General
Cast Member Corner: Another “Cautionary Tale” Rebuttal
Following up on last Tuesday’s story, a Disney insider comes forward and — going point-by-point — disputes many of the claims made about Disney World’s College Program.
Okay. I give.
Over the past week, I have received dozens of angry e-mails from former and current WDW cast members. Each of them taking issue with the “A Cautionary Tale” that I ran here on JHM last Tuesday. Claiming that that article was full of exaggerations, if not outright lies.
Now — given that, prior to actually running last Tuesday’s “Cast Member Corner” article — I had actually ran this e-mail by someone who still works with Disney World’s College Program and asked for their comments. (Their response? “Basically truthful. Clearly, this guy had a miserable time while he was staying at Vista Way. Which is why he’s probably out for a little revenge here by exaggerating some stuff that happened to him. But his comments aren’t really that far off the mark, Jim. So I’d say that it’s safe for you to run this letter on your site…”) Which is why I assumed that it then would be okay to run this particular letter on JimHillMedia.com.
Well, I guess I assumed wrong.
Given the large numbers of you that have written in over the past seven days, who have gone point-by-point through that article — pointing out the over-statements and inaccuracies … this issue clearly has be addressed.
Which is why I’ve decided to allow (NAME WITHHELD) to use today’s “Cast Member Corner” column to address many of the concerns that some of you folks had with this particular article:
Hello Jim!
First, I just want to say how much I love your website. I’ve been reading for years. Also, I hope you are having a wonderful vacation in southern California and wish I could be there to take one of your tours. Somehow, my vacations are never scheduled at the same time as yours. I was there last week!
Now, I just want to respond to the WDW College Program horror story you posted on your site on Monday, March 15. It is full of inaccuracies and exaggerations and I feel your readers deserve a more accurate look at the program before they start making judgments regarding the program. If you do choose to use any of this e-mail on your site, please do not disclose my name as I do still work for the company and would like to continue working for the company!
I hate to break it to you, but that story is just that: a story. I did the CP Spring semester 2000 and have been very involved with the program and online discussion forums about it since then. Even though I have had wonderful experiences working for the mouse, I do know that it’s not all bells and whistles. There are many people who get terminated or leave the program with bitterness, who go home and COMPLETELY exaggerate their stories to make Disney look like the bad guy, which is not always the case. I can usually tell the real stories from the fake and this one is definitely fake. Let me point out a few things:
After acing the interviews and talking to my CP Recruiter, who told me that he might be able to “pull a few strings” and get me into working at Guest Relations at one of the Parks.
First of all, Guest Relations is an Advanced Internship, which is ONLY offered to alumni of the WDWCP. All recruiters know this and know that everybody who wants to do an Advanced Internship (with the exception of a few positions) MUST do the regular program first. I know several recruiters and there is no way that any of them would have made an applicant believe he/she could move directly into a Guest Relations role.
He mentioned that another student was told by a recruiter that he might be able to work in Imagineering. Again, that is completely untrue, considering that College Recruiting hires for entry-level park jobs and is NOT associated with Imagineering, even for Advanced Internship positions.
My Dad cited a Penthouse Forum article that quotes Vista Way apartments (one of the apartment complexes housing the college program) as “the # 2 place to get laid in the United States.”
This is incorrect also, but is a very common misconception. This is a WDWCP urban legend that goes back well over a decade. Some other alumni have researched every issue of Penthouse and Playboy as far back as 1992 trying to confirm this rumor and found nothing; however, the program has been listed on playboy.com as one the sexiest internships, but it wasn’t specifically a ranking on top places to get laid.
I called the “Vista Transportation” number given to me for pickup at the airport when I arrived. After 50 rings, a man with a thick foreign accent groggily answered, “Vista Transportation.” I explained that I arrived at Orlando International and needed to be picked up.
Disney does not provide transportation to Vista Way upon arrival at the airport. I’m not sure if they still do this, but they used to refer students to Mears, which as you may know from your travels is a private company that offers airport shuttle service to hotels throughout the Orlando area. I remember getting a $1 off coupon, but it was up to me to call ahead to book it and if they weren’t operating in the wee hours of the morning, like this person stated, then that was not Disney’s fault. They could have done things differently in the past, but I know this person did his internship after I did simply by the fact that he said it was 8 months in length. Disney only started offering 8 month long internships in late 2000 after I did my program and I’ve followed the program closely since then, so this is a flat out lie.
I heaved my heavy bags into the apartment. “Where’s my room?” I asked. “Oh, dude. It’s over there,” pointing at it. I opened the door and an embarrassed nude girl draped in a bed sheet ran out of the room. The place was a pig sty. Clothes strewn everywhere. Crooked venetian blinds immediately told a tale of wild parties and blasphemous orgies. Some guy lay in his bed moaning, “Dude…you must be my new roommate.” He wore a leather bracelet with studs and seemed to nursing a hangover. A cigarette dangled carelessly from his mouth. “That’s your bed over there.” It looked as someone had sex on it the night before. Crumbs of Doritos were sprinkled all over it.
