A Shortage Of Shorts...

Animated shorts are a wonderful entertainment medium...

From the earliest stages of my childhood, I remember watching shorts.  From Sundays watching the Wonderful World of Disney, to afternoons viewing Warner Bros. shorts, I grew up getting my fix on short narratives of iconic characters that entertain me both day and night.  I especially loved Disney shorts, because they were so rare.  Unlike Warner Bros. cartoons, the shorts from the Mouse rarely aired as often and were much more cherished then the daily dose of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck that I was overdosed on after school every weekday.

Disney still makes great shorts, as you'll see this fall when "Get A Horse!" comes out in front of "Frozen" in theaters.  It's a perfect example of how shorts are still relevant in these modern times.  And the Lamp was the only animated studio that kept the shorts alive for the most part since the mid 90s.  There have been other shorts, but they were few and far between until the public began to notice The continual inclusion of shorts in front of each new Pixar film.  It became a habit, and the habit became a standard.  And when John Lasseter took over Walt Disney Animation Studios, he started a shorts program that began to put them into production for future animated films.  Slowly, they're becoming standard for the Hat Building's features as well. And that's a very good thing.

But it's not enough.

A couple of shorts a year is simply inadequate for entertainment consumption.  Sure, a short from a Pixar film and a short from a Disney film are great to watch, but never enough.  What about all the other live-action films that Walt Disney Studios makes?  Remember when "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" had the Goofy animated short "How To Hook Up Your Home Theater" in front of it?  It added a lot of value to seeing the film.  Not that it was a bad movie, but it was an additional part that justified seeing it and getting more for your money.

Imagine shorts in front of every, or at least most of Disney's films.  It would differentiate itself from the competition by adding extra value to each film.  While other film studios would only give you the movie, Disney would give you the movie and a bonus as well.  And they all don't have to be from Mickey or Luxo.  Remember, the Walt Disney Company has many divisions even within the film division.

Pixar's Cars Toons:

Consisting mostly of shorts about Mater and his imaginary adventures, the World of Cars as much room for growth.  As well as having Maters Tall Tales, there could be other adventures in Radiator Springs or around the world with Lightning McQueen and other mechanical creations.  And from what I hear there will be, but not soon enough or enough in quantity.

Toy Story Toons:

With a fourth Toy Story film well off into the future, John Lasseter and Ed Catmull have found a way to continue the adventures of these beloved characters for audiences across the world.  The three shorts (Hawaiian Vacation, Partysaurus Rex, and Small Fry) done so far have been in next way of extending the franchise beyond the most perfect trilogy ever made on film.  The new Halloween special "Toy Story of Terror" is another way to have a longer form animated short, while still building on the stories.  One other short is actually in production now, and at least one more is being developed. I hope that they continue and hopefully expand the shorts for their endearing quality is greatly desired. After all, Pixar Canada needs more work right?

Walt Disney Animation Studio Shorts:

The Hat Building has slowly, but steadily been making shorts available for each of the current animated features.  While "Get A Horse!" is the latest creation, it's simply the latest in a line of jewels that has come out of the main division.  From "Tick Tock Tale" to  the longer form "Prep & Landing" specials, or the charming "Paperman" the work coming out of WDAS is top notch.  Now if they'll just make another hand drawn one as we'll crafted as "The Ballad of Nessie" I'll line up.  Perhaps a new Mickey Mouse cartoon, or is it dreaming too much for a Donald Duck short?  Animators start knocking on John's door a little louder please.

Pixar Animation Studios:

The Lamp is the one that gets the credit for making shorts cool again.  Not that they weren't, but suits at Disney and elsewhere would simply stick the shorts made at festivals and not even think about placing them before a film.  Pixar changed that.  They proudly put them in front of their latest release and audiences became use to that special feeling of getting something more, even when the film was enough.  From "Geri's Game" to "The Blue Umbrella", the shorts from up in Emeryville have pushed the technology to show why animation is such a unique medium.  More is a good thing here.

