Once Upon a Studio (WDAS Short)

[blackcauldron85]

So this short is going to feature ALL the Disney characters? Even Chicken Little and that cow?!

I understood it as at least one character from all the films, and a few shorts, will appear, not every single character.

[Farerb]

I understood it as at least one character from all the films, and a few shorts, will appear, not every single character.

It does make more sense to feature the most memorable characters from their most successful films.

[UmbrellaFish]

I understand why people feel cautious about this project. Do I understand correctly that this project was sort of all put together within the year? I am curious to see how it is executed (I wonder if this is what Jodi Benson was recording at Disney?). I also wonder if Disney reached out to Robin Williams’ family before adding his recordings to the short?

I hope the penguin waiters make an appearance to represent Mary Poppins.

[Sotiris]

Do I understand correctly that this project was sort of all put together within the year?

It was less than a year; eights months to be exact.

[Mooky]

How long is this short supposed to be? Assuming each of those 40 voice actors they brought back has a line or two, coupled with archival recordings, I'd imagine the short should not be shorter than 8-9 minutes at least

[The Disneynerd]

But when everyone is gone for the day, it turns out the artwork on the walls comes to life! Characters from every Disney animated feature come out to play, ...
...causing gentle comic mayhem and leading towards a sentimental close set to the studio’s most emblematic song.

That sounds so cool! I also had my concerns at first that the Disney characters would be gratuitously or clickbaitishly brought together for a short film where the characters and their films would have their reputations damaged, but those concerns are gone because it's not the REAL ORIGINAL characters from the films, but just the characters from paintings or posters probably as stated, so I'm relieved (for example, the princesses from the "Disney Princess" brand are not the same as in the films, as in Ralph 2). And still I think the characters like Genie will look faithful as Eric Goldberg returns. I REALLY HOPE Mandy Moore returns to voice more Rapunzel in updated CG, becuase since I saw Tangled as a little kid in the theatre, she was one of my favorite Disney characters, so seeing her in theatres again would be magical:( (fingers crossed).

And I guess the characters will sing "When U wish upon a star" at the end, it's THE Disney song (fingers crossed again that Rapunzel sings a verse ).

[The Disneynerd]

How long is this short supposed to be? Assuming each of those 40 voice actors they brought back has a line or two, coupled with archival recordings, I'd imagine the short should not be shorter than 8-9 minutes at least

Yes it will be 9 minutes long

[D23ExpoVisitor25]

He doesn't have hands.

His hands are meant to look that way in that specific pose. It's like that in the movie too.

https://i.imgur.com/Jp3CEwq.jpg

Even if the hands are like that, I still think that’s concept art of the short because Olaf looks like he’s in a piece of concept art drawings.

[D23ExpoVisitor25]

I also wonder if Disney reached out to Robin Williams’ family before adding his recordings to the short?

I’d like to think they did. If they could seek permission from Peter Cushing’s estate and Carrie Fisher to digitally recreate and use old audio for Tarkin and Princess Leia in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, they probably did the same here.

[Mooky]

How long is this short supposed to be? Assuming each of those 40 voice actors they brought back has a line or two, coupled with archival recordings, I'd imagine the short should not be shorter than 8-9 minutes at least

Yes it will be 9 minutes long

Thank you!

[Farerb]

What are you most excited for? The short or Wish?

[Mooky]

Wish looks good so far, but its actual quality is up in the air and I'm a bit apprehensive about it. I wasn't crazy about any of their recent output.

There's not a whole lot known about the short either, but I can't lie: the prospect of seeing more hand-drawn animation and all those Disney characters interact with one another is exciting. The short may turn out to be total crap for all I know, but that's where I stand at the moment. Nostalgia is a powerful drug.

[D82]

I don't trust modern Disney to not screw them up, to be honest. Their track record with similar fan service-y projects is not inspiring me with confidence.

Yeah, after Ralph Breaks the Internet or Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers it's difficult to get excited for a project like this. Plus, personally, I'm not a big fan of crossovers in general. Although, I think the "Night of the Museum" concept is not a bad idea for reuniting the characters from different films, worlds and mediums in a way that makes sense. We'll see how it's executed. I'm also glad it'll have some 2D animation.

I guess it means that they won't appear in Wish, I actually prefer it that way to be honest, but now how will Wish take Easter Eggs to the next level?

I'm not sure if it'll be attached to Wish. The only article that said that was the Laughing Place one, which also got the title wrong at first. Deadline doesn't mention anything about its release and Variety said the following regarding it:

Future plans are as of yet hazy for the centenary short, though one should safely assume some form of wider broadcast or distribution before the anniversary year is out.

