Glen Keane News & Discussion

[Farerb]

Live Q&A with Glen Keane, Peilin Chou and Gennie Rim:
https://youtu.be/Os_AqOOCpdk

[D82]

^Thanks for the heads up, farerb!

By the way, it seems Over the Moon has had a successful start on Netflix. It tops the list of the most popular movies on the service this week.

[D82]

Live Q&A with Glen Keane, Peilin Chou and Gennie Rim:
https://youtu.be/Os_AqOOCpdk

It seems there were some issues with the stream and they moved it to this other link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3QgbtriSQM

[D82]

Live Q&A with Glen Keane, Peilin Chou and Gennie Rim:
https://youtu.be/Os_AqOOCpdk

I'm glad I watched it when it was streaming live, because now it seems it's not available anymore. I've found this other Q&A from some days ago, though, for anyone interested. At this moment of the video, Glen Keane repeats that he was given the choice to make the movie in traditional animation and explains in more detail why he chose to make it in CGI. Also here.

[Disney's Divinity]

It seems there were some issues with the stream and they moved it to this other link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3QgbtriSQM

I’m happy for Keane. As for myself, I’ve only seen the first half hour of this (a week ago). I’ll try to see the rest of this when I get the chance. That’s why I haven’t posted anything. All I can say from that little bit is that the family were less cringey to me than they seemed in the trailers. The rabbit was adorable. The baking song was great separated from the film, but it seemed like “too much” for what little was happening on the screen. Ang's voice is so, so pretty; she sounds much older than the character should sound when she’s singing though (I’m only referring to “Rocket of the Moon,” which is just before the part I had to stop at). The soundtrack is great so far though. I could listen to the rest on YouTube, but I’d rather hear them in-film the first time.

[Disney's Divinity]

I liked the sharp light on the lunar surface when they were away from Lunaria, and it would have been interesting to see some more of it. But also liked the architecture of the city itself.

It was a little weird that she couldn't tell Fei Fei what the gift was, but if she had, everything would probably have worked out differently. Another thing I didn't understand was why she is in such a hurry. After more than thousand years, why did suddenly every second count?

The moon was a reflection of Fei Fei's own life; the room of sorrow, the tears, moon cakes, the glowing lanterns and buildings, the bird and the goddess' clothes, the lions in front of the bridge, the lake around the city, the annoying Gobi/step brother and the frogs. Which made me suspect it may was all just in her imagination. And in the end when the space dog was eating a satellite or something, it looked even more like just imagination.

If it really happened, everything is fine. If it didn't, then what about her rabbit?

I agree with you and D82 on the confusion over why Chang'e couldn't say what "the gift" was and why she was in a hurry. Thinking about it in retrospect, I think the whole thing is something like a dream, but not as obvious about it as in Alice in Wonderland where Alice realizes she's asleep and then wakes up at the end. But instead more like Spirited Away, where at the end, Chihiro simply walks back through the tunnel to her parents, without it being clear if it really happened or not, but her state of mind was changed in any case. Chang'e's urgency could be read as just a representation of Fei Fei's own internal urgency (to find some way of keeping her father from remarrying) in as much as Chang'e pining for the lost Houyi mirrors Fei Fei's longing for her lost mother. And Chang'e's silence over what "the gift" was--perhaps Fei Fei's confusion over how to piece her imaginary story together (ie, what could Chang'e possibly want from her)? Sort of like a child who's making a story up as it goes along maybe and fills in the gaps with whatever she sees in front of her?

I agree, the missing rabbit is the biggest question mark at the end... I'll try to pay attention when I get the chance to watch the film again, but... Perhaps the viewer could just assume Bungee ran away? Or perhaps that Bungee was an imaginary friend/support animal all along (someone Fei Fei created so that she could talk to fill the void her mother left behind). The way in which Bungee leaves her does echo how Fei Fei needs to move on and live in the now because Bungee gives into love for the male rabbit just like Fei Fei needs to accept the new love offered by her stepmother (creating a new bond of maternal love). Bungee's "love" is what completes the potion the male rabbit is making, too. It's sort of like how you both talked about the bird at the end probably being Fei Fei's mother--after being assured Fei Fei is alright, the bird departs to be with the other birds (to show how the mother can finally be fully at peace, having moved on to her new station of life at rest with the other souls in the afterlife).

Personally, I've listened to "Rocket to the Moon" and "Ultraluminary" a lot since they were released, but I was a bit underwhelmed by the rest of the songs and I haven't listen to them much either. They're fine, but not as good as those two, in my opinion. But, yes, "Yours Forever (Reprise)" wasn't bad. It's my favorite of the rest. Though I don't understand why they called it a reprise either. It doesn't seem to have the same melody (or lyrics) as any of the other songs. I also didn't expect the last song would have the same melody as "Rocket to the Moon". I thought it would be a completely new song.

