LP Lotion: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a D23 Magazine Shoot and the Archives
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Thursday, December 1 in southern California was the textbook definition of a blustery day. Despite the weather, the staff of D23 had invited a group of Disney legends and luminaries to pose for a very special photo at the historic Animation Building on the Disney Studio lot in Burbank. The image will be part of the Spring issue of D23 Magazine, celebrating 75 years of Disney feature animation.
A group of media representatives was invited to share in the occasion. The first order of business was to gather in the lobby of the Disney Archives, located in the Frank G. Wells building. After a greeting from D23 director Steven Clark, head archivist for the Walt Disney Company Rebecca Cline shared rarely seen treasures from the vaults. Among them were a cel set up from Steamboat Willie, a Snow White sketchbook, and exquisite color renderings from an unused sequence for Dumbo.
A short presentation followed in the Frank G. Wells auditorium. Clark, joined by veteran publicist Tim O’Day first delineated D23’s recent activities. Among these were the 50 and Fabulous film series, Sip and Stroll at Walt Disney World, and the D23 Expo. They then offered a look at some upcoming events. The Smoke Tree Ranch Roundup (January 23-25, 2012) will allow guests to experience Walt Disney’s favorite vacation getaway. The Journey to Marceline (March 14, 2012) will be a celebration of Walt’s hometown. The 50 and Fabulous series will be joined by the From the Vaults series, celebrating various anniversaries. Scheduled so far are Newsies (February 25, 2012), Sister Act (May 26), In Search of the Castaways (June 23) and Treasure Island (September 22). Also announced were D23 Fanniversary events for various cities around the United States. There were tantalizing hints at events to be built around such diverse Disney properties as Snow White, TRON, Disneyland Paris, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Tours, Aladdin, Goof Troop, Duck Tales, and Fantasmic! The popular Destination D will return with 75 Years of Disney Feature Animation (August 11-12, 2012). And due to the great popularity of the Disney Studio tours, next year will see eight dates (February 11-12, April 28-29, September 8-9, and November 10-11). The presentation wound up with a pitch for gift memberships in D23 for the holidays.
After this overview, it was time to move out to the studio lot. Furniture had been placed in front of an entrance to the Animation Building, and gathered were 11 individuals, representing nearly every aspect of Disney feature animation. The guests were:
- Kathryn Beaumont, voice of Alice and of Wendy Darling;
- Alice Davis, Imagineer and costume designer;
- Lisa Davis, voice of Anita in "One Hundred and One Dalmatians;"
- Joe Hale, animation producer;
- Dickie Jones, voice of Pinocchio;
- Margaret Kerry, live-action model for Tinker Bell;
- Burny Mattinson, storyboard artist;
- Floyd Norman, animator and "story man;"
- Richard Sherman, composer and lyricist;
- Ruthie Thompson, supervisor of Scene Planning department (Ink & Paint);
- Tyrus Wong, background artist (Bambi).
There was a great deal of good-natured banter as the photographer posed and prodded the group. After several takes, there was a surprise in store for the media visitors; they were invited to step in front of the camera for a very special group shot!
After the day’s “work,” it was time for a little play. The scene shifted to the Disney Archives Library on the second floor of the Frank G. Wells Building. Provided were light refreshments in a setting guaranteed to make any Disney fan’s heart skip a few beats. Ranged on shelves, hanging from the walls, and displayed freely throughout the room were a plethora of Disney Company artifacts, ranging from a model theater built by Walt Disney himself in 1948, to a set model of the Red Queen’s bedchamber from Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Familiar faces from the Pirates of the Caribbean peered down from shelves, cheek by jowl with Winnie the Pooh, Tinker Bell, and a model multi-plane camera. Dominating one corner of the reception area at the back of the library was Walt Disney’s own grand piano, displayed for many years in the lobby of the Opera House at Disneyland.
Walt’s piano proved an irresistible magnet for Richard Sherman, who did not have to be coaxed to play a few well known tunes, as well as one not-so-well-known number cut from Mary Poppins (“The Chimpanzoo”). Chief Archivist Rebecca Wells beamed as the recently tuned and restored piano delivered a flawless (and moving) performance by the Academy Award winning composer of Mary Poppins.
All too soon it was time to go. The legends and luminaries lingered among the Archive’s offerings—tangible evidence of the creative legacy of Walt Disney and the legion of artists he marshaled in the creation of eight decades of popular entertainment. For the invited guests, it was an unforgettable afternoon-- and a look at how the Walt Disney Company continues to cherish their rich past, even as they continue to look to a bright future.
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Entrance to the Frank G. Wells Building (dressed for the day to represent a movie theater for a film shoot)
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