General

Monday Mouse Watch 1

Jim Hill rolls out a brand-new column today. Where he’ll attempt — in a somewhat breezy manner — to bring us all up to speed about what’s been going on lately at the Mouse House. This time around, Jim talks about what’s going on at WDI, seagulls at Disneyland, shipping crates at MGM as well as elephants at DAK

Published

19 years ago

January 29, 2006

Jim Hill

Okay. So we now all know that Steve Jobs, John Lasseter and Ed Catmull are officially riding to the Walt Disney Company’s rescue. But what does the Disney / Pixar merger actually mean? Will the Disney theme parks now be over-run with Pixar characters?

Copyright Disney Enterprises LLC

Well, not exactly. But what this does mean is that — from here on in — we’re probably going to be seeing a lot more impressive attractions being added to the Disney theme parks. At least that’s the word coming from all the Imagineers who heard John Lasseter speak during his first official visit to their Glendale headquarters last Wednesday. During this talk, WDI’s new Principal Creative Advisor reportedly told everyone within earshot that ” … the Walt Disney Company isn’t going to make any more mediocre attractions.” Which (I’m guessing here) means that we’ve seen our last “Heimlich’s Chew-Chew Train.”

Of course, one wonders where Jay Rasulo now fits into this new (Disney) world order. As the newly appointed Chairman of Parks & Resorts, Rasulo’s main job was to keep cost down. Pull even more profits out of the Disney theme parks by pushing the clone agenda (I.E.: Why spend money developing new rides & shows when it’s just as easy — and, more importantly, more cost-effective — to clone pre-existing attractions?).

But now here’s John Lasseter. A man whose WDI battle cry isn’t clones or cost containment. But — rather — quality. That the Disney theme parks have to return to their tradition of innovation & quality. And given that Lasseter doesn’t actually have to report to Rasulo (Under the terms of the Disney / Pixar merger agreement, John only reports to one man. And that’s Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger) … One wonders what Jay is thinking right now? Will he be the next Disney exec to pull a David Stainton (I.E. The former head of Disney Feature Animation who stepped down on the very day that the Pixar acquisition was officially announced. The way I hear it, Stainton was smart enough to recognize that it’s far better to willingly climb down into the lifeboat than to suddenly be heaved over the side)?

Anyway … One wonders who else is feeling nervous at WDI these days? Imagineering president Don Goodman, executive vice president Tom Fitzgerald and/or vice chairman Marty Sklar? Surely this trio — which rode herd on WDI this past decade as it slowly drifted toward becoming a management company that out-sources all creative projects — will feel some heat when Mr. Lasseter starts asking those really difficult questions. Like: “How could you let construction of DCA and Walt Disney Studios go forward? Theme parks that you knew were fatally flawed right from the get-go? Why didn’t one of you stand up and say ‘This isn’t going to work? We need to fix this before construction gets underway. Not after we throw open the gates and charge the public to come inside’? “

Mind you, I’ve heard that Tony Baxter, WDI’s senior VP of design, may be safe. Mostly because Tony was smart enough to reach out on his own and forge his own relationship with the artists and technicians at Pixar prior to this merger. Of course, the fact that Mr. Baxter is currently riding herd on Disneyland’s “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” attraction doesn’t exactly hurt Tony’s chances of staying on either.

Speaking of the “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” ride … Some Disneyland guests reportedly got a surprise late last year when they strolled into Tomorrowland early one morning. Right after that theme park had opened for the day.

“What exactly did they see?,” you ask. Well, there — sticking up over the construction wall that surrounds the old Submarine Voyage lagoon — were two seagulls from “Finding Nemo.” You know, the ones who continually cried “Mine! Mine! Mine!” in that motion picture?

Anywho … I’m told that the sculpting of these two test figures was particular impressive. But what really amused those early morning Tomorrowland visitors was when someone down in the still-dry lagoon accidentally hit the wrong switch. And then suddenly these two robotic seagulls began moving. More importantly, they began loudly squawking “Mine! Mine! Mine!”

