Ub Iwerks Animation Wizard

Ub Iwerks was born in Kansas City, Missouri on March 24, 1901 to his Dutch-American parents. When he turned 14, his father abandoned his family and left Ub to support his mother. Ub went from childhood to a supporting roll very quickly. Ub never spoke to his father again, but it was thought that he secretly idealized him. Ub inherited his father's art skills, which got him to what we know him as today. Nonetheless, when his father passed away Ub seemed indifferent.

Ub was forced to find a job to support his family and found one at Pesmen-Rubin Commercial Art Studio where he quickly became the lead letter man. Once he turned 19 a boy Walt Disney was hired and they automatically became friends and soon business partners. Not long after they met, they started their own business Iwerks-Disney Studio Commercial Artists, which only lasted a month before they shut it down. They did not give up on their dreams and got jobs at Kansas Slide Show Company. After a while of that, Disney made his own company Laugh-O-Grams in 1922 and Ub joined as chief manager. They thought they had it good with their employees and a good camera, but they lacked customers and went bankrupt.

Two years later the pair moved to Hollywood to live with Disney’s brother, where Ub drew the first sketch of Mickey, and the journey began.

Ub opened his own business Iwerks Studio in 1930.

Iwerks was known for his creativity, innovation, and skill. Once Ub was no longer faced with a challenge, he quit. One time he dismantled and reassembled his car in one weekend. He took up bowling and once he had bowled a perfect score of 300, he quit. He got really involved in archery, but got tired of getting bull's eyes and quit that too. Ub would stay after work at the studios and draw animation shorts in secret. During the day he would cover his art with an alternate drawing so no one could see his secret projects.

Iwerks created the first Mickey Mouse short Plane Crazy, he made the entire six minute short by himself in three weeks. He averaged about 700-800 drawings on one day. Most animators only accomplish 80-100 per day. Ub even stopped animation around 1930 because he felt he had perfected the art.

In 1940 Ub rejoined Disney Studio and Walt gave his old friend free reign to any department he wanted. Iwerks went straight for special effects techniques. He was revolutionary, and completely changed the way animation worked. He made a multiplane camera out of scrap metal and car parts. In 1965 in won an Oscar for his effects in the movie Mary Poppins.  He won two Academy Awards for his improved optical printer and his perfection of color traveling matte photography.

He died on July 7, 1971 in Burbank California.

 

Sources: https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/ub-iwerks/

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/5-reasons-why-mickey-mouse-co-creator-ub-iwerks-is-awesome-81999.html

http://www.crazycollege.org/IwerksFilmFax.htm

The Life of Walt Disney

Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago. Directly after his birth, his family moved to Kansas City where he spent most of his childhood.

Walt loved animation and drawing from the start. Being born into a poor family, he started working to earn his own money and help his struggling family. He sold his first cartoon at only seven years of age. He would draw hairdos for the barber in exchange for hair cuts. He sold treats and drinks on trains. He got a job at the post office, but was fired when they noticed he was a minor.

When Walt was 15 the Disney’s moved back to Chicago. Walt went back to high school at Mckinley High. Walt never cared too much about school and dropped out at age 16.

He tried to join the army, but was declined for his young age. Still wanting to help, he got a job as a Red Cross ambulance driver. Unfortunately, they mostly had Walt run errands. In his spare time as a driver, because he had quite a lot, he would draw on the ambulance. He was known for his doodled ambulance. To raise a little extra money, him and a few soldiers sold German helmets.

When Walt turned 18, he returned to his family who hardly recognised him. Disney told his family he was moving back to Kansas City to start his career in animation which was against his fathers wishes for him to join the Jell-O Corporation

When he arrived in Kansas City, he got a job at Pesmen-Rubin Commercial Art Studio where he met his new best friend and partner Ub Iwerks.

Shortly after they began their first company, Iwerks-Disney Studio Commercial Arts. It only lasted a month before they had to close shop.

