General

JimHillMedia.com presents: The Monday Mélange

The dictionary defines a mélange as being a “motley assortment of things.” Well, that’s exactly the sort of column that Jim Hill’s serving up to JHM readers today: a motley assortment of moderately cool Disney-related stuff that popped in Jim’s in-box over the past 72 hours. Enjoy!

Published

21 years ago

November 23, 2003

Jim Hill

You’re going to have to forgive me, gang, if I seem somewhat distracted this morning. But — but what with the holidays coming up at warp speed, my appearance at Mousefest 2003 next week and my book (which was supposed to be sent off to the publishers today. But — here’s a big surprise for all of you regular JHM readers — I didn’t quite get around to actually finishing writing the thing just yet)– I sort of feel like an air traffic controller at O’Hare today. Meaning that — if I’m not real careful here — I may unintentionally screw up large scale here. Accidentally land a plane in the middle of Lake Michigan, so to speak.

But you folks don’t care about that, do you? Understandably so. After all, you don’t come to JimHillMedia.com to hear Jim Hill whine about how overbooked he is. You come here for the stories.

The only problem is … I’m really not up for doing a full-blown story today.

So how’s about this: Instead of just pulling some old story out of the JHM archives, why don’t we try something new? As in: I’ll go through my e-mail in-box and share some of the more intriguing and informative items that have popped in over the past few days.

Take — for example — this message from the Masked Avenger, one of those truly talented folks who’s still hanging on at Walt Disney Imagineering, hoping to survive the next layoff. MA has some rather intriguing info to share about the Walt Disney Company’s next theme park. No, not the one in Hong Kong. The one that’s scheduled to go into Shanghai in 2010.

Good Christ, Jim. These idiots are never getting to learn. You would think that — particularly after DCA and Walt Disney Studios — Paris blew up in their faces — that those boobs back in Burbank would finally take a hint and not stint when it came to Phase 1 of their next couple of theme parks.

But you know how Hong Kong Disneyland is small, Jim? So small that HKD is sort of a Readers Digest version of Anaheim’s Disneyland? Well, Shanghai Disneyland is supposed to be even smaller than that. The joke that’s currently going around WDI right now is that — given how tiny in scope this project is supposed to be — this may be the very first Disney theme park to feature a drive-thru window.

Unless they significantly up the budget on this proposed park in the not-so-distant future, Shanghai Disneyland is going to be the equivalent of an outdoor Disney Quest. Okay, maybe two outdoor Disney Quests, Jim. The point is that SDL is — as it stands right now — going to be a project that isn’t properly funded that features far too few attractions. Which means that — when the thing opens in 2010 and is greeted with a shrug by Shanghai residents (Don’t forget, Jim, that we’re going to be following Universal into Shanghai. That they’re going to have their studio theme park open at least two to three years ahead of SDL. So that — by the time Shanghai Disneyland opens in 2010 or 2011 — Shanghai residents will know what to expect from an American-style theme park) — we’re just going to have to do to that theme park what we’re doing to DCA and Walt Disney Studios right now. Which is throwing a lot of unbudgeted, big ticket items into those theme parks — rides and attractions that SHOULD HAVE automatically been part of Phase 1 of these projects to begin with — with the hope that that’s what will bring the customers back.

That’s the thing that scares me the most of Mouse House management these days, Jim. They just don’t seem to be learning from their previous mistakes. They built a cheap theme park in Anaheim and the people didn’t come. They then built a cheap theme park in Paris and people didn’t come to that one either. Now Mickey’s building even cheaper theme parks in Hong Kong and Shanghai. But the in-house reasoning is “That’s okay. The Chinese don’t have a high quality Disney theme park right nearby to compare these two low budget projects to. So they’ll happily accept whatever it is that we give them. Which is why HKDL and SDL will be hits right out of the box.”

Can you believe these idiots, Jim? These suits have deluded themselves into thinking that no one in Hong Kong has ever made a trip over to Tokyo. That none of the Chinese have ever been to Tokyo Disneyland and/or Tokyo DisneySea. And that these people aren’t going to compare the tiny little theme parks that Disney foists on them to the grandiose ones that the Oriental Land Company operates just across the way.

It’s a recipe for disaster, Jim. But — of course — none of this matters to the lame brained MBAs that actually put the budget together for Hong Kong Disneyland and/or Shanghai Disneyland. By the time both of those theme parks have opened and begun taking on water, that short-sighted suit will long gone. He’ll have used his short time at Walt Disney Imagineering as a way to leverage himself into a better job somewhere else. And it’ll be up to us few remaining Imagineers to try and clean up this idiot’s mess while he’s off sitting in a cozy corner office at the Gap.