Marvel Studios:

Marvel already does shorts with its One Shot program, but they tend yo be extras on the DVD/Blu-Rays.  While I loved the "Agent Carter" short, it was about fourteen minutes long,  That might be too long in front if a feature, but a five or six minute animated adventure of Blade, Daredevil or Luke Cage might hit the right spot.  They've had success so far with their live-action ones, maybe it's time to gauge the publics interest with some other characters not seen yet (hello, The Runaways anyone?). Remember that two of their shorts, "Item 47" led to the series, "Agents of Shields" and a potential series, "Agent Carter" based on the short.  More Marvel magic could/should happen.



Lucasfilm:

Disney's newest acquisition doesn't have any plans for making shorts, but they should.  Imagine a short in either live-action or animation featuring adventures in that galaxy far. Far away.  I believe seeing a live-action one , but an animated one would be awesome.  The current craze at Disney North is CG, but I'd prefer a hand drawn short.  I know that there is a lot if talk about a Han Solo film, but without Harrison Ford I wouldn't find it believable in live-action.  But an animated short of Han Solo meeting Chewie for the first time?  Yeah, that I'd buy.  And they could also make shorts featuring a certain archeologist if they wanted.  I'd be in line to see that.  Or even an animated Boba Fett short in a stylized Anime design.

The possibilities are infinite...

Paperclips...

That Oscar for best animated short, give it up...






John Kahrs' "Paperman" is getting an unbelievably large amount of positive buzz...

And it deserves every single piece of praise that is heaped upon it. It's truly marvelous, special and amazingly poignant. I've only seen a small amount, but I've talked to many who have watched the entire thing, and they're universally loving this Disney short.

There are several short films that the Mouse has released talking about it. So here for you are those:

The Idea.

The Drawings.

The Look.

So when you go to see "Wreck-It Ralph" this fall, you'll get a diamond-like bonus in front of that film. And while you will love the wonder and cleverness of Ralph, you will fall in love with this small black and white masterpiece.

And you will see the future of Disney Animation with this short...

ReTangled...

I have a dream...



One of the things announced at D23 this weekend was a continuation of the goldmine known as "Tangled" next year...

Not a sequel, but a short that will debut on the Disney Channel in 2012. Nathan Greno and Byron Howard will bring us "Tangled Ever After" as a special event on the Mouse's main cable channel which has yet to be scheduled.

Now, if some of those shorts inch closer to production...

A New Ballad...

Don't short on the shorts...



The first stills from WDAS's "The Ballad of Nessie" are out...















The short is definately influenced from those late 50's animated shorts that were being made by Walt Disney Productions. As most of you know, this will be playing in front of "Winnie the Pooh" when it comes out this summer.














Directed by Stevie Wermers-Skelton and Kevin Deters (the directors of the awesome "Prep & Landing" and "How to Hook Up Your Home Theater") this short tells the tale of the famous Scottish monster and what happens when a greedy developer decides to build a project over her old home. Not only is the team behind Prep doing this, but Michael Giacchino has done the score for the short. That right there means it'll have a unique and entertaining sound at the least. Now, if Lasseter will just put these two in charge of a feature.













Now, if they'll get those other shorts that they're working on in front of more films...

Taste Of Tick...

Walt Disney Pictures has released a couple of previews of the Dean Wellins short "Tick Tock Tale" which has yet to be released...

I know that some have felt it would be with "Tangled," but as of last month the decision was that there was no short that matched the tone of the film and one wouldn't be included. This could change and I hope it does, but as of a few weeks ago it wasn't the case. Hopefully Ed and John will change there minds and give a platform to this little gem from the director of their possible 2014 animated feature.

And after they give us this, give us more shorts please...

The First Symphony...

Pretty music...



*



On this day, Eighty-one years ago...

The very first "Silly Symphony" cartoon by Walt Disney, "The Skeleton Dance," was released. These cartoons became big hits for Walt and his brother. They were a marriage of sight and sound, beautiful music with creative animation and the audience loved them.

Without these, Walt would not have had the ability to experiment in other areas such as the classic character cartoons and other Symphony shorts. Many would go on to win Academy Awards and help solidify the Disney name as the standard for others to reach for. It is the push of these boundaries that would drive Walt to make the first full length animated feature. And then live-action, and then Disneyland and on and on.