I agree with this overall. I enjoyed "Rocket to the Moon" the most of the whole soundtrack, and "Ultraluminary" grew on me. The rest was a bit of a letdown considering the talent they had and considering how good those two were.

I thought the film was okay. I would like to own it if it's ever released on Blu-ray, but I won't lie, I was a tad disappointed. Unfortunately, it seemed to have a roadtrip structure like most animated films these days--perhaps purposely, to attain more success by imitating what is successful these days?--and the roadtrip here (the back and forth between the crashed rocket and Lunaria looking for a random item, fighting with some chickens, etc.) was the most tedious part of the film and was too vague since, as discussed above, we didn't know what the gift was or why it was needed so quickly. I liked Gobi more than I expected to. He was still a touch annoying, but Ken Jeong actually wasn't that bad in his musical number. Anyway, I think the best part of the film aside from a couple of the songs is clearly the visuals. Lunaria and the beings there (created from Chang'e's tears--reminds me of how mermaids were sometimes thought to cry pearls) were so beautiful and I also loved what we saw of the moon itself, as Rumpelstiltskin mentioned. The whole thing was gorgeous, despite (what I see as) 3D's limitations, imo. I didn't really have that much emotional reaction to the storyline though, sadly. I hope the film is successful though and that Keane can make another film as a result.

Oh, I forgot to say, too, that Chang’e and her brightly colored kingdom and its brightly colored inhabitants reminded me a great deal of King Candy and Sugar Rush from Wreck-It Ralph. I definitely never expected to be thinking of *that* movie--which I have little love for--during this. The only difference is Chang’e was less of a villain than King Candy turned out to be, although both seem equally suspicious when you first meet them (as if they’re less benevolent--and more self-centered, vain, and desirous of seeing themselves being worshiped--than they pretend). Something about Fei Fei's first conversation with Chang'e left me with the impression that being visited by a human and given a "gift" (like a sacrifice to a deity?) was a recurring thing for Chang'e that happened every so often, whether it was every lunar cycle or once every year or every few years... And this occurrence was the only way Chang'e could then attempt to reunite with Houyi another time--and every time it was a failed attempt and she was only ever able to see him for a moment, that Chang'e was never able to successfully reach him permanently the way she wanted.

[Rumpelstiltskin]

From another article:

https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/ ... -over-moon

It was a couple weeks later, the pandemic hit and Netflix shut down. I mean, 11:30 in the morning, this was a Thursday and we had deadlines every Friday that we had to hit in order to get this film done. Gennie Rim, my producer, said ‘Glen, we have to clear out of the studio, Netflix is closing, and in half an hour, we were gone, and we still haven’t been back since. This is from the beginning of March into February. The coffee cups are still there with coffee in them, the coats are still on the chairs.

Maybe this represent a new way of making animated movies, at least at Netflix, where one can do a lot of work from home instead of a studio. This movie showed it is possible.

I agree with you and D82 on the confusion over why Chang'e couldn't say what "the gift" was and why she was in a hurry. Thinking about it in retrospect, I think the whole thing is something like a dream, but not as obvious about it as in Alice in Wonderland where Alice realizes she's asleep and then wakes up at the end. But instead more like Spirited Away, where at the end, Chihiro simply walks back through the tunnel to her parents, without it being clear if it really happened or not, but her state of mind was changed in any case. Chang'e's urgency could be read as just a representation of Fei Fei's own internal urgency (to find some way of keeping her father from remarrying) in as much as Chang'e pining for the lost Houyi mirrors Fei Fei's longing for her lost mother. And Chang'e's silence over what "the gift" was--perhaps Fei Fei's confusion over how to piece her imaginary story together (ie, what could Chang'e possibly want from her)? Sort of like a child who's making a story up as it goes along maybe and fills in the gaps with whatever she sees in front of her?

I agree, the missing rabbit is the biggest question mark at the end... I'll try to pay attention when I get the chance to watch the film again, but... Perhaps the viewer could just assume Bungee ran away? Or perhaps that Bungee was an imaginary friend/support animal all along (someone Fei Fei created so that she could talk to fill the void her mother left behind).

Lunaria and the beings there (created from Chang'e's tears--reminds me of how mermaids were sometimes thought to cry pearls) were so beautiful and I also loved what we saw of the moon itself, as Rumpelstiltskin mentioned. The whole thing was gorgeous, despite (what I see as) 3D's limitations, imo.

