Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In ”Brave“, a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts.
Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.
The story of TRON starts in the fall of 1975 when a young animation artist called Steven Lisberger witnessed a demonstration of computer generated imagery during a gathering of Boston-area filmmakers. Dr. Phillip Mittelman, president and founder of the Mathematical Application Group Inc. (MAGI) of Elmsford, NY, hoped to generate interest and ultimately business in the computer aided generation of three-dimensional objects – traditionally a sore spot with animators. Rendering correct perspectives of objects such as buildings, vehicles etc. was of prohibitive complexity and cost in time and labor. Mr. Lisberger, as an artist trained in animation, recognized the possibilties of the computer as a new and powerful tool and years later the techniques of computer generated imagery (CGI) together with the unique method of ‘backlight compositing’ became the main principles of TRON.
Early concept drawings by John Norton, Peter Mueller background.
While working on an animated animal-based parody of the Olympics entitled ‘Animalympics’ Lisberger began planning for his next project. When Animalympics grew from a six-minute short to a feature-length animation for NBC’s Olympic television package, Lisberger decided to move his studio to the West Coast since the Boston area could not provide enough skilled artists. After the move in early 1978 work was progressing at a rapid pace and Animalympics was on schedule for the 1980 Olympics. However politics intervened and the United States did not participate in Moscow, leaving NBC with a big loss and Animalympics without an outlet.
Suddenly TRON evolved from the topic of infrequent discussions at the studio to a full-fledged concept of an electronic world. At some early point it was envisioned to use real actors in combination with CGI instead of 100% animation. Trials with video compositing were encouraging and the concept was adopted. But to implement this in a motion picture was much more complicated. After trying numerous techniques the team decided on ‘backlight compositing’, in which black and white images of the actors and environments were re-photographed with backlight and colored filters.
Early trials using video compositing.
The scenes and costumes were decorated in black and white outlines and patterns designed to resemble circuits on electronic boards. Each frame was blown up to 24 by 12 inches (???) and separated out into multiple layers of high contrast images (one containing the outlines, one containing the background, etc.). These images were then individually backlit and re-photographed with colored filters, combined with CGI and composed together with the help of mattes. The results were unlike anything ever seen before in motion pictures.
Early test shot, format 11×8.5″ (click image for large version)
Disney wasn’t Steve Lisberger’s first choice since he felt the notion of computer-generated animation frames would go against the traditional art of hand-drawn animation cels. But Disney’s open-minded production chief Tom Wilhite decided to take a chance.
At that point in time Disney was in a slump and haven’t had a solid hit in years. They had relied on rehashing earlier successes or themes pioneered by other studios (‘The Black Hole’ was riding the space wave, ‘Condorman’ the super hero wave, ‘Dragonslayer’ the fantasy wave etc. Other hit movies included ‘Herbie Goes Bananas’ and others.) and needed a new theme.
Tom like the concept and was fascinated by the fresh and unique idea of computer-based mythology but the older Disney-guard was reluctant at best. The visual compositing techniques were unproven, Lisberger’s directing talent unknown and the willingness to take any sort of risk not present.
The TRON crew was asked to create a two-minute demonstration of how the finished product would look and equipped with a laughable budget they set out to achieve the impossible. Utilizing left-over robot costumes from ‘The Black Hole’ and hockey gear, a few frames of CGI and with the help of Sam Schatz, a local frisbee expert, they created remarkable test footage that generated an enthusiastic response.
Now with full executive backing the production processes were adapted to the big screen (35mm film to 70mm film) and things were ready to roll.
Stills from the two-minute test footage
Three production cels of the same scene: regular shot, high contrast negative, circuit reveal cel (from left to right, click images for larger versions)
During this time the story of the character TRON evolved as well and changed from a simple ‘electronic being in a football videogame’ to a resistance fighter in an electronic world populated by other beings representing information and programs.
Basic story boards were used for the outlining of the events and their visualization. From these boards the need for CGI backgrounds etc. was determined.
As detailed in The Art of the Pirates of the Caribbean, the proposed story for the fourth film was for Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and Barbossa to meet up in the newly founded New Orleans, before they sail to find the Fountain of Youth together.[17] Johnny Depp signed on to return in September 2008,[18] and Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio began writing under the guidance of producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The film is set for release in 2012.[19]
Geoffrey Rush has confirmed that he will be returning as Barbossa.[20] Keira Knightley has stated that she does not wish to continue playing Elizabeth Swann, as she wants to do different projects. Orlando Bloom has also stated that he will not return.[21]
In June 2009, Bruckheimer stated Disney would prefer the fourth installment of Pirates be released before The Lone Ranger film, which he, Depp, Elliott and Rossio had been working on for release in Summer 2011. He also hoped Verbinski would return to direct after his BioShock adaptation had been put on hold.[22]
At San Diego Comic-Con 2009, Bruckheimer stated he intends to begin filming in April and May 2010.[23] Rob Marshall entered negotiations to direct in August 2009.[24] Hollywood Elsewhere announced a possible steampunk flair in the fourth installment.[25]
On September 11, 2009, at the D23 convention, the title was announced as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides with Johnny Depp in full Jack Sparrow make-up.[26]
In September 2009, Dick Cook, Chairman of Walt Disney Studio Entertainment, resigned after working for Disney for over 38 years.[27] The circumstances of his resignation are unknown, but most speculate he resigned due to his conflicting business tactics with CEO Bob Iger. Iger sought out “new ways of doing business”, while Cook remained a traditionalist.[28] After Cook’s resignation, Johnny Depp’s faith in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has somewhat shaken, with Depp explaining that “There’s a fissure, a crack in my enthusiasm at the moment. It was all born in that office”. Depp also explained Cook was one of the few that accepted his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow, claiming that “When things went a little sideways on the first Pirates movie and others at the studio were less than enthusiastic about my interpretation of the character, Dick was there from the first moment. He trusted me.”
