General

Why For wasn’t this episode of “Dinosaurs” ever broadcast on ABC ?

In honor of next Tuesday’s DVD release of the third & fourth seasons of this acclaimed Touchstone Television / Jim Henson Productions series, Jim Hill talks about a particular show that never actually aired on ABC. A brutally funny send-up of Disneyland & Walt Disney World called “Variations on a Theme Park”

Published

18 years ago

April 26, 2007

Jim Hill

Karl T. of Watertown, MA. writes in to say:

I just discovered your “Making Fun of the Mouse” series from last year. And I really enjoyed reading through that trio of stories. I was wondering : Do you have any plans to continue that series? Because I am sure that there are lots of other cartoons and TV shows that made fun of Disney’s theme parks and movies.

Indeed there are, Karl. With one of the very best being an episode of “Dinosaurs,” that satirical television program that aired on ABC from 1991 to 1994.

These days, not a lot of people seem to remember that witty Touchstone Television / Jim Henson Productions co-production. And when they do talk about it, they tend to lump “Dinosaurs” in with all of those other animated series that were hurried onto the air in the early 1990s in an effort to quickly cash in on the success of “The Simpsons.” You know. “Fish Police,” “Capital Critters” and their ilk.

But “Dinosaurs” deserves better than that. Starting with a concept that Jim Henson himself dreamed up, Michael Jacobs created this brutally funny TV series that — under the guise of being a family-friendly program — took on a wide variety of targets. Politics, the environment, evolution, consumerism were all mercilessly sent up over the four year run of this show.

“So why did ‘Dinosaurs’ get canceled?,” you ask. Well, to be honest, the final decision to pull the plug came not because of low ratings. But — rather — because Touchstone executives honestly had trouble stomaching all of the costs associated with producing this ambitious mix of puppeteering and animatronics. Henson veterans (Who have likened working on “Dinosaurs” to trying to produce a brand-new installment of the “Star Wars” film series on a weekly basis) recall how Disney continually pressured Jacobs & his production team to keep costs down.

To his credit, Michael wouldn’t ever compromise when it came to quality. Which is why — in the end — Disney opted to shut down production of “Dinosaurs” after only 65 episodes had been shot. Which then gave Touchstone Television just enough shows so that they could then (in theory) successfully syndicate this program.

Disney’s decision to shut down production of “Dinosaurs” for strictly monetary reasons didn’t sit all that well with Jacobs & his production team. Which is why — as part of the fourth & final season of the show — Michael & his crew decided to bite the three-fingered hand that fed them with an episode that gleefully took aim at Mickey and his money-grubbing ways.

“And what was the title of this particular episode?,” you ask. “Variations on a Theme Park.”

As this episode of “Dinosaurs” gets underway, we find that dinosaurs everywhere are working so hard that that they have been literally dropping dead on the job. Which is why — as veteran reporter Howard Handupme explains on DNN (I.E. The Dinosaur News Network) ‘s nightly newscast …

“In a bold move to stem the tide of exhausted dead guys in the workplace, the government announced that — starting today — all employees will be entitled to take off from work for a period of time to be known as ‘A Vacation.’ All workers who feel exhausted and put upon by the extensive demands of their employers may take off two full weeks to rest and recuperate.”

Which sounds like a really wonderful idea to Earl, the over-worked tree-pushing head of the Sinclair family. He’d love to spend all 14 days in front of the boob tube, catching up on his favorite shows.

But Earl’s wife, Fran, won’t hear of it. She thinks that the Sinclairs should spend their first vacation doing something that will bring their family closer together. Like taking their son Robbie, daughter Charlene and the aptly named Baby Sinclair away from their home in the suburbs to someplace remote in the country. Like Pap Geezer’s Rustic Retreat Swamp Cabin and Condo Time Share.

