Video: The intro. by Don Hahn and Peter Schneider prior to the world premiere of Waking Sleeping Beauty at TIFF 09
Sept. 17, 2009
WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY:
Hopefully everyone will be able to see Waking Sleeping Beauty very soon. I had the privilege of watching it at the TIFF 09. It is directed by Don Hahn and produced by Don Hahn and Peter Schneider.
Preview clip: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi675480089/
At first, I assumed the title referred mostly to the type of information that will be presented in this documentary – a look into Disney’s animated films. After viewing the film, I realized the name “Waking Sleeping Beauty” is actually a metaphor for the events that occurred during the period of animation between 1984 and 1994. The animation department at Disney literally woke Sleeping Beauty up after her long sleep. Of course, Sleeping Beauty is a metaphor for animated films.
There is a unique quality to this film that no other Disney documentary has. Don decided to create the film directly from archival footage and home videos of the artists working at Disney at the time. By seeing the changes at the Disney Animation Studio through the eyes of the people who make up the team, as well as within the time period the home videos were filmed, helps the audience to actually spend the duration of the film living the same experiences. The film does not revert to the present, which helps the audience focus on the past alone. Although presented through the footage, there is no explanation into the political turmoil the Disney Studios suffered from. Instead, there is a rather limited view, as though the viewer is going along with the Disney employees for the ride.
For those in the industry, this is a great documentary essentially showing how the animation studio shifted power from the artists to the business leaders (who may or may not have artistic capabilities), as well as those who struggle to obtain that power. Today, this is all too familiar.*
Although the film is viewed from the perspective of the artists working within the studios, we are presented with the business side of the studio as well. In particular, the issues or politics typical with rising businesses, ultimately dealing with the “power” struggle, mainly between Roy Disney, Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenburg. Who will eat the poisoned apple? Who will bow down to the other? Who will reign supreme? Of course, we know what happens to the heads of Disney after this time period, but it is interesting to see the roots that made that tree grow.
Watching the animators’ work environments, habits, etc… I felt as though I was back at Sheridan College, where we had a similar set up of light tables assigned to us, and yes, the occasional lack of personal hygiene issue when many bodies are working in the same room well into the night without stopping. Issues of lack of a social life are definitely familiar to any animator who works hard to make their passion come to fruition. Even Don poked fun at the instinctive training that kicks in after doing something for so long. During the Q and A session after the film was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival, Don Hahn described how his instinctive traits were utilized: "We are trained so well in the disciplines of animated films that we made another movie that is 82 minutes long and includes a laugh and a cry". He definitely did find a way to tell a great story simply by piecing together home videos and Disney archival footage. It was like a montage of the past that you cannot help but to get lost in.
More or less beginning with The Little Mermaid started the revival of animated films at Disney. It was like the Renaissance era of animation. An era most of us grew up knowing and aspiring towards.
All in all, I thought Waking Sleeping Beauty is a fantastic “behind the scenes” look into Disney’s past. It is a mandatory film for anyone interested in the Disney legacy. It was fantastic! I definitely rated this film a 9 out of 10 on the “hotspot” scale! It was a unique view into Disney’s past combined with entertainment and humour. Watch for it to be released after its journey through festivals some time after April 2010.
(*If you enjoy a glimpse into the animation politics and changes over the years, I recommend watching Dream On Silly Dreamer, directed by Dan Lund http://www.dreamonsillydreamer.com/ )
Above picture: Myself (Ellie) with Don Hahn (middle) and Peter Schneider (left). I was of course getting Don to sign my book "The Alchemy of Animation" Written by Don Hahn, which I also suggest you read.