They did not give up on their dreams, but took jobs at Kansas Slide Show Company where Disney first got into his animation works. Walt and Ub would draw millions of pictures just to make a character take a step. In 1922 Walt started Laugh-O-Grams and Ub joined as Chief Manager.

They were living the dream, or so they thought. They had great employees and a working camera, but lacked the customers they desperately needed, causing them to go bankrupt.
Two years after the ending of Laugh-O-Grams, Walt moved to Hollywood to live with his brother. Here he started Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Not long after, Ub joined him and helped create the Alice Comedies and sketched the all famous Mickey Mouse for the very first time. That was only the beginning.  Walt went on to create one of the biggest businesses in all of history. The business that creates joy for all and has continued past his death on December 15, 1966 in Burbank California. Disney is a legend, and a friend to all.

Source:https://chlin2010.wordpress.com/walt-disney-commencement-speech-print-me/

Donald Fauntleroy Duck

Donald Duck. Full name, Donald Fauntleroy Duck revealed in the short Donald Gets Drafted  released in 1942 and is a reference to his hat he wears with his “little lord fauntleroy” suit. Donald is a white anthropomorphic duck with blue eyes; yellow orange bill, legs, and feet; a sailor shirt and cap; a red or white bow tie; and no pants.

Donald’s birthday is officially pronounced as June 9, 1934 the day his debut film was released. But has been stated as different days through his career. In The Three Caballeros it is Friday the 13th, while in the short Donald’s Happy Birthday it is said to be March 13th.

Donald is loud, rude, and selfish and obsessed with fame, money, treasure, and gold but he is also extremely loyal to his love interest Daisy and his best friends Mickey and Goofy. Once Donald is committed, he always gives 100%.

Mickey has always considered Donald as one of his best friends and fails to see the envy Donald feels towards him. Donald has always wanted Mickey’s fame and glory. He is sometimes portrayed as a rival to Mickey in his race to be on top.The rivalry is shown in many disney films. In the television show House of Mouse, Donald changes the name of the show to House of Duck, but in the end sides with Mickey and helps him to make a successful and profitable business. In the special Mickey’s 60th Birthday, Mickey is enchanted to be invisible. Donald is arrested under speculation that he was responsible for kidnapping Mickey. In the end Donald is released due to lack of evidence.

He has a few common phrases such as “what’s the big idea” when he is frustrated or impatient, “aw phooey” when he has given up, “oh boy, oh boy, oh boy” when he is especially excited, or “hiya toots” which he uses towards his girlfriend Daisy. It has been said Donald has one of the most recognisable voices in animation of all time. He was voiced by Clarence “ducky” Nash from 1934-1985 when he retired due to his death and was replaced by Tony Anselmo in 1985 and still voices him today. Tony was personally trained by Nash for the part.

Donald’s prototype was first displayed in the comic book The Adventures of Mickey Mouse released in May of 1931.

He then became Donald Duck three years later in the comic strip The Little Wise Hen on June 9, 1934. His second appearance was in the short Orphan’s Benefit released August 11, 1934. In the short Donald is to recite poems but he gets more and more frustrated as the orphans fail to listen and continue to steal and eat his pies. This eventually causes Donald to have a fit of rage so prominent it becomes a large factor in his personality. Donald then joins the Fab Five cartoons like the hit, The Band Concert where the characters all play beautiful music which is constantly interrupted by Donald playing the wrong song.

Donald Duck is redesigned in 1936. Though he looks extremely similar to his old self, he is plumper, has larger feet and his personality is fully formed.

Donald starred in his first solo cartoon Don Donald on January 9, 1937.

This cartoon is where his love interest Daisy Duck (Donna Duck in the short) makes her debut.

When WWI started many cartoon productions slowed, but Donald’s career took off. He was a huge star. Huey, Dewey, and Louie made their first appearance in the 1938 film Donald’s Nephews and were featured in many of Donald’s shorts as well as Chip and Dale (introduced 1947) who became some of the most iconic co stars of all time. The 1943 short Der Fuehrer's Face was given an Academy Award for Best Animated Short.