Mind you, Earl’s boss at the Wesayso Corporation — the fearsome Mr. Richfield — has another suggestion. Which is why he tells his employees about ” … an exciting way to spend your new vacation — Wesaysoland !“

Richfield then reveals a map of the world’s first theme park. Which should look somewhat familiar to all you Epcot & Disneyland fans out there. He then goes on to explain that ” … a theme park is a magical place where Wesayso employees can spend their vacation … and their money. There are rides & food & family fun for the young and the young-at-heart and fat worthless tubs like you.“

While Sinclair & all of the other tree-pushers “Oooh” & “Aaah” at the map of Wesaysoland, Roy (I.E. Earl’s best friend. Who is a dim-witted tyrannosaurus) raises one tiny arm and asks Mr. Richfield a question. “Since vacations was only created yesterday, sir,” Roy stammers, “I was wondering how is it possible to design & construct a world-class family resort in a single day ?“

Richfield replies that ” … No challenge is too great when you attack it with imagination, ingenuity and a relaxed attitude toward building codes.“

Earl then tells his boss that he personally thinks that Wesaysoland looks wonderful. But — that said — Sinclair still says that he’s going to have to take a pass on visiting the park. Given that Fran already has her heart set on their family spending the entire 14 days in one of Pap Geezer’s swamp cabins.

This is when Mr. Richfield hands Earl a glossy Wesaysoland brochure. After pointing out that all of the park’s toy concessions & candy stands have been circled in red, he then suggests that Earl give this brochure to Baby Sinclair.

One extremely loud & long tantrum later … The entire Sinclair family stands outside of the gates of Wesaysoland. Where they’re then greeted by that theme park’s whimsical and highly copyrighted mascot, Moolah the Cash Cow.

Moolah then directs Earl to one of Wesaysoland’s admission booths. Where Sinclair is then encouraged to ” … trade in your cash for colorful, playful Moo Money. Which can be used anywhere inside the park. Except to purchase food, merchandise or emergency medical treatment.”

After Earl buys their tickets, the entire Sinclair clan walks through the main gates at Wesaysoland. Only to discover ” … a vast world of enchantment (that’s) still under construction.”

As they pour over Wesaysoland’s souvenir map, Earl & his family find that almost none of the park’s promised shows & attractions are actually ready to ride. These include:

Moolah’s Cow Milking Spectacular (Still under construction)

Pirates of the Dairy Belt (Closed for repairs)

The Land of the Future (Coming in only 10 years)

Fantastic Journey through the Four Stomachs (Never existed)

The Haunted Slaughterhouse (Ditto)

Salt Lick Mountain (Ditto squared)

And even the handful of rides that actually are operating in the park that day (like Dr. Terror’s Twirling Tea Cup of Doom and Mr. Amphibian’s Wild Rocket Mars Crash Landing) leave a lot to be desired. Take — for example — that “Mars Crash Landing” attraction. Which is — truth be told — just an empty refrigerator carton that the Wesaysoland cast member then tips over once the guest is seated inside. But take a gander at the cautionary warning that’s posted right outside the entrance to the “Mr. Amphibian” ride. Which advises Wesaysoland visitors not to ride this attraction if they’re …

… prone to heart attacks, sudden spleen ruptures, rapid blinking, hiccups, pregnancy, lazy foot, phlebitis, mange, rickets, hoof and mouth, scurvy, fallen arches, nearsightedness, halitosis, arthritis, shingles, flatulence, tourette syndrome, warts, pink eye, shingles, chapped lips …

There were 15 or so other medical conditions also listed on this warning sign. But the type got so small at that point it then became impossible to read.

Okay. At this point, it’s obvious that Michael Jacobs & his production team are out to spoof virtually every aspect of the Disney theme park experience. Ridiculing everything from the names that are used in these places (Wesaysoland is broken up into three separate domains: ExcitementLand, Souvenirland and FriedFoodLand) as well as those ridiculously long lines that people typically encounter whenever they visit one of these parks (Earl & Roy stand in one queue for 9 hours. Only to discover that there’s not actually a ride at the end of this line. But — rather — Wesaysoland’s stroller rental office).

