How Walt Disney Cartoons Are Made

Summary

In 1938, Walt Disney revolutionized the film industry with the release of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' the first full-length animated feature in Technicolor. The film required over 700 artists and musicians, and over 2 million drawings, costing over a million dollars. It showcased a new form of storytelling, captivating audiences with its innovative animation, memorable characters, and musical score. The film's premiere was a star-studded event, and it broke box office records, marking a significant milestone in motion picture history.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Walt Disney's first full-length feature film, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', was released in 1938 and was a groundbreaking moment in the history of animation.
• 🖌️ The film's production involved a massive team effort, with the studio staff growing from less than 300 to over 700 artists and musicians working tirelessly.
• 📚 The storytelling process began with writers, gag men, and sketch artists who created hundreds of rough drawings to illustrate the story's high points.
• 🎭 Walt Disney himself was heavily involved in the production, giving his personal approval to every picture and acting out scenes to help his team visualize them.
• 🎨 The animation process was meticulous, with animators drawing every movement in detail, using techniques like mirrors to capture facial expressions.
• 📹 The test camera department was crucial for checking the quality of the animation by photographing and reviewing the rough drawings in sequence.
• 🖋️ Inking was a significant step, with artists tracing over the pencil drawings onto transparent celluloids, a process that required precision and attention to detail.
• 🎨 The painting department brought the characters to life with color, using over 1500 different shades developed by expert chemists for 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'.
• 🌄 Background artists spent months creating beautiful watercolor settings, adding depth and context to the animated world.
• 📽️ The film's production was not complete until the celluloids and backgrounds were photographed in Technicolor, a process that had to be repeated over half a million times.
• 🏆 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' was a resounding success, breaking box office records and receiving universal acclaim for its characters, music, and innovative storytelling.

Q & A

What was the significance of 1938 for Walt Disney in terms of motion picture production?

In 1938, Walt Disney completed and released his first full-length feature production, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' which was a groundbreaking moment in the history of screen entertainment.

What was the innovative aspect of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' in terms of animation?

The film was created using Technicolor, marking a significant advancement in color animation, and it was an entirely new form of storytelling that captivated audiences.

How did the Walt Disney Studio's staff size change during the production of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'?

The studio staff grew from less than 300 to more than 700 artists and musicians during the production of the film.

What was the basic principle behind the animation technique used in 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'?

The basic principle was similar to making flipbook animations, where figures are drawn on pages and flipped to create the illusion of movement.

What was Walt Disney's role in the production process of the film?

Walt Disney was personally involved in the production process, as no picture, long or short, went into production without his approval.

How were the characters and scenes of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' brought to life?

The characters and scenes were brought to life through a meticulous process involving story development, rough drawings, animation, inking, painting, and finally, Technicolor photography.

What was the role of the test camera department in the animation process?

The test camera department was responsible for photographing the animator's rough drawings in sequence, which were then developed and reviewed for quality.

How were the colors applied to the animation cells in 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'?

Colors were applied by tracing every line of the original animation drawings onto transparent celluloids with ink, and then painting the final colors on the back of the celluloids.

What was the total number of paintings and drawings created for 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'?

More than 3 million paintings and drawings were created by Walt Disney and his staff of artists for the film.

What was the public and critical reception of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' after its premiere?

The film received universal acclaim from audiences and critics alike, breaking box office records and being praised for its characters, love story, music, and humor.

How did Walt Disney describe the personalities of the seven dwarfs?

Walt Disney described the dwarfs by their names that fit their personalities: Doc as the leader, Bashful who is secretly in love with Snow White, Sneezy with hay fever, Sleepy with droopy eyes, Happy with a beaming smile, Grumpy the woman hater, and Dopey who is nice but silly.