What would *YOU* do if running Disney?

[2099net]

I've put this in off-topic, because it doesn't really reflect movies or DVDs (although I'm sure they will come into most people's replys).

So what would you do if you were running the Disney empire? How about five changes you would implements when getting the job. However, each of your ideas must be backed up by a business justification (any one of us could do any number of things - but the concequences may be that Disney is ruined!)

Here's mine:

1. Ensure 2D Animated films are still made by Walt Disney Feature Animation
Much as I critisise the industry wide 'jump' to CGI animated films, I must admit that from a business point of view there is every justification for ramping up the production frequencey of CGI movies. I'm just not convinced about making only CGI movies - which seems to be a trap Disney (as well as a lot of other studios) seem to have fallen into. So I would ensure that at least one new traditional animated movie is released by Disney every other year.

2. Bring back animated shorts to be paired with Disney movies
To keep traditional animation alive at WDFA, I would have a team producing shorts featuring the "classic" Disney characters. Not only would this keep the skills alive needed for full length animated movies, they would also be a big draw for big screen and home video releases (the appropriate short would also be included on the DVD release). From a business point of view, I'm sure the promise of an opening cartoon short would increase attendence - especially of 'marginal' films.

3. Keep the sequels - but limited to 1 per year
As you know, I've nothing against sequels in theory, but in practice most are way below the quality they should be because not enough time is spent in pre-production. Limiting them to 1 per year should ensure better storylines and scripts. I would also stop any sequels being released on the big screen. While I don't think DTVs confuse the audiences, cinematic releases do.

4. Release 2 DVDs of every animated movie - "classic" or not
One would be the movie only and include full screen and wide screen on the same disc. This would be for rental shops and families who don't want to buy a 2 disc set. If the picture quality suffers from including both transfers then tough. People who want full screen don't care about picture quality anyway. The second release would be a Disney 2 disc collectors set - just like we have now. And yes, that would be for every animated film, so Jungle Book 2 would get one If materials are short, Disney could always include a work-in-progress version on the second disc - it's always worth watching a work-in-progress of any animation.

5. Make a movie starring Brad Pitt and a Monkey superhero
Just because I admire Brad Pitt as an actor and would love to see if he could play the role of a Monkey superhero's sidekick and still retain his dignity - personally I think he could. From a business point of view Brad Pitt is hot. Superheroes are hot. And of course Monkey's are always hot. What could go wrong? Team it up with a newly animated short (see point 2) and you're looking at a Titanic beater (perhaps not!)

[Luke]

I think Disney should make "13 Monkeys" where the new member of the Army of the 12 Monkeys is an actual monkey!

I like the idea of separate releases; of course for the dual-format disc, they'd need to include games, read & sing-alongs, and music videos!

I'd do something with the Disney Channel - put on a theatrical Disney film every night around 11 or midnight, get rid of the duplicate showings (4 airings of 2 Sister, Sister episodes; 4 airings of 2 Boy Meets World episodes, etc.) and have their shows stop at 11 or 12 to make way for a movie. It'd be like Hallmark, where they actually show Disney films, instead of the made-for-TV stuff, which often sucks. I know it'd be Pan & Scan, still, but if they showed some older fare, that wouldn't be too big of an issue, or an issue at all for Academy Ratio stuff.

I strongly agree with point #1. There have just been some many 2-d animated films that are destined to flop lately. It's as if what they need to do is get a solid screenplay from Pixar's writing department - and then make it into an elegant 2-d animated feature with their own animators. It would be a success, for sure. The problem lies in writing, and halting 2D features altogether because "the public wants computers" is bogus.

I like #2 as well - outside of "Timon & Pumbaa's Stand By Me" in front of Tom and Huck and "Tummy Trouble" in front of Honey I Shrunk the Kids and the Pixar ones, there's pretty much been nothing. I wouldn't limit them to just the classic characters, but it's not like they'll do it, anyway.