And these dancing skeletons are part of the start of it...


*Swirling music notes are copyright their respective owners.

A Tale To Tell...

A couple/few weeks ago at Annecy, WDAS screened "The Princess and the Frog," and with it they premiered the latest in their new Disney Short series...

You've all heard about "Tick Tock Tale" from post here on Blue Sky and others, but finally, the public got to take a look at this new short. I remember reporting that it was supposed to play with TPATF, but wasn't ready in time, but it finally did play with the film, just not till months after it was released.

The story concerns a lonely, aging clock in a clock shop that is shunned by all the other, more modern pieces around him/it. One day a thief comes into the equation and changes everyone's perspective of what this little clock is and perhaps capable of.

And if you'd like to see what it looks like then head over to the Walt Disney Animation Studios Shorts Website and check out some lovely screen shots of this little gem.

No word yet if the Suits have pulled the gun with the intention of releasing this with "Tangled" later this year...

Prepping Prep & Landing...

The website for Walt Disney Animation Studios' ABC Special: "Prep & Landing" has went live and added all kinds of content...

There are several preview and making of videos on the site you might like to take a look at. Feel free to enjoy all the details about this wonderful holiday special. I know I've raved about this special before, but it really is worth the hype. It's clever, sweet and beautifully animated. If only all animation on television was this good.

And just so you know, if this special does well over Christmas the Mouse may have more gifts for you over the next few years. So, now who's list are you on?

Be nice...

Tic Tock No...

This was a story that was going to run yesterday but something came up...

Unfortunately, this isn't good news. It appears that when Walt Disney Animation Studios' "The Princess and the Frog" comes out in November, it may not have the short, "Tic Tock Tale," in front of Musker and Clements' new musical.

There won't be enough artists at WDAS to finish it in time for the November debut. Many of those that were working on the project have been pulled to work on another hand-drawn project (one that'll be out next Valentine's Day). I know that there are more artist out there, but the Mouse is playing it conservatively and not wanting to hire any additional artist only to have them let go right after its completion. Times are tight for these divisions right now. Perhaps after December we can see some sunshine pumped into the cubicles of the Hat Building.

It's not known if there will be another classic short to take its place or if there will be a short in front of it at all, for that matter. So, barring some change in the Mouse's plans, we may have to watch Disney's return to hand drawn animation without a short to go in front of it. But again, just to make it clear, this is a delay not a cancellation of this short. It will be made and it will be shown. Just not in front of the next Disney animated film.

Developing...

Short Sighted...

You got to love that Lasseter started the shorts program don't you?

Well, don't you?


Or more aptly, what to put before a princess...

I lot of people keep asking about Disney's new shorts program. You know the one started by Lasseter when he was put in charge of Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDFA).

Three.

Years.

Ago.

Since then we've had one short. ONE. The absolutely wonderful Goofy short, "How to Hook Up Your Home Theater." Remember those other shorts that were announced? One CG short was called "Prep and Landing" was announced. Another going by the name "The Ballad of Nessie" was going by stylized, hand-drawn animation. Then there was one by Chris Williams (co-director of "Bolt") called "Glago's Guest" that the wunderkin developed before Bolt. If fact, the short is what got him the gig as co-director of it. And then there were all those other rumors of shorts. The supposed reuniting of Mickey, Donald and Goofy being done by Eric Goldberg and others.

So, where are we? What happened?

Throwing out animation desks was oh, so stupid, Mr. Eisner. Really, it was limited thinking and I guess I have to forgive him for not being able to see past that enormous ego of his. It was after all, very huge.

But I digress...

Anyway, let's start off with an obvious question. At least to me. With Pixar coming out with a film a year we've gotten use to having a wonderful little short in front of it as a bonus. So, will "The Princess and the Frog" have one if front of it? We all know that "Bolt" came out last year and didn't initially have a short in front of it. Once the Suits realized that the power of the overly long Calvin Klein commercial known as "Twilight" was siphoning off money like an evil capitalist vampire they quickly took one of the Cars Toons, "Tokyo Mater" and dropped it in front of the 3D version of the film as an extra reason to see the film. That didn't help much, but a consistent pattern of putting shorts in front of Disney animated films should get the public understanding the extra value of a Disney film just like the same is for one from the Lamp.