Sorry to keep droning on and on like this, Jim. But you’d think — particularly given what a mess Disney’s California Adventure and Walt Disney Studios in Paris turned out to be — that these guys would have finally learned that in order to get a return on your investment, you actually have to invest something.

But — when it comes to the executives who currently run the Walt Disney Company — I find that it’s best to never underestimate how stupid and/or clueless a suit can be.

Yikes! That was a two-fer, folks. Two pieces of bad news for the price of one. Shanghai Disneyland is supposed to be even smaller and cheaper than Hong Kong Disneyland. And the folks who currently run the Walt Disney Company don’t seem to have learned anything from the mistakes that were made on DCA or Walt Disney Studios in the Paris.

Not a very upbeat way to start off your Monday, is it? Well, let me dig around in my in-box and see if I can’t come up with a happier Disney-related story … Ah … Here we go! This message comes by way of Kingdom of the Sun:

What’s the deal with all these people talking up Disney’s first CG project, “Rapunzel Unbraided?” The fairy tale spoof that Glen Keane supposedly directing? The computer animated film that’s not due out in theaters ’til 2007 or 2008?

Don’t all you Disney dweebs realize that “Chicken Little” is currently in production? It’s this really funny film by the guys who did “The Emperor’s New Groove”: director Mark Dindal and producer Randy Fullmer.

And don’t give me that “Wasn’t ‘The Emperor’s New Groove’ a flop?” crap. Far from it, folks. “Groove” actually turned a modest profit during its initial theatrical release, then proved to be a huge hit in the after-market: video, cable and DVD. That’s why Disney is currently producing a direct-to-video sequel to the film — tentatively titled “The Emperor’s Newer Groove” — as well as seriously looking into doing a “Groove” TV series.

So where does “Chicken Little” fit into all this? Everything that made “Groove” great — the film’s stylish look, its snarky story qualities, not to mention it’s a-huge-new-laugh-every-3-seconds pacing — “Chicken Little” has got in spades.

Of course, the film has undergone a significant number of changes over the past year or so. Chicken Little’s now a little girl. And Penn Jillette (You know? Of Penn and Teller fame) is no longer doing any vocal work for the film. Which is a shame. Why for? Because I really loved his wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing camp counselor character.

But — beyond that one minor quibble, Jim -“Chicken Little” is going to be this great little movie. The film that will finally show the world what Disney can do when it decides to get serious about CG. This won’t be another “Dinosaur” -sized dud, Hill. Slow moving and far too serious. “Chicken Little” is going to be light on its feet and funny as hell. By that I mean: we’ve got Nik Ranieri — one of Disney’s top traditional animators — working on this film. And he’s doing some of his best work ever on “CL.”

So let the Wall Street Journal do front page articles on “Rapunzel Unbraided” and how wonderful that film is supposed to be. Never mind that Glen Keane has never actually directed a movie before. Or that — here inside of Walt Disney Feature Animation — Keane isn’t nearly as revered as he is on the outside. (Why for? Well, the guys in the story department all hate Glen because he always redraws and reboards their stuff. And then — what with his personal assistant and all — a lot of people at WDFA feel that Keane’s “gone Hollywood.” That he’s actually begun to believe his own publicity.)

Then add to that that “Rapunzel Unbraided” ‘s producer has never actually produced a film before … A film directed by a guy who’s never directed before which is being produced by a guy who’s never produced before doesn’t seem like a sure-fire recipe for success to me.

That’s the beauty of “Chicken Little, ” Jim. No one knows yet that it’s out there, lying in the bushes. Waiting to surprise the hell out of people with how funny and good looking a Disney CG film can really be.

So please spread the word, Hill. Make people aware that it’s not all gloom and doom when it comes to Walt Disney Feature Animation. That this division of the Mouse Factory does indeed have a future.

Provided — of course — that both “Chicken Little” and “Rapunzel Unbraided” succeed at the box office. Because if either of these two films fail … I shudder to think about what might happen next to Walt Disney Feature Animation.

And — speaking of Disney Feature Animation — let’s head on over to Disney Television Animation, where Mike Teevee (via a recent e-mail) attempted to bring me up-to-date on what’s going on on that side of the Mouse House.

You know, Jim, there is an upside to this whole Disney-Feature-Animation-sinking-into-the-sunset thing. It’s that Disney Television Animation was able to grab the cream of the crop (when it came to Disney’s story artists, that is) as they came streaming out from under that Sorcerer Mickey. A lot of those guys are toiling away inside the Frank Wells building on the Burbank lot (Also known as the “Twos” building, given the huge number of sequels that DTA currently has in production there).

