Official Disney Press Releases

• WDW Events Jan - Apr 1999
• Fairy Tale Ending to a Real Disney Story
• The Black Cauldron re-release
• After 70 years, Mickey Mouse develops an edge
• BVHE announces its comprehensive sell through release slate from April through August 1998.
• Pocahontas: Journey To a New World' is Next Disney Animated Sequel
• Disney Channel to Launch Toon Disney, a New Basic Cable Channel to Showcase Around-the-Clock Disney Animation
• Disney Feature Animation-Florida News
• 'Beauty' Ready For November Release
• Disney Finds Animation Talent in Canada
• Disney Signs Deal With UK Production Company
• Walt Disney Studios Will Enter DVD Market
• Ping and Legend of Mulan Lawsuit
• More Movie Sequels Open on the Small Screen
• Toy Story II-Official Press Release
• New Pixar Deal

Walt Disney World Marathon Presented by Foot Locker (Jan. 10) -- This sixth annual 26.2-mile adventure charts a new course through Disney's Animal Kingdom while once again taking participants through the Magic Kingdom, Disney-MGM Studios and Epcot. There's a half marathon starting with the full marathon, plus a two-day health and fitness expo (Jan. 8-9) and the FamilyFun Magazine FamilyFun Run presented by Kids Foot Locker (Jan. 9). Entry information is available by calling 407/939-7810. Indy 200 at Walt Disney World Speedway (Jan. 24) -- The opening event of the 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League season takes place on the challenging one-mile tri-oval where polesitter Tony Stewart claimed victory in 1998. The track heats up Jan. 22 and Jan. 23 with practice and qualifying and a USAC Silver Crown race leading up to Sunday's main event, to be broadcast live on ABC-TV. Vacation packages including tickets and overnight accommodations are available by calling 407/939-7810 race tickets only are available by calling 800/822-INDY. 'Focus on People' Disney Institute Photography Event (Jan. 30-Feb. 5) -- A week of total immersion in people photography features renowned portrait, fashion, sports and celebrity photographers sharing their skills and insights to help amateur photographers tell a story with pictures. Participants learn how to use environment, expression and light to capture a subject's true personality. For further information or reservations, call 800/282-9282. All-Star Movies Resort (early 1999) -- Giant icons from five Disney films set the scene at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort. " 101 Dalmatians," " Toy Story," " Fantasia," " The Mighty Ducks" and " The Love Bug" are the themes for the 1,920-room value resort hotel that opens next door to Disney's All-Star Music and All-Star Sports Resorts. The movie stars are big: Pongo and Perdita from " 101 Dalmatians" and Buzz Lightyear from " Toy Story" tower more than 35 feet Herbie the famous bug is five times his normal size. Giant sorcerers' hats decorate the " Fantasia" area, and " The Mighty Ducks" section scores with giant hockey sticks, goalie nets and hockey masks. Rates are $74-$89 per room per night. For more information or reservations, contact 407/W-DISNEY or a travel agent. Cirque du Soleil -- Circus arts and theatrics designed to dazzle with drama and humor take center stage in the brand-new Cirque du Soleil theater when the Montreal-based entertainment company launches its latest production in January 1999 at Downtown Disney West Side in Walt Disney World Resort. Sixty-four artists from around the world will perform in the 90-minute show, which takes place twice a day, five days a week. Performances at the 1,671-seat theater, a cylindrical " big top" structure with soaring towers, are scheduled Sunday at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. To purchase Cirque du Soleil tickets, contact 407/939-7600 or a travel agent. Prices are $56.50 general admission and $45.20 for ages 3-9, tax not included. February Black Heritage Celebration (Feb. 1-28) -- A month-long salute to African-Americans in history who have revolutionized the world as we know it today. History, culture, music and dance take center stage at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney entertainment complex. The celebration focuses on triumphs, traditions, folklore, inventions and entertainment, with special guests throughout the month. Mardi Gras at Pleasure Island (Feb. 12-16) -- It's the biggest, best, most-authentic Mardi Gras this side of Bourbon Street. And this year it'll be jamming with five nights of New Orleans-style fun. The Downtown Disney Pleasure Island streets will explode with colorful decorations, live entertainers and authentic cuisine, plus two nightly parades led by the Krewe of Caesar. Garden Design Event at the Disney Institute (Feb. 19-21, Feb. 26-28 and March 5-7) -- Participants design an original garden working side by side with garden experts. The elements of sound garden design, plant care and ornamentation are among topics. For reservations, 800/282-9282. Atlanta Braves (mid-February through late March) -- The National League powerhouse Braves return for their second full season of spring training at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex. Last spring was a grand-slam hit with fans, who filled Disney's cozy, double-deck ballpark during the Braves' 15-game Grapefruit League swing. Ticket information for 1999 is available by calling 407/363-6600. March 'Disney's Doug Live' at Disney-MGM Studios (opens March 1) -- Like " Disney's Doug" on ABC's " One Saturday Morning," this all-new stage musical chronicles the trials, tribulations and triumphs of life as a 12-year-old. Live performers interact with the audience in the show that is presented several times daily in the former SuperStar Television attraction. Asia at Disney's Animal Kingdom -- The mysterious world of the Far East will captivate and entertain Walt Disney World guests when a new land, Asia, opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Highlights: Tiger Rapids Run, a whitewater ride on the wild side, launches guests into a lush rainforest on a white-knuckle race through turbulent waters and fiery adventure where disaster must be averted to complete the journey. Maharajah Jungle Trek is an exploration through ancient temple ruins and habitats of endangered tigers, Komodo dragons, Malayan tapirs and families of giant fruit bats. " Flights of Wonder," a show featuring 20 rare species of birds demonstrating natural behaviors, is presented daily on the Caravan Stage. Other lands of Disney's Animal Kingdom are Africa, DinoLand U.S.A., Camp Minnie-Mickey and Safari Village. Admission is $42 ages 10 and over, $34 ages 3-9. For guest information, call 407/824-4321. April Walt Disney World Happy Easter Parade (April 4) -- Hop on over to the Magic Kingdom for the 14th annual Happy Easter Parade on Main Street, U.S.A. The holiday special airs at 12:30 p.m. ET on ABC-TV (check local listing). Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (April 16-May 30) -- Epcot bursts with millions of blooms during this annual floral event. The festival features colorful gardens, topiaries and spectacular horticulture displays, plus workshops about innovative gardening techniques, environmentally sound gardening and special presentations by noted garden experts. Nature & Wildlife Photography Event at the Disney Institute (April 17-23) -- Renowned nature and wildlife photographers work side by side with amateurs to capture the beauty of spring in Florida. Diverse habitats of plant and animal life are explored, including locations at Disney's Wilderness Preserve and Disney's Animal Kingdom. For reservations, 800/282-9282. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship (April 17-25) -- Jim Courier defeated Michael Chang in the finals at the 1998 championship at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex. Will Courier return to defend his title? This USTA event includes 32 top ATP singles players as well as 16 top doubles teams in a week-long tournament, the longest running clay court championship in the United States. Tickets will be available by calling 407/939-GAME. For more information, please send e-mail to: WDW_Clay_Courts_Champs@WDA.Disney.com. Foot Locker NFL Quarterback Challenge (April 24) -- The annual quarterback competition will test 12 of the NFL's top signal callers in speed and mobility, read and recognition, distance and accuracy at Disney's Wide World of Sports. At last year's event, Jim Harbaugh was crowned king of the QBs. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster outlets. For more information on scheduled events or openings, guests can contact Walt Disney World Information at 407/824-4321