As of now, and remember, things could change but the newest Disney princess should have a nice little short up in front of it. Come November, when we get our first hand-drawn animated film from Walt Disney Pictures since that horribly conceived cow starring western (not that I have anything against westerns, just bad westerns).

There will be a short attached to it as well. Everyone remembers when "Rapunzel" wound up getting a director change as Glen Keane left for "health reasons" and his co-director, Dean Wellins went on to work on pitching other animated film ideas and a short. Well, his short will be what is in front of "The Princess and the Frog" when the curtains go up and the lights go down.

"Tic Tock Tale" will be the computer animated short that your eyes get to grace before watching this new hand-drawn masterpiece. Now as for the story, well that'll have to come another post. From what I've heard though, it's quite a nice piece of storytelling with more heart than most of the films that have come out of the Mouse in a long time. Current management is focusing on story first... now if only the live-action division would do the same (sorry, another story for another time). And since WDAS has had all those computer animators sitting around waiting for "Rapunzel" to start working (which it now has), this has provided a bit of job security for them.

Now as for "The Ballad of Nessie" getting done, that is a short that is being done in a very stylized, hand-drawn look and we've not really heard much about it because those artist that like to use pencils were busy on the Frog. Not easy to finish something when you don't have the artist to do so. Again, thanks for getting rid of so many talented 2D artist, Eisner. So once Frog is done they can get around to finishing the "Nessie" short. What the management is trying to do is stem as many layoffs as possible with these short projects. Lasseter and crew understand that it's hard to find talented people and it's even harder to replace them once their gone. If the hand drawn film that comes out in November is a hit it'll provide a great deal of job security. Success tends to do that.

Now as for "Glago's Guest" coming out, there's not really any news I can report as to when we can see that. It's not known if it'll get a theatrical release or be part of a future Blu-Ray/DVD compilation of Disney shorts (think: Lorenzo, Runaway Brain, The Little Matchstick Girl, How to Hook Up Your Home Theater, Glago's Guest, Nessie, and a few others. Maybe = Pixar's Short Collection). But no set date yet.

I'm sure you've seen the news about the "Prep and Landing" short that Chris Williams came up with being turned into a half hour television special for the ABC Network this holiday. It originally started out as a short, but the potential for an expanded narrative was seen and it was handed off to a couple other animators once Williams became busy with "Bolt" a while ago.

As well as these there are a few other projects in various stages, but no greenlight for that Eric Goldberg short featuring the "Disney Trio" I was wanting. But another classic Disney character will be getting his very own hand-drawn short. Which one? Sorry, but I can't tell you that right now. Soon hopefully.

TTFN...

A Bonus Treasure...

If the movie isn't enough to get you to buy the DVD/Blu-Ray of "Bolt", then the "Super Rhino" short that's included should push you over the top. These sneak pics are a tease like the first one we premiered last week...



I personally believe the short is worth buying alone because Rhino is simply Awesome!

All artwork is copyright Walt Disney Pictures, well duh...

The Short On The Shorts...

When "Up" comes out in May, it'll have another one of those classic Pixar Shorts in front of it...

So the question then has to be asked: "What animated short will appear before The Princess and the Frog?"

Well, it hasn't been set in stone yet. There's still some time before it's a lock, but as of right now the one which may get the go is "The Ballad of Nessie." Now remember, I said "may" not "will," so if the plans change I don't want to start hearing you lied or you don't know what you're talking about. Things change. But I will tell you that right now the idea is to try and get "Ballad" done in time. If that doesn't happen then I don't have an idea as to what will be put in front of the "Frog". As we move closer I'll get more info and we'll try and nail down what little five minute treasure will precede Disney's return to classic, hand drawn animation.

Developing...

Super Awesome...

Here's the first still from the new Disney short "Super Rhino" that will be on the DVD/Blu-Ray of Walt Disney Animation Studios "Bolt" next week...

Scrooge's Silver Anniversary: Disney Style...

Twenty-five years ago today, Walt Disney Productions released their animated version of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol," appropriately as Mickey's Christmas Carol...