So — in 2004 — when you’re looking at “The Lion King 1 ½” and “The Three Musketeers” and thinking “Boy, this direct-to-video thing almost look as good as one of Disney’s old animated features,” now you’ll know why. All those guys who used to do storyboards for Disney Feature Animation are now pushing pencils for Disney Television Animation.

Here’s some good news from PhinPhan for all of you “Finding Nemo” fans out there:

Jim,

I just wanted to give you a heads-up about the “Drawn to Animation” redo that’s currently in the works for the “Disney Animation” exhibit at California Adventure. The Imagineers had originally thought that they were going to put that interactive Stitch show in here (You know, the one where Disneyland guests seemed to get to talk with a CG version of the little blue alien in real time?). The only problem was … people in the test audiences were having trouble understanding Stitch. The character’s voice (which was based on how “Lilo and Stitch” director Chris Sanders initially did the voice for the character) was just too garbled for some adult Disneyland guests to understand what Stitch was saying.

So WDI’s new plan is to do the same sort of interactive show, only with a new character. So who’s supposed to be the new star of the “Drawn to Animation” replacement show? Crush, the dude-speaking sea turtle from “Finding Nemo.”

Now the Imagineers already understand that it’s probably going to be a sore point with Disney’s animators that a show at DCA’s “Disney Animation” exhibit is going to be built around a Pixar character. But — given that none of Disney’s animators ever really groused when images from “Toy Story” and “A Bug’s Life” were prominently featured as part of the overhead display in the building’s lobby — WDI believes that they’ll be able to deal fairly quickly with any animator’s complaints.

And speaking of animator’s complaints, El KaBongo says that David Stainton — the new head of Disney Feature Animation — is incredibly gaffe prone. And that — try as he might — David can’t help but put his foot in his mouth whenever he appears before an assembly of WDFA staffers.

Jim:

By now, I’m certain that you’ve heard the story about David Stainton’s serenade of the Disney Feature Animation staff. You know? Back on October, when Stainton took part in the outdoor ceremony where it was revealed that Dean Deblois and Chris Sanders had been signed to do “American Dog”? When David — showing a complete lack of sympathy and tact — stood on the second floor balcony and (doing his best Madonna — Evita Peron impression) warbled “Don’t Cry for Me, Animation” to all the soon-to-be-laid-off animators assembled on the lawn below.

Well, Stainton topped himself with his appearance at last Monday’s WDFA staff meeting (The one where David tried to reassure everyone that things would still be okay in Burbank. After Stainton had just told all the Disney-MGM animators that they should probably start looking for work elsewhere). After the very start of the meeting, Stainton said “”First the good news. ‘Brother Bear’ beat that awful Warner Bros. movie, ‘Looney Tunes: Back in Action,’ this past weekend.” A remark that was met with stony silence.

Why for? Because the animation in “Looney Tunes: Back in Action” was directed by Eric Goldberg, a much beloved and respected WDFA vet. Whereas David Stainton … You’d be hard pressed to find anyone at Disney Feature Animation who would call their division’s president “much beloved” and/or “respected.”

The good news is — if he keeps committing gaffes like this in public — Eisner will probably eventually let Stainton go. After all, Uncle Mike doesn’t have much love for Disney execs who constantly put their foot in their mouths. Remember what happened to Bob Weis, the Imagineer who tripped up the entire “Disney’s America” project by saying that the proposed Virginia history park would allow Disney theme park guests to “feel what it’s like to be a slave.” The press fell on that remark, repeated it endless. Which — to Eisner’s way of thinking — is why Disney’s America never got built. Which is why — right after this project got canceled in October 1994 — Bob Weis was quietly shown the door at WDI.

The concern now at the WDFA management level is that some Southern newspaper, TV or radio station is going to pick up on David’s widely reported comments that “The fundamental idea (behind “A Few Good Ghost”) is not strong enough or universally appealing enough to support the kind of performance (that the Walt Disney Company’s animated) movies must have today” and realize that Stainton is actually dissing country music and/or country music performers.

If that happens (And the inevitable firestorm about that sort of comment erupts), David Stainton may find himself following in Bob Weis’ footsteps. Having effectively talked himself out of one of the more prestigious if high pressure positions in today’s animation field.

So there you go, folks. Five intriguing new Disney-related stories for the price of one. Hopefully, the above article provided you with something to talk about around the water cooler later today.

Now — if you’ll excuse me — I gotta get back to work on that book.

Your thoughts?

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