General
Why For … all the angry words & name calling?
In addition to answering your Disney-related questions, Jim Hill also shares his thoughts about some of the more colorful things that have been said about him at other websites over the past few weeks.
First up, Matthew P. writes in to say:
Love the site, enjoy all the minor tidbits about the Disney parks. At the WDW Magic Kingdom when Tomorrowland was re-themed 10 years or so ago, 6 metal palm trees were added half way between Space Mountain and Tomorrowland Transit Authority (I still think of it as the WEDWay people mover). Anyway, 5 of the 6 matel palm trees are designed in the same way, branches extended fully. But 1 of the 6 metal palm trees has its branches folded up in a different shape. This 1 tree has been different than the other 5 since they were installed. My question, do you know if there is some significance to the different tree? some imagineer inside joke? or is there no meaning at all?
Dear Matthew —
You’ve got a great eye for detail. The Imagineers deliberately placed that faulty mechanical palm tree in WDW’s new Tomorrowland. Why For? To subtly get across the idea that — here in the “Future That Never Was” — things don’t always go as smoothly as we hope they would. That — sometimes — some of these modern age wonders malfunction.
Photo by Jeff Lange
(Note: Malfunctioning Palm Tree on Left)
Of course, when WDW’s New Tomorrowland actually used to have an attraction that malfunctioned (I.E. “The ExTERRORestrial Alien Encounter”), this malfunctioning mechanical palm tree could be seen as clever foreshadowing. But now … It’s just a cool little detail that adds to the beautifully layered storytelling that you find in this part of the Magic Kingdom.
Next up, Ryan writes in to ask:
Dear Jim,
I’ve been recently thinking over all the things that Pixar has done, and then all of the sudden, it washed over me: On the Pixar site, “It’s Tough to be a Bug”, the 3D show presented at AK and DCA, is clearly not there. The question is: why? Are they ashamed of this 8-minute animated effort? Are the theater effects and audio-animatronics not enough to qualify. I mean, surely, it would be intresting to find out the makings about Pixar’s one and only 3D effects film, but are they ashamed of it? Sure seems like it, because no one in the Pixar league ever mentions it, yet it’s being shown to crowds on both coasts everyday. Did the movie just sprout from nothing, because there’s got to be a technical story about the film, is there?
-Ryan
Ryan —
There’s actually a simple explanation as to why you won’t see “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” mentioned over on the Pixar website. Pixar Animation Studios DIDN’T make this 3D movie for the Disney theme parks.
Strange but true, folks. But let’s remember that Disney’s Animal Kingdom (AKA the theme park where “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” originally debuted) opened in April of 1998. While “A Bug’s Life” didn’t actually roll into theaters ’til November of 1998. A full five months later.
You get where I’m going here yet, Ryan. The animators at Pixar were far too busy finishing up “A Bug’s Life” to churn out “It’s Tough to Be a Bug.” Which is why the Imagineers were forced to turn to Rhythm & Hues, an LA-based special effects house that specializes in CG, and ask them to make the 3D movie that was scheduled to be shown inside DAK’s Tree of Life.
Mind you, Pixar did provide the folks at Rhythm & Hues with plenty of “A Bug’s Life” reference material. So that they could then be sure to get the final look of Flik & Hopper just right. And WDI also caught a lucky break in that Chris Bailey (I.E. An old WDFA hand. A guy who’s probably best known for his work as the director of that 1995 Academy Award nominated short, “Runaway Brain”) was available to direct this new film for the theme parks.
The end result is that “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” looks so good that most WDW visitors (as well as a lot of animation fans) assume that this 3D movie was actually produced by Pixar. Though — truth be told — the only real tie that this film has to Pixar Animation Studios is that “Finding Nemo” director Andrew Stanton is actually the guy who provided the vocals for the Hopper Audio Animatronic figure in the show. Not Kevin Spacey.
So — beyond the initial reference material that the Emeryville-based animation studio gave to Rhythm & Hues as well as Stanton’s contribution — “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” was pretty much a Pixar-free affair. It’s still pretty darn entertaining, don’t you think?
Next up, Shane W. writes in to ask:
Dear Jim,
First, let me say that I am a long-time reader of your columns, at a number of websites. So thank you for your work. It has been very entertaining.