And if the “Dinosaurs” production team hasn’t gotten their the-Mouse-is-mercenary point across already, Mr. Richfield now appears on monitors all throughout Wesaysoland and riffs on Walt’s old “Disneyland will never be completed” speech by saying …

“Yes, we’re still building the dream. For as long as dinosaurs have imagination and children have discretionary income, Wesaysoland will never be truly finished. Welcome to Wesaysoland. Where everyone has a good time because We Say So. “

Earl bluffs & blusters, insisting to his family that it actually was a smart move for them to spend their first vacation at Wesaysoland. Where ” … I hear it really comes alive at night.” But eventually even he breaks down and says:

“Oh, what could I have been thinking of. I should have known that a big amusement park with rides & attractions would have been the worst possible place for a family!”

It’s at this point that the Sinclairs now attempt to leave Wesaysoland. Only to be told by the dinosaur at the admissions gate that — since they booked a 14-day package — the family must now spend the next two weeks inside the theme park. Where they’ll then be forced to purchase over-priced snacks like “Ice on a Stick.” Which sells for $6 a pop.

When Earl refuses to listen, the gate attendant then suggests that the Sinclairs might take this news better from Moolah, Wesaysoland’s “ … charming and legally unassailable mascot.” The costumed cow then waddles up to Earl & family and says: “Hi, folks! What’s your beef ?” He also tells the Sinclair family that they really do have to spend the whole two weeks in the park, closing this speech out with an “And that’s no bull !“

Earl then pushes past Moolah (Which then causes this character to cry out: “Oh, don’t hurt Moolah ! He’s just a teenager who needs a summer job “) and tries to lead his family out of Wesaysoland. Only to have the park’s gate snap closed in his face, as an automated recording now blares that ” … The gate is now electrified. Please step back from the gate.” More importantly, that “… this is not a ride. This is not a ride.”

These are just a few of the Disney-related jabs that Jacob & his production team try to land over the course of “Variations on a Theme Park.” And just wait ’til you hear about the pay toilet that the Sinclairs find in their Moolah-the-cash-cow-themed hotel room. Or the half-hearted, under-paid teenage employees that they encounter as they wander through Wesaysoland.

As you might expect, the folks at Touchstone (And at ABC, for that matter) weren’t all that thrilled when they finally got to see this episode of “Dinosaurs.” Which is why “Variations on a Theme Park” never actually aired (stateside, anyway) during the fourth & final season of the show. This and six other episodes were held back, never officially airing on the American Broadcasting Company’s airwaves. Only after “Dinosaurs” was broadcast overseas (As well as when this show began being syndicated in the U.S.) did the public finally get to see these seven episodes.

You can see “Variations on a Theme Park” for yourself — as well as the controversial “Dinosaurs” finale (Where Jacobs first has the dinosaurs ruin the Earth’s environment. Which then brings about the Ice Age. And — as this series draws to a close — it’s insinuated that the entire Sinclair family is about to freeze to death) — by picking up a copy of the “Dinosaurs – The Complete Third and Fourth Seasons” DVD. Which officially goes on sale next Tuesday.

Me personally? I still think that “Dinosaurs” is a ridiculously entertaining show that’s woefully under-rated these days. I mean, even though it’s been 13 years since this ambitious puppeteering program last aired on ABC, it holds up beautifully. The writing’s sharp. And as a direct result of all that money that Michael Jacobs made Disney spend on “Dinosaurs,” the individual episodes still look great.

So if you’re in the mood to see the mighty megalasaur “Making Fun of the Mouse,” then I suggest that you pick up a copy of this new DVD set sometime next week.

Your thoughts?

General

Seward Johnson bronzes add a surreal, artistic touch to NYC’s Garment District

Published

9 years ago

June 23, 2015

Jim Hill

Greetings from NYC. Nancy and I drove down from New
Hampshire yesterday because we'll be checking out
Disney Consumer Products' annual Holiday Showcase later today.

Anyway … After checking into our hotel (i.e., The Paul.
Which is located down in NYC's NoMad district), we decided to grab some dinner.
Which is how we wound up at the Melt Shop.

Photo by Jim Hill

Which is this restaurant that only sells grilled cheese sandwiches.
This comfort food was delicious, but kind of on the heavy side.

