General

Why For?

This week, Jim’s taking a break and letting JimHillMedia.com readers answer your Disney related questions. Why For? Because they’ve got some interesting things to share on the Disney Company and Harry Potter rumors, as well as a follow-up to last month’s “Captain Eeyore” story.

Published

21 years ago

September 4, 2003

Jim Hill

I know, I know. Normally, this is where I answer the questions you send in. But — given that so many JHM readers have written in over the past couple of weeks, offering up their insights about various “Why For” questions — I wanted to share some of this extremely cool info with you.

So let’s start with that “Does Disney have the theme park rights to Harry Potter?” questions that we dealt with back on August 15th. The evidence still seems to point in all sorts of interesting directions. For example, a veteran Imagineer passed along this somewhat depressing tidbit:

Jim,

There has been NO indication here that Disney has any involvement with Harry Potter. We’re having enough trouble trying to get the company to back worthwhile projects for (“Finding Nemo.”) If corporate has struck some kind of deal, they (are) certainly not sharing it with their creative resources. If they DO have something (in the works), let’s hope it doesn’t fail like their Marsupilami character rights (deal) did (back in the 1980s).

But then Bill Zanetti — the owner of MagicalEars.com — chimed in with this really intriguing Harry Potter/Disney related story to share:

Hello Jim.

I’ve been reading your columns for a long time now, and I love them.

There is something I’d like to add to your Harry Potter article from the 15th of Aug. My friend and I went (to Epcot) on a weekend sometime earlier this year … This was the day when Mr. Eisner was in the park. He had come to ride the new improved “Journey into Imagination with Figment,” which was the same reason we were there. Mind you, we didn’t know he was in the park at the time, or we would have gone to look for him.

(Anyway) It was about lunch time, so we were heading toward the Land’s food court from Spaceship Earth. As we walked, we encountered a man who was on a cell phone. (Everyone is on one nowadays) But this guy was walking very quickly. And it wasn’t his walking that caught our attention. It was what he was saying.

Now, remember, we were having trouble keeping up with this guy because he was moving so quickly, but we did hear him say the following, and I quote, “Okay, well, I need the Harry Potter Ride Storyboards done by next week… ok.” At that point we started following him, but he then hung up and just left and headed toward the Imagination pavilion… which we found out was where Mr. Eisner was at the time.

Bill Zanetti – MagicalEars.com

Now, given Bill Z.’s reputation (plus the fact that his website — MagicalEars.com — has been around since June of 1996. So this is clearly not a fly-by-night operation. Nor is Mr. Zanetti a flake), I’m extremely reluctant to automatically dismiss what Mr. Z says he heard.

But here’s my problem, people. Just because Bill overheard someone inside a Disney theme park talking about a Harry Potter ride doesn’t automatically mean that Zanetti was listening to a Disney World employee. For all I know, the person talking on that cell phone could have been a Warner Bros. employee who was on vacation in Orlando. Rather than some Imagineer.

“Why a Warner Brothers employee?” you ask? Well, as Joe Kleiman, the editor of “The SFC Review” was nice enough to write and point out:

Jim,

I find it interesting that nowhere in the discussion of Disney having (the) theme park rights to the Harry Potter characters (on your site or others) have I found mention of his previous two theme park experiences:

A Harry Potter attraction at Warner Brothers MovieWorld, a joint venture between Warner Brothers and Village Roadshow in Australia, closed this past May.

Harry Potter also appeared in the Bill and Ted show during Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights in 2001.

It is possible that the rights may be split by territory (I.E. Sesame Street is held by Busch Entertainment in the US, but by Universal Recreation Group in Japan).

Best,
Joe K.

Joe is right, folks. It *IS* possible that multiple parties could hold the theme park rights to the Harry Potter characters. With one corporation holding the stateside rights, while J.K. Rowling could have awarded the overseas rights to an entirely different company.

