The 60th Annecy Festival is now in full swing with a mixture of in person and virtual presentations celebrating the best in animation. Taking place June 14-19th, the annual international festival features screenings, exhibitions and even conversations with filmmakers and leaders in the industry.
Courtesy Marvel Studios
One of the first events offered to guests was a Fireside Chat with Marvel Studios Executive Vice President of Production, Victoria Alonso. Moderated by Julie Crommett, Founder and CEO of Women in Animation, the ladies discussed Victoria’s career and Marvel’s unrivaled success; the studio branching into animation; and advice for current and future leaders in the animation industry.
Image Courtesy of Women in Animation
Julie welcomed guests to the virtual conversion and briefly shared highlights of Victoria’s career. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved to the United States when she was 19 years old. Before coming to Marvel she worked on films like Tim Burton’s Big Fish and Dreamworks’ Shrek. In 2019 and 2020, Victoria was named one of People Espanol’s Most Influential Hispanic Women. In 2017 she was the first woman to win the Visionary Award from the Visual Effects Society for her advancement of storytelling through visual effects.
Julie asked about the key to Marvel’s success which Victoria believes comes from embracing diversity in cinema. She said, “Inclusion, diversity, gender parody, in my humble opinion, they all go hand in hand with showing the world as is.” Marvel is unique because it has a global audience. “You have to represent your audience” Victoria says, and with around 6000 characters in the Marvel library, there is no shortage of stories to tell. Marvel is laying the groundwork now to bring diverse stories to big and small screens.
Victoria commented on how the film industry said that a woman-led film or all Black cast would not do well. Fortunately, this didn’t phase Marvel whose Captain Marvel and Black Panther films both grossed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office. She noted that, “if you don’t tell stories that involve your audience, eventually they’ll go elsewhere.”
While the Marvel Cinematic Universe films are all live action, a majority of the scenes and especially the big battles rely heavily on digital effects. Victoria’s played a key role in helping to bring these iconic scenes to life and is credited as an Executive Producer on all the Marvel films, streaming series, and now animation. In fact, the studio’s first Disney+ original animated series What If…? will premiere this summer! What If…? takes characters fans know and love and give viewers a way to look at things through a different lens.
The Fireside Chat audience was treated to an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming series, and since I’m not sure what’s allowed to be revealed, I’ll play it safe. The show looks incredible. The animation feels very 3-dimensional with 2D animation layered atop the characters and settings. It takes a moment to adjust to the look, but this only serves to enhance the story. Considering the nature of the What If? series, it’s thrilling to see a beloved character thrust into a different role based on just a few simple circumstantial changes. Marvel fans will not be disappointed.
As the women spoke, Victoria stated how animation is an exciting medium and for many viewers, it’s usually consumed at a time when they can relax. She pointed out how many are introduced to animation in a Saturday morning setting when there’s no homework to be done, no chores to complete, just a chance to unwind. Even as adults we have a strong connection to animated stories.
She also mentioned that she’d originally planned to announce three new titles during Annecy Festival, but that she wouldn’t be revealing them today. While I can only speculate, my best guess is that new series are being developed for Disney+, but we’ll have to wait for the official word before getting too excited.
Moving back to diversity in animation and filmmaking in general Victoria hopes people around the world are asking, “is this a balanced story?” and checking to make sure other viewpoints are being taken into consideration. Of course it’s ok to have one viewpoint when telling a story, but it’s important to understand that just because a lead character is one type doesn’t mean everyone around them should be the same. This also extends to the work behind the camera, on the crew, in the writers room, as well as of leadership and executives.
Victoria asked Julie about a quote she often uses that comes from Vernā Myers, “Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance, and belonging is that your music is playing.” Victoria says she’s been having the inclusion conversation for a long time. It’s not something that just came up last year. She encouraged audiences to use their voices and to speak up and say something when things aren’t balanced or when someone’s concerns aren’t being taken seriously. She believes using your voice is a choice everyone can make. She’s chosen not to stay silent, but rather to ask, not to demand why things can’t be different or more inclusive.
As the session was coming to a close, Julie asked Victoria to share some advice for those stepping into a new or expanded role who may have a greater opportunity to spearhead inclusion in the workplace or are now leading a diverse group of people. She said two words come to mind, Fear and Dream. She encouraged viewers to dream. It doesn’t matter if they are extra large or extra small dreams, as long as you are dreaming. Dream of doing the things people say are impossible, dream of telling incredible stories, dream of living in a different country, dream of having a team that’s more flexible and capable than groups you were previously part of. Just dream! As for fear, Victoria says, “do not invite fear in your heart. Part of not being able to dream is because fear is a guest.” Fear fractures us, and forces us to be a fraction of who we are. This hinders growth, change and success.
For the final question of the day, Julie asked, “what’s the one thing you know to be true?” to which Victoria responded, “love. Love conquers far more than hate.” Then she ended the session in the sweetest way first by saying, “your best is good enough,” and then singing the chorus of “La Llave (The Key)” by Abel Pintos stating “it’s important for people to find the key the themselves, because that will open the path to success.”
Stay tuned to Laughing Place for more news and coverage from the Annecy Festival 2021.