Key Points:
- Two Disney employees Dan Abraham and Trent Correy, secretly initiated a huge passion project with the aim of celebrating Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 100th anniversary.
- They conceptualized the original short, ‘Once Upon a Studio’ after collaborating on the Olaf short, ‘Once Upon a Snowman’.
- The pair diligently managed to get their idea greenlit by Jennifer Lee, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, after having it done in complete secrecy.
- The production process had to be expedited due to the nearing 100th anniversary and nature of animation work that usually takes a long time.
- The President of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Clark Spencer, announced the plan for ‘Once Upon a Studio’ during a town hall meeting, igniting interest in other employees.
- Yvett Merino and Bradford Simonsen, upon feeling inspired by the project, successfully pitched to produce the short. It features 543 characters from over 85 Disney films.
- Despite the technical complexities presented by the blend of hand-drawn, CG, and live-action elements, an expert team was developed to support the project.
- The project sparked a strong emotional connection among the studio team as Disney characters like Ariel, Mulan, and Pinocchio are seen as part of their families.
- ‘Once Upon a Studio’ will debut on Sunday, October 15 as part of ABC’s ‘Wonderful World of Disney: Disney’s 100th Anniversary Celebration’.
The Realist’s Take
Just when you thought the Disney Magic couldn’t get any more magical, two secret agent-like Disney employees, Dan and Trent, pulled a rabbits-out-of-the-hat move. They hatched a grand plan in, of all places, a Taco Bell parking lot. No, they weren’t planning on hijacking the menu to include a ‘Mickey-taco,’ they were lightbulbing about One Big Fat Disney tribute to celebrate its 100 years of existence. The plan? An original short film called ‘Once Upon a Studio’ that houses 543 Disney characters – it’s like attending waltz party in the Disney metropolis. And yes, your beloved Ariel, Mulan, and Pinocchio have RSVP’ed too! The sparks of excitement spread throughout the studio like wildfire, but let’s hope the only thing burning was the animators’ midnight oil. Brace yourselves for an animation galore because this tribute will be the talk, or should we say ‘sing,’ of the town when it airs on October 15. Set the date Goofy enthusiasts!
https://d23.com/how-a-secret-passion-project-transformed-into-once-upon-a-studio/