The reason I’m writing now is because I recently spent a few days at Walt Disney World, and as you well know, a trip like that brings to mind a whole bunch of questions like:
Why did park executives decide to close Wonders of Life on a periodic basis? (Namely, during my visit.) It seems like a ride like “Body Wars” is an awfully large attraction to take off the menu. And if attendance is a concern, I can think of a few pavilions in World Showcase that might be putting up “Come Back Later” signs.
I appreciate your columns and your website, and I look forward to future writings.
Sincerely,
Shane W.
Dear Shane —
Epcot’s “Wonders of Life” pavilion remains a somewhat problematic Future World attraction for the Imagineers. And not just because of all the people who still get nauseous whenever they ride “Body Wars.”
No, the problem with this Future World pavilion is that it hasn’t aged all that well. Why For? Well, to be blunt: “Wonders of Life” ‘s shows & attractions feature far too many movie & sitcom stars from the late 1990s (Which isn’t all that surprising, given that this Epcot addition opened in October of 1989). But the problem is … These performers (which are featured in the film elements for WOL) really tend to date this Future World pavilion. Making the place seem dated & stale.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Mind you, the Mouse had hoped that — once MetLife exited as this Future World pavilion’s sponsor — that they’d then be able to persuade some other healthcare company to come in and underwrite the cost of redoing all of its rides, shows and attractions. But — as it turns out — most of the corporations that the Imagineers approached couldn’t see the benefit of having their name attached to an Epcot attraction.
Which is why — for a time — the Imagineers just junked the idea of trying to find a health-care related company to take over the sponsorship of the “Wonders of Life” show building. And — instead — WDI worked up a proposal where the physical plant of the building (I.E. The “Body Wars” simulators, the “Making of Me” & “Cranium Command” theaters) would be kept in place while this pavilion was given a whole new theme.
“What sort of theme would that have been?,” you ask. The “Wonders of Computer Animation,” as presented by Pixar Animation Studios.
Oh, I know. I can hear all of you theme park purists out there moaning. Complaining that — yet again — here’s the Imagineers looking for another way to cram some characters into Epcot. But the fact of the matter is … WDW’s science & discovery park has always had a problem with it comes to appealing to small children. That — over the past 23 years — kids had come to equate the name “Epcot” with “boring.”
Well, the folks at WDI thought that folding the characters from “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Finding Nemo” into Future World would go an awfully long way toward making Epcot seem like more of a fun place from younger children to visit. More importantly, this pavilion’s new theme (I.E. Celebrating Pixar animation as well as the cutting-edge technology that makes it all possible) would obviously appeal to the teens in the family. So this seemed like a win-win to the Imagineers.
So among the show ideas that were considered for this “Wonders of Life” redo was taking “Body Wars” ‘s simulators and retheming them around “Finding Nemo.” With the new version of the show supposedly taking WDW visitors for a submarine voyage off of the Great Barrier Reef. And — in the process — meeting up with Marlin, Dory, Nemo, Bruce and the whole Tank Gang.
Meanwhile, over in the “Cranium Command” theater, an AA version of Mike Wazowski was supposed to serve as the host of a demonstration of some new “Monsters, Inc.” technology. But then — of course — Randall disrupts the demo. And — in that fine Disney theme park tradition — something goes horribly wrong! And it’s up to Mike to somehow save the day.
Over in the “Making of Me” theaters, guests would be able to watch an endless loop of Pixar shorts as well as previews for the studio’s upcoming feature. And — all around the interior of the pavilion — there were to have been these hands-on stations. Where guests could have tried their hand at animating their favorite Pixar character.
And — speaking of characters — this place would have been loaded with them. There would have meet-n-greet stations dedicated to each & every one of the Pixar films. So — if you wanted to see the characters from “Toy Story,” you got in one line. The characters from “A Bug’s Life,” another line, etc.
So this sounds like a pretty snazzy addition to Epcot, doesn’t it? So why wasn’t this proposed “Wonders of Life” pavilion change-out ever implemented?
Because … Well … For a number of reasons, actually. As you all already know, Disney & Pixar were kind of on the outs by this time (circa 2003). And — as time went by — it became increasing doubtful that the Emeryville-based animation studios would renew its co-production & distribution deal with the Walt Disney Company. Let alone agree to sponsor a pavilion at Future World.