Mickey Mouse -- 70 years old in 1998 -- is getting a makeover, along with other familiar Disney cartoon characters. No more cutesy, innocuous, not-a-care-in-the-world pet mouse. MM's about to become more in-tune with his true rodency and the edgier times and become a harried, '90s creature.

The new Mick will premiere on the newly announced Toon Disney Channel. " Our focus groups told us that these characters did not have enough attitude," said exec producer Roberts Gannaway, who's in charge of the makeover. The new Mickey will have to put up with a new Minnie, who in addition to being his wife will now become the world's only female conductor of an international orchestra.

" These characters were born in the Great Depression with a simple, optimistic outlook which now looks outdated," said Gannaway. " There may be less need to modernize Warner characters like Bugs Bunny, who already had a more aggressive outlook when they became popular during [ World War II ] ."

Media analyst Paul Wells applauds the makeover, noting that Mickey " has progressively been stripped of his original cheekiness and aggression until the perception is that he is no more than a brand name. He needs a strong new identity."

BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Video industry leader, Buena Vista Home Entertainment (BVHE) announces its comprehensive sell through release slate from April through August 1998. Disney's $85 million live- action family smash hit, FLUBBER, featuring the incomparable comedic talents of Robin Williams, flies onto home video April 21st. Debuting May 19th is an all-new made-for-video world premiere movie, BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER GOES TO MARS followed by the never-before-on-video 10th full-length Disney Animated Masterpiece, MELODY TIME on June 2nd. THE SPIRIT OF MICKEY, a fun and nostalgic collection of many of the best loved Mickey Mouse short features, debuts July 14. Timely rental re-priced promotions featuring such live action hits as CON AIR, GROSSE POINTE BLANK and NOTHING TO LOSE, among others, continue throughout the Spring and Summer.

These exciting titles join BVHE's recently announced video re-release of THE LITTLE MERMAID (3/31/98) and the spectacular video premiere movie, POCAHONTAS: JOURNEY TO A NEW WORLD (8/4/98).

After going " a little dance" and making " a little flub," to the tune of $85 million at the box office, Disney's FLUBBER " gets down" on home video on April 21. Starring the hilarious Robin Williams as a professor so lost in thought he forgets his own wedding ... twice, FLUBBER is a fun filled, side- splitting comedic adventure inspired by the original Disney hit, THE ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR. Working with a high voltage, over amorous flying robot Professor Phillip Brainard (Williams) invents a miraculous goo with a mind of its own that enables objects to spring through the air at remarkable speed. Through this turbo-charged discovery, Professor Brainard tries to win back his fiancé and save his beloved Medfield College.

THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER GOES TO MARS, an all-new, fun filled adventure inspired by the full-length animated film and Parent's Choice Award winning, THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER, premieres May 19. A delightful story that showcases caring, friendship and teamwork, this brand-new feature length animated movie reunites the whole gang of favorite friends from the original film including Toaster, Lampy, Radio, Kirby and Blanky. Following the appliances on their wacky trip to Mars to save the " Master's" new baby, this heartwarming tale delivers out-of-space entertainment for the whole family. It stars such voice talents as Farrah Fawcett, Wayne Knight and Carol Channing.

BVHE celebrates the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney's 10th animated Masterpiece, MELODY TIME, by opening the Disney vault on June 2, to release the song filled animated movie, for the very first time on video. Available for a limited time only, fully restored and THX-certified, it features one of Disney's most popular characters, Donald Duck. MELODY TIME is a delightful musical collection that includes the classic folk tales of " Johnny Appleseed" and " Pecos Bill" and includes " Bumble Boogie," a wonderfully fun jazz interpretation of " Flight of the Bumble Bee," and more.

Debuting July 28, BVHE celebrates the spectacular Summer theatrical release of Disney's 36th full-length animated Masterpiece, MULAN, with a Mulan-themed sing along entitled " Honor To Us All." An exciting new addition to the company's popular sing along line, this first video glimpse features a toe tapping assortment of song sequences, including two from MULAN and many more from Disney's most popular animated Masterpieces including HERCULES (Zero To Hero) and THE LION KING (Hakuna Matata). Each song is accompanied with on- screen lyrics.

The definitive collection of some of the greatest Mickey Mouse shorts ever, BVHE debuts THE SPIRIT OF MICKEY on July 14, 1998. A fun and nostalgic video collectible for audiences of all ages, THE SPIRIT OF MICKEY includes the never-before-released short " Orphan's Picnic," the very first Mickey Mouse cartoon " Steamboat Willie," and many more favorites spanning the career of the lovable mouse. THE SPIRIT OF MICKEY will be promoted by a company wide effort including Mickey's Hometown Parades and the Disney Channel's PremEARS In The Park, bringing the most beloved entertainer, Mickey Mouse, to hometowns across the country throughout the summer.

BVHE's upcoming second and third quarter 1998 titles also includes numerous re-priced ($19.99) promotions, which mark the ownably priced debut of such box office hits as GROSSE POINTE BLANK on April 28, CON AIR on May 26 and NOTHING TO LOSE on July 7.

A never-before-released SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK video, MONEY ROCK, joins the series of classic Emmy-Award winning shows from ABC Video on July 21. It is the newest addition to a memorable collection that has taught kids " knowledge is power." MONEY ROCK is available just in time for back-to-school.

  Please call 818-295-4609 to request screening or artwork. All BVHE releases are closed captioned for the hearing impaired. Running lengths and MPAA ratings vary.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment is the recognized industry leader for ten consecutive years.

SOURCE Buena Vista Home Entertainment
CO: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ST: California
IN: ENT
SU: PDT
01/28/98 08:46 EST

BURBANK, Calif.--(PRNewswire)--January 22, 1998

  Buena Vista Home Entertainment (BVHE) is preparing to release five major direct-to-video movies in 1998, the largest slate yet from the Disney subsidiary, it was announced today. After more than two years in production, two all-new animated Disney sequels, " Pocahontas: Journey To A New World" and " The Lion King: Simba's Pride" will debut exclusively on video, August 4 and October 27, respectively. In addition BVHE will debut its first animated film from acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki, " Kiki's Delivery Service," on September 22. Two all-new, live action features also are planned -- " Mowgli's Story," pre-quel to Disney's " The Jungle Book," and " The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit," based on an original Ray Bradbury short story and play, and starring Joe Mantegna, Esai Morales and Edward James Olmos.

  Mitch Koch General Manager, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, North America, said, " In 1997, our direct-to-video movies enjoyed enormous success. Our fourth quarter was highlighted by the stellar performance of " Beauty and The Beast: The Enchanted Christmas" which was one of the top 10 best-sellers of 1997. Having built a strong consumer base for these films over the past few years, we will now release our most ambitious slate, with what we believe are our greatest creative achievements yet in direct-to-video movies."

Disney set its all-new movie, " Pocahontas: Journey To A New World," in London, England where Pocahontas and her friends experience the adventure of a lifetime. Along with six, show stopping new songs, the movie features the return of voice talent from the original film including Irene Bedard (Pocahontas) and David Ogden Stiers (Ratcliffe), and welcomes Donal Gibson as the voice of John Smith, " Titanic" star Billy Zane as John Rolfe, Jean Stapleton as Mrs. Jenkins and Finola Hughes as Queen Anne. " Pocahontas: Journey To A New World" debuts on August 4,1998.

Based on Disney's " The Lion King," the $767 million worldwide box-office smash and number one video of all-time, " The Lion King: Simba's Pride" (debuting October 27) continues the " circle of life" in the Pridelands as Simba's heir to the throne coming-of-age. The all-new movie features six original songs and the return of the all-star cast including James Earl Jones as the voice of Mufasa, Matthew Broderick as Simba, Nathan Lane as Timon and Ernie Sabella as the voice of Pumbaa.

