General

Did you hear? Jim Hill is a con man!

Yep. Hill – and an estimated 80,000 of his close, personal friends – are all attending Comic Con. As he fights his way through the crowded aisles at the San Diego Convention Center, Hill reports in on who he’s already seen at this year’s show.

Published

20 years ago

July 22, 2004

Jim Hill

My friend (and JHM Photographer / Archivist) Jeff Lange has a favorite saying when it comes to describing events that are just a little too crowded, a little too busy, but still fun (Like – say – some concert or a theme park ride opening). When you ask Jeff how things went, he will smile and say: “It was bedlam. Absolute bedlam.”

Well, when Jeff called me this past Wednesday night to find out how things were going here in San Diego, I had to tell him: “This is absolute bedlam squared.”

My apologies for being AWOL this week, folks. I know it must have seemed kind of weird to have JHM rolling out its new look, only to have Jim Hill himself drop from sight for a couple of days. But there’s a logical explanation for my prolonged absence: Nancy & I were trying to get ready to attend this year’s Comic Con International in San Diego.

The only trouble is … The Comic Con vets that I spoke with said that there’s just no way to get ready to attend an event like this. As Ken P. kept telling me:

“Prepare to be frustrated & disappointed. No matter how early you get there, no matter late you stay, you’re never going to be able to see everything. The show’s too big. It’s seven days worth of events crammed into a four day slot.”

And – in a way – Ken was right. It certainly was frustrating on Wednesday afternoon (particularly after that long flight out from New Hampshire) to have to keep circling around the San Diego convention center as we tried to find a place to park. Not to mention those long lines in the lobby that Nancy & I encountered as we tried to get registered for this show.

But all that frustration and disappointment simply melted away once we walked through Entrance D and found what seemed to be a never ending exhibit hall. Row after row, booth after booth filled with truly cool stuff.

Not to mention tons of cool people. To put it bluntly, I was totally blown away by the number of talented artists who have set up shop at this show. Folks who I’m sure will be familiar to JHM readers. Like our own Floyd Norman, who has set up shop down in the “Artist’s Alley” section of the hall. JJ4 in Row 4900, to be exact. Where Floyd will be signing & selling copies of his great new “Son of Faster, Cheaper” book.

But then there are artists that you never ever thought you’d see in person. Like master illustrator Bill Stout and Dave Stevens, the creator of “The Rocketeer.” Who are actually sharing a booth — Booth 4703 – as they kindly commune with their fans.

That’s the thing that has really kind of impressed me (so far) about Comic Con. That – no matter how crazy & crowded the hall may get – the artists & illustrators who are attending this event could not be nicer. These folks genuinely seemed pleased to be out & about. To meet with the people who buy their comic books and/or watch the TV shows that they work on.

Take – for example – Chris Bailey. A longtime Disney vet (I.E. Chris directed that great Mickey Mouse short, “Runaway Brain,” as well as the pilot episode of “Kim Possible”), Bailey’s attending this year’s con to help promote a project that’s rather near & dear to his heart: “Major Damage“. As we chatted at Booth 1873, Chris kept talking about how nice it was to talk with folks who were such fans of his somewhat-inept-but-still-loveable super hero. How supportive these people were being as they quickly purchased copies of “Major Damage” books, comic books & DVDs.

I’ll say this much. It was definitely a buying crowd this past Wednesday night. I watched as people pressed in around Booth 4414, where Tracy Lee’s wonderful “Electric Tiki” merchandise was up for sale. Where folks were “Ooohing” & “Aaahing” at all the amazing maquettes that WDFA vet, Ruben Procopio, had sculpted for this firm.

Speaking of WDFA vets … What a pleasure it was to bump into Tom Bancroft & Rob Corley at this year’s Comic Con. Tom & Rob are in San Diego this year to promote the fourth issue of “Opposite Forces” as well as talk up their new title, “BoyRobo.”