In 1954 the Fab Five shorts came to an end but Donald just kept going. All Disney animation came to an abrupt stop in the 1960’s when Walt Disney died and they would not come back until 1983 when Mickey’s Christmas Carol is released.

Donald Duck is the second most requested and common character in the Disney Parks. You can see him on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse a television show on Disney Channel in the mornings or you can meet him in person at the Disney Parks.

Sources: http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Donald_Duck

http://www.comicvine.com/donald-duck/4005-22182/

Gawrsh Goofy!

Goofy is often considered clumsy, unintellegent, childish, lovable, charming, caring, sympathetic and always willing to help even though he usually causes more harm than good. Goofy does not really understand women and will often times be the one character without a love interest at a time, but nonetheless is sometimes paired with his romantic interest Clarabelle Cow. Goofy is often times portrayed as a family man and other times as a widower and single father. He is very capable as a single father; he is strict when he needs to be but does not let that affect the bond between him and his son Max. Goofy also shows his stern side when he feels insulted. He does not mind that he is clumsy, but will not take insults from anyone, except his best friend Donald Duck.

It is not quite clear where Goofy came from, many different views are shown in the shorts. A map is shown belonging to Benjamin Goof in A Goofy Movie and displays a trip with Goofy and his dad Benjamin. in the short Walt Disney Presents: The Goofy Adventure History, his dad’s name is Amos Goofy and he is also featured in the short African Diary. In the comic Goofy’s Last Stand Goofy states his father was a railroad man. In the series Goof Troop, Goofy says he was born in California and is the first American Goof.

Goofy is known for his famous phrases “gawrsh”, “ah-hyuck”, and his holler which can be written as “yaaaaaaaa-hoo-hoo-hoo-hooey!” and is usually exclaimed when Goofy is falling or being catapulted through the sky. The holler was originally recorded by yodeller Hannes Schrolle in 1941 and shown in the short The Art Of Skiing. Many say he was not paid for the recording.

Goofy’s voice has changed plenty of times through the years. From 1932-1939 he was voiced by Pinto Colvig. After Colvig left Disney Productions, George Johnson filled in from 1939-1943. Colvig then came back and continued to voice Goofy until his retirement and death in 1965. Following Colvig’s death, many different actors filled in for the voice including Hal Smith, Will Ryan, and Tony Pope until they found the right fit Bill Farmer who began voicing Goofy in 1987 and still voices him today.

Goofy was originally pictured as Dippy Dawg in the short Mickey’s Revue (released May 25, 1932) In the short Mickey, Minnie, Horace and Clarabelle performed  and song and dance show. Dippy Dawg is a member of the audience who is just too noisy with his peanut eating and obnoxious laughing. Which then became Goofy’s famous laugh. Dippy Dawg is drawn as an old man with a white beard and a puffy tail and wears no pants. He appeared in four shorts in 1932-1933. By his seventh appearance (Orphan’s Benefit released August 11, 1934) he earned the name Goofy. He soon after received his signature look of a black vest, blue pants, a red or orange turtleneck shirt, white gloves, overly large brown shoes and his recognizable blue or green hat.

By 1934 Donald is in play and they began the Mickey, Donald and Goofy comedy shorts. Donald and Goofy were such a hit, Mickey began to fall into the shadows and the first Donald and Goofy duo short was released. Polar Trappers (June 17, 1938), in the short Donald and Goofy own their own trapping company to capture live walruses to civilization. Donald is in charge of catching penguins for bait while Goofy sets traps for the walruses, both ultimately fail. Mickey returns in The Whalers on August 19, 1938, but it is the last short to feature the trio in the 1930’s.

