Kenversations™
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Putting the Lab on the Slab
There's something I don't quite understand, though. A couple years back, Disney announced
the creation of The Secret Lab, which was formed to work on computer animation and digital
effects. The name of The Secret Lab was right there in the credits of Dinosaur.
"Wow, what a great idea," I thought. After all, Disney doesn't own Pixar - it has a contract with Pixar. Wouldn't it be nice to have an in-house team to do computer animation features and technologically advanced animation for other projects?
Then, last year, it was shut down. Okay - Dinosaur didn't go Titanic at the box office. So what? I wonder what became of the folks at Dream Quest Images, a special-effects company Disney bought that was a key ingredient in the formation of The Secret Lab.
Now, I read in the news that some of the FA folks that aren't being let go are being given computer training to move them towards the computer animation medium. Well, didn't Disney already have artists trained in that medium, at… The Secret Lab? If there is anyone out there that can explain the sense in that, please use the feedback form at the end of this column to explain it to me, or better yet, post the explanation in the discussion thread that will be linked to at the end of this column. While you're at it, tell me why The Secret Lab couldn't be allowed to redeem itself. After all, a $150 million gross isn't so shabby, especially after you've already paid for much of the overhead and start-up, and will be able to make ancillary profits from future projects.
Stop the Layoffs, Please
Now that the Academy has kicked off the new Oscar® category, it is time to claim it. I
did an entire edition of Kenversations™ a while back on how Disney could reorganize itself. I think such a reorganization could make
better use of the folks at Walt Disney Feature Animation.
In particular, instead of "Feature Animation" films, "The Secret Lab" films, and "Pixar" films, productions should integrate various media to get the best effect. Why can't we see the warmth of hand-drawn animation more fully integrated with the full-volumed look of computer animation? That should be the new target - integration of the media to the point of seamlessness. We've seen a little bit of that in the traditional Feature Animation productions, starting with The Great Mouse Detective.
Make sure the medium follows the characters, settings, and stories instead of dictating them.
Then, put that revived Feature Animation unit to work creating not only cinematic experiences, but interactive games, online content, theme park and Disney Quest attractions, and so forth.
Remember that the best animated features are ones that couldn't be done as live-action films - films like Shrek, Monsters, Inc., Toy Story, Ice Age, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin.
It is good that Randy Newman finally got his Best Song Oscar® for work on a Disney/Pixar film, but Disney should reach for and get bigger prizes, too.
And never forget that it if weren't for those expensive Feature Animation productions we've seen over the decades, there's no way Disney would have been able to generate as much revenue in licensing, album sales, theme parks, and yes, those lower-quality animation productions, nor would it have as strong of a brand name as it still does.
Disney does have the resources to have a bright future in animated features. I believe there are some Disney classics yet to be conceived. I sure hope I'm right.
As for those who were let go, I believe they will be able to find gainful employment elsewhere to put their skills, talents, and creativity to good use. It is sad that Disney didn't keep them, but maybe, just maybe, there's another Golden Age of animation right around the corner.
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-- Ken Pellman
Ken Pellman made animated short films as a student, is a fan of animated features, is a Disney shareholder, and has experience as a Disneyland Park cast member and annual passholder. He can be reached directly at [email protected] or at http://www.Pellman.com.
Kenversations is usually posted on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
The views, opinions and comments of Ken Pellman, and all of our columnists, are not necessarily those of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
©2002 Ken Pellman, all rights reserved. Licensed to LaughingPlace.com.
-- Posted April 8, 2002