But picking up copies of those two great books isn’t the only reason that you should probably make a point of dropping by Booth 2206. For – over the length of this four-day long convention – some truly talented artists & animators will be stopping in to do signings at the FunnyPages Press booth. People like Tom’s brother, Tony Bancroft (Best known to Disneyana fans as the animator of Pumbaa in “The Lion King” as well as co-director of “Mulan.” Nowadays, Tony’s heading up his own production company, Toonacious Studios). As well as some of the talented folks behind “Veggie Tales”; Chuck Vollmer, Greg Hardin and Paul Conrad.

Of course, I should also probably point out that the Comic Con’s 2200 area is a real hot spot when it becomes to getting face time with some of your favorite artists & illustrators. Take – for example – Booth 2200. Where one of my own personal favorites, Kyle Baker has set up shop. Selling copies of his wonderful new book, “Kyle Baker: Cartoonist” as well as its sequel, “Kyle Baker: Cartoonist – Vol. II.”

Just across the way from Kyle – in Booth 2201 – is Mike Kunkel. Another Disney Feature animation vet who made good in a huge way with his best selling comic book series, “Herobear and the Kid.” Mike’s in San Diego this year – pressing the flesh at the Astonish Factory booth to help promote his latest project, “The Land of Sokmunster.”

You’re going to find lots of great stuff on sale at this booth, folks. Stuff like genuine Sokmunster plush as well as a “Herobear” flipbook that Kunkel personally drew. (Proving – once and for all – that the Mouse made a huge mistake when they let Mike walk out the door). Plus – as a special San Diego Comic Con promotion – the Astonish Factory is giving away free copies of NCSoft’s “City of Heroes” game to those people who buy $50 worth of merchandise.

Mind you, you may still want to save your pennies ’til you get to Booth 2202. Where you’ll find master designer Stephen Silver selling copies of his brand new book, “The Art of Silver.” Some might balk at this handsome hardcover’s $40 asking price. But – when you open the thing up as see all those wonderful sketches that Stephen did for “Clerks” & “Danny Phantom” (As well as that truly funny foreword by Kevin Smith) – you’re still going to find yourself reaching for your wallet.

The same thing’s going to happen when you go around the corner to Booth 1907, where noted effects animator & illustrator Michael Gagne has a wide variety of his beautiful – if somewhat bizarre – books for sale. Like it or not, you’re going to pick up a copy of “Zed: Vol. I” – with its snazzy introduction by Brad Bird – and think: “I’ve got to buy a copy of this.”

Mind you, not all the fun at this year’s Comic Con involves reaching for your wallet. There are some truly fun freebies to be found along the way. Like that Walt Kelly museum that you’ll find at Booth 4501. Where you’ll find this wonderful display of “Pogo” merchandise.

Or – if you’d prefer to learn about some animated characters of a more recent vintage – then head on over to the Dreamworks display at Booth 4321. Where you can flip through detailed presentation books that show you just what the studio’s upcoming animated releases – “SharkTale” (Fall 2004) and “Madagascar” (Summer 2005) will look like.

Or you can head on over to the Disney Comics booth and get yourself a free toy. (That’s right. I actually used the words “Disney” and “free” in the same sentence.)

Of course – this being Disney and all – there is a catch. You CAN get a free Disney toy – a Donald Duck car, if I remember correctly – but ONLY if you drop buy Booth 3945 for four days in a row. As in Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday of this week. Where – each day – Disney Comics reps will hand out one piece of the car.

So – if you go to the Disney Comics booth for all four days of the San Diego Comic Con – you got yourself a free car. If you miss a day … Well, I guess that means that Donald has to walk to work.

Speaking of walking & working … some folks who are taking part in this year’s event really make you sweat in order to qualify for some (admittedly) very cool prize. Take – for example – the folks at Palisades Toys. As this year’s convention exclusive, Palisades is selling a Kermit the Frog action figure, which is dressed as Indiana Jones. (Which – some of you may recall – is an outfit that Kermit actually wore when he & his felt friends starred in that “Wonderful World of Disney” episode from the early 1990s, “The Muppets Go to Walt Disney World”).