Internationally renowned filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki delivers another animation masterpiece in " Kiki's Delivery Service." The film tells the delightful tale of Kiki, a young witch who must venture out on her own to find her place in the world. Celebrities including Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Debbie Reynolds, Janeane Garofalo and Mathew Lawrence lend their voice talents to this exceptional film.

In the spirit of " Jungle Book" " Mowgli's Story" brings-to-life the jungle animals Baloo, Bagheera and Shere Khan, who adopt the young human Mowgli when he is alone in the jungle. It will be released in the Spring.

This Summer, " The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit" debuts. Directed by Stuart Gordon (" Re-Animator" and " Fortress" ), it is the tale of five down-on-their- luck young men who pool their last $100 to buy one magical suit that they hope will transform their lives. A premiere screening at the Sundance Film Festival is scheduled for Friday, January 23, and the film has been invited to a number of other festivals.  

• Date: December 18, 1997
  Source: Walt Disney Company Press Release

   

  • New Network to Launch on 15th Anniversary of Disney Channel

      BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Dec. 8, 1997--Disney/ABC Cable Networks Monday announced plans to launch Toon Disney, a new 24-hour basic cable network featuring the company's vast library of animated television programming.

      The announcement was made by Geraldine Laybourne, president of Disney/ABC Cable Networks, and Anne Sweeny, president of Disney Channel and executive vice president Disney/ABC Cable Networks.

      Toon Disney will launch on April 18, Disney Channel's 15th anniversary. Targeted towards kids aged 2-11 and their families, Toon Disney is intended to complement Disney Channel's variety of kid and family programming by providing continuous and exclusive access to Disney animated programming.

      ``Toon Disney is the next step towards expanding the cable presence of the Disney brand,'' stated Sweeney. ``Having addressed the broad needs of kids and families through Disney Channel, Toon Disney will provide our audience an additional source of trusted and valued entertainment.''

      Drawing from more than 2,200 episodes of animated television programming in the Walt Disney Co. library, Toon Disney will feature exclusive Disney-branded animation, as well as titles shared with Disney Channel. Schedule highlights include ``The Little Mermaid,'' ``Gummi Bears,'' ``New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh'' and ``Darkwing Duck.''

      ``Toon Disney meets the needs and opportunities resulting from digital roll-out, which further enables us to target niche audiences,'' stated Laybourne. ``This new channel will provide families with a trusted source of programming for their kids as well as providing cable operators a recognizable brand as they expand channel capacity.''

      Toon Disney will be sold by Disney Channel's affiliate sales group as a package with Disney Channel and will be offered exclusively to those operators already carrying Disney Channel as a basic service.

      ``Our research indicates that cable operator response to Toon Disney will be extremely enthusiastic,'' stated Charlie Nooney, senior vice president, affiliate sales and marketing for Disney Channel. ``There is a tremendous demand for strongly branded quality kids' entertainment, which Disney is in an unique position to provide.''

      Toon Disney will be based at Disney Channel's headquarters in Burbank. The operations and administration for the new channel will be handled by Disney Channel staff.

      Disney/ABC Cable Networks is composed of five cable programming services and oversees the development of future cable channels for the company. The services are: Disney Channel (100 percent ownership), Lifetime Television (50 percent ownership), A& E Network (37.5 percent ownership), The History Channel (37.5 percent ownership) and E! Entertainment Television (34 percent ownership).

      Disney Channel, combining original series, movies and specials with timeless classics, is the only full-time general entertainment television network designed for kids and families.

      Contact:
    Disney Channel, Burbank
    Shirley Powell, 818/569-7672
    or
    ABC
    Veronica Pollard, 212/456-6171

     

• Date: October 13, 1997
  Source: Ain't it Cool News

   

  • Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida is taking a 2 year long sabbatical from feature length films to work on shorts, Fantasia 2000 and restoration.

      First up for restoration is Beauty and the Beast, which will have about 8 minutes restored, including the song " Human Again" , and Belle teaching the Beast how to read. B& tB did have a continuity problem, the result of this number being cut from the original film. It will be re-released a la the Star Wars films, and will go up against Prince of Egypt. Jeffrey Katzenburg's Disney Oscar-Nominated (Best Picture) masterpiece against Jeffrey Katzenberg's new baby.

• Date: October 7, 1997
  Source: JOHN McKAY, Canadian Press

   

  • Like proud papas and mamas, the 220 employees of Walt Disney Animation Canada are about to show off their brand new baby.

    It's a direct-to-video sequel called Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, set for release Nov. 11.

    " There's certainly enthusiasm in the studio," says Lenora Hume, the Walt Disney Co.'s senior vice-president for international production.

    " I mean, they are really looking forward to the world seeing this product."

    The 72-minute video, 19 months in production in Disney's new Toronto and Vancouver facilities, expands on the blossoming romance between Belle and the Beast in the enchanted castle.

    The original voices return, including Robby Benson as the Beast, Paige O'Hara as Belle and Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts.

    Tim Curry signed up to voice the film's new villain, a malevolent pipe organ called Forte. And there are a handful of new songs, too.