But — if that’s really the case — then why does everyone keep associating Harry Potter with the Walt Disney Company? Perhaps it’s Gene L. who has the answer:

I wanted to chime in on the Harry Potter thing, and remind everyone that Disney acquired the rights to broadcast the Potter movies as they come out. The first one will be airing in May. The big debate right now at the network is over airing the movie in a 7-11pm block on a Saturday night, or splitting it up into two parts 7-9pm on Sat and Sun night. The network would love to split the film into two bits, since most kids can’t stay up ’till 11pm and they can pack more internal commercials into the movie. But they’re balking at pre-empting regular programming on a Sunday during May sweeps.

So maybe it was all this talk about ABC acquiring the American television broadcast rights for “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” that initially caused all the confusion. That mistakenly made people think that it was the Walt Disney Company that had somehow acquired the theme park rights to J.K. Rowling’s characters.

I know, I know. This is yet another of those non-answer answers. But I promise you that the crew at JimHillMedia.com will continue to work at the does-Disney-have-the-theme-park-rights-to-Harry-Potter story. And — if and when we learn definitive about the subject — we’ll be sure to post it here.

Moving on now …

Another recent JHM article that generated a lot of reader mail was our August 11th story on “Captain Eeyore.” Well, as it turns out, I’m not the only one who looks back fondly on this weird little Disneyland cast member produced film. For David wrote to my ex, Michelle Smith (AKA The Fabulous Disney Babe, and co-founder of this here website), to share his memories of the project:

Hey Michelle,

Just read the article on Captain Eeyore. It’s funny because I worked on it. I was the assistant director to XXXX XXXXX, who directed (the film). I did the design of all the costumes (in “Captain Eeyore”), including the demented Minnie Mouse with pens and pencils attached to her fingers. (The female cast member who played that role) was a scheduler of dubious popularity. I can’t remember her name now…

I (also) remember going through all the costume bits in the back storerooms (at Disneyland and using that material to create the “Captain Eeyore”) character costumes.

Oh, and Captain Eeyore himself. XXXXXX XXXX was the man’s name, and he had seen “Captain Eo” so many times, he could reenact the entire movie. He was perfect for the part.

I hadn’t seen it in years and years. I used to have a video copy, but it disappeared somewhere along the moves.

David

In my “Captain Eeyore” article, I remarked that it seemed kind of a shame that more of these cool cast-member-only movies weren’t made. Well, according to C from WDW, more films WERE made:

I read with great interest you article on Disneyland Videos. There have been a few more produced, especially at Epcot in 1992, 1994, and 1995-6. Also Animal Kingdom Entertainment in 1999. (These special cast-member-only production were created) for Entertainment Banquets. The only caveat was (that) no copies could ever get out. (But) — of course — they did. (These films) are out there. Most do contain amateurish scripts, and bad video. But — (what the) hey — we wanted to see characters in UNCONVENTIONAL situations. A few of the segments (featured in these films included):

“Showcase Girls” (a takeoff on Showgirls) featured various Face Characters (Disney Princesses) in a strip club.

A Pocahontas sketch, filmed in Epcot’s Canada, where Pocahontas gets dumped by a gay John Smith.

Beavis and Butthead tour Epcot.

“Speed”, where an Epcot Omnibus full of Characters cannot drop below 5mph or it will blow up. This sketch ended spectacularly with Tigger getting his head knocked off when it smashed the top of the water tunnel on Backstage Lane behind France.

“Jurasservice Park”, a take off comparing Animal Kingdom to Jurassic Park.

“When Artimals Attack”- remember “March of the Artimals?”

Another great sketch had many straight, male Entertainment managers dressed in drag as various Disney Princesses. Too much.

And many more, with performers with heads off, making fun of guests, etc.

These have faded from memory. Most managers these days would NEVER allow this to happen anymore … It’s sad, really… We used to have some fun times. (Nowadays) Everyone is too afraid anymore to let loose.