Photo by Jim Hill

Which is why — given that it was a beautiful summer night
— we'd then try and walk off our meals. We started our stroll down by the Empire
State Building
…

Photo by Jim Hill

… and eventually wound up just below Times
Square (right behind where the Waterford Crystal Times Square New
Year's Eve Ball is kept).

Photo by Jim Hill

But you know what we discovered en route? Right in the heart
of Manhattan's Garment District
along Broadway between 36th and 41st? This incredibly cool series of life-like
and life-sized sculptures that Seward
Johnson has created.

Photo by Jim Hill

And — yes — that is Abraham Lincoln (who seems to have
slipped out of WDW's Hall of Presidents when no one was looking and is now
leading tourists around Times Square). These 18 painted
bronze pieces (which were just installed late this past Sunday night / early
Monday morning) range from the surreal to the all-too-real.

Photo by Jim Hill

Some of these pieces look like typical New Yorkers. Like the
business woman planning out her day …

Photo by Jim Hill

… the postman delivering the mail …

Photo by Jim Hill

… the hot dog vendor working at his cart …

Photo by Jim Hill

… the street musician playing for tourists …

Photo by Jim Hill

Not to mention the tourists themselves.

Photo by Jim Hill

But right alongside the bronze businessmen …

Photo by Jim Hill

… and the tired grandmother hauling her groceries home …

Photo by Jim Hill

… there were also statues representing people who were
from out-of-town …

Photo by Jim Hill

… or — for that matter — out-of-time.

Photo by Jim Hill

These were the Seward Johnson pieces that genuinely beguiled. Famous impressionist paintings brought to life in three dimensions.

Note the out-of-period water bottle that some tourist left
behind. Photo by Jim Hill

Some of them so lifelike that you actually had to pause for
a moment (especially as day gave way to night in the city) and say to yourself
"Is that one of the bronzes? Or just someone pretending to be one of these
bronzes?"

Mind you, for those of you who aren't big fans of the
impressionists …

Photo by Jim Hill

… there's also an array of American icons. Among them
Marilyn Monroe …

Photo by Jim Hill

… and that farmer couple from Grant Wood's "American
Gothic."

Photo by Jim Hill

But for those of you who know your NYC history, it's hard to
beat that piece which recreates Alfred Eisenstaedt's famous photograph of V-J Day in Times Square.

Photo by Jim Hill

By the way, a 25-foot-tall version of this particular Seward
Johnson piece ( which — FYI — is entitled "Embracing Peace") will actually
be placed in Times Square for a few days on or around August 14th to commemorate the 70th
anniversary of Victory Over Japan Day (V-J Day).

Photo by Jim Hill

By the way, if you'd like to check these Seward Johnson bronzes in
person (which — it should be noted — are part of the part of the Garment
District Alliance's new public art offering) — you'd best schedule a trip to
the City sometime over the next three months. For these pieces will only be on
display now through September 15th.

General

Wondering what you should “Boldly Go” see at the movies next year? The 2015 Licensing Expo offers you some clues

Published

9 years ago

June 10, 2015

Jim Hill

Greeting from the 2015 Licensing Expo, which is being held
at the Mandalay Bay
Convention Center in Las
Vegas.

Photo by Jim Hill

I have to admit that I enjoy covering the Licensing Expo.
Mostly becomes it allows bloggers & entertainment writers like myself to
get a peek over the horizon. Scope out some of the major motion pictures &
TV shows that today's vertically integrated entertainment conglomerates
(Remember when these companies used to be called movie studios?) will be
sending our way over the next two years or so.

Photo by Jim Hill

Take — for example — all of "The Secret Life of
Pets" banners that greeted Expo attendees as they made their way to the
show floor today. I actually got to see some footage from this new Illumination
Entertainment production (which will hit theaters on July 8, 2016) the last time I was in Vegas. Which
was for CinemaCon back in April. And the five or so minutes of film that I viewed
suggested that "The Secret Life of Pets" will be a really funny
animated feature.