Something about Fei Fei's first conversation with Chang'e left me with the impression that being visited by a human and given a "gift" (like a sacrifice to a deity?) was a recurring thing for Chang'e that happened every so often, whether it was every lunar cycle or once every year or every few years... And this occurrence was the only way Chang'e could then attempt to reunite with Houyi another time--and every time it was a failed attempt and she was only ever able to see him for a moment, that Chang'e was never able to successfully reach him permanently the way she wanted.

Yes, Fei Fei was also in a real hurry to find a way to stop the marriage between her father and his future wife, which in her eyes would mean the end of the love between her parents. But there should still be an explanation why Chang'e was in a hurry too.
Chang'e didn't want "a gift", she wanted "the gift". If that's something that happened often, it sounds like some of of purgatory. But when she enter the chamber of despair or sorrow, we are told it has only happened once before.
She knew Fei Fei arrived in a rocket that crashed, and was then brought to her by the lions. So if Fei Fei didn't have the gift, it clearly meant it was still inside the rocket. And then she just sends all the citizens of Lunaria away to find the gift without even mentioning where the rocket is located, despite being in such a hurry. The reason why a tractor beam was used on the rocket, was because she could feel the gift she needed was inside it, and yet she can't feel where the gift is after it reach the moon? But I don't think the youngest children that sees the movie will give it too much of a thought.
The gift ting made me think of The Wizard of Oz, when the man behind the curtain suddenly gives them all the gifts they came for. And it turns out Dorothy had what she needed all along.
Chang'e did seem a bit nonchalant after meeting the first human for hundreds of years, assuming Fei Fei was the first. In all that time, her only company was her rabbit and the creatures born from her tears.
I don't think Bungee was an imaginary friend. If so, there should have been some hints about it. But it was a gift from her mother. Not only is the rabbit gone, but nobody seems to care or even mention it at the end, which is also strange. The puppy at the end feels like a replacement, and not her first pet.
In the original H.C. Andersen story about The Little Mermaid, she is turned into sea foam at the end, like that's what mermaids are really made of.
And yeah, I hope Glen Keane gets another chance to make more movies in the future, and that he has learned something from this experience.

[estefan]

Maybe this represent a new way of making animated movies, at least at Netflix, where one can do a lot of work from home instead of a studio. This movie showed it is possible.

I read another article that said pitches for animated movies and shows have gone up in Hollywood, because of the pandemic. So we will definitely see an increase in animated productions in the next few years.

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Yes, it is obvious a lot easier to create animation than live-action from your own home. Another article that mentions it:

https://www.techradar.com/news/25-years ... ry-debuted

Before global broadband internet access, the logistics of sharing data between studios, vendors and freelancers outside of the same city was a logistical nightmare at times. Now for the most part, anything can be sent to anyone, anywhere. Though files and assets in the several TB range are still shipped on drive, I can't imagine that will be the case for too much longer.

It goes without saying that this interconnectedness means more collaboration and communication on a larger scale than ever before. For example, MARZ was founded as a Toronto-based studio and while that is still our home office, technology and COVID-19 have both pushed and freed us to bring on artists working in various cities, to collaborate on projects for clients all around the world. That would have been a much bigger feat just a few years ago.

[blackcauldron85]

I just watched this film, and I loved it!!! While I enjoyed all of it, I agree that the middle was not as good as the other parts of the film. I also agree that the Moon Kingdom reminded me of Sugar Rush, for sure. Any movie dealing with "goodbye" as a theme is going to get me choked up, and this film is no exception.

Chang'e...why did she eat both of the live-forever pills? I wish we had more backstory there (or was it there and I missed it?). When she ate the pills, did she not think that she'll miss her true love? I just don't get that part.

I think it was real. But yeah, how to explain that your pet bunny isn't with you anymore? I thought that Bungee's & Jade's relationship was sweet, even though we didn't see much of it.

[D82]

I'm glad you liked the movie, blackcauldron85!

Chang'e...why did she eat both of the live-forever pills? I wish we had more backstory there (or was it there and I missed it?). When she ate the pills, did she not think that she'll miss her true love? I just don't get that part.

Well, in the part of the movie featured in this clip one possible explanation is given, but the movie doesn't show us what really happened.

Also, if you're interested, here's more info about the original fairy tale:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtEjnfH9inU
https://www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/ch ... google.com

By the way, I've watched the film again and this time I noticed some things I hadn't noticed before. I wanted to talk about it and also reply to some of the things you said, Disney's Divinity, but I don't have time right now. I'll try to do it later.

