I know, I know. You were expecting another “Why For?” weren’t you? Well, after last week’s marathon length column, I’m kind of “Why For?”‘d out for the moment.
Not to worry, though. Next week, everyone’s favorite JHM column — the one that answers even the most bizarre of your Disney-related questions — will be back up and running. But — seeing as we’re heading into a three weekend which honors the man that allegedly discovered America — I thought that we might throw together a Columbus Day collage. And just take a look at the great big world that lies out there beyond JimHillMedia.com …
And the first place I’d like to direct your attention to is www.ultimatedisney.com/inkandpaint. Where Jack L. has taken up a cause that I’m sure will appeal to many traditional animation fans.
Here. Why don’t I let Jason L. explain what’s going on?
Dear Friend,
A lion who would be king once said, “Danger? Ha! I walk on the wild side. I laugh in the face of danger. Ha-ha-HA-HA!”
That was Simba, the lion cub of Disney’s all-time animated classic “The Lion King.” Now, nine years later, another Disney character will walk on the wild side, too. Literally. His tale comes in a time of great danger for a beautiful art form, a danger that we cannot simply laugh in the face of. The art form is the traditionally animated feature, and the danger is extinction. So join in the fans’ fight to save it – The Ink and Paint Campaign!
You may have heard of the new Disney movie “Brother Bear,” coming to theaters Saturday, November 1 (and earlier in select cities on October 24.) It is the epic story of three brothers. One is tragically killed by a bear. His brother, Kenai, kills the bear with vengeance, only to be turned into a bear by the great spirits of the forest. Meanwhile, his other brother comes upon him in bear form, and thinking that the bear killed Kenai, he swears a revenge of his own. Now brother hunts brother, and Kenai’s only hope for survival is to take a walk on the wild side in a quest to regain his human form.
“Brother Bear” is the latest spectacle from the animation team that brought us Mulan and last year’s energetic hit “Lilo & Stitch.” It features new songs written and performed by Phil Collins (“Tarzan”) as well as an opening title performed by the legendary Tina Turner. It promises to be a wonderful, touching family film, and we hope you’ll enjoy it.
Unfortunately, “Brother Bear” will be one of the last traditionally animated (also known as hand-drawn or 2D) movies produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. (WDFA.) With the notable exception of “Lilo & Stitch,” Disney’s recent 2D animation efforts have not been performing as well at the box office as the more technologically advanced computer-generated movies they distribute for Pixar Animation Studios.
“Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Finding Nemo” have all been phenomenal successes, breaking all kinds of records and gaining praise the world over. Thus, the top Hollywood animation studios, including Disney, are abandoning traditional animation altogether in favor of doing all movies in CGI. Spokeswoman Terry Press of Disney rival studio DreamWorks (responsible for such traditional hits as “The Prince of Egypt” and “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” as well as the CG success “Shrek”) recently told the press, “Until audiences show some affection for 2-D, we’re not going to get back into it,”
David Stainton, the current head of WDFA, recently told the press, “I absolutely stand firm that 2-D is not dead.” But actions speak louder than words, and Disney has been taking some very drastic actions. For the first time in ages, the company does not have any new completely traditionally animated projects in production after “Brother Bear” and next year’s “Home on the Range.” Disney executives have been closing several international branches of WDFA, including WDFA Paris and WDFA Japan.
Thus, it is becoming increasingly important that “Brother Bear” performs well at the box office and on DVD so that Hollywood, and Disney in particular, will see that people still love a good, traditionally animated feature film and begin to produce them once more. Computer-generated movies like “Finding Nemo” and “Monsters, Inc.” are wonderful. But so is traditional animation, and it would be a shame to see the nearly 70-year-old tradition of hand-drawn animation at Disney become extinct just because the executives think that people no longer enjoy and appreciate traditional product.
As a child, chances are you grew up on Disney’s classic traditional animation, and if you did, you probably want the same for your children and grandchildren. Well, Disney’s classic and innovating new traditional animation might not be there for them to grow up on unless “Brother Bear” and “Home on the Range” are big hits.