    Hume says the production had an immovable completion date since it was targeted to the coming holiday season, and was finished on time. She says the artists involved saw the final product only a few days ago and pronounced it " terrific," although Disney provided the media with only a few preview snippets.

    It's been just three years since the direct-to-video market took off for Disney with the surprisingly successful release of the Aladdin sequel The Return of Jafar, which sold 16 million copies worldwide.

    So it was decided to create a sister division to Disney's Hollywood feature factory and to locate it in Canada expressly to churn out more modestly budgeted TV and video fare such as the Beauty and the Beast sequel.

    The studio is now turning its attention to Pocahontas Two and a Lion King spin-off.

    Plans call for the combined Vancouver-Toronto facility to release two to three films a year for TV and video.

    Hume vigorously denies any creative corners are cut with direct-to-video productions and insists savings are largely invisible to the average viewer. With image details, a TV monitor tends to be a bit more forgiving than a giant theatrical screen, she says.

    " When you're looking at it you might say if this is going to be projected 35 feet across, we would go in and finesse it a little further."

    The Canadian studio isn't starting from scratch either. It's given a completed script from head office in Burbank and many of the original elements, from storyboard design to the choice of actors' voices, are handed down from the earlier theatrical feature.

    But officials are vague on the financial advantages of skipping the usual theatrical distribution step.

    As for why Disney chose Canada, Hume credits the traditional support for the arts here and the flow of talent through the educational system.

    " Such a good flow that a lot of them have left the country in search of the kind of work they would like to do."

    She says by building animation studios here, Disney gives those Canadians an opportunity to stay at home. She says 80 per cent of the staff comes from Toronto's Sheridan College, which enjoys a reputation for producing world-class animators and artists. Others were hired from Vancouver's Capilano College and Emily Carr Institute and Ottawa's Algonquin College.

    Joan Fischer, manager of Disney Animation Canada, agrees there is an enormous talent pool in Canada.

    " I've heard many of the people in the studio say they've traveled all over the world and met Canadians everywhere they went," she says. " So it made a lot of sense for Disney to come here."

    Although it began both hand-drawn and computer-generated work on the Beauty sequel in March last year, the new Canadian facility only this past week took a breather to officially celebrate its opening.

    A chronology of the development of Disney's Canadian studio:

    November 1995: Disney Television Animation announced plans to establish studios in Toronto and Vancouver.

    Early 1996: More than 9,000 job applications reviewed, candidates interviewed and talent hired from Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa.

    March 1996: Work begins on Canadian studio's first production, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas.

    June 1996: The Canadian team moves into temporary facilities in Vancouver and Toronto.

    Fall 1996: Vancouver staff moves into its permanent studio on West Georgia Street.

    December 1996: Toronto staff moves into its permanent studio at downtown Simcoe Place.

    August 1997: Production work is finished on Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas and delivered to head office in Burbank, Calif.

    Oct. 6, 1997: Official opening ceremonies for Toronto facility. Media invited to tour.

    Nov. 11, 1997: Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas to make its worldwide video debut.

• Date: October 7, 1997
  Source: Los Angeles Time

   

Walt Disney Co. staged a coming-out party Monday for its new studio here, the first full-service Disney animation facility outside the United States and the latest signal of Canada's emergence as a world center for commercial animation production.

The event, for the Canadian and U.S. media and Canada's creative community, was dubbed the " official opening" of the studio, which occupies 30,000 square feet atop two floors of an office tower overlooking Lake Ontario.

But animators have been at work here and in a sister facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, for more than a year, and the real occasion Monday was the launch of the studio's first production, a direct-to-video sequel to the 1991 feature " Beauty and the Beast," which will hit store shelves in time for Christmas.

Lenora Hume, Disney senior vice president of international production, said the Canadian operation will produce mainly for the expanding home video market.

" The Return of Jafar," the 1994 direct-to-video sequel to " Aladdin," sold a surprising 16 million copies worldwide and opened the way to a whole new product line for the company, Hume said.

Here in Toronto, a video follow-up to " Pocahontas" is in the works, as are videos based on original characters. The Toronto studio also may produce lower-budget theatrical features similar to 1995's " A Goofy Movie."

The major animated productions such as " Hercules," on which Disney has built its reputation since " Snow White," will continue to be made in Burbank.

The two Canadian studios, which operate as a single unit under the direction of Joan Fischer, a former Canadian public television executive, represent the most ambitious step yet in Disney's expansion into foreign animation production. The company also has studios in Japan and Australia, but neither offers the full range of production available here.

Because of a favorable exchange rate, production costs are generally lower in Canada than in the U.S., but Hume and Fischer said the decision to build a studio here was based largely on the availability of able animators.

" There's an enormous talent pool here," said Fischer. Animators " go to school here, train here, but then they often had to leave to get a job. So it made a lot of sense for Disney to come to them."

Hume said that at the Australian studio, Disney trained its own employees and in Japan, where traditional animation follows a much different style than that associated with Mickey Mouse, the company drew on a small but enthusiastic group of " Disney-phile" animators.

Of 200 employees hired so far in Canada--150 in the Toronto studio--Hume estimated that 98% are Canadian. The company plans to add 25 more soon.