On March 17, 1939 the short Goofy and Wlibur is released being Goofy’s first solo short. The short features Goofy fishing with his pet grasshopper Wilbur. Shortly into Goofy’s solo career, the voice Pinto Colvig leaves Disney Productions and leaves Goofy voiceless. Struggling to find a new voice, the “how to” shorts are created where Goofy has hardly any lines. These shorts become the staple of Goofy’s career. When the 1950’s came, Goofy became a family man enduring everyday trials. Oddly, Goofy is never referred to as Goofy in these shorts but at George Geef and many other names as he plays multiple different characters. With the 50’s came a new makeover. Goofy got smaller eyes and eyebrows and earned his flesh colored skin.

Goofy has been featured in many movies and television shows such as A Goofy Movie, An Extremely Goofy Movie, Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas, Mickey Donald and Goofy: The Three Musketeers, Twice Upon a Christmas, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Mouse Factory, Goof Troop, and many others. Goofy has his own ride and candy shop in the Disney Parks and is the fourth most requested or common character.

Source: http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Goofy

Pluto, Ol' Pal!

Pluto, also known as Pluto the Pup, is Mickey’s most popular and longest lasting supporting role.

He first appeared in the  Mickey short Chain Gang  in 1930 where Mickey escapes from jail and Pete is sent after him with two bloodhounds, both looking extremely similar to the character we know and love as Pluto. A month later that dog was then changed around and made into Minnie’s dog, “little Rover” in the short The Picnic. In the short, Minnie insists she brings little Rover along her picnic with Mickey. Mickey ends up tying Rover to the back of their car and dragging him behind them, but once Rover sees some very lively rabbits, he chases after them and ends up pulling the car behind him. The Pup is first referred to as Pluto and Mickey’s canine pal seven months later in the short The Moose Hunt, released in 1931.

Walt was never quite clear on where he came up with the name Pluto, some theorize he was named after the Roman God of the Underworld, but most others believe it was after the small dwarf planet which had only been discovered just over a year earlier and do not think it is a coincidence that the name Pluto was in all the papers while the pup was being created.

Pluto is unique, unlike most of Walt’s characters, he does not walk upright on two feet and he does not speak but he is very easy to understand without dialogue. In the short Playful Pluto (released 1934), Pluto gets stuck on a piece of flypaper and struggles to get unstuck for quite a while.

This scene is considered groundbreaking in the animation studios. It is known as brilliant for the way Pluto conveys his feelings through his actions and facial expressions and does not have to rely on dialogue to display what he thinks or feels. In fact, Pluto is very human like besides his appearance. His birthday is September 5, 1930. He also falls in love very quickly and will do anything to win the heart of the girl, just like any man.

Pluto has fallen for many pups such as Fifi the Peke, Dinah the Dachshund, and Tiki but no pup, no matter how pretty, will ever beat his love and loyalty to Mickey. Besides the human like qualities he possesses, he is still a dog, and he hates cats. His least favorite cat is Figaro, Minnie Mouse’s cat, they are enemies as they fight for Minnie’s love, but have learned to get along more and more through the years. Another dog like quality is Pluto’s sense of smell. Mickey sometimes says Pluto can find anyone and anything with his nose, he can do this because he is actually a mix breed bloodhound and pointer.

Pluto was voiced by Pinto Colvig for about 30 years of his career.

Pluto starred in the black and white short Lend a Paw which was released in 1933. This short won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1941 over the nine other nominations, including another Disney short starring Donald Duck.

Pluto can now be seen in the Disneyland and Disney World parks as well as on the children’s television show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Sources: http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Pluto

http://trueclassics.net/2012/02/18/hey-pluto/

Minnie Minerva Mouse

The french translation of Minnie is Minerva and is used as her middle name in the french version of the comics.  

