3 Fun Facts about Walt Disney’s Animation Research Library #Pinocchio

Have you ever wondered what Walt Disney Studios does with the thousands of piece of artwork created by their creative team through the years? Last month, I was