Even before Disney moved in, Canada had developed as a major creative center for animation. Cartoon production companies like Toronto-based Nelvana Ltd., Cinar in Montreal, Lacewood in Ontario and Mainframe Entertainment in Vancouver have helped make this country the world's second-largest exporter of television programming after the U.S.

(Hume spent 14 years as an award-winning director of photography and producer at Nelvana before joining Disney in 1990.)

The large number of production companies here and the booming world television market for animation have created what Scott Turner, co-director of the school of animation at nearby Sheridan College, calls a " feeding frenzy" for young talent. Sheridan students find themselves targeted by producers by the time they reach the second year of the three-year animation degree course. In some cases, bidding wars have broken out among prospective employers.

According to Hume, about 80% of the Disney hires are Sheridan graduates, and the college president, Sheldon Levy, said there are about 4,000 applicants every year for the 120 enrollment slots in the animation program.

Film industry analysts here cite the Sheridan program, started 30 years ago, and the strong tradition of animation at the 58-year-old, government-owned National Film Board, as reasons for Canadian success in the commercial market. " It's in our blood," said Wayne Clarkson, director of the Canadian Film Center in Toronto, a nonprofit facility similar to the American Film Institute.

When satellite and cable television created a new international market for programming, Canada was ready to fill the niche, Clarkson said.

Canada's success in filling that niche has lately generated a debate about whether the country's cartoonists have sold out. Chris Robinson, director of the Ottawa International Animation Festival, argues that Canadian animated filmmakers have lost their creative edge.

• Date: September 3, 1997
  Source: ENTERTAINMENT WIRE

   

The Kushner-Locke Co. (Nasdaq/NNM:KLOC) Wednesday announced that it has closed a 15-picture deal with an option to acquire five more titles with Disney Channel in the United Kingdom.

The deal will provide Kushner-Locke's successful live action " Magic Adventures" family films to the Disney Channel in the United Kingdom over the next three years.

Other recent Kushner-Locke titles that have been licensed by Buena Vista International, a subsidiary of Disney, include the international box-office success " The Adventures of Pinocchio" starring Martin Landau and Jonathan Taylor Thomas. The Kushner-Locke Co. handles international distribution and " The Adventures of Pinocchio" was released domestically by New Line.

Additionally, Buena Vista Home Video has licensed the domestic distribution rights, as well as selected foreign territories of Kushner-Locke's and Hyperion's two new sequels to its successful " Brave Little Toaster" video title: " The Brave Little Toaster Goes to School" and " The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars." These titles are also licensed to Disney Channel in the United Kingdom and will be part of The Disney Channel's movie lineup for 1998.

The Kushner-Locke Co. is a leading independent producer and distributor of feature films, direct-to-video films, television series, made for television movies, mini-series and animated programming for theaters, network and cable television. Visit the company's Web site at www.kushner-locke.com .

• Date: September 5, 1997
  Source: PRNewswire

   

  • BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Industry leader Buena Vista Home Entertainment announced today that it is entering the DVD market in the U.S. and abroad, with product to be available in the U.S. as early as Christmas. " We've carefully scrutinized the development of this new format at every turn, and we're impressed with the strides that have been made in both technology and security," said Michael 0. Johnson, president of Buena Vista Home Entertainment Worldwide. " We believe the timing is right to now offer Disney's endorsement to this revolutionary format, which provides the highest quality, most advanced in-home entertainment experience. We're confident that our support of this technology will help foster its growth and consumer acceptance." Buena Vista Home Entertainment's plans for overseas distribution will closely follow the availability of DVD hardware.

• Date: August 31, 1997
  Source: Lampwick's Disney News

   

Facing an expensive and lengthy court fight, the Walt Disney Co. and golf club manufacturer Karsten Manufacturing Inc. have concluded they can share the name " Ping."

In an out-of-court settlement Thursday, representatives from Karsten Manufacturing Co. agreed not to try to block Disney from releasing a full-length animated feature next summer called The Legend of Mulan. In that film, the female lead dresses up as a male and takes the name Ping which happens to be a trademark that belongs to Karsten.

In exchange, Disney has accepted some restrictions on the use of the name on the variety of associated merchandise for which the company is famous, ranging from dolls and lunch boxes to clothing and tie-ins with fast-food restaurants. The exact details of the pact, however, will be kept confidential.

  Thursday's breakthrough came after U.S. District Judge Roger Strand publicly upbraided lawyers for both sides for their inability to craft an accord. At one point, he leveled a not-so-subtle threat, telling the attorneys that their clients would live to financially regret the legal battle: " Just get it done or the third quarter earnings of both companies are going to take a substantial dip," the judge said.

Troy Froderman, the attorney for Karsten, said only that his client can live with the agreement. Attorneys for Disney were even more close-mouthed, saying only that anyone with questions should see the movie when it comes out next summer and buy the merchandise.

Karsten began manufacturing its Ping line of clubs in 1959. Company founder Karsten Solheim said he gave the first club the model 1-A putter that name because of the sound it made when it hit a golf ball.

Since that time the privately held company has extended the Ping name to everything from luggage to children's apparel. Sales of Ping products in the last decade alone, according to Karsten attorneys, amount to more than $1 billion.

