Although as of publishing time this morning the regular website hasn’t yet been updated, Brady MacDonald at the LA Times has posted the final three qualifiers for the ultimate Disney Dream position of Chief Magical Official.
The finalists are: David Hawley of California, Justin Muchoney of Pennsylvania and Tripp West of Georgia.
While none of those were my favorites, I wish them all luck as they enter the head-to-head competition portion of the contest. They’ll all travel to Walt Disney World and compete in such challenging events as:
Stroller mix-up — Match the stroller with the correct accessory bag.
Towel folding — Create a towel animal following a training session.
Noise making — Generate the loudest crowd reaction.
Park information — Offer assistance, directions and tips to visitors.
Face painting — Create a design following a training session.
Voting will then be opened to the public again and a winner crowned on April 22nd. (Why did they choose that day… it’s the anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Earth Day. The Dream CMO position has nothing to do with either of those events and will either get buried or take away from the other events. Poor planning on someone’s part.)
Disney has now released some behind the scenes photos that reveal the preparation and detail that goes into making Annie Leibovitz’s celebrity photos so magical. I’ve put most of them below the cut but it’s hard to resist letting this photo of Jessica Biel shine. Ah… 7th Heaven indeed.
More photos of Jessica, plus Whoopi, Gisele Bündchen, and Mikhail Baryshnikov below.
Disney Parks has released another suite of four Annie Leibovitz photos that place famous celebrities into fairy tale scenes from Walt Disney’s classic films. This set includes a wide variety of stars: Jessica Biel, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Whoopi Goldberg, Gisele Bundchen, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Tina Fey.
Above Jessica Biel is portrayed as Pocahontas in a photo illustration titled “Where Dreams Run Free.” Annie Leibovitz “Disney Dream Portrait Series” was commissioned by Disney Parks to celebrate their Year of a Million Dreams promotion for Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
This scene entitled “Where You Never Have to Grow Up,” features supermodel Gisele Bundchen portraying Wendy Darling, with dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov as Peter Pan and actress Tina Fey as Tinker Bell.
Two more photos below the cut. (all photos are courtesy and copyright Disney Parks)
Update (2): Find High-Resolution versions of all the Disney Dream Portrait Series over on The Disney Blog Dream Photo Annex.
At the request (and paycheck) of Disney, Annie Leibovitz has set her photographer’s eye for beauty on the magic of Walt Disney’s theme parks. The first three images from Leibovitz were revealed today. They will form the backbone of a new promotion for the Year of a Million dreams promotion. Additional images have already been ordered.
Each image features a scene with the featured celebrities transformed into the role of a fabled Disney character, expressing their own dreams and imagination.
Picture one: As Cinderella, Scarlett Johansson is seen running down a flight of stairs as the clock strikes midnight with her glass slipper unknowingly left behind. The tagline reads, “Where every Cinderella story comes true.”
Befitting a true princess, Johansson wears a stunning, one-of-a-kind Harry Winston tiara — a dazzling piece in platinum with more than 62 carats of sparkling diamonds and valued at $325,000. The dress worn by Johansson is a custom-made, Cinderella-inspired gown designed by Nicoletta Santoro.
Picture two: David Beckham plays the part of the gallant Prince Phillip from “Sleeping Beauty,” atop his trusted steed fighting the evil dragon. The tagline reads, “Where imagination saves the day.”
“There were many Disney characters I liked as a kid,” said Beckham. “Now my sons love the Disney characters and it’s a big part of their lives, a big part of many children’s lives around the world. So to be part of that is an honor and very exciting.
“I love going to Disney, I’m like a big kid,” he added.
Picture three: Beyoncé appears as “Alice in Wonderland,” twirling in a teacup, accompanied by Oliver Platt as the Mad Hatter and Lyle Lovett as the March Hare. The tagline reads, “Where Wonderland is your destiny.”
“It’s two great imaginations coming together — Disney and Annie Leibovitz,” said Lovett. “To be along for the ride really is quite something, just knowing that you’re going to be part of a great Disney character. And then when you step into the imagination of Annie Leibovitz, you know you’re in another world.”
I have to say that picture three is my favorite. Those are three people I never thought I’d see together in a teacup. For more read this USA Today article that reveals more details of Leibovitz’s process or the Reuters article. LaughingPlace.com also has video coverage of the event where the first three photos were revealed.
I’ve included a few more ‘behind the scenes’ photos from the photo shoots below the cut for your enjoyment (especially you David Beckham fans).
Update: Find High-Resolution versions of all Annie Leibovitz “Disney Dream Portrait Series” on The Disney Blog Dream Photo Annex.
