The setting for “Once Upon a Studio” is the end of the work day at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, as the artists, technicians and storytellers are headed for home. Disney Legend Burny Mattinson (who worked at the Studio for 70 years and passed away in early 2023) is the last one out the door and, when the coast is clear, Mickey and Minnie step out of a picture on the wall, and put out a call for everyone to assemble for an official 100th Anniversary Studio portrait. From Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to Asha (the star of the upcoming 2023 Disney animated musical comedy feature Wish”), the cast of this delightful short includes heroes and villains, princes and princesses, as well as sidekicks and sorcerers, among others. Hand-drawn characters cavort with CG favorites as they comically scramble to assemble for the big photo finish.
Trailer:
Poster:
Stills from Once Upon a Studio:
Five superstar animators from Disney’s animation renaissance that began in 1989 with the release of “The Little Mermaid” accepted invitations to reunite with some of their signature characters. In addition to Ruben Aquino and James Baxter, this illustrious group included Nik Ranieri, who revisited his characters Hades, Meeko and Kuzco; Tony Bancroft, who returned to animate Pumbaa and Timon; and Will Finn, who turned in some outstanding animation of his key creations, Iago and Cogsworth.
Making a film that combines traditional hand-drawn and state-of-the-art CG characters in close interaction while complex camera moves with drone shots and camera matching are going on at the same time is no easy feat. Producers Brad Simonsen and Yvett Merino put together an expert team that was able to support the technical needs of the film.
Final photo
Sneak peek to the final photo with all characters from Once Upon a Studio short:
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