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Mouse says, “CGI Animators Wanted”

After reports from SIGGRAPH 2005 Jim Hill ponders over the relationship between Disney and Pixar; their booths being set up so close in distance, but in direct competition with each other too. Also noted was the full court press Disney has on for hiring talented CGI Animators (possibly even stealing some away from Pixar). If… Read More »Mouse says, “CGI Animators Wanted”

Sky High, a hit for Disney?

Sky High did okay for itself at the box office this weekend earning a respectable 3rd place and $14.6 million for its debut. The film is well on its way to recouping its estimated $40 million production costs. No, it’s not a big summer hit for Disney, but it is a film you can take… Read More »Sky High, a hit for Disney?

Disney Animation Model Sheets

If you’re an aspiring animation artist you probably spend at least a part of your time copying other people’s work. Well MagicalEars.com has a wealth of Disney Animation Model Sheets and sketches for you to practice on. Be sure to see the sketches from Aida and Don Quixote, two films that never made it out… Read More »Disney Animation Model Sheets

ESPN Says Enough Sports already…

ESPN is following in the footsteps of MTV as it moves away from live sports broadcasting toward original programing (movies, dramatic shows, etc). This seems odd since their two previous attempts (Tilt and Playmakers) were both cancelled due to low, really low, ratings.

Blink before riding: Steps to better decision making at Disney World

It is difficult to speculate exactly what happened yesterday to cause the sad death of a young boy at Walt Disney World. Eventually the autopsy will reveal whether the attraction had anything to do with the death. It may not have. I do not mean to accuse the family or Disney Management of misdeeds, but I do wonder what a 4-year old was doing on Mission Space (M:S) at Epcot.

M:S is one of the most intense experiences available to guests visiting Walt Disney World. So what would lead a family to want to take their young child on it? Which warnings did they see and which did they miss? How can we give a family more information before they make their decision to join the queue? All questions that need to be answered to make the Disney World experience as safe as possible for all guests.

Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror probably qualifies as the most intense experience availabe to guests at the four Walt Disney World themeparks. Not only does the name imply its intensity, but as you approach the attraction to ride you can see exactly what happens to guests already on board as they plummet faster than gravity and then are jerked back up only to be pulled back down again repeated times. If the visual clues aren’t enough, the screams of terror is another signal. Those with weak constitutions know by these indicators to stay away. Parents with questions can see what happens during the ride and can judge if their child is appropriate for the attraction. At least that should work in theory.

Read More »Blink before riding: Steps to better decision making at Disney World

Studio Gibli: Howl’s Moving Caslte

For the life of me I can’t find where Miyazaki’s latest masterpiece will be playing here in Orlando. You’d think they would have it at Disney World. In the meantime there were two great pieces on him recently, one in the NYTimes and one at NPR (audio, of course, including an interview with the master… Read More »Studio Gibli: Howl’s Moving Caslte

Fan of Sin City? Then watch its cinematic ancestor

The New York Times film critic A.O. Scott thinks that if you liked Sin City and Kung Fu Hustle then you should spend some time worshiping at the alter of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Although I haven’t seen either of the recent releases, I am big fan of WFRR. The special edition DVD is wonderful.

3D – home disney movies

Break out those 3-D glasses, 3D DisVids has released a set of 3-D home movies taken at Disney themeparks. So far we have The Nightmare Before Christmas version of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion and The It’s A Small World Holiday. They work great on your screen. Try it at home!