[TheBionicWoman]

Hmmm....well here it goes
[/b]1. Make every Platinum release have the same quality as the the first release Snow White. I don't know but Snow white had better dvd menus (wishing well etc) and a lot of background information and date of release etc. I know Beauty and the Beast is a more recent film, but they could have done a better job on the dvd menus like they did for Snow White and putting 3 versions on the same disc seems to cause problems for the movie. Thank goodness The Lion King only has 2 versions this time not 3.
2. Release the Little Mermaid Platinum Release earlier (2005) and for me this is personal. This was the first animated Disney film I saw in theaters and I fell in love the film and the story. I didnt get a chance to buy the limited edition release but since ive seen it so many times I dont need it right now. But not 2008! and again the same extras qualities as Snow white.
3. I dont understand why Disney has to put their disney animated films on moratorium so soon after release, can someone explain this to me? I know they need the money, but it seems that the consumers who buy up these films and when they go oop sell on ebay and get the profits. Disney loses the money!

Cant think of anything else right now but thats my view

[Maerj]

2099net,

I second all of your decisions there except for the last one, I wouldn't do that.

In addition to those I would:

Expand the theme parks
More rides more shows! I'd try to buy more of the surrounding land in Orlando and California and expand! Also, I would put in more monorail track, monorails rule. This is of course if the money is there to do all of this.

Disney Channel
More cartoons on Disney Channel and Toon Disney, and more cartoon series appearing on DVD sets.

Treasures Sets
More Treasures sets... including UNCUT versions of previously released films and Song of the South, RIGHT AWAY!

Wonderful World of Disney program
Spend more money on the Wonderful World of Disney program and host it myself, make it more like the old show with occaisional trips to the Disney parks. Oh, and more cartoons!

New DVD Releases
A 2 disc Platinum style release for each Animated Classic and a hardcover Art of book for each movie to go with it, so you can have a library of the films themselves and the Art of, Making of books.

Animatronics and characters in the Disney Stores.
Give that "magical' feeling in every store. More collectible merchandise, DVDs, art books, cels and artwork, statues, etc. Also, in store signings from Disney stars, voices from the animated films, etc.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

[2099net]

Well Maerj my last point was somewhat tongue-in-cheek - but come on. Pitt. Superheroes. Monkeys. We could even get WDFA to do a new SuperGoof cartoon short. What's not to like?

If I was being serious about my last point it would have to be
Promote Mickey More
I think Mickey needs a push into the public eye. We need more Mickey merchandise to buy!

[Maerj]

Well, I figured that you were joking about that, I was just making it clear that I wouldn't do it!

[Captain Hook]

I'd release the "Ultimate Collection" starting with Snow White and going chronologically throughout the years. Each movie would get a widescreen release AND a Collector's Edition release with 2-discs. I'd also start an "Ultimate TV Collection" with all the TV shows in box sets and all the made-for-TV movies. And movies that come out would get their Ultimate discs as soon as they are released.

For the Disney channel, I'd have a theatrical movie come on at 7 or 8 pm, with sequels following during the night. And on Friday night there would be an animated classic, followed by sequels.

I have to disagree with 2099net, I would stop sequel production all together. No more sequels, unless the exact same people (director, actors, animators, producers) are willing and want to do it. I hate it when the voices sound so wrong.

For the theme parks, I want them to be more based on the movies, rather than the movies being based on them. And the FIRST thing to do is rip down Tarzan tree house and rebuild the Swiss Family Robinson one. And if people don't know what Swiss Family is, then it'll get a theatrical release again.

Well, I guess that's all. Oh, I'd definitly keep traditional animation. Maybe even one traditional and one computer animated movie a year.

Hook

[Prince Adam]

To start-the Definitive Collection, which includes every full-length animated feature from Snow White, to Brother Bear and beyond. This would also include the oft-excluded "package" features, the Pixar features, and the CGI Dinosaur.

Then, I'd axe "Snow White 2", and put more effort into Bambi and the Great Prince (this one definitely has potential). I'd have to do an actual theatrical sequel to Beauty and the Beast, with Belle and Beast's wedding. We'd get decent cover art, the Disney Channel would drop things like Sister Sister and Smart Guy, and bring back the Torkelsons and Vault Disney etc.
You wouldn't need sattelite to get Disney Channel, and all the Disney TV series would get box sets.

There's just so much-I can't write it all-my hands are starting to hurt. And I've just BARELY scraped the surface.

[Leonia]

For one thing...

Does anyone remember something called DTV? My parents had a tape full of DTV music videos (?? It's been so long) that my sister and I would watch as kids...I had to give it away when Mom told me I was getting too old for cartoons.

I'll bring back those DTVs...

[Luke]

For one thing...

