The Walt Disney Archives' new touring exhibition, 'Capturing Life, Creating Character', offers a captivating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes process of creating Disney's animated masterpieces. This exhibit, hosted by the Muzeo Museum, showcases the crucial role of live-action reference in bringing Disney's animated characters to life. It's a testament to the meticulous work of animators, who studied the world around them to achieve fluid movement, realistic clothing, and believable character performances. The exhibition is a treasure trove of rarely seen photographs, artifacts, and interactive elements that transport visitors into the creative process behind some of the most beloved animated films in history.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the exhibit is the exploration of costume design. The display features various costumes used in the live-action reference for several classic Disney films. The yellow-and-brown dress bodice from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and the yellow-and-tan Pinocchio costume from Pinocchio (1940) are on display, along with interactive elements that allow visitors to experiment with the movement of these costumes. The exhibit also includes a display case with a pair of pink slippers worn by Margaret Kerry, the live-action reference model for Tinker Bell, in memory of her passing last month.
The movement section of the exhibit is another highlight, showcasing the live-action references used to capture the dynamic movements of Disney characters. Photos of Kathryn Beaumont (Wendy) and Roland Dupree (Peter Pan) balancing on boxes to demonstrate "flying" for Peter Pan (1953) and photos of Dupree leaping through the air as Peter Pan are on display. Visitors can also practice the art of pantomime by impersonating Captain Hook while only using facial expressions.
The animal studies section of the exhibit is particularly fascinating, as it explores the complex process of animating animal characters. Animators brought in experts like biologists, zoologists, and anatomy specialists to understand animal behavior and movement. The display includes photos of Fred Moore utilizing a taxidermy stork for reference for Dumbo (1941) and photos of live penguins brought into the Hyperion studio for Peculiar Penguins (1934).
The setting the scene section of the exhibit showcases the use of set pieces and props for scale and composition of a specific scene. A larger-than-life display has been recreated from Peter Pan, with Tinker Bell getting stuck in a drawer and using a pair of scissors to try and escape. Visitors are encouraged to pose like Tinker Bell next to the large black scissors.
The final animation section of the exhibit is a testament to the meticulous work of animators, who draw the action frame by frame after live-action reference footage has been captured. An interactive diorama of the Mad Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland invites visitors to "pull up a chair…and watch the soundstage transform into an animated Wonderland!" The exhibit also explores how intuitive and accessible the art of live-action reference has become for today's animators and creatives.
Overall, 'Capturing Life, Creating Character' is a must-see for Disney fans and anyone interested in the art of animation. It offers a unique insight into the creative process behind some of the most beloved animated films in history and is a testament to the meticulous work of animators, who studied the world around them to achieve fluid movement, realistic clothing, and believable character performances. Personally, I think this exhibit is a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes process of creating Disney's animated masterpieces. It's a testament to the creativity and dedication of the animators, who brought these characters to life through their meticulous work and attention to detail. What makes this particularly fascinating is the way the exhibit showcases the evolution of animation techniques over the years, from the use of live-action reference to the development of more advanced animation techniques. From my perspective, this exhibit is a must-see for anyone interested in the art of animation and the creative process behind Disney's animated masterpieces.