Photo by Jim Hill

Mind you, Universal Pictures wanted to make sure that Expo
attendees remembered that there was another Illumination Entertainment production
coming-to-a-theater-near-them before "The Secret Life of Pets" (And
that's "Minions," the "Despicable Me" prequel. Which
premieres at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival next week but
won't be screened stateside 'til July 10th of this year). Which is why they had
three minions who were made entirely out of LEGOS loitering out in the lobby.

Photo by Jim Hill

And Warner Bros. — because they wanted "Batman v
Superman: Dawn of Justice" to start trending on Twitter today — brought
the Batmobile to Las Vegas.

Photo by Jim Hill

Not to mention full-sized macquettes of Batman, Superman and
Wonder Woman. Just so conventioneers could then see what these DC superheroes
would actually look like in this eagerly anticipated, March 25, 2016 release.

Photo by Jim Hill

That's the thing that can sometimes be a wee bit frustrating
about the Licensing Expo. It's all about delayed gratification. You'll come
around a corner and see this 100 foot-long ad for "The Peanuts Movie"
and think "Hey, that looks great. I want to see that Blue Sky Studios production
right now." It's only then that you notice the fine print and realize that
"The Peanuts Movie" doesn't actually open in theaters 'til November
6th of this year.

Photo by Jim Hill

And fan of Blue Sky's "Ice Age" film franchise are in for an even
longer wait. Given that the latest installment in that top grossing series
doesn't arrive in theaters 'til July
15, 2016.

Photo by Jim Hill

Of course, if you're one of those people who needs immediate
gratification when it comes to your entertainment, there was stuff like that to
be found at this year's Licensing Expo. Take — for example — how the WWE
booth was actually shaped like a wrestling ring. Which — I'm guessing — meant
that if the executives of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. didn't like
the offer that you were making, they were then allowed to toss you out over the
top rope, Royal Rumble-style.

Photo by Jim Hill

I also have to admit that — as a longtime Star Trek fan —
it was cool to see the enormous Starship Enterprise that hung in place over the
CBS booth. Not to mention getting a glimpse of the official Star Trek 50th
Anniversary logo.

Photo by Jim Hill

I was also pleased to see lots of activity in The Jim Henson
Company booth. Which suggests that JHC has actually finally carved out a
post-Muppets identity for itself.

Photo by Jim Hill

Likewise for all of us who were getting a little concerned
about DreamWorks Animation (what with all the layoffs & write-downs &
projects that were put into turnaround or outright cancelled last year), it was
nice to see that booth bustling.

Photo by Jim Hill

Every so often, you'd come across some people who were
promoting a movie that you weren't entirely sure that you actually wanted to
see (EX: "Angry Birds," which Sony Pictures Entertainment / Columbia
Pictures will be releasing to theaters on May 20, 2016). But then you remembered that Clay Kaytis —
who's this hugely talented former Walt Disney Animation Studios animator — is
riding herd on "Angry Birds" with Fergal Reilly. And you'd think
"Well, if Clay's working on 'Angry Birds,' I'm sure this animated feature
will turn out fine."

Photo by Jim Hill

Mind you, there were reminders at this year's Licensing Expo
of great animated features that we're never going to get to see now. I still
can't believe — especially after that brilliant proof-of-concept footage
popped up online last year — that Sony execs decided not to go forward
with production of Genndy Tartakovsky's
"Popeye" movie. But that's the
cruel thing about the entertainment business, folks. It will sometime break
your heart.

Photo by Jim Hill

And make no mistake about this. The Licensing Expo is all
about business. That point was clearly driven home at this year's show when —
as you walked through the doors of the Mandalay
Bay Convention Center
— the first thing that you saw was the Hasbros Booth. Which was this gleaming,
sleek two story-tall affair full of people who were negotiating deals &
signing contracts for all of the would-be summer blockbusters that have already
announced release dates for 2019 & beyond.

Photo by Jim Hill

"But what about The Walt Disney Company?," you
ask. "Weren't they represented on the show floor at this year's Licensing
Expo?" Not really, not. I mean, sure. There were a few companies there hyping
Disney-related products. Take — for example — the Disney Wikkeez people.

