The (Old) History of Walt Disney Animation Studios 1/14 - Animation Lookback

Summary

This script offers an insightful journey through Walt Disney Animation Studios' rich history, highlighting its evolution from creating shorts in the 1920s to producing iconic full-length animated features. It details the creation of beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and the making of groundbreaking films such as 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' and 'Fantasia'. The narrative also touches on the challenges faced by Walt Disney, including financial setbacks and the innovative use of technology like Fantasound. The script is a tribute to Disney's legacy, showcasing its impact on the animation industry and popular culture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Walt Disney Animation Studios has a rich history of producing legendary animated films over more than 70 years.
• 🎬 The studio's early success came from animated shorts like 'Alice's Comedies' and 'Oswald the Lucky Rabbit', before the creation of Mickey Mouse.
• 🐭 Mickey Mouse was born out of necessity when Walt Disney lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and 'Steamboat Willie' marked his debut with synchronized sound.
• 🏆 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' was the first full-length animated feature film, which took 3 years and over $1.4 million to produce, and it was a groundbreaking success.
• 🎵 Memorable songs from 'Snow White' like 'Someday My Prince Will Come' were composed without a music publishing company, which led to them belonging to another music company, Bourne.
• 🤔 Walt Disney faced skepticism from those around him about the viability of a full-length animated film, but the success of 'Snow White' proved them wrong.
• 🏆 'Pinocchio', Disney's second film, was a major box office success and is considered one of the most technically perfect Disney films, winning an Oscar for its song 'When You Wish Upon a Star'.
• 🎼 'Fantasia' was an innovative concert film with animated segments set to classical music, featuring the first use of surround sound in cinema with the 'Fantasound' system.
• 🎼 The segment 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' from 'Fantasia' was expanded from a special Silly Symphony and featured a new makeover for Mickey Mouse conducted by Leopold Stokowski.
• 🎉 'Fantasia' was a financial failure initially, but it has since become a classic, with one segment inspiring a Jerry Bruckheimer film of the same name.
• 📽 The script was created during the summer and fall of 2009, and therefore does not cover films released after 'The Princess and the Frog'.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of Walt Disney Animation Studios in the context of animation?

Walt Disney Animation Studios is historically significant as it has released many of the most legendary animated films of all time, pioneering the field of animation for over 70 years.

What were the early animated works of Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney before the establishment of Walt Disney Animation Studios?

Before establishing Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney made animated shorts under the name 'Laugh-O-Grams' in Kansas City and later created the Disney Brothers Studio in Hollywood, producing series like 'Alice's Comedies' and 'Oswald the Lucky Rabbit'.

Why was Mickey Mouse created?

Mickey Mouse was created by Walt Disney as a replacement for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, after he lost the rights to Oswald and needed a new character to sustain his studio.

What was the first synchronized sound cartoon released by Walt Disney, and what was its impact?

The first synchronized sound cartoon released by Walt Disney was 'Steamboat Willie,' which became a phenomenal success and made Mickey Mouse more famous than any other cartoon character at the time.

What was the first full-length animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, and what was its budget?

The first full-length animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios was 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' with a budget of more than $1.4 million.

What was the initial reception to 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', and how did it perform financially?

The initial reception to 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' was overwhelmingly positive, earning a standing ovation at its premiere and grossing $8 million during its release.

What special recognition did 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' receive from the Academy Awards?

'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' received a special honorary Academy Award with one normal-sized statue and seven miniature statues, recognizing it as a significant screen innovation.

What was the original concept for the character of Pinocchio in the film adaptation by Walt Disney Animation Studios?

In the original plans for the film adaptation of 'Pinocchio,' the character was supposed to be a wise guy who was mostly sarcastic, similar to the original book, but was later changed to a more sympathetic character.

What song from 'Pinocchio' became Disney's official anthem and won an Oscar?

The song 'When You Wish Upon a Star' from 'Pinocchio' became Disney's official anthem and won an Oscar for Best Original Song.

What was the concept behind the film 'Fantasia', and how was it innovative in terms of sound technology?

The concept behind 'Fantasia' was to create a concert film with several animated segments set to music, and it was innovative in using 'FantaSound,' a special machine that provided surround sound by emitting different sounds from speakers placed in various sections of the theater.

What was the financial outcome of 'Fantasia' upon its initial release, and what was its impact on Walt Disney?

Upon its initial release, 'Fantasia' was a financial failure, causing Walt Disney to lose a significant amount of money, despite its innovative approach and later recognition as a classic.