Does anyone remember something called DTV? My parents had a tape full of DTV music videos (?? It's been so long) that my sister and I would watch as kids...I had to give it away when Mom told me I was getting too old for cartoons.

I'll bring back those DTVs...

Ah yes, their MTV-parody. That was good. As long as we're getting '90s nostalgia, they ought to bring back the Kids Inc and '90s Mickey Mouse Club reruns.

[Captain Hook]

Yeah, I actually saw some DTV tapes, and went "Why in the world would they advertise Direct to Video?" I'm stupid, I know!

Hook

[Loomis]

Oh, if i were running Disney, I'd make sure all employees got paid above minimum wage! But I'd also make sure that Hollywood superagents like Michael Ovitz don't get $100 million severance packages after a mere 14 months of employment (like a certain CEO did). I wouldn't have my own $400 million multiyear pay package (like a certain CEO does) (1), but rather ensure some of that money goes towards ensuring that the Disney sweatshops are given wads of cash so that workers in Haiti don't have to make Pocahontas pajamas in impoverished conditions (2) , and workers sewing Disney clothes in Chinese factories get more than 13.5 cents an hour and no more forced overtime (3).

Oh, and for far more greedy reasons, I'd ensure every title was available on DVD in its OAR. Not everything has to be a special edition (that would simply not be economically viable). That is why i have to disagree with 2099 - although I think every title has had some effort put into it, it is simply not possible to make a SE out of EVERY film. Those supplements cost time and money.
Sometimes it is enough just to have the film in its OAR.

Open a Disneyland in Australia...

More movies about cows, bees, pies and maybe some cheese.

I'd also make every employee wear a 'Loomis is the Bestest' t-shirt.


(1) Klein, N. 'No Logo' (London: Flamingo, 2001) at 362
(2) ibid, p.328
(3) ibid, p.331

[indianajdp]

Open a Disneyland in Australia...

More movies about cows, bees, pies and maybe some cheese.

I was starting to get worried that you'd throw sheep into the mix, too.
What, being relatively close to New Zealand and all.

[MickeyMouseboy]

I would:

(1) - I would raise Employee's wages too since Disney is what it is thanks to the animator's, DS employees, Park employees NOT CEO'S! like Loomis said i would decrese some executives pays since they don't do that big a work anyways to get that big chunk of money.

(2) - DVD and VHS releases- keep them consistant so collector's can enjoy the uniformity in their shelves! also Special Editions of newer hits like Honey, I shrunk the kids, Rocketeer, Tom and Huck and so forth in 1-2 disc DVDs in OAR. Older Disney would get 2 discs and UNCUT! also obscure disney tittle will get better treatment as been released under the Disney banner and have them all cleaned and DIGITAL Mastered and of course in their OAR and i might incluse a interview with cast (if still alive) or Audio commentary or anything archival that actually look interesting enough and is over 5 minutes! Disney is famous for it's movies so we need to treat them like gold!

(3) - Instead of selling Disney Stores, I would put back Collector's stuff and take some of the kiddie stuff and of course lower the prices at least 10-20% unless it's collector's stuff. i would put back the animatronics.

(4) - take the Kiddie out of Walt Disney. Lately everyone associates Walt Disney Pictures with Kiddie junk! well that is going to change! Disney is for everyone and animation is too! Walt Disney knew it and so will everyone today. animation wise I would keep 2-D alive we have alot of good animators to waste them in front of a computer that's why we have Pixar.

(5) - Pixar wise i would take their offer to distribute their movies but will keep the rights to the first 5 movies since that was in the contract. but is better than not having Pixar. is not like Walt Disney Pictures is not going to be in front of their animated movies. is better than having Dreamworks or any other studio do the distribution. maybe we could have a better arrangement where Pixar can have more than 50% of the money but this is the way i see if disney is putting money to help them create it i think they should have at least some rights to the character's unless they want to cover all of their production costs.

(6) - Theme Parks- Do away with Pooh ride and put Mr Toad's Wild Ride back! besides putting new rides and adjusting some prices depending on the economy that's all i would do there. and maybe give loomis his Disneyland Australia

(7) - TouchStone, Miramax, Dimension and Hollywood Pictures- i would personally talk to the directors when they propose new movies ideas so that projects like Lord of the Rings and other don't get knocked off since these might start a money making movies! plus give older movies their deserve Vista Series or Special Edition treatment.