Photo by Jim Hill

I'm assuming that some Disney Consumer Products exec is
hoping that Wikkeez will eventually become the new Tsum Tsum. But to be blunt,
these little hard plastic figures don't seem to have the same huggable charm
that those stackable plush do. But I've been wrong before. So let's see what
happens with Disney Wikkeez once they start showing up on the shelves of the
Company's North American retail partners.

Photo by Jim Hill

And speaking of Disney's retail partners … They were
meeting with Mouse House executives behind closed doors one floor down from the
official show floor for this year's Licensing Expo.

Photo by Jim Hill

And the theme for this year's invitation-only Disney shindig? "Timeless
Stories" involving the Disney, Pixar, Marvel & Lucasfilm brands that
would then appeal to "tomorrow's consumer."

Photo by Jim Hill

And just to sort of hammer home the idea that Disney is no
longer the Company which cornered the market when it comes to little girls
(i.e., its Disney Princess and Disney Fairies franchises), check out this
wall-sized Star Wars-related image that DCP put up just outside of one of its
many private meeting rooms. "See?," this carefully crafted photo
screams. "It isn't just little boys who want to wield the Force. Little
girls also want to grow up and be Lords of the Sith."

Photo by Jim Hill

One final, kind-of-ironic note: According to this banner,
Paramount Pictures will be releasing a movie called "Amusement Park"
to theaters sometime in 2017.

Photo by Jim Hill

Well, given all the "Blackfish" -related issues
that have been dogged SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment over the past two years, I'm
just hoping that they'll still be in the amusement park business come 2017.

Your thoughts?

General

It takes more than three circles to craft a Classic version of Mickey Mouse

Published

9 years ago

June 9, 2015

Jim Hill

You know what Mickey Mouse looks like, right? Little guy,
big ears?

Truth be told, Disney's corporate symbol has a lot of
different looks. If Mickey's interacting with Guests at Disneyland
Park (especially this summer, when
the Happiest Place on Earth
is celebrating its 60th anniversary), he looks & dresses like this.

Or when he's appearing in one of those Emmy Award-winning shorts that Disney
Television Animation has produced (EX: "Bronco Busted," which debuts
on the Disney Channel tonight at 8 p.m. ET / PT), Mickey is drawn in a such a
way that he looks hip, cool, edgy & retro all at the same time.

Looking ahead to 2017 now, when Disney Junior rolls out "Mickey and the
Roadster Racers," this brand-new animated series will feature a sportier version
of Disney's corporate symbol. One that Mouse House managers hope will persuade
preschool boys to more fully embrace this now 86 year-old character.

That's what most people don't realize about the Mouse. The
Walt Disney Company deliberately tailors Mickey's look, even his style of
movement, depending on what sort of project / production he's appearing in.

Take — for example — Disney
California Adventure
Park's "World of Color:
Celebrate!" Because Disney's main mouse would be co-hosting this new
nighttime lagoon show with ace emcee Neil Patrick Harris, Eric Goldberg really had
to step up Mickey's game. Which is why this master Disney animator created
several minutes of all-new Mouse animation which then showed that Mickey was
just as skilled a showman as Neil was.

Better yet, let's take a look at what the folks at Avalanche Studios just went
through as they attempted to create a Classic version of Mickey & Minnie.
One that would then allow this popular pair to become part of Disney Infinity
3.0.

"I won't lie to you. We were under a lot of pressure to
get the look of this particular version of Mickey — he's called Red Pants
Mickey around here — just right," said Jeff Bunker, the VP of Art
Development at Avalanche Studios, during a recent phone interview. "When
we brought Sorcerer Mickey into Disney Infinity 1.0 back in January of 2014,
that one was relatively easy because … Well, everyone knows what Mickey Mouse
looked like when he appeared in 'Fantasia.' "

"But this time around, we were being asked to design
THE Mickey & Minnie," Bunker continued. "And given that these Classic
Disney characters have been around in various different forms for the better
part of the last century … Well, which look was the right look?"