Then there was the problem with the Pixar characters. Who were already so well intergrated into the other WDW theme parks. What with the “Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin” attraction being over at the Magic Kingdom and Flik & Hopper from “A Bug’s Life” appearing in the show inside DAK’s Tree of Life … What was the sense of trying to sell WDW visitors on the idea that “You have to go to Epcot in order to see your favorite Pixar characters” … When these characters were obviously already readily available for visits at Disney’s other Central Florida theme parks.
So the Pixar-themed redo of the “Wonders of Life” pavilion eventually got spiked. And — in the absense of any really viable ideas for overhauling this out-of-date Epcot addition — “WOL” went to an as-needed schedule. As in: This Future World pavilion only opens to the public when this theme park is so full that Disney desperately needs another place to stuff guests into. Which is why (lately) “Wonders of Life” has only been open during the Christmas crush as well as the busier weeks during Spring Break.
Mind you, it’s even been a while since that last happened. Nowadays, “WOL” ‘s huge interior is sometimes used for corporate events and/or private parties. But — for the most part — this Future World show building stands empty. Which is why it’s really only a matter of time now before this structure finally gets slated for demolition. To be replaced by … What else? A thrill ride.
I know, I know. I just made General Grizz’s week. And — speaking of people who seem to bitch & moan a lot — PewterPotter recently sent me this e-mail:
have you read what’s being written about you over on laughingplace.com’s discussion boards? with people like l***** (aka the editor of “tales from the laughing place” magazine) saying that you’re “a bottom-feeder” and calling for disneyland to revoke your annual pass. and d******* (aka another columnist for that website) insisting that you’ve become some sort of publicity whore. likening you to ” … the homely girl at the party who stands in the middle of the room loudly saying, ‘I don’t want any of you boys annoying me. Just stay away. Leave me alone.’ “
doesn’t it bother when that other members of the disneyana community say such awful things about you?
Dear PewterPotter.
To answer your question: No, not really.
I mean, this sort of thing comes with being a webmaster. You put stories up on the Net, people are going to comment on them. And not everyone is going to agree with what you say and/or how you say it.
I mean, sure, it would be great if folks on the Internet could disagree with you without becoming disagreeable. To not automatically resort to name calling and/or personal attacks. But — when it comes to the Web — I find that common courtesy isn’t really all that common.
So — in order to succeed in this field — you have to have pretty thick skin. To not take it personally when people attack you. Otherwise, you’ll wind up spending all of your time on other people’s websites, trying to defend your honor in some never-ending discussion board debate.
(Which brings to mind my favorite line from “Duck Soup.” When Groucho Marx — as he attempts to rally Freedonia’s troops before they march off into battle — points to Margaret Dumont and says: “Remember, you’re fighting for this woman’s honor. Which is probably more than she ever did.”
Anyway … Where was I? Ah, yes. Standing on my rickety soapbox … )
If you want to be even moderately successful in this field, you have to concentrate on what’s really important. Which is NOT listening to your detractors. But — rather — consistently churning out new content for your website
I made that mistake once. Of actually getting steamed up because of what some bozo was saying about me on someone else’s discussion board. And — to be honest — it wasn’t what this guy was saying about me that got me so mad. But — rather — it was because this guy then felt that it was okay to take swipes at my daughter as he was going after me …
So I signed into that other site’s discussion board, totally prepared to stomp this idiot into the ground … And the end result wasn’t pretty. He and I both wound up looking like complete imbeciles.
Which is why I now deliberately give the whole discussion board side of the Web a very wide berth. By that I mean: I don’t even note on JHM’s discussion boards. I prefer to stay on my side of the fence & just write my stories. Leaving it to my readers to decide if the finished product is actually any good.
Anyway, to get back to your question, PewterPotter… Does it bother me when I find out that someone at LaughingPlace … or WDWMagic … or MiceAge … or wherever … is bad-mouthing me? Well, I have to admit that I’m not thrilled. But it’s not like I’m actually going to stop what I’m doing and rush on over to that website just to see what’s being said.
If you fall into that sort of behavior, my friend… That’s a one-way ticket to Make-Yourself-Crazy-ville.
I follow one very simple rule, PewterPotter. I don’t buy into what strangers have to say about me. And by that I mean: The curses AND the compliments.
Now, if Nancy or my Dad or Jeff Lange tells me that I’m behaving like an ass … Those folks, I listen to. Friends & family, I believe.
But a l***** (who I’ve never met) or a d******* (who I’ve only met a couple of times at N.F.F.C. things & Disney press events)? Please. That sort of stuff just rolls right off my back.
Beyond that … It’s a free country. And l***** & d******* are entitled to their own opinions & can say whatever the hell they want. So if they want to call me a “bottom feeder” and/or insist that I’ve become a publicity hound … Well, that’s their right.
Me personally? I can’t help but notice that this sort of thing (I.E. The personal attacks on other discussion boards) tends to flare up whenever I’m in the paper and/or wind up on the news. So could this be just plain old fashioned jealousy? Or is there something about my big, ol’, fat face that somehow enrages some Disneyana fans whenever they see it?
I don’t know what to tell you, folks … Other than I don’t really plan to dwell on any of this negative stuff.
I mean, come on. So a few people on other websites have said some fairly catty things about me lately. Big deal.
When you consider all of the publicity that JHM has received over the past four weeks (Not to mention the positive impact this additional exposure has had on the site’s traffic levels) … The positives of this whole experience clearly outweigh the negatives.
So let l***** & d******* say whatever they want about my stories and/or how I behave. Likewise the folks at MiceAge and WDWMagic. Their comments don’t really concern me. Just so long as they spell my name right.
“What do I mean by that?,” you ask. Well, this is 2005 after all. The age where it really does seem like there is no such thing as bad publicity.
So I say: Let these other Disneyana websites keep talking about me. It just makes their readers (some of who aren’t even aware of what a JHM is) all the more curious about who this Jim Hill person might be.
So they then go looking for JimHillMedia.com. And — once these folks get here — maybe they read a few of the articles that we’ve got archived here. And then — if these people like what they see — this site might pick up a new reader or two.
Speaking of two … Man, I wish that I could be in two places at the same time.
Why For? Well, due to a family emergency, I had to cancel this week’s trip to Los Angeles. Which means that I’m missing out on this great once-in-a-lifetime event that ASIFA Hollywood is holding tonight at 7 p.m. at the Glendale Central Library : A re-union of the directors & animators who worked on Disney’s 1992 traditionally animated hit, “Aladdin.”
It’s going to be a night of animation all-stars, folks. Among the renown artists who are scheduled to take part in tonight’s panel are WDFA vets Ron Clements, John Musker, Andrea Deja, Eric Goldberg & Will Finn.
Moderated by ASIFA’s president emeritus Tom Sito (Who’s also an “Aladdin” alum), this evening promises to be one that Disney animation fans won’t soon forget. Full of great behind-the-scenes stories about this Academy Award winning film … And — DAMN IT ! — I’m stuck back here in the woods of New Hampshire.
*Sigh* How come you can never find a flying carpet when you really need one?
Another great event that I’m missing out on this weekend is the West Coast premiere of “Dream On Silly Dreamer.” Which is being held tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the Orange County Museum of Art as part of the Newport Beach Film Festival. So — if you love Disney traditional animation — you really owe it to yourself to go check out this beautiful little film by Tony West & Dan Lund.
And — with that — another fun week here at JHM draws to a close. Here’s hoping that you folks have a much more entertaining weekend planned that I do. I’m stuck here at home taking care of Nancy’s four obnoxious cats as well as working on the script for that JHM Disneyland history CD.
Speaking of which: Jeff Lange wants me to remind you that we’re still taking names for the official notification list. So — if you want to be among the first to hear the stories that Disneyland Security thought were too negative to be told inside their theme park — please drop me a line at jim@jimhillmedia.com.
Okay. Enough with the annoying plugs already. See you folks on Monday, okay?
jrh
General
Seward Johnson bronzes add a surreal, artistic touch to NYC’s Garment District
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
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
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
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.
Copyright Disney Enterprises,
Inc.
All rights reserved
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.
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights
reserved
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.
Copyright Disney Enterprises,
Inc. All rights reserved
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.
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Inc.
All rights reserved
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.' "
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Inc. All rights reserved
"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.
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Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
"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.
Copyright Disney Enterprises,
Inc. All rights reserved
"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.
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Inc. All rights reserved
"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.
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Inc. All rights reserved
"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?
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Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
"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
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