Disney, the famous animation studio, is celebrating its centenary this year. To mark this special occasion, Disney has created a breathtaking short film entitled “Once Upon a Studio”. The nine-minute film pays tribute to one hundred years of children’s dreams by bringing together over 500 iconic cartoon heroes such as Mickey, the Snow Queen, Peter Pan, Lilo and Stitch, and many more. The short film, which won acclaim at the Annecy Animation Festival, is now available on the Disney+ streaming platform. The fruit of two years of intense work, it required the collaboration of over a hundred people, including former animators and 40 actors who returned especially for the occasion. The aim was to ensure that every character looked and sounded just like they did in their original films, adding a touch of nostalgia to this unique creation. Once Upon a Studio” blends different animation styles, from digital images to hand-drawn drawings and live-action shots. The short film features 543 characters from 85 Disney features and shorts, emerging from the boards displayed in the corridors of the studio’s American premises. After the employees have left, these characters gather for an emotional family photo. According to Eric Goldberg, who supervised the 2D part of the film, 450 of the 543 characters were drawn by hand, which represented a considerable technical challenge. This original creation is part of the many celebrations organized by Disney for its centenary. Concerts, exhibitions and the theatrical release of the film “Wish”, inspired by Disney classics, are planned to mark this special occasion. The short film, meanwhile, coincides with the date considered to be the founding of the Walt Disney Company, when Walt Disney and his brother Roy signed a crucial distribution deal for their first short films. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ0KdxVTEjU Despite Disney’s success and its takeovers of studios such as Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel, the company is currently going through turbulent times. Due to a drop in the number of Disney+ subscribers, the company has been forced to cut 7,000 jobs to save money. In addition, a historic Hollywood actors’ strike is underway. Nevertheless, Disney films continue to resonate with everyone, as they are often the first we see as children at the cinema. Disney characters and stories have brought much joy and hope over the years, and it’s likely that this will continue for another 100 years. The short film “Once Upon a Studio” is a touching tribute to this long history, and is available to all on the Disney+ platform. Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into the magical world of Disney and revisit your childhood memories.