C at WDW

And — based on some of the other e-mail I’ve received — it would appear that the tradition of creating these kooky sorts of cast-member-only movies is also alive and well in Anaheim. Or should I say it was. At least until recently. Alice’s good friend wrote in to reminisce:

Two years ago we (shot) a light saber battle on top of the castle (between) Mickey and a manager! We have (also) done a “Survivor” spoof, a remake of the “Wizard of Oz” called the “Sorcerer of Toons”, and even a Twilight Zone in Toon Town called (what else) “The Toon Zone.” It’s about what happens to a bratty child guest that gets trapped there after the park closes. Just to name a few (of the cast-member-only films that we’ve produced over the years).

This year will be the first year we are not allowed to make a character movie and probably never be able to again. (Why for? Because the Disneyland) character dept. banquet is no longer being funded or recognized by the (Walt Disney) company. So we (no longer) have access to shoot in the park or (or the right to ) use company property — like costumes — (in these productions). So what fun would that be?

Well, I’m sorry to hear that the tradition of the cast-member-only movies is fading away. But — man! — would I love to see some of those older films! I mean, even some of the ones that have been produced by cast members at Disneyland-Paris sound like they would be a lot of fun to watch. Take for example, this sequence that Scott A. describes:

… This one made me laugh a lot for some reason. Filmed at the loading area for the “Pays de Contes Fees” (The DLP Storybookland Canals). You see the cast member walking on the loading turntable in the normal state of boredom that accompanies these types of attractions. He looks up at the stairs that lead the guests down to load as a female Cast Member is coming down the steps, presumably to bump into position. The loading cast member does a double take. But — when he looks back — the music to the song “My Heart Will Go On” from (the Academy Award winning movie) “Titanic” starts playing. And the girl is dressed up in an outfit like the one that Kate Hudson wore in the movie.

(Next) we cut to the big “Near, Far, Wherever you are….” part of the song. Now imagine the guy cast member in the Storybookland costume (little blue and white striped shirt, straw hat, etc.). And he and the woman are in the position like in the movie “Titanic” where Kate and Leonardo are on the bow of the boat with her arms outstretched, his arms around her. You know the scene. All recreated on the front of a Storybookland Canal boat!

Scott A.

Sounds like some funny, funny stuff. Which I’d dearly love to see someday. If anyone would ever send me a copy of some of these cast-member-only movies (hint, hint).

But what am I saying? Surely some of you JHM readers out there would also like to check out one of these cast-member-only productions. Well — if that’s really the case — then I suggest that you check out this QuickTime movie.

What exactly are you looking at here? Well, maybe we’d better let Jack P. explain

Huge fan of the site, been reading for a while… I missed your story about “Captain Eeyore” and I have to say that some films still get made…

I myself created a film for the Great Movie Oscars (an annual event held by and for Great Movie Ride cast members). One day before opening I went and filmed the Munchkins doing their thing and then re-dubbed the audio and worked with the film to sync their lips to the Budweiser “Whassup” commercial.

Anyways, it got great response, and I’d love for you to see it. (If you do like it and want to share it, you are more than welcome to.)

Well, I really did enjoy it, Jack. Which is why I’m sharing it this morning with JimHillMedia.com readers.

By the way, Jack P.’s company — Monkibrand Productions — doesn’t just make short subjects starting obnoxious Munchkins. They’re also a web savvy group of artists who produce high quality t-shirts as well as longer form films. You can find more information about Monkibrand Productions over at their web site.

Okay. That’s it for this week, folks. In next week’s “Why For,” I promise that we’ll deal with the origins of that whole “Applecore … Baltimore” thing. Plus address what’s actually going on with those “Wuzzles” character costumes that keep popping up on MTV, in print ads and even in mainstream non-Disney movies like “Old School” and “The Sweetest Thing.” It’s a pretty wild story.

Also … before I forget: My apologies for promising that “Post Eisner Era” story for last Tuesday and then not delivering. But I got tripped up by the Labor Day weekend, folks. Which is why this sure-to-be-controversial story will now be bowing on JHM on Monday, September 8th. So be sure to come by the site early next week to check that one out. And we’ve got a special wrap up for Jim Korkis’s history of the American comic book series; the last four parts will be published on the site starting today and over the next three days, so be sure to catch those.

Beyond that … have a great weekend, okay?

jrh

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