Evidently, what had happened is that the Imagineers had brought the two seagull figures into Disneyland to do a little after-hours testing. To see if it would be really annoying for theme park guests walking through this area to continually hear these robotic birds start squawking “Mine! Mine! Mine!” everytime a new submarine started sailing around the lagoon.

While, prior to the first guests being allowed into the park that day, this “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” sound test was supposedly completed and the seagulls were then shut off. But then — by accident — these robotic birds suddenly got turned back on right after rope drop.

I’m told that those guests who actually got to observe this event found it to be doubly amusing. Both because of the squawking seagulls as well as the sight of Disneyland managers frantically talking into walkie-talkies, saying things like “Can we please get someone to go down into the lagoon and shut off those birds? The guests aren’t supposed to be seeing or hearing this.”

Evidently, after 20 minutes of repeatedly shouting “Mine! Mine! Mine!,” the “Finding Nemo” seagulls were suddenly silenced and then quickly pulled out of sight. Those folks who actually saw these figures in action said that they were a great coming attraction for the “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” attraction. Which (just so you know) still isn’t due to officially set sail ’til the late Spring of 2007.

Speaking of Pixar-related coming attractions … As of this moment, WDI actually has a significant number of Pixar-related projects currently in the works. Beyond the obvious stuff (I.E. The “Finding Nemo” -based retheming of Epcot’s “The Living Seas” pavilion), these projects reportedly include:

The “Woody’s Round-up” expansion area for Disneyland (Which is supposed to be built where “Big Thunder Ranch” currently stands)
The “Incredibles” Super Hero Training Facility (Which is reportedly supposed to built out behind DCA’s Pacific Wharf area, right where the X-Games moto-cross arena once stood).
The “Crush’s Turtle Twister” coaster and the “Cars” -themed “Radiator Springs Spin Out” spinner attraction for the new “Toon Studios” addition to the Walt Disney Studios theme park in Paris
The “Finding Nemo” stage show (Which slated to go into DAK’s “Theater in the Wild” once that building is enclosed and extensive renovations to the interior have been completed)

There’s also supposedly a lot of Pixar-related blue sky stuff out there too:

The “Cars” -based retheming of both Disneyland & the Magic Kingdom’s Autopias
The “Little Green Men” -themed redo of that classic Disneyland attraction, the Flying Saucers (Tentatively slated for WDW’s Tomorrowland as a possible replacement for either “Carousel of Progress” or “The Timekeeper”)
Epcot’s Pixar-themed Future World pavilion (I.E. The possible retheming of the “Wonders of Life” show building)

But — as of this moment — all of these projects are currently on hold.

“Why on hold?,” you query. Well, getting back to Mr. Lasseter … Given that John has reportedly proclaimed that WDI has produced its very last mediocre attraction, everyone at WDI is now revisiting the plans for these proposed Pixar-based attractions. To see if there are any ways that they can make these still-in-the-planning rides & shows seem even snazzier.

Speaking of WDI trying to make things even better … Do you remember that story I did last Friday as part of my latest “Why For” column? You know, the one where I talked about those shipping crates that are stacked next to Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner? And what a clever job the Imagineers had done with this particular piece of theming at Disney-MGM?

Well, as it turns out, the story here is even more involved than I originally thought. Here — courtesy of MiceAge columnist Ian Parkinson — are some shots of these packing crates as they appeared back in 2001.

Photo by Ian Parkinson

Please note that — while these crates do feature some movie-themed addresses (EX: A bicycle that’s being sent to a Miss Dorothy Gale in Kansas …

Photo by Ian Parkinson

… as well as some camel saddles that are being shipped to a Mr. “T. E. Lawrence.” Who’s evidently based in Arabia) — some of these gags are kind of obscure.

I mean, who but the most dedicated film-and/or-history-buff is going to realize that “T.E. Lawrence” is actually a reference to that classic Peter O’Toole motion picture, “Lawrence of Arabia“? Or that — by putting Dorothy Gale, Kansas and a bicycle (As in: Mrs. Gulch’s bicycle) in close proximity — that people were automatically supposed to make the cognitive leap to “The Wizard of Oz“?