[blackcauldron85]

^ Re-watching that scene, I remember it (we watched the movie in chunks; we were doing the dishes during that part and I didn't absorb the conversation).

And thank you for posting the links about the tale; I'm definitely interested!

[D82]

I've noticed that the full book by Leonard Maltin about the making of Over the Moon is available on Netflix's awards website.

[Sotiris]

Q: What’s next for you?

Glen Keane: Well, I have a very unique idea that really allows me to pursue storytelling and music and drawing, in a way that’s never been done. It’s an idea that I’ve had with me for a good 35 years. It’s kind of like a Mount Everest I’ve been afraid to ever climb. But maybe now’s a good time to do that. You don’t want to repeat yourself. You want to keep growing, to keep moving towards a level that your feet don’t quite touch the bottom and you’re uncomfortable. You’re a little scared. That’s exactly how I feel right now, and I think I always want to be artistically challenged that way.

Source: https://deadline.com/2021/02/over-the-m ... 234693925/

While Keane told Deadline recently about a “Mount Everest” type passion project he has in the works, he wasn’t ready to share further details this morning. What he could confirm was that his relationship with Netflix will be ongoing. “Our company, Glen Keane Productions, continues its relationship with Netflix, developing ideas,” he said, “and we have several ideas that we are developing.”

Source: https://deadline.com/2021/03/over-the-m ... 234714506/

[robster16]

Q: What’s next for you?

Glen Keane: Well, I have a very unique idea that really allows me to pursue storytelling and music and drawing, in a way that’s never been done. It’s an idea that I’ve had with me for a good 35 years. It’s kind of like a Mount Everest I’ve been afraid to ever climb. But maybe now’s a good time to do that. You don’t want to repeat yourself. You want to keep growing, to keep moving towards a level that your feet don’t quite touch the bottom and you’re uncomfortable. You’re a little scared. That’s exactly how I feel right now, and I think I always want to be artistically challenged that way.

Source: https://deadline.com/2021/02/over-the-m ... 234693925/

I do know Glen has at several moments in time expressed interest in animating Beethoven's 9th Symphony "Ode To Joy", so maybe he'll finally dedicate himself to that. I could see that being his Magnum Opus, much like the 9th Symphony was Beethoven's Magnum Opus...

[D82]

Q: What’s next for you?

Glen Keane: Well, I have a very unique idea that really allows me to pursue storytelling and music and drawing, in a way that’s never been done. It’s an idea that I’ve had with me for a good 35 years. It’s kind of like a Mount Everest I’ve been afraid to ever climb. But maybe now’s a good time to do that. You don’t want to repeat yourself. You want to keep growing, to keep moving towards a level that your feet don’t quite touch the bottom and you’re uncomfortable. You’re a little scared. That’s exactly how I feel right now, and I think I always want to be artistically challenged that way.

Source: https://deadline.com/2021/02/over-the-m ... 234693925/

It sounds good. I hope he can finally make that dream a reality.

[Disney Duster]

I decided to watch Over the Moon. China doesn't interest me and weird shapeless blobs don't interest me and that's what I thought the movie was about so I didn't care to watch it for the longest time. But hearing the song "Ultraluminary" made me want to. It was a great film. Perhaps even better than Soul but not better than Onward because that had an emotional wallop, and even though I still think Soul is better-made than either Onward or Over the Moon, I loved the story and the message of Over the Moon. I thought Gobi wa annoying as f*** when I first was exposed to him but later their is a joke about him hating annoying people, and he grew on me and I fell in love with him. The only song I thought was particularly good was "Ultraluminary". The animation was freaking beautiful, and especially the hand-drawn sequence was gorgeous. The only thing I had a problem with was I thought the ending "love something new" song was so meh, since you can just love what other things you always had if you lose someone, you don't need to love someone new. Plus the melody sucked. And also I didn't like the designs of the moon city and the Luminarians. I expected some absolutely gorgeous old Chinese looking city that was complete fantasy in the style of, I dunno, ancient Chinese royal kingdoms. Instead a Chinese moon goddess came up with shapeless blobs, and the things that did have shapes, were not very "gorgeous old moon goddess" shapes. The best design was the moon goddess' red dress and origin form. Also, why did she take both immortality pills instead of giving the other one to her true love? Like Amy said. Also, I think the moon was a dream, because the picture burned but nothing else burned away when they landed, and I think Bungee died. Anyway, great movie. Good job, Glen.

[Redadoodles]

Glen Keane mentions his version of Rapunzel:


Source:https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/disney- ... lanet.html