version of Mickey Mouse
possible … In the end, Jeff and his team wound up borrowing bits & pieces
from a lot of different versions of the world's most famous mouse. So that
Classic Mickey would then look & move in a way that best fit the sort of
gameplay which people would soon be able to experience with Disney Infinity
3.0.


Copyright Disney Enterprises,
Inc. All rights reserved

"That — in a lot of ways — was actually the toughest
part of the Classic Mickey design project. You have to remember that one of the
key creative conceits of  Disney Infinity
is that all the characters which appear in this game are toys," Bunker
stated. "Okay. So they're beautifully detailed, highly stylized toy
versions of beloved Disney, Pixar, Marvel & Lucasfilm characters. But
they're still supposed to be toys. So our Classic versions of Mickey &
Minnie have the same sort of thickness & sturdiness to them that toys have.
So that they'll then be able to fit right in with all of the rest of the
characters that Avalanche Studios had previously designed for Disney Infinity."

And then there was the matter of coming up with just the
right pose for Classic Mickey & Minnie. Which — to hear Jeff tell the
story — involved input from a lot of Disney upper management.


Copyright Disney Enterprises,
Inc. All rights reserved

"Everyone within the Company seemed to have an opinion
about how Mickey & Minnie should be posed. More to the point, if you Google
Mickey, you then discover that there are literally thousands of poses out there
for these two. Though — truth be told — a lot of those kind of play off the
way Mickey poses when he's being Disney's corporate symbol," Bunker said.
"But what I was most concerned about was that Mickey's pose had to work
with Minnie's pose. Because we were bringing the Classic versions of these
characters up into Disney Infinity 3.0 at the exact same time. And we wanted to
make sure — especially for those fans who like to put their Disney Infinity
figures on display — that Mickey's pose would then complement Minnie.

Which is why Jeff & the crew at Avalanche Studios
decided — when it came to Classic Mickey & Minnie's pose — that they
should go all the way back to the beginning. Which is why these two Disney icons
are sculpted in such a way that it almost seems as though you're witnessing the
very first time Mickey set eyes on Minnie.


Copyright Disney Enterprises,
Inc. All rights reserved

"And what was really great about that was — as soon as
we began showing people within the Company this pose — everyone at Disney
quickly got on board with the idea. I mean, the Classic Mickey that we sculpted
for Disney Infinity 3.0 is clearly a very playful, spunky character. But at the
same time, he's obviously got eyes for Minnie," Bunker concluded. "So
in the end, we were able to come up with Classic versions of these characters
that will work well within the creative confines of Disney Infinity 3.0 but at
the same time please those Disney fans who just collect these figures because
they like the way the Disney Infinity characters look."

So now that this particular design project is over, does
Jeff regret that Mouse House upper management was so hands-on when it came to
making sure that the Classic versions of Mickey & Minnie were specifically
tailored to fit the look & style of gameplay found in Disney Infinity 3.0?


Copyright Lucasfilm / Disney
Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved

"To be blunt, we go through this every time we add a new character to the
game. The folks at Lucasfilm were just as hands-on when we were designing the
versions of Darth Vader and Yoda that will also soon be appearing in Disney
Infinity 3.0," Bunker laughed. "So in the end, if the character's
creators AND the fans are happy, then I'm happy."

This article was originally posted on the Huffington Post's Entertainment page on Tuesday, June 9, 2015

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