Walt Disney Animation Studios has a treat for Disney fans young and old! I was invited to attend a media day at Disney Animation Studios to talk to film makers and the creative team behind the upcoming animated film Frozen. Luckily, we also watched and talked about the animated short that opens in front of Frozen. Yes, Disney goes old-school on us with Mickey Mouse in Get A Horse. The director, Lauren MacMullan, as well as the producer, Dorothy McKim, spoke to us about the techniques used in this short to give the film it’s vintage look.
Get A Horse is a 7 minute film where Mickey Mouse, his friends and foes takes us on a fun musical wagon ride journey. The film is in black and white and in color, is hand drawn as well as computer animated. Mickey Mouse jumps off the screen with some of the best 3D I’ve ever seen! If you haven’t watched old Mickey cartoons then this is a chance for you to familiarize yourself with original Disney characters and how they looked back in the day. Minnie and Mickey shine in their vintage glory as they run from antagonist Peg-Leg Pete. Don’t you love to hate Pete!
One major task for Disney animators was to make this film look old. I have to say that they did a wonderful job. Digital film damage was actually created to give the short it’s vintage look. Lines were blurred, areas were scratched to give this film a look from the early-mid 1900’s. Who knew that mistakes could look this beautiful! All of the 2D animation in the short was hand drawn with pencil on paper and then translated to CG. Mickey’s 2D self has ears that sit on the top of the head. Animators had to figure out ways to model 3D drawings from flat 2D characters as they tried to stay true to the original designs. The best kept secret of this film (well not for long) is the voice behind Mickey. Walt Disney himself is featured as Mickey Mouse in Get A Horse. That’s seriously cool.
Get A Horse premiered in the U.S. at the D23 Expo back in August. That’s IT Mommy Penny was one of the first to view it, “This groundbreaking short reminds us how innovative the Walt Disney Imagineer team collectively creates.” Penny and I recommend getting to the theater early so you can catch Get A Horse with Frozen on November 27th. You will love it! We do.
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* This is not a sponsored post. I attended the Frozen media day. The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinions may differ.