Minnie is the girlfriend of Mickey Mouse, but it was not always that way. She first appeared in Plane Crazy in 1928:

this was Mickey’s first short to be produced but the third to be released. In this short, Minnie consistently rejects Mickey’s persistent advances on her and she ends up jumping out of a plane with her bloomers as a parachute to escape from Mickey after he kisses her. Mickey and Minnie’s relationship does not spark until March 14, 1929 when the short Gallopin' Gaucho was released being the fourth short released.

Minnie was pictured as a barmaid and a dancer, she performed the tango for Pete and Mickey. Minnie was unaware that Pete had the intentions to abduct her when she fell into his trap, it was left up to Mickey to save the Damsel in Distress. Minnie was then featured in Steamboat Willie as a supporting character and a passenger on the boat. She was only pictured in seven of the twelve shorts produced in 1929.

Mickey and Minnie were officially pronounced as a couple on June 26, 1929 in the episode Mickey’s Follies which originates the famous song Minnie’s Yoo Hoo which was written by Carl Stalling and Walt Disney and becomes the theme song for Mickey’s shorts until 1933. Minnie is mostly pictured as the Damsel in Distress in the shorts produced in the 1920’s to the 1930’s, then from the 1940’s until now she is mainly depicted as Mickey’s love interest and a supporting character.

Minnie was originally voiced by Walt Disney but is now voiced by Russi Taylor has has been since 1986. She married Wayne Allwine who was the voice of Mickey Mouse for a short time.

Minnie’s best friend is Daisy Duck.

Minnie is known for her famous “yoo hoo” call and her large bow that sits between her round mouse ears. Minnie has many different bows but her most common is red with white polka dots.

She was originally shown in a small hat with a flower, she wore no shirt but only a skirt revealing the hem of her bloomers, and high heels.

Minnie is the third most requested character in the Disney parks and the third most popular of the characters as well. You can see Minnie in person at Disneyland or Disney world or see her on television on The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, a show for children shown in the mornings on Disney Channel.

http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Minnie_Mouse

The Makings Of The Famous Mouse

Mickey Mouse did not start with Mickey Mouse but rather with Oswald The Lucky Rabbit.

Oswald was created in 1927 and was a huge hit across the country. Walt thought he was in a good place with his famous rabbit,  but when he tried to sign his contract again in 1928 he learned his rights were gone to the studio Universal. The studio offered to keep Walt on their team for a smaller pay, but Disney would not have it so he quit, hopped on a train and joined up with a few animator friends to find Oswald's replacement and start their own business. With a few minor adjustments and lots of brainstorming, they transformed Oswald into a mouse and named him Mortimer.

After some debate about the name and the disapproval from his wife, it was soon changed to Mickey. Disney released a few short films featuring Mickey Mouse but impressed very few until the debut of Steamboat Willie. The show came to life being the first animation feature synchronized to music and sound effects. It premiered in New York November 18, 1928 and was the unexpected turn of Walt Disney’s career.

Within two years Walt had begun Mickey merchandise as well as the Mickey Mouse Club for children. In 1935 the Mouse was revised for the first time giving him a rounder torso, the famous white gloves, pupils, and a shorter nose.Origonally Mickey was drawn with a series of circles which proved difficult for the character to move, but with these new adjustments it became much easier. It as well made Mickey more appealing and cuter to children. This would also be the first time Mickey Mouse is shown in color. Mickey grew more and more known as his adventures through is little mouse life broke the charts. By the 1950's Mickey Mouse had a theme park, a newspaper comic strip, and the Mickey Mouse Club. Alas, Disney's new movies like Bambi and Sleeping Beauty  began to overshadow the famous Mouse. After Mickey's Christmas Carol in 1983, the great Mickey was out of work for 30 years. By 2006 he was shown in 3-D for the first time. Mickey and his theme park and merchandise are shown in many movies and are well known throughout the world. He now mostly only stars in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, a children's show on Disney Channel, and in Walt Disney's theme parks where you can meet Mickey in person. This iconic Mouse was only the beginning of Disney's creations and the first of the Fab 5.

Source: http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1859935,00.html