Source: https://variety.com/2023/film/festivals ... 235640168/

Perhaps Prince Kido could confirm if they mentioned it would be paired with Wish or not in the presentation. Although, when would they release it then instead, on Disney+ Day or something like that? I started posting about the short here, but if it won't play with Wish in theaters, maybe it should have its own thread and the conversation about it could be moved there.

It does make more sense to feature the most memorable characters from their most successful films.

The most famous ones will probably get more screen time than the others, though. I personally like that they're apparently including characters from all the films, since each one has its fans.

I wonder if this is what Jodi Benson was recording at Disney?

Perhaps it is, although aren't voices recorded with more time in advance? Maybe she had to come back to record some new lines, though.

And I guess the characters will sing "When U wish upon a star" at the end, it's THE Disney song (fingers crossed again that Rapunzel sings a verse ).

That's the first song that came to mind too. Yeah, it has to be that one.

[Farerb]

Yeah, after Ralph Breaks the Internet or Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers it's difficult to get excited for a project like this. Plus, personally, I'm not a big fan of crossovers in general. Although, I think the "Night of the Museum" concept is not a bad idea for reuniting the characters from different films, worlds and mediums in a way that makes sense. We'll see how it's executed. I'm also glad it'll have some 2D animation.

I think the difference this time is that it will actually have hand drawn animation, and Eric Goldberg is involved as well, so this might be an honest eulogy for the studio rather than just making fun of it.

By the way, just thinking about it, but how do you feel about the Lilo & Stitch trailers?

I'm not sure if it'll be attached to Wish. The only article that said that was the Laughing Place one, which also got the title wrong at first. Deadline doesn't mention anything about its release and Variety said the following regarding it:

Future plans are as of yet hazy for the centenary short, though one should safely assume some form of wider broadcast or distribution before the anniversary year is out.

Source: https://variety.com/2023/film/festivals ... 235640168/

I guess everyone just assumes it'll be paired with Wish cause screening it in theaters seems more appropriate than just dumping it on Disney+, but with Disney we can never know. Personally I hope it'll be screened before Wish cause if I liked it, I would like to own it on Blu-ray.

[D23ExpoVisitor25]

Apparently, a worker at Disney named Rick Law said this short will be in front of Wish: https://twitter.com/observantview/statu ... 12640?s=46.

[D82]

I think the difference this time is that it will actually have hand drawn animation, and Eric Goldberg is involved as well, so this might be an honest eulogy for the studio rather than just making fun of it.

Yes, that's a big difference. And, like you say, most likely it'll be more of an homage this time and not a parody like those other examples. I might end up liking it, though I can't say I'm too excited for it right now.

By the way, just thinking about it, but how do you feel about the Lilo & Stitch trailers?

I do like them. I think it was a clever way of advertising the movie. And they're just teasers; I have more of a problem with crossovers when they're in the movie itself. The only thing I remember not liking back when they were released is that the original characters acted a bit out of character, but I don't mind it now.

Apparently, a worker at Disney named Rick Law said this short will be in front of Wish: https://twitter.com/observantview/statu ... 12640?s=46.

Oh, OK. Then it's most likely true.

[D23ExpoVisitor25]

Josh Gad just posted on Instagram that Disney got permission from the Williams estate to use the unused audio of Robin Williams’ Genie for Once Upon A Time In A Studio, which is apparently what the title is (not Once Upon A Studio or Once Upon A Time A Studio): https://www.instagram.com/p/CtZrjDzPgEv ... BiNWFlZA==.

[Disney's Divinity]

So looking forward to the short as well as the film, but I was one of those who have always wished Pomp & Circumstance had come to fruition. Yeah, Sotiris should be able to post negative opinions if that's their genuine reaction and they aren't a hypocrite at all; I remember they weren't fond of the P&C concept either back when. You don't need to be overly defensive, D23, the film will perform however it will perform regardless. Personally, I think this one will be fine, but who knows.

[UmbrellaFish]

I am glad to know Disney received permission from Williams’ estate. They should do that for any/all artists’ whose work they repurpose here, even though I am sure Disney owns all the materials used outright.

[Sotiris]

This sounds promising regarding the animation. Hopefully, all the 2D characters will be animated in real 2D, not some faux cel-shaded, vector-based 2D.

One more thing about Disney Animation's Once Upon a Studio, which world premiered tonight at Annecy Festival—this short is 100% all new animation—the hand-drawn, the CG, all created by our incredible present day 2D and CG artists, new 2D apprentices, and some returning 2D folks too!

Source: https://twitter.com/AmyAstley/status/16 ... 3526903808