Disney Magic at Your Fingertips

The Walt Disney Company has done it again!  On August 8th, Disney released an innovative app available only on Apple’s iTunes for the iPad called Disney Animated. This app allows fans to explore the behind-the-scenes process of classic animated films.  This app is groundbreaking because Disney is known for keeping a lot of their behind-the-scenes material inside their infamous vault.  The app is important for the company because it shares their proud heritage in history in animation.  With so many animated films being released, it is important for Disney to remind the animation industry and their fans that they are the pioneers and leaders in the animation industry. Disney Animated also becomes a great resource for animators who can now see the techniques used to create their films.

The app gives users the ability to interact with their animated films by allowing users the ability to swipe through the timeline for their favorite animated film and see the step-by-step process.  Everything from story, concept, pencil tests and background paintings will be at their fingertips. While this app is very entertaining, it is also very educational.  I can imagine how often I would have used this app during my childhood. I picture children today watching their favorite movie and using this app side-by-side as their second screen.  Having an interactive app allows the learning process to become more immersed.

From a business stand point, Disney Animated is a great way for the company to make more money on their past work.  While the app does cost $13.99 it is still an excellent price for the large amount of access it will have to Disney’s animation history. I can easily see this app become a textbook supplement for aspiring animators.  Based on the success of Disney Animated, I’m sure Disney will continue to add more information and updates.  With the success of Disney Animated, we could see the next wave of similar apps from Pixar, Marvel, DreamWorks, Warner Brothers and all other forms of visual entertainment. I would not be surprised if more companies released a similar app during the release of their new films. At the moment, most animated films have an “art of” book released. This is an exciting time for the animation industry and as a fan of the industry, I hope more companies follow Disney’s lead.

Slow Down DreamWorks

    

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            DreamWorks Animation, the studio that created successful franchises like Shrek, Madagascar, Kung-Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon is now entering the television market.  DreamWorks Animation is now preparing to enter a new market despite the recent layoffs within their company.  Recently, their film Turbo failed to make an impact at the box office in America and Overseas.  The film cost DreamWorks $135 million and has grossed about $70 million in America (as of August 7, 2013).  However, DreamWorks still has big plans for their racing slug, which currently has a cartoon series in the works. The question is, should DreamWorks slow down before they run out of gas and allow other animation studios to move past them?

            Lets be honest, DreamWorks is currently the third best animation studio trailing far behind Disney Animation Studios and the current champ Pixar.  Both Disney Animation Studios and Pixar are under the Disney family.  Also, if Disney’s Planes becomes successful then Disney’s DisneyToon Studio could take the third spot.  To make matters worse, Illumination Entertainment, the creators of Despicable Me, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and Despicable Me 2, is now looking to drive past DreamWorks.  Illumination’s Despicable Me 2 is currently the highest grossing animated film of 2013 (as of August 7, 2013), outperforming Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University.  As a result, DreamWorks continues to struggle trying to find consistency.

            DreamWorks needs to take a good look at themselves and figure out whom they are.  At the moment, they are a company who plays it safe and creates franchises out of mediocre films.  Recently, they changed the release date for Mr. Peabody and Sherman and placed Me & My Shadow back into development.  In addition, the company fired over three hundred employees and then hired more executives to create television series.  In contrast, Pixar and Disney Animation are famous for finding talent within their own respected brand and elevate them to higher positions.  Instead of spending their money on more executives they should have saved their employees.  Wouldn’t having more employees easily allow DreamWorks to work on feature films and television shows?

            It seems like I am bashing DreamWorks but I am not.  I am showing the company “tough love”.  I believe that DreamWorks can dominate the animation industry but at the moment they are moving too fast with no clear direction.  As a person who loves the animation industry, I want to see all the studios make the best possible films and compete neck to neck.  If all the studios are pushing the limits of animation and creativity then both sides win.  The studios will make their returns off their movies and the fans will have new classics to enjoy.  The time is now for DreamWorks to change gears and start on a new path.