Sooo … When it finally came time to redo these movie-themed packing crates in 2001, the Imagineers decided to make things a little easier for Disney-MGM visitors. They did so by making the film references displayed on these boxes a lot more obvious. As in this particular crate, which is clearly intended to remind you of that Frank Capra classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life” …

Photo by Robert Bish

… Or how about this one? Which (to be honest) gives away far too much about the main plot point of Orson Welles’ cinematic masterwork, “Citizen Kane.”

Photo by Robert Bish

But do you know what I like best about this next generation of shipping crates? How deep the in-jokes here go. By that I mean: As part of last week’s “Why For” column, I mentioned that both the “Casablanca” -themed box as well as the “Gone with the Wind” -themed crate both featured veiled references (in their return addresses) to each of those film’s directors. Which were — respectively — Michael Curtiz and Victor Fleming.

But let’s take another at that box that’s addressed to Scarlett O’Hara? Do you notice anything strange about that particular street address?

Photo by Robert Bish

121539 Mitchell Lane. That address is actually a two-fer. It references the day that “Gone with the Wind” had its world premiere at the Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta (December 15, 1939) as well as the author of the novel on which this Academy Award winning films was based, Margaret Mitchell.

And as for that “Casablanca” -themed crate. Let’s take another look at the shipping address on that box, shall we? Particularly the street address of Rick’s Cafe Americain. Which reads 112642 Rue Renault.

Photo by Robert Bish

That address is also a two-fer. It references both “Casablanca” ‘s opening night (This Humphrey Bogart film premiered in NYC on November 26, 1942) as well as the character that Claude Rains played in the picture, French Police Capt. Louis Renault.

Speaking of things that you’d expect to find on the side on a trunk (A word of warning: The following may be the most labored transition ever attempted in the history of the English language) … You know who has a cute trunk?

Photo by Florence Lange

Nadirah, the newest member of DAK’s herd of elephants. Nadirah (which means “rare” or “precious gift” in Swahili) was born back on December 19th. Weighing 233 pounds at birth, she can now sometimes be seen with her mom, Donna, wandering through “Kilimanjaro Safari” ‘s elephant enclosure.

Anyway … I just thought that I’d share this photo with all you Disneyana fans out there. To remind you that there’s more to do at Disney’s Animal Kingdom these days than just ride “Expedition Everest.” Like — for example — taking a look at all of the real animals that you’ll find inside of that theme park.

Sooo … What do you think of this new JHM column? You like? More importantly, would you enjoy seeing something like this posted every Monday here at JHM? If so, let me know, okay?

Your thoughts?

P.S.

EXTRA ADDED BONUS CONTENT! Arguably, no one artist had as much impact on the look & design of Disney’s animated features of the 1940s & 1950s as the late Mary Blair did. Her bold use of color & keen sense of composition influenced such films as “Saludos Amigos,” “The Three Caballeros,” “Make Mine Music,” “So Dear to My Heart,” “Melody Time,” “Cinderella,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan.” Even today, on CG projects like “Chicken Little,” Mary’s work continues to inspire the next generation of Disney filmmakers. Suggesting dramatic new ways to color & light scenes.

Which is why I think that it’s great that Steve Worth — the director of ASIFA-Hollywood’s Animation Archive project — has recently scanned in some illustrations for a Little Golden Book that Ms.Blair illustrated back in the 1950s,”Little Verses.” Allowing us all a glimpse of her non-animation related work.

If you’re as big a fan of Mary’s artistry as I am, I’m sure that you’ll be charmed by the selection of images Steve chose to digitize. And while you’re over at www.animationarchive.org, be sure and do a little poking around. Check out all the other great stuff that Mr. Worth has stashed away here.

Better yet, why don’t you just go ahead and bookmark the animation archive site? Make a point of regularly checking out this website.

After all, the animation archive is a truly worthwhile organization, folks. Steve and his crew are doing some really important work when it comes to preserving film history. Which is why I think that it’s important that animation fans have to continue to support the archive project. Either by making donations and/or helping out with the on-going scanning project.

Okay. I’m getting off my soapbox now. But be sure and go check all of that great Mary Blair stuff that Steve scanned in, okay?.

Later,

j

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