What spurred the suit was Karsten's discovery of Disney's registration of the Ping trademark for consumer items it intended to market next year in connection with the film.

The story is based on a 2,000-year-old Chinese folktale of a young, high-spirited girl named Mulan whose aged father is called to war, where he faces near certain death. So she disguises herself as a man and joins the army in his place.

When asked for a name by army officials, she chooses " Ping." The name, though, is a Disney invention it doesn't exist in the original story. Pleading With the Judge Disney showed a copy of the partially completed film to Strand— behind closed doors— in an effort to convince him it was too late to change it now.

The judge spent several days attempting to chide the two sides into reaching common ground. But the attorneys each gave reasons why the other side's position was wrong.

Jody Pope, one of Karsten's stable of hired legal guns, wanted specific limits on both the use of the word " Ping" by Disney and the image of Mulan as Ping in her alter ego male garb.

Barry Halpern of Disney's legal team countered that his client needed " flexibility" on things like games and puzzles. After several of these sessions, Strand started losing his sense of humor. And he put at least part of the blame on the suits.

" The problem with lawyers is they're so damned innovative and thoughtful," trying to worry about every potential future possibility, he told the attorneys. " Don't try to chase every rabbit so far down the hole that you end up chasing every rainbow." (By Howard Fischer, ABCNEWS.com, August 21, thanks to Jeff Peterson for sharing this article.)

• Date: April 16, 1997
  Source: The Wall-Street Journal Marketplace section
  Written By: Bruce Orwall
  Information supplied by Jeremy Falkowski

   

Walt Disney Co.'s newest animated film, " Hercules" is still two months away from debut in the U.S. theaters. But a sequel is already in production at Disney animation facilities in Canada, Australia and Japan.

The second " Hercules" is part of a new wave of movie sequels being made just for the home-video market. Disney and other studios hope to get even more mileage out of their family film hits by cranking out low-budget sequels that can be sold straight to VCR owners. Movie makers used to worry that consumers would consider direct-to-video products second rate. But the market seems to be taking off.

Disney experimented with the concept for two years by producing video sequels to the hit film " Aladdin," The most recent, last year's " Aladdin and the King of Thieves," sold nearly 10 million units-proof that parents will buy videos featuring characters their children already know even if the ilm have never been seen in theaters.

Home video " can now be treated as a first-run business," says Ann Daly, president of Disney's Buena Vista Home Video. " It's starting to make economic sense to choose whether a film should go into video or theatrical release for a certain range of pictures."

Video releases also give studios a way of keeping interest alive in the animated characters they create, spurring not only video sales but also purchases of the toys, T-shirts and books that are associated with them. And most importantly, the sequels can be produced far less expensively than their theatrical predecessors.

Disney has drafted 1,000 employees to make its sequels, and they are producing follow-ups to every one of Disney's recent animated films - including " Beauty and the Beast," " The Lion King," " Pocahontas," " The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and " Toy Story." So far, the videos are scheduled to use the actors who supplied the actors who supplied the originals' key voices, such as Tom Hanks and Tim Allen in " Toy Story." Down the road, Disney is considering sequels to such classics as " Lady and the Tramp."

Live action sequels are considered somewhat riskier, partly because it can be hard to get the original actors back. But Disney last month released in video " Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves," the third installment in a series that began with the theatrical film " Honey, We Shrunk the Kids" in 1989. Video sequels based on the company's " Jungle Book" and " Homeward Bound" franchises are also planned.

Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros. unit has several video sequels in the works, including " Mr. Freeze," an animated movie based on the villain played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in " Batman and Robin," which is scheduled for release this summer. (Mr. Schwarzenegger won't supply the voice for the animated character.)

News Corp's Fox Home video has a " pre sequel" to " Casper" and a sequel to " Ferngully." Seagram Co's Universal Home video takes a somewhat different tack as it readies animated home versions of its hit syndicated TV series, " Hercules" and " Zena." Sony Corp.'s Columbia TriStar Home Video has its own " Jungle Book" sequel, which will reach video stores in the summer after a short theatrical engagement in May, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer plans a number of direct-to-video projects.

" We know it's a great business," says Tom Lesinski, senior vice president of marketing and development for Warner Home Video. " There's an appetite in households with kids for this kind of product. We're going after it aggressively."

Studios are counting on direct-to-video movies to help continue the recent boom in consumer spending on home videos, says Tom Adams of Adams Media Research. " They're looking at ways to grow the market. This is the solution, at least in the short term, that promises to continue the growth run. There's a lot more pent-up spending potential on video side than there ever will be on the theatrical side."

The cost advantages are also striking. The original " Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" cost about $20 million in 1989. The theatrical sequel, 1992's " Honey I Blew up the Kid," cost $40 million. To make a third film for theaters, Disney was probably facing a budget of $50 million or more. But the made-for-video sequel that was released last month came in at about $7 million

Lower cost does mean lower quality, but it's hard to tell whether anyone especially kids notices. " We have less money to spend on each of these, and we have to produce them in a shorter period of time with a slightly lower quality of animation," say Dean Valentine, president of the Walt Disney Television, which produces the animated sequels. But because the films are not being viewed on 30-foot-high screens, the absence of greater detail in the animation is hard to detect.

