Greetings from Beantown. Where Nancy and I joined several hundred D23 members at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts yesterday night for a special celebration of "Fantasia" & "Fantasia 2000."
Photo by Nancy Stadler
Even before this event officially got underway, attendees could begin their exploration of "the Fantasia that never was" by checking out the artwork that was on display just outside the Mildred and Harold Remis Auditorium …
Photo by Nancy Stadler
… which showcased pieces of concept art for "Destino," the surrealistic short that Walt Disney & Salvador Dali originally collaborated on back in 1946. Which the Studio then wouldn't actually complete 'til 2003.
Copyright 2003 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
Then – when it came time for "Fantasia – Then, Now and Forever!" to officially get underway – this show's hosts (i.e. veteran WDAS producer Don Hahn and acclaimed creative director Dave Bossert) opted to enter from the back of the hall. Making their way down this theater's stairs with a certain mouse in tow.
(L to R) Don Hahn, Dave Bossert and Sorcerer Mickey. Photo by Nancy Stadler
Once Sorcerer Mickey waved goodbye to the audience …
Photo by Nancy Stadler
… It was then time for Don & Dave to weave a spell of their own. Talking about how "Fantasia" started out life as this animated short subject that went woefully overbudget. Which Walt & Leopold Stokowski then opted to turn into the "Concert Feature." Which many folks still consider to be Disney's crowning artistic achievement (at least when it comes to hand-drawn animation).
Photo by Nancy Stadler
It was an evening full of terrific behind-the-screen stories about the making of "Fantasia" & "Fantasia 2000." Many of which we'll be sharing here on JHM in the coming weeks. But once this D23 event was over, the audience once again lined up outside the Remis Auditorium.
Photo by Nancy Stadler
This time, so they could get Don & Dave's autograph …
Photo by Nancy Stadler
… as well as get their picture taken with Sorcerer Mickey.
D23 members says "Cheese" with the Big Cheese.
Photo by Nancy Stadler
All in all, last night's D23 event was a pretty fantastic way to get reacquainted with "Fantasia" & "Fantasia 2000." Which – based on the recently restored sequences that Hahn & Bossert screened last night from that soon-to-be-released Blu-ray (which will hit store shelves on November 30th) – has never looked better.
Look for a full-blown report on these films – more importantly, last evening's festivities – in the weeks ahead here at JHM.
Your thoughts?