Set in medieval Persia, the story of an adventurous prince who teams up with a rival princess to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world. Which is why after the prince was tricked by a dying Vizier to unleash the Sands of Time that turns out to destroy a kingdom and transforms its populace into ferocious demons. In his effort to save his own kingdom and redeem his fatal mistake, it’s up to the prince and the princess to return the sands to the hourglass by using the Dagger of Time, which also gives him a limited control over the flow of time.
Disneynature, the studio that presented the record-breaking film “Earth,” brings “Oceans” to the big screen on Earth Day, 2010. Nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is covered by water and “Oceans” boldly chronicles the mysteries that lie beneath. Directors Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud dive deep into the very waters that sustain all of mankind—exploring the playful splendor and the harsh reality of the weird and wonderful creatures that live within. Featuring spectacular never-before-seen imagery captured by the latest underwater technologies, “Oceans” offers an unprecedented look beneath the sea in a powerful yet enchanting motion picture that unfolds on April 22, 2010.
Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice) attempts to work his gothic magic over one of the best loved stories of all time… Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There’, which first told the story of a young girl, who after following a rabbit down a hole, is transported to a strange world. Whilst the disney version of the tale relied on sweetness and light to delight the audience, Burton fans can be sure to look out for the same cartoon traits as earlier masterpiece ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’.
The traditional tale has been freshened with a blast of girl power, courtesy of writer Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast). Alice, 17, attends a party at a Victorian estate only to find she is about to be proposed to in front of hundreds of snooty society types. Off she runs, following a white rabbit into a hole and ending up in Wonderland, a place she visited 10 years before yet doesn’t remember.
Among those who welcome her back is the Mad Hatter, a part tailor-made for Johnny Depp as he collaborates with Burton for the seventh time. “This character is off his rocker,” Zanuck says.Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska, 19, best known for HBO’s In Treatment, has the coveted title role. “There is something real, honest and sincere about her,” Zanuck says. “She’s not a typical Hollywood starlet.”
There is the usual Burton-esque ghoulishness (Helena Bonham Carter’s Red Queen, whose favorite retort is “Off with their heads,” has a moat filled with bobbing noggins), but Zanuck assures most kids can handle it. “The book itself is pretty dark,” he notes. “This is for little people and people who read it when they were little 50 years ago.”
From the director of “Wild Hogs” comes a comedy sure to make every family member laugh. Best friends and bachelors Charlie (John Travolta) and Dan (Robin Williams) are about to have their worlds turned upside down when they are put in charge of taking care of six year-old twins, while at the same time trying to close a new business deal. Join the stellar cast of Matt Dillon, Seth Green, Bernie Mac and Kelly Preston as they embark on a new adventure full of debacles and a realization of what is truly important in life.
Two best friends — one unlucky-in-love divorcee ( Robin Williams ) and the other a fun-loving bachelor ( John Travolta ) — have their lives turned upside down when they’re unexpectedly charged with the care of six-year-old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives.
John Travolta and Robin Williams team up in the Walt Disney Company’s Old Dogs, a family comedy that pairs the two as close business partners whose lives are thrown into disarray when twin seven-year-olds are put into their care. Travolta’s wife, Kelly Preston, co-stars, along with the couple’s daughter, Ella, who makes her big-screen debut here. Wild Hogs helmer Walter Becker directs a script by Evolution scribes David Diamond and David Weissman, with producing duties going to Andrew Panay, Peter Abrams, and Robert Levy.
Movie Description
After acceptable the school’s mascot, Poole discovers he is allergic to the craven costume. Not absent to abort his family, who has a attitude of getting the mascot, Poole asks his best acquaintance Pete to secretly yield over as the mascot. However, if the acceptance of the amulet grows, accoutrement go aerial as the two accompany attempt with whom gets the fame. This is a fun and absorbing blur with a aural affair of accurate friendship.
Movie Facts
Hatching Pete first aired on the Disney Channel on April 24th, 2009.
Cast: Voices by Christoper Plummer, John Ratzenberger, Delroy Lindo, Edward Asner
Movie Description
Some dreams never die, they just grow older. When an elderly man pushes to make his lifelong dream of being a real life Indiana Jones adventurer come true, he finds determination and perseverance may be all the tools he needs.
Length: 70 mins. Year: 2008
Cast: Voices by Mae Whitman, Kristen Chenoweth, America Ferrera, Raven, Lucy Liu
Movie Description
One of Disney’s most beloved characters comes to the big screen with her first feature film, Tinker Bell. Captivating audiences with her timeless charm and beauty, Tinker Bell uses her mystical, miniature powers to rescue Pixie Hollow from big trouble, and in the process learns the secret to the magical pixie dust.