The same is true for live action videos. " The small screen allows you to get away with a whole lot more than the big screen," says David Vogel, president of Walt Disney Pictures. The videos, he adds, don't have the same visual or storytelling ambitions as motion pictures. " These movies are not the same screenplays as they would be theatrically. They're contained," he says.

" Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves," for example, is set entirely in three rooms of a house far less sprawling and less expensive than the outdoor environment of previous " Honey" installments.

To win mass consumer acceptance, the studios must overcome the widespread perception that made-for-video films were so bad they could be sold only to the home-video market. Sure enough, test audiences sometimes rate a film higher if they are told it is intended for theatrical release than home video. But Ms. Daly say successes such as " Aladdin and the King of Thieves" have helped overcome those biases.

That is also a hurdle in the minds of talent, though Disney has managed to attract key players to its projects. Actor Rick Moranis, for example, who has a thriving big-screen career, took the risk of appearing in the " Honey" video. He figures that made-to-video films may soon become a regular outlet for actors who aren't regulars in the big budget " event" movies the studios now favor. And he says that other actors " are impressed that it took only five weeks to shoot and it moved very quickly and wasn't a boring experience like film-making can be."

In addition, Disney rolled out a marketing campaign for the video akin to what many theatrical releases receive. " Most people called me up and said, " Hey, you've got a movie coming out,'" Mr. Moranis says

  (End of quoted press release.)

• (Quoting from a Disney press release)

    Wednesday March 12 2:15 PM EDT

  Disney and Pixar Announce Sequel

    `Toy Story II' Production Underway

    Tim Allen and Tom Hanks Return as `Buzz Lightyear' and `Woody'

    BURBANK, Calif., March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Walt Disney Studios and Pixar Animation Studios announce today that a sequel to the groundbreaking Academy Award nominated feature film, TOY STORY, is underway and being created exclusively for home video. The all-new, fully computer-animated sequel will feature the voices of Tim Allen and Tom Hanks, who reprise their enormously popular roles as " Buzz Lightyear," the space ranger and " Woody," the pull- string Cowboy, respectively. Production on TOY STORY II re-teams Disney's Feature Animation team and Pixar's Northern California studios, utilizing the same cutting-edge, three-dimensional computer animation techniques that allowed the breakthrough creation of the original movie. The first fully computer-animated, feature length film, TOY STORY was 1995's highest-grossing family film, earning more than $350 million worldwide in theaters before becoming the top-selling video of 1996.

    Winner of a 1995 Special Achievement Academy Award for TOY STORY, director John Lasseter is the sequel's Executive Producer. TOY STORY Producer Ralph Guggenheim repeats as TOY STORY II Producer. Ash Brannon will direct TOY STORY II.

    " Utilizing what we call a `Digital Backlot' we are able to work with many of the same computer models of characters, sets and props as in the original film," said Ralph Guggenheim. " This enables us to create the new movie in less time, while maintaining the same quality of sophisticated animation and story."

    " We are excited to work again with Tom and Tim on this project," said John Lasseter. " Their amazing talent helped us bring the characters to life. In fact, we think of Woody and Buzz not as creations, but as employees."

    " `Toy Story II' is the latest production to be announced in our growing made-for-video film category," Ann Daly, President, Buena Vista Home Video, said. " With `Aladdin and the King of Thieves' and the debut of `Honey We Shrunk Ourselves' next week, we are now bringing both animated and live action films into this pipeline with great success. `Toy Story II' further demonstrates the prominence of this business category for us, and our belief in its ongoing success for the company."

    Walt Disney Home Video is distributed by Buena Vista Home Video, Inc., the recognized industry leader for nine consecutive years.

    Pixar Animation Studios combines creative and technical artistry to create original characters and stories in the new medium of three-dimensional computer animation. Pixar created and produced the first computer animated feature film the Academy Award-winning TOY STORY, and has recently entered into a partnership with The Walt Disney Company to finance, produce and distribute five computer animated feature films and related products. Pixar also created two top selling CD-ROMs based on Toy Story characters which were released in 1996.

  SOURCE Buena Vista Home Video

    (End of quoted press release.)

   

• Date: 97-02-25

    Information supplied by Ken Coates

    Today's paper said that Disney is buying about 5% (1 million shares @ $15/share) of PIXAR and have extended their original 3 picture contract (1st was Toy Story, second has code name of " Bugs" to come out in 1998) to 5 pictures over the next 10 years. Instead of getting 10-15% of a film, PIXAR would get 50%, but they would have to pay more of the upfront costs.

    It went on to say that Disney would get warrants to buy another 1.5 million shares at an unspecified higher price.

    Steve Jobs (owner of PIXAR) had been shopping around the other animation studios (SKG Dreamworks for example) for the same type of investment. Disney wanted to keep the technology and animators busy on its own projects.

    PIXAR is also thinking about releasing a sequel to Toy Story that would probably go directly to home video. That video wouldn't count against the 5 picture deal.

    The deal also includes derivative products such as home videos merchandise, interactive media products, and made-for-home-video sequels.