Well, as part of this Kermit-dressed-as-Indiana-Jones action figure set, they’ve included a tiny little golden idol – just like the one that Indy was going after in “Raider of the Lost Ark” ‘s opening sequence. Only this version of the statue has a hooked nose and is unmistakably modeled after that inept entertainer, the Great Gonzo.

Which – all by itself – is admittedly pretty cool. But that’s not enough for the folks at Palisades Toys. They have to up the ante. Which why they’ve created a full-size version of the Gonzo-as-golden-idol figure. Which is proudly on display at Booth 3919.

Mind you, this Gonzo-as-golden-idol figure can’t be bought. It only be won … By San Diego Comic Con attendees who A) first drop by the Palisades Toy booth, B) pick up an official entry form and C) then walk around virtually the entire convention center getting this form stamped at 8 separate booths scattered around the hall.

Which is a pretty degrading way to make people earn a chance to win a prize, don’t you think? Which is why I’m now encouraging all you folks attending this year’s Comic Con NOT to take part in this contest. (Which – of course – will improve MY chances of actually snagging the Golden Gonzo.)

Now … If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back down to the convention center. As I try to find those eight booths … as well as maybe pick up a copy of Lynne Naylor’s new sketchbook.

Remember that name, folks: Lynne Naylor. She’s the very talented designer behind hot Cartoon Network shows like “Samurai Jack” and “Clone Wars.” And Lynne’s just finished working on a show for a Disney that I’m sure you’ll be hearing about this Fall. If only for its extremely unusual title. Which is:

“Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!”

You know, when I first heard the name for this Jetix show, I did the exact same thing I did four years ago … When a friend – who was working on the yet-to-be-aired “SpongeBob Squarepants” – told me the name of the show that he was working on. I must have made this guy say the name “SpongeBob Squarepants” about 300 times. Because I just couldn’t believe that a TV show could be called that.

Speaking of SpongeBob … You Squarepants fans out there are really going to want to stop by Booth 2813. Where the nice folks at Animated Animations are announcing that they’ve landed the rights to sell really-for-real “SpongeBob Squarepants” production art. As in real “SpongeBob” cels!

Of course, for those of you Disneyana fans who don’t actually care for SpongeBob: Not to worry: Animated Animations also offers some very cool Disney-related stuff. Like limited edition “Nightmare Before Christmas” giclees as well as some “75th Years of Mickey” cels.

Plus there’s all the cool stuff over at Booth 2410, where the staff of Gemstone Publishing is currently hawking their new line of “Disney Comics” reprints. Or – if you’re a serious “Love Bug” fan – then you’re going to want to stop by Booth 4237. Where Playing Mantis is displaying the two Herbie toys – a classic looking “Love Bug” as well as a pretty battered looking VW from “Herbie Goes Bananas”) that this company will soon begin selling.

You want to hear the scary part? I learned all of this info from just 2 ½ hours of blind stumbling around the San Diego convention center during “Preview Night.” So can you imagine how much fun stuff I’ll uncover once I start attending the full-blown version of Comic Con. This four-day long festival of seminars and sales and schmoozing …

Of course, given the crowds that Nancy & I encountered Wednesday, I have to admit that Ken P. is probably right. There’s just no way that you can really do it all, see it all, or experience it all.

But that doesn’t mean that I can’t at least try.

Look for a full report on “absolute bedlam squared” once I get back home to New Hampshire next Monday night. For now … You folks have a great weekend, okay?

jrh

Are you in the San Diego area and would like to get in on this coming weekend’s festivities. Or would you just like to learn more about Comic Con International? Then follow this link.

General

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

Published

9 years ago

June 23, 2015

Jim Hill

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

… 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

Published

9 years ago

June 10, 2015

Jim Hill

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

Published

9 years ago

June 9, 2015

Jim Hill

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.' "

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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?

"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