This old classic holds up very well on new viewings and if you haven't seen it in years then this is the perfect time of year to give it a look. It was released in the UK on October 20, but officially it came out on this date in America with the re-release of "The Rescuers." After not being on screen for nearly thirty years, Mickey returns in grand form. I prefer this to his next outing "The Prince and the Pauper" in 1990.

So grab some eggnog, something good to eat, pop in the DVD and watch it with friends during this joyous season...

Theory In Flux...

Jerry Beck over at his fabulous website Cartoon Brew has a very, very original theory about the current road that Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios are taking under the leadership of John Lasseter...

He appears to believe that the Mouse and the Lamp are following the shorts model that Walt used back in the 30's and 40's. While Mickey Mouse cartoons followed a proven formula, the Silly Symphonies were more experimental and divergent from what the audience expected or wanted. There's more to it than that, but that's the gist of it. Give it a read.

Interesting...

The First Disney Cruise...

On this day, eighty years ago the very first Disney Cruise began...

Walt Disney and an associate sat in the back of a darkened theater watching people's reaction to their new cartoon, "Steamboat Willie". Although this is the third Mickey Mouse cartoon, it's the first to actually have sound. Walt made a gamble on new technology(something he will do the rest of his life) to get people interested in his new creation. The first two shorts, don't provoke much audience interest...

Not tonight. This time, they laugh. They cheer.

This one proves to be a huge hit. And although his third cartoon, this is actually considered Mickey's birthday. Walt and Carl Stalling, Disney Studios Music Director breath a sigh of relief as they leave the theater very happy men. The whole world now awaits Walt and his creation.

And it all started with a mouse...

Seeing Double...

I guess many of you heard a few months ago about the Lamp working on another short for the DVD/Blu-Ray of "Wall-E". To Go with the "Presto" short that accompanied the film theatrically? Well, Disney released shots for "Burn-E," the short that will be included with your purchase from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

But what most don't realize is that this little pattern is about to be repeated at the Mouse. Remember how Lasseter began putting animated shorts in front of Pixar films as a way of experimenting with their technology and training animators/future directors? To the public this just became an added bonus. Later it was also common for an additional short to be made exclusively for the DVD release of Pixar films, such as "Jack-Jack Attack" on "The Incredibles" DVD.

When John Lasseter became head of Walt Disney Animated Studios, he instituted a new shorts program there as well. We've gotten the taste of the first one last summer with "National Treasure 2" and the release of the great new Goofy short: "How To Hook Up Your Home Theater System." The second short, "Glago's Guest" was going to be in front of "Bolt" next week, but was pulled from that schedule to be placed with another movie. There are several more in the pipeline for future Disney films, but you know what?

The tradition of adding an additional short to the DVD release of Pixar films is also carrying over to Disney Films. Right now, work is being done on an animated short that will be included on the "Bolt" DVD when it's released next year. This is a process that Lasseter plans on carrying through each and every new animated feature. It's great that as time goes by, we're going to be getting a whole new collection of Disney Shorts, both in theaters and at home.

TTFN.

Oh, and if you want to see the sample frames that Disney released then see Planet Pixar's links here.

Wanna Buy A Duck?

Walt Disney Treasures volume 8 comes out today...

There are three(3) tins out today. Me? I'm going out right now to get me some Duck.

Glago's Guest No Longer Invited To Bolt Premiere...

It appears that at the last moment, WDAS has decided to pull "Glago's Guest" from opening up in front of "Bolt"...

This isn't the first time they've decided to pull a short and place it in front of another film though. Remember last years Goofy short: "How to Hook Up Your Home Theater " was pulled from "Enchanted" and placed in front of "National Treasure 2". No word as to what film it will play in front of as of yet.

Developing...

Runaway Released...

Thirteen years ago today, Walt Disney Pictures releases "Runaway Brain", the first Mickey Mouse short in over thirty years. While not the sweet, innocent shorts Mickey is known for, the animation is pure Disney... the antics may be Warner Bros., but the short has a charm that has grown on me over time and will tide us over until a new Mickey short goes up on the silver screen...