(8) - Walt Disney Records- Anyone say re-issue older Disney records? what a great idea to make revenue than putting older obscure records back in print on CD!

(9) - Buena Vista Distribution- Have better customer service and use our consumers concerns, ideas and dislikes to better serve them and provide products that better sell and meet consumers likes. also i would try to hire or merge Buena Vista America and Buena Vista Europe since BV Europe know what they are doing DVD wise it'll be awesome!

(10) - Last but no least no sequels! the already made material would be locked in the vault forever and might get a barebone dvd every 20 years until they are forgotten and then they will be burnt and cut out of existant. i don't think any Disney movie deserves a money scamming sequels. Walt didnt believe in them, why believe in them now? can't top pigs with pigs.

what do you guys think?

[Luke]

Good I'm glad you bumped this thread because I wanted to post an idea of mine I recalled. And I like your ideas, Gus, particularly about re-releasing live-action titles they botched up (like Honey & Tom and Huck)

For their live-action catalogue titles, I'd do double-sided discs. On one side, the theatrical cut in 16:9 widescreen, of course, if applicable. On the opposite side, the fullscreen version...of the Disney Channel cut. See, when Disney airs their live-action movies on the Disney Channel (or at least, they used to do this), they have additional scenes and alternate takes not in the theatrical cut. So, if they're going to take the space to waste on a 4x3 version, they might as well include the alternate cut. Of course, at the bare minimum, they'd include the deleted scenes by themselves, the theatrical trailer, and at least an EPK featurette from the time of release. (Universal seems to be including these on most of their catalogue releases, these days.) These exist for all their films from the past decade, and are easy to transfer.

Production notes and cast/crew bios too. Seriously, it's that little bit of effort that goes a long way. Is it really hard to include notes about production from the press kit? Or the trailer which is in the vault next to the film reels? And putting both versions on the same disc shouldn't be such a monumental task for them, considering the ease with which other studios - big (MGM, Warner, Sony) and small (Anchor Bay) - have at putting both formats of a catalogue title to appease both crowds. It just makes sense to NOT turn off a percentage of people to each release by only doing one format. And often they're turning off the majority of people who buy catalogue titles by doing them just in Pan & Scan. If they're going to do just one format, might as well be widescreen.

But I'm preaching to the choir here - as you all know (and love) widescreen, for sure.

Another thing I'd do for sure - get on the ball with TV series on DVDs. They're selling as much as they ever have, and people love 'em. This entire market was mostly non-existent on video, save a few "Best Of" cassettes for some very popular series. So why is Disney, who has rights to some of the most popular shows of the past 2 decades, merely sitting on their catalogue while all the other studios bombard the customers with tons of choices.

They're already several years behind other studios in this department, which is the very reason why all the catalogue releases they put out by the dozen every month are completely free of extras and very often just disappointing laserdisc ports. Because when every other studio was releasing catalogue material in '98 and '99 and '00 and '01, Disney wasn't. And now within the past 15 months, they've put out like hundreds of catalogue titles - which after the long waits, have been universal disappointments. Say they were to release Season 1 of Boy Meets World and Home Improvement in time for the holidays. While Friends and M*A*S*H and Buffy and X-Files and Mad About You are all already well into their run. Catchup time again. Bad.

[MickeyMouseboy]

good ideas luke, i just thought of (11) Vault Disney Channel- 24 hour disneyland and older disney material

[Captain Hook]

I miss Vault Disney. Having a Vault Disney Channel would be AWESOME!

Hook

[MickeyMouseboy]

yay my first subscriber! that's 19.99 a month sir!

[Matty-Mouse]

If I were in charge of the releases of the 42 Classics on DVD then I would put out a set (for all of them) like this.....

Example
The Sword In The Stone Collectors boxset
* 2 disc DVD (with everything about this film that can fit on the 2 discs)
* Booklet on the art and production of TSITS
* Collectors fully remastered soundtrack with deleted songs and full gloss inlay with notes of production from sherman brothers and lyrics.
* Collectors prints of either character design and/or promotional posters from the films release.
* Nice box thats has sections to store all that stuff in.

I just think some of those Laserdisc sets released by Disney (Snow White, Cinderella, Hunchback) were so good that I think Disney should do the same thing for the DVD release's even if these sets are very expensive.

[Captain Hook]

yay my first subscriber! that's 19.99 a month sir!