If you care about high-quality family entertainment and the future of 2D animation, please take a couple hours out of your day to go see “Brother Bear “in theaters this fall. See it opening weekend (November 1-2, 2003) and continue to support it throughout its run in any way you can. See it again, buy merchandise, and above all, please spread the word! Tell friends, family, coworkers and others to go see it as well. Forward this email to as many people as you possibly can!
In the realm of fantasy, Disney has always been the driving force, but in the modern world, the driving force is money. If “Brother Bear” falls, the long legacy of hand-drawn animation will fall with it.
For more information on “Brother Bear,” please visit the movie’s official web site ( Please insert link to http://www.disney.com/brotherbear here).
For more information about our campaign to save traditional animation, please visit the Ink & Paint Campaign web site (Please insert link to www.ultimatedisney.com/inkandpaint here).
And — for more information on the ongoing struggle to maintain traditional animation’s place in the movie industry, read the following article from the “Orlando Sentinel,” which was very helpful in preparing this letter.
If you care, see “Brother Bear” ! We hope you enjoy it.
Next up, I get people who ask me all the time: “Is this it, Jim? Is this really all you do? Obsess about the Walt Disney Company and its theme parks?” Well, actually, no. I also obsess about Pleasure Island, the long-defunct theme park that was built just outside of Boston, MA. back in the late 1950s. Which — oddly enough — was actually built by many of the same people who built Disneyland back in 1955.
Anyway, there’s an organization that actually celebrates PI’s history: the Friends of Pleasure Island, Inc. And these nice folks also have a web site. Where you’ll find all sorts of stories about the park, old newspaper clippings, photographs, etc. It’s a veritable treasure trove if you’re a theme park history buff.
Or — if you’d prefer a Reader’s Digest version of the history of Pleasure Island (the New England theme park, not the WDW night-time entertainment district) — you can just follow this link to the “Wakefield Observer.” Where you’ll find an entertaining article by Dinah Cardin (which does — truth be told — feature a few quotes from yours truly).
Anywho … moving on now …
This week, I also got a nice note from Dave Avanzino, a collectible artist for the Walt Disney Company . Some of you hardcore Disneyana collectors may be familiar with the limited editions and one-of-a-kind pieces that David has done for Disneyland and Disney World. Well, Mr. Avanzino currently has an auction underway (via the “Disney Auctions” section over at eBay). And — if you’ll follow this link (look for the “Dave Avanzino Artwork” box) — you “Nightmare Before Christmas” fans and “Pirates of the Caribbean” fanatics are really in for a treat. There’s also some wonderful watercolor paintings of individual buildings from the various international pavilions in Epcot’s World Showcase area. Along with some unique pieces that pay tribute to Mickey’s 75th anniversary.
So — if you’re just window-shopping and/or actually looking to something to bid on — it’s definitely worth a look-see to drop by eBay today to check out the items that Disney artist Dave Avanzino currently has up for auction.
And — speaking of commercial enterprises — I’m supposed to remind you that time’s a-wasting if you still want to sign up for next month’s JHM tours of Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Open slots for the four theme park tours (which will be held on Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd) are going fast. As are the seats for Saturday night’s “Brother Bear” screening and after-chat.
So — if you’re still looking to get in on the fun next month — now might be a real good time to throw an e-mail to stadlerhill@mindspring.com. And I’ll then provide you with all the necessary details.
What? You’re still pouting because you didn’t get a “Why For?” today? Well, tell you what: Loyal JHM reader Ryan P. has put together a “Why For” parody which (I think) does a pretty good job of sending yours truly up. Capturing all my idiosyncrasies as well as my just plain idiocy.
So — hopefully — that will hold you “Why For?” junkies ’til next week.
Anyway. That’s it for this week, folks. Here’s hoping that you all have a wonderful Columbus Day weekend, okay? And I promise that we’ll be back with even more great stories here at JimHillMedia.com earlier next Tuesday morning.
Til then, take care, okay?
jrh