Monday, April 6, 2009

Disney Animation Templates



Hand drawn animation is a costly business. Here's one way to make life easier.

4 comments:

SuiginChou said...

As a kid, I noticed how similar the Jungle Book was to Robin Hood. But I have to admit I didn't realize JUST HOW SIMILAR the two were. I noticed the more obvious things like when Baloo/Little John dances drunkenly or when the elephant tries to trumpet but his trunk is squeezed shut. I didn't notice how the white hen was totally an overlay for King Louie, nor did I notice that the escape of Mowgli from King Louie's palace was stolen from a film I'd never seen.

That stated, I think it's fair to say that Walt Disney Studios towards the end of Walt's life was the guilty party, and not any one of the films. It's pretty obvious that the following three films (which all were released in quick succession) re-used a lot of the same frames: The Jungle Book, Robin Hood, and The Aristocats. I mean, heck, even a kid could point out to you that back then those films reused the same goddamn voice actors over and over and over and over and over. (I love him, but the guy who voices Baloo/Little John/O'Malley is a great example.)

Also, all the Snow White stuff? Very well noted (and not something I'd ever noticed myself), but I think it's much more of an homage than it is cutting corners for animation. I highly doubt that Disney in the '60s went back and grabbed cels from the 1930s and overlayed forest critters from Robin Hood over a different set of forest critters from Snow White. :\

A big "ditto" for that last comparison: it's clear that this was meant strictly as an homage, and that Beauty and the Beast is otherwise devoid of derivative animation from previous Disney films.

Mack Ramer said...

This has made me want to watch the old Robin Hood animated movie. One of my favorites from childhood which I'd completely forgotten about. I wonder if it's in the "Disney Vault"...

Jay said...

Opening (And origin of Hamster Dance)

Todd Stubbs said...

Actually, the reuse of old animation was a stock technique in the repertoire of every studio — more so in the early days than later. It was not only common, but expected, and usually you didn't get caught. (If Disney steals from Disney, who cares?)

It was not considered "cheating," nor was it a "homage" to previous eras. It was, as you stated in your title, simply a way to save money on an extremely expensive process. (Though, no doubt the new animators appreciated the expertise of the old ones!)

You've done a wonderful job on this compilation! I'd be willing to be that there is a lot more, if you knew where to look. Thanks for doing this!

Todd