While the loud music and drinking is probably true and this technically COULD have happened, this sounds like something copied straight out of a porn magazine, as someone pointed out in the discussion forum. Considering that he had also said earlier “the first feeling I received was a magical stirring in my loins” is another clue that this guy is exaggerating the sex thing.
Also, considering that he arrived at Vista Way so early in the morning, his roommates may not have had time to get that comfortable and that messy yet. In most cases, students move in with other students who arrive on the same day. Usually they fill up one apartment at a time, so the people standing in line around you are likely to be your roommates. That being the case 90% of the time for new arrivals, they may have had time to turn on the loud music, get out the beer and light up cigarettes, but they wouldn’t have had time get messy, reach hangover stage, and even though it’s possible, probably hadn’t gotten laid quite THAT quickly.
When I told her my recruiter said he would get me into Guest Relations, she cackled loudly. “Pull a few strings? Ha ha ha!!! I’ve heard it before, kid!! The truth is they need a warm body to fill a space. You’re just a faceless cog in the corporate wheel! Ha ha ha!!!” I sank lower. I wanted to leave right away.
Yes, I’ll admit that there are full-time cast members who have a pessimistic attitude toward CPs, but I’ve never really heard one speak like this to somebody on their first day! Most people tend to still put things in friendly Disney terms even when they are being very negative, especially trainers.
My first paycheck was a moment of excitement. I eagerly tore the borders off and opened the check. My eyes grew wide. “Minus $26.83???” Ruth cackled loudly. “It’s called “indentured servitude!”” She laughed even louder. “You pay them to work for them! Ain’t it a hoot??!!!” Apparently they took out two weeks of rent in advance, minus $130 for the first check, and $65 a week thereafter. All at $6 an hour.
Okay, first of all, this isn’t really how it works. Disney KNOWS that you will not be working much during the first week, so they don’t take rent out of the first paycheck. 1-2 days (or 3-4 if you’re lucky) of training aren’t enough to cover the weekly rent and they realize that. To make up for that, they take out 2 weeks (that’s the $130 he mentioned) worth of rent on the 2nd paycheck. Yes, it is possible to have a minus paycheck, but that is only when people call in sick or take so many days off in a week that their paycheck doesn’t cover the rent. Then they just take that out of the following paycheck.
I realized quickly that Disney was not interested in hiring real employees with benefits and decent wages. It was wanting to hire college kids and foreign college students for up to 8 months at a time with no benefits and no rights on the job, and charge us insane rent.
The full-timers were not happy with us, as they rightfully felt that Disney is using the College and International Programs to subdue their union’s bargaining power at the negotiating table and depress their pay scales. Many full-timers pointed out that Disney receives some sort of tax break for the some 6,000 students enrolled in the College Program.
To start with, the rent is not insane. $67 dollars a week to live in a very nice, fully furnished apartment with all utilities and cable included is definitely not insane. It’s a bargain. Secondly, there are not tax breaks, BUT, yes the reality is that it is cheaper for Disney to fill its staff with interns. Lower pay, few benefits, improved bottom-line: it’s very sad for the full-time cast members, but it’s unfortunately true and part of business.
After 2 months into the Program, our apartment was raided by apartment security guards. Marijuana, booze (we were all under 21) was found in our apartment and we were all evicted and terminated. It didn’t matter who it belonged to. Zero tolerance. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out,” seemed to be their attitude.
Sorry Charlie, you break the rules and you’re out. All the rules are clearly stated and all new students are told about the zero tolerance policy. Even if he didn’t participate, if this cast member had a problem with his roommates breaking these rules then he should have reported it and/or asked to be moved to cover himself. And as in most cases with disgruntled former CPs, this one event is most likely why the person is so sour about the program and has exaggerated things here.
My friend Jim? He got to work on the Dumbo ride in the Magic Kingdom, but was terminated when someone filed a complaint against him at Guest Relations, saying he started the ride up when they weren’t seatbelted in. He denied the allegations, and the union rep gave him advice on how to fight it, but explained he wasn’t covered under the union contract since he’s not full-time.
Even though some people may be concerned about Disney and safety considering recent events, safety still comes first and if this cast member put a guest in danger then yes, he should have been terminated.
The students who got on stage and babbled how wonderful the College Program is? Most were Recruiters trying to further their own Mickey Mouse careers.
They weren’t really recruiters, just representatives who actually attend the school where the presentation is held at and have done the program. I am a rep, and yes, we need to live up to Disney standards, but we don’t lie when we get to speak about our experience. In fact, I know reps who told the audience they started out having a bad experience, but stuck it out and it turned out great and changed their lives. We’re there to a put a real face on the program that students can relate to, because we’ve all been through it and know both the positives and negatives.
I am the first to tell people that it’s not all fun-and-games all the time. You do have to work really hard, you’re most likely not working in a job that’s related to your major, you don’t make much money, a lot of full-timers do have a bad attitude toward you, and it can be difficult to move up the ranks, but overall it is an amazing experience that you can learn a great deal from. This person failed to mention any of the positives.
The College Program is a great way to start a career whether you want to work for Disney or not. I have been asked several questions about Disney at EVERY job interview I have gone on for other companies. The employer is usually so fascinated by it that a large portion of the interview is spent talking about Disney. Also, I did the college program, kept in touch with my managers and recruiters, went back and did an advanced internship directly related to my major, and am well on my way to getting a full-time position on the professional side of the company.
