Disney animation officially began on October 16, 1923, with the founding of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio by Walt and Roy Disney. This small studio would later blossom into the animation powerhouse we know and love as Walt Disney Animation Studios, forever changing the landscape of animated storytelling.
The Genesis of a Dream: From Kansas City to Hollywood
While October 16, 1923, marks the formal establishment of the company, the journey began even earlier in Kansas City. Walt Disney, a young and ambitious artist, had already been experimenting with animation techniques.
Walt’s Early Forays into Animation
Prior to the formation of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney created short animated cartoons called Laugh-O-grams. These shorts, produced for the Newman Theater in Kansas City, showcased Walt’s early talent and provided him with valuable experience. However, financial difficulties forced the Laugh-O-gram Films company to close down in 1923. This setback, though painful, ultimately paved the way for the creation of the studio that would revolutionize animation.
Moving West: The Birth of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio
Following the failure of Laugh-O-gram Films, Walt Disney decided to move to Hollywood. He brought with him an unfinished short film featuring a live-action girl interacting with animated characters, titled Alice’s Wonderland. This film, along with the promise of more Alice Comedies, convinced distributor Margaret Winkler to sign a contract, thus providing the crucial initial funding for the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Roy Disney, Walt’s older brother, joined him in California, handling the business side of the operation. Their combined talents and unwavering dedication laid the foundation for the future empire.
The Early Years: Finding Their Voice
The initial years of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio were marked by experimentation and innovation. They weren’t an overnight success, but they were relentless in their pursuit of perfecting their craft.
The Alice Comedies: A Unique Blend
The Alice Comedies, featuring Virginia Davis and later other child actors interacting with animated characters, were a unique and popular series for their time. They allowed Disney to explore different animation techniques and storytelling possibilities. While the animation wasn’t as sophisticated as it would later become, the Alice Comedies helped establish Disney’s reputation for creating entertaining and imaginative content.
The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Era: A Stolen Creation
After the Alice Comedies, Disney created a new character named Oswald the Lucky Rabbit for Universal Pictures. Oswald proved to be a hit, but Disney unfortunately lost the rights to the character in 1928 when his distributor Charles Mintz hired away Disney’s animators. This painful experience taught Walt a valuable lesson about owning the rights to his creations, a lesson that would shape the future of Disney animation.
The Birth of Mickey Mouse: A New Icon Emerges
Losing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was a devastating blow, but it also spurred Walt Disney to create a new character: Mickey Mouse. The story of Mickey Mouse’s creation is legendary, often told that he was conceived on a train ride back from New York after the Oswald debacle. The first Mickey Mouse cartoon, “Plane Crazy,” was initially unsuccessful, but the third, “Steamboat Willie,” released in 1928, revolutionized the animation industry.
“Steamboat Willie” and the Sound Revolution
“Steamboat Willie” was a landmark achievement in animation history. It was one of the first animated films with synchronized sound, meaning the music and sound effects were perfectly timed to the action on screen. This innovation made the cartoon more immersive and engaging for audiences, propelling Mickey Mouse and the Disney studio to international fame. The use of sound transformed animation from a novelty into a powerful storytelling medium.
From Shorts to Features: Pushing the Boundaries of Animation
After the phenomenal success of Mickey Mouse, Disney continued to produce popular short cartoons featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto. However, Walt Disney had a much grander vision: to create a full-length animated feature film.
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”: A Groundbreaking Achievement
In 1937, Disney released “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the first full-length cel-animated feature film. It was a massive undertaking that required years of painstaking work and a significant financial investment. Many in Hollywood considered the project to be “Disney’s Folly,” predicting it would be a massive failure. However, “Snow White” was a resounding success, both critically and commercially. It proved that animated feature films could be a viable and profitable art form, forever changing the animation landscape.
FAQs About the Origins of Disney Animation
Here are some frequently asked questions about the early days of Disney animation:
FAQ 1: Was Walt Disney the sole animator on all the early Disney films?
No. While Walt Disney was the driving force behind the studio and provided the initial creative vision, he wasn’t the sole animator. He assembled a talented team of artists and animators who contributed significantly to the creation of the early Disney cartoons and films. Key figures like Ub Iwerks were crucial to the early success of Disney animation.
FAQ 2: What was Ub Iwerks’ role in the creation of Mickey Mouse?
Ub Iwerks was a key animator and close friend of Walt Disney. He is often credited with drawing the initial designs for Mickey Mouse and animating many of the early Mickey Mouse cartoons, including “Steamboat Willie.” He was instrumental in bringing Mickey Mouse to life.
FAQ 3: Why did Disney lose the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit?
Disney lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit because the distribution contract with Charles Mintz granted Mintz the ownership of the character. When Disney attempted to renegotiate the contract for more money, Mintz hired away most of Disney’s animators, effectively stealing the character.
FAQ 4: What is “cel animation”?
Cel animation is a traditional animation technique where each frame is drawn on transparent celluloid sheets (cels). These cels are then placed over a painted background and photographed to create the illusion of movement. This technique was used for most of Disney’s classic animated films.
FAQ 5: How long did it take to make “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”?
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” took approximately three years to produce, from 1934 to 1937. It was a monumental undertaking that required a team of over 750 artists and animators.
FAQ 6: How much did “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” cost to make?
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” cost approximately $1.5 million to produce in 1937, which was a significant amount of money at the time. However, the film earned over $8 million during its initial release, proving to be a huge success.
FAQ 7: What were the challenges of creating a full-length animated feature film like “Snow White”?
Creating “Snow White” presented numerous challenges, including developing a compelling storyline that could sustain a feature-length film, creating realistic and expressive characters, and developing new animation techniques to enhance the film’s visual quality. The sheer scale of the project was also a major undertaking.
FAQ 8: What impact did “Snow White” have on the animation industry?
“Snow White” had a profound impact on the animation industry. It demonstrated that animated feature films could be commercially successful and artistically significant. It also inspired other studios to create their own animated feature films, paving the way for the animation boom of the late 20th century.
FAQ 9: What were some of the key animation techniques pioneered by Disney in the early years?
Disney pioneered several key animation techniques, including the multiplane camera, which created a sense of depth and dimension in animated scenes. They also developed innovative techniques for animating realistic character movements and facial expressions.
FAQ 10: What happened to the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio?
The Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio eventually evolved into Walt Disney Productions and later The Walt Disney Company. The company expanded into live-action films, television, theme parks, and other ventures, becoming one of the largest and most successful entertainment companies in the world.
FAQ 11: Was “Flowers and Trees” the first Disney cartoon in color?
Yes, “Flowers and Trees” (1932) was the first Disney cartoon to be produced in full Technicolor. It was part of the Silly Symphony series and won the Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons), proving the appeal of color animation to audiences.
FAQ 12: What is the significance of the name “Silly Symphonies”?
The Silly Symphonies were a series of animated short films produced by Walt Disney Productions from 1929 to 1939. The name reflects the fact that these cartoons were often based around musical themes, showcasing the relationship between music and animation. They allowed animators to experiment with different styles and techniques without being constrained by established characters like Mickey Mouse.