Press release: DCA's Golden Dreams attraction

Press release: DCA's Golden Dreams attraction

"GOLDEN DREAMS" THE HEART OF DISNEY''S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

The three key "lands" of Disney's California Adventure-Golden State, Paradise Pier and Hollywood Pictures Backlot-celebrate a variety of places that epitomize the California dream. But there is only one attraction in the park that focuses on the history of the people, those whose hopes, dreams, and hard work made California what it is today. "Golden Dreams," a moving 23-minute film that merges history with entertainment takes guests on a journey that they will never forget.

"Golden Dreams is a kind of the heart of the park," says Tom Fitzgerald, executive vice president of Story, Script and Media for Disney Theme Park Productions and the person who wrote the script for the film. "We really wanted to bring the history and the heritage of California to life in this film to show adults and kids alike what life was about and what people had to go through to get to where we are. But we didn't want the film to be a history lesson. It's a dramatic and emotional story with humor and insight provided by our narrator Califia, who represents the spirit of California."

Califia, based on a character in a Portuguese novel from which the state name is designed, is portrayed by none other than actress and comedienne, Whoppi Goldberg. "I felt there was only one person who could play the role, and that was Whoppi," explains Fitzgerald. "Firstly, because she brings a sense of entertainment to it and secondly because I knew she'd be able to deal with this type of meaningful story in a way that would connect all the pieces by using her unique brand of humor." Califia pops in and out of scenes in the costume of the period to either help people when they need it or point them in the right direction. "She's almost like the classic fairy godmother," says Fitzgerald. "She appears, makes a comment and then she's gone."

The historical accuracy of the film was key to the production. "We put together a group of California historians, sociologists and culturalists as our advisors on the film," explains Fitzgerald. "There were nearly twenty people from around the state, including the official state historian appointed by the Governor, that represented every different culture from Native American to all of the variety of ethnic people who have immigrated to this part of the world." Through his work with the team (along with an Imagineering team), Fitzgerald developed the script which highlights California history through key scenes.

Included among the dramatic moments recreated in the film are:

  • The Native American Chumash community who settled in California over 13,000 years ago
  • The arrival of the Spanish in 1769 bringing a legacy of language, architecture and rich colorful traditions
  • The California Gold Rush of the mid 1800s that brought people from every corner of the globe to California · The immigration of the Chinese who built the first railroads that linked California to the rest of America bringing thousands west
  • The creation of Yosemite as a state national park in the early days of the turn of the century
  • The mass immigration of farm workers to California in 1936 when they left their midwest fields which had turned to dust to seek a better life
  • The Eastern European immigrant, Louis B. Mayer, who immigrated to California as a poor man and created the MGM, one of Hollywood's most successful studios
  • World War II and the jobs created for women in the many aircraft factories that existed in the state
  • The pop-culture of the fifties and sixties
  • The rise of the computer generation
  • Mining for new gold in California - in Silicon Valley

The film closes with a specially written song, "Just One Dream," underscoring a montage of images representing the glorious diversity of California's landscape. Included will be characters from the story to provide a visual and emotional link across time. There will be moments of joy and success, tragedy and hardship, all coming together in celebration and triumph. Scenes of California's contributions in industry, sports and the arts will also be incorporated along with the ongoing challenges facing its people today. Guests will see the ethnic diversity of the young and the old both at work and at play. In summary, theatergoers will feel the power of the California dream in the spirit of its people.

"Golden Dreams," shot in 70mm, will be presented in a 350-seat theater in the Golden State District of the park. The film was directed by Polish filmmaker, Agnieszka Holland, who directed such acclaimed films as "Europa, Europa" and "The Secret Garden." Academy Award winning cinematographer Jack Green ("The Outsider") shot the film, which brings the California landscape to life in a very historical perspective. The original score was written by Bruce Broughton ("The Outsider," "Tombstone," and "Honey, I Blew Up the Kids," among others).

With the combination of historical accuracy, moving story, and humorous spirit, "Golden Dreams" is an attraction not to be missed.

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-- Posted October 23, 2000

Source: Company press release