Which is why Jeff and his team at Avalanche Studios began watching hours &
hours of Mickey Mouse shorts. As they tried to get a handle on which look would
work best for these characters in Disney Infinity 3.0.

"And we went all the way back to the very start of Mickey's career. We began
with 'Steamboat Willie' and then watched all of those black & white Mickey shorts
that Walt made back in the late 1920s & early 1930s. From there, we
transitioned to his Technicolor shorts. Which is when Mickey went from being
this pie-eyed, really feisty character to more of a well-behaved leading
man," Bunker recalled. "We then finished out our Mouse marathon by
watching all of those new Mickey shorts that Paul Rudish & his team have
been creating for Disney Television Animation. Those cartoons really recapture
a lot of the spirit and wild slapstick fun that Mickey's early, black &
white shorts had."

But given that the specific assignment that Avalanche Studios had been handed
was to create the most appealing looking, likeable version of Mickey Mouse
possible … In the end, Jeff and his team wound up borrowing bits & pieces
from a lot of different versions of the world's most famous mouse. So that
Classic Mickey would then look & move in a way that best fit the sort of
gameplay which people would soon be able to experience with Disney Infinity
3.0.

"That — in a lot of ways — was actually the toughest
part of the Classic Mickey design project. You have to remember that one of the
key creative conceits of Disney Infinity
is that all the characters which appear in this game are toys," Bunker
stated. "Okay. So they're beautifully detailed, highly stylized toy
versions of beloved Disney, Pixar, Marvel & Lucasfilm characters. But
they're still supposed to be toys. So our Classic versions of Mickey &
Minnie have the same sort of thickness & sturdiness to them that toys have.
So that they'll then be able to fit right in with all of the rest of the
characters that Avalanche Studios had previously designed for Disney Infinity."

And then there was the matter of coming up with just the
right pose for Classic Mickey & Minnie. Which — to hear Jeff tell the
story — involved input from a lot of Disney upper management.

"Everyone within the Company seemed to have an opinion
about how Mickey & Minnie should be posed. More to the point, if you Google
Mickey, you then discover that there are literally thousands of poses out there
for these two. Though — truth be told — a lot of those kind of play off the
way Mickey poses when he's being Disney's corporate symbol," Bunker said.
"But what I was most concerned about was that Mickey's pose had to work
with Minnie's pose. Because we were bringing the Classic versions of these
characters up into Disney Infinity 3.0 at the exact same time. And we wanted to
make sure — especially for those fans who like to put their Disney Infinity
figures on display — that Mickey's pose would then complement Minnie.

Which is why Jeff & the crew at Avalanche Studios
decided — when it came to Classic Mickey & Minnie's pose — that they
should go all the way back to the beginning. Which is why these two Disney icons
are sculpted in such a way that it almost seems as though you're witnessing the
very first time Mickey set eyes on Minnie.

"And what was really great about that was — as soon as
we began showing people within the Company this pose — everyone at Disney
quickly got on board with the idea. I mean, the Classic Mickey that we sculpted
for Disney Infinity 3.0 is clearly a very playful, spunky character. But at the
same time, he's obviously got eyes for Minnie," Bunker concluded. "So
in the end, we were able to come up with Classic versions of these characters
that will work well within the creative confines of Disney Infinity 3.0 but at
the same time please those Disney fans who just collect these figures because
they like the way the Disney Infinity characters look."

So now that this particular design project is over, does
Jeff regret that Mouse House upper management was so hands-on when it came to
making sure that the Classic versions of Mickey & Minnie were specifically
tailored to fit the look & style of gameplay found in Disney Infinity 3.0?

"To be blunt, we go through this every time we add a new character to the
game. The folks at Lucasfilm were just as hands-on when we were designing the
versions of Darth Vader and Yoda that will also soon be appearing in Disney
Infinity 3.0," Bunker laughed. "So in the end, if the character's
creators AND the fans are happy, then I'm happy."

This article was originally posted on the Huffington Post's Entertainment page on Tuesday, June 9, 2015