tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8329320136058990683.post8639461696903589452..comments2023-05-19T06:36:29.594-07:00Comments on A Disney Princess vs the Real World: Trouble at the Studios with 'Frozen'MakeItPinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18116501201283788091noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8329320136058990683.post-22245270155034668122013-06-21T01:07:28.119-07:002013-06-21T01:07:28.119-07:00Going to correct myself (and I apologize for the e...Going to correct myself (and I apologize for the error). It turns out that you were right, the dolls never made it to the Toy Fair. Here's a note from Jim Hill that I found today:<br /><br />"New York Toy Fair - Where is Frozen?<br />Jim Hill:<br /><br />I actually asked Candance, the PR rep who gave Nancy and I our walk-thru of the Mattel pavilion on Monday afternoon the exact same question. Because — based on my experiences at the Toy Fairs I’ve previously attended — the prototypes for the dolls for Disney’s big holiday release for that year should have been on display. Candance explained that everything was fine. Everyone at Mattel is really excited about the “Frozen” product line. More importantly, that all of the dolls associated with this Walt Disney Animation Studios will be on store shelves six weeks ahead of Frozen’s November 27th release date.<br /><br />Reading between the lines here, I think that this was more a case that Mattel & Disney are just super-excited about the commercial possibilities associated with “Planes.” And rather than have this DisneyToon Studios production be overshadowed by Disney’s next Princess movie, they just opted not to bring those floor models & prototypes with them when they came to New York to do this year’s American International Toy Fair.<br /><br />If it’s of any consequence to you, last year while I was Walt Disney Animation Studios, I got to see a lot of concept art for the various characters & settings featured in “Frozen.” And that movie looks just amazing. And based on what I’ve been hearing from WDAS insiders about the way the music & the story are coming together (i.e. the second & third act of this movie are now ridiculously strong. They’re just making some minor tweaks to the first act now to make sure that all of the later story beats pay off to maximum effect), it sounds like a pretty amazing movie.<br /><br />So please hang in there. I know that you’re itching for “Frozen” news. But it sounds like this late November release from Walt Disney Pictures will really be worth the wait."<br /><br />However, you can still find those images through the Google image search. Kristoff is even included (and I actually found more today - there is a version of Anna in her springtime green outfit, as we see her pictured in one of the promotional photos).<br /><br />I do think it's possible that Disney and Mattel wanted to focus more on 'Planes,' but it's also possible that changes are afoot. Lasseter has been very particular about the way things are implemented.<br /><br />I'll tell you one thing's for sure - I really cannot wait to see the limited edition dolls Disney creates for Anna and Elsa.MakeItPinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116501201283788091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8329320136058990683.post-38929282327691274952013-06-20T15:25:06.920-07:002013-06-20T15:25:06.920-07:00I hated the promo material that was released for &...I hated the promo material that was released for 'Tangled' too - I was glad to see that it had more heart then it let on. I think Disney is trying to replicate the box office success that other CG animation studios have seen - and those films are very gimmicky in terms of advertising. People come to see those films, but that kid of marketing turns me off personally.<br /><br />Very excited for the music! 'let It Go' sounds like it's going to be a beautiful number. So glad that Disney cast Idina Menzel.<br /><br />Disney has turned around plenty of projects at the last minute, so they can definitely do it - but then I think about the amount of films where they didn't. I forced myself to watch 'Chicken Little' for the first time earlier this week - ugh. Next forced Disney film on my list? 'Home on the Range.' Valiant was on a few days ago, but I just wasn't ready. John Lasseter can turn a lot of things around, but he isn't perfect. But in any case, I'm crossing my fingers. I want this film to do well.<br /><br />'Frozen' dolls did actually make it to the Toy Fair. Images of the toys have been removed, but if you do a Google image search, you'll still be able to see preview images of the dolls. I find it interesting that Disney asked all those websites to take those images down...if they weren't ready for the world to see those dolls, they shouldn't have showed up at the Toy Fair. <br /><br />Very sad 'Winnie the Pooh' was pitted like that. Families just can't afford to see so many movies at the same time. It would be nice if the studios could space things out better. Pitting 'Pooh' against 'Harry Potter' was an obviously poor choice. The conspiracy theory is interesting.<br /><br />I'll agree with you on 'Princess and the Frog.' I like it, but it does feel a bit constrained. It kind of became a socially/politically-monitored thing. It's difficult to go all the way with something when you're constantly worrying you're going to offend someone.MakeItPinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116501201283788091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8329320136058990683.post-83549748250443710272013-05-16T02:06:45.626-07:002013-05-16T02:06:45.626-07:00"Frozen" has entered into my mind recent..."Frozen" has entered into my mind recently, with many of the same concerns you bring up, notably the lack of any early marketing or trailers even. I was surprised seeing that test footage of "Big Hero 6" recently (a film due out next year), yet nothing for "Frozen."<br /><br />If I recall correctly, even "Tangled" had promos released a year early (though I still despise that hip-n-edgy tone marketing took with that film. I was ready to write it off because of Rapuzel's smug grin, until people told me to look beyond the smart-alecky stuff).<br /><br />I also was in attendance at last August's 'Destination D' event, and saw the preview material for "Frozen." I still have some memories of the song "Let it Go" that they intend for the film. It was a piece that when heard, has a dual meaning: it's both a declaration, and a lament. In a way, it reminded me almost of the tone of "Beauty and the Beast's" Broadway song, "If I Can't Love Her."<br /><br />Last-minute fixes can lead to both good and bad. Lest we recall "Beauty and the Beast," where production was stopped, and the first concepts were thrown out, leaving the crew in that mad scramble to finish the film in under 2 years. And of course, John Lasseter and the crew and PIXAR almost went insane turning around and finishing the "Toy Story 2" we know and love in 9 months.<br /><br />Then again, one does wonder if Disney could even slam on the brakes and just push 'Frozen back by 2 years. One doesn't know just how much the company has invested in marketing tie-ins or toys (I don't think any of the characters even showed up at this year's Toy Fair in doll form!).<br /><br />Hand-drawn animation will live on elsewhere, but at this time, I don't think Disney will return to the format, notably if they can simulate it like they did with "Paperman." I still would love to know whose 'brilliant' idea it was to release "Winnie the Pooh" against "Harry Potter" in 2011. Almost noone I knew saw the film and it was sad, considering the film had me laughing more than most films that are deemed 'comedies' these days. One 'conspiracy theory' is that the move was intended to 'doom' hand-drawn animation.<br /><br />I really wanted to love "The Princess and the Frog," but it largely felt like the film was constrained by rules and guidelines on what they could do given the characters, making it a film that just couldn't reach its full potential.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com