This goes to show that the college program is not a dead end. I realize that it’s not for everyone and that many people DO have negative experiences, but the story you posted is full of inaccuracies, which do not truly represent the college program. I feel that it definitely is important to see both sides of a story and I hope that if you choose to post this that it has corrected any misconceptions of the Walt Disney World College Program that your readers have, while still giving a realistic viewpoint of both sides, and I haven’t even begun to write about all the great things the program has to offer! This is probably long enough, so I’ll leave you with that.
Okay. So — hopefully — the above article addresses many of the inaccuracies that some of you found in the original “Cautionary Tale” article.
So what happens now? To be honest, I’m not sure. Given that today’s story basically calls the author of the original “Cautionary Tale” story a liar, I’d like to give the poor guy a chance to respond. So I’ll be heaving an e-mail his way later this week (once I get back home to New Hampshire). See if he’d be willing to send along a follow-up e-mail of his own. One that perhaps addresses whether he actually really remembers things happening exactly the way he described OR is willing to admit that he exaggerated a few items, with the hope of producing a more entertaining story for JHM readers.
One thing I can tell you, folks. Even though the brouhaha that bubbled over because of last Tuesday’s “Cautionary Tale” column may have dinged JHM’s credibility a bit, that’s NOT going to stop me from covering the Disney World College Program story. For there are still lots of stories that have yet to be told. Some good … and some bad.
That said, I now want to apologize to those of you who were upset by last Tuesdays’ “Cast Member Corner” column. Who were surprised to see an extremely negative article like “A Cautionary Tale” pop up on JHM.
But you also have to understand that “Cast Member Corner” is intended to be a place on JimHillMedia.com where the cast members — the people who actually work at the Disney theme parks, who see what really goes on behind the scenes — are allowed to speak their minds. To have their say.
That’s why I try to do very little editing and/or massaging of the articles that run in JHM’s “Cast Member Corner” section. (Last Tuesday’s “Cautionary Tale” column? The only thing that I actually removed from that article was a reference to a used condom. Which — given the number of kids who come by the site on a regular basis — I felt wasn’t really appropriate.) I want these stories to come across — for the most part — as they were originally written. So that we can then hear the authentic voice of Disney members.
Mind you — as I mentioned at the top of today’s article — I DO make an effort to verify the truthfulness of each of the letters that I run in JHM’s “Cast Member Corner” section PRIOR to posting them on the site. But — in this case — one person’s acceptable exaggeration turned out to be everyone else’s out-and-out lie.
Clearly, given the reaction that “Cautionary Tale” got from JHM readers (particularly from those of you who are familiar with the way the WDW CP actually operates), something has to be done here. Which is why now I promise to redouble my efforts when it comes to verifying “Cast Member Corner” stories before they run on the site. From here on in, I’ll see if I can’t get find TWO Disney insiders to confirm whether questionable info contained in a particular e-mail is legit BEFORE we post that piece on JHM.
Just be aware, folks: I’ve made mistakes before. And I know that I’ll make mistakes again in the future. That’s why JimHillMedia.com has its “Jim, You Ignorant ***!” section.
So let’s review: Last Tuesday, we ran a “Cast Member Corner” story (that some people said was filled with out-and-out lies). Today, JimHillMedia.com ran an article that went — point-by-point — through “A Cautionary Tale,” disputing that author’s claims. Sometime in the future, we’re hoping that the author of the original e-mail responds to my queries and drops by to defend himself.
Whatever happens next … you have to admit that — between the articles in question as well as the fiery debate over on the JHM discussion boards — all this hub bub made for a pretty entertaining week of reading. At the very least, we now all have an intimate knowledge of how Disney World’s College Program actually works.
So — what the hey. I guess it all worked out in the end. After all, any day where — before your head hits the pillow — you can say to yourself: “I actually learned something new today” … THAT’S a good day.
And — provided that this guy actually ever writes back to me — we may yet all have another extremely entertaining, if somewhat controversial, e-mail to read in the not-so-distant future. And that could turn out to be a good thing too.
But — in closing — I want to thank (NAME WITHHELD) for coming forward and clearing up some of the misconceptions that the original “Cautionary Tale” column may have foisted on JHM readers.
I also — once again — want to apologize to those of you who were offended by the original “Cautionary Tale” article. Both for the alleged misinformation that it contained as well as its somewhat adult, caustic tone.
Okay. That’s enough apologizing for a Tuesday. I’m sorry that there’s only the one story for today. But — as you read this — I’m in the process of getting back home to New Hampshire.
Speaking of which … I gotta finish up packing.
So look for JimHillMedia.com to get fully back up to speed on Thursday and Friday, okay?
Your thoughts?
General
Seward Johnson bronzes add a surreal, artistic touch to NYC’s Garment District
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.
General
Wondering what you should “Boldly Go” see at the movies next year? The 2015 Licensing Expo offers you some clues
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?
General
It takes more than three circles to craft a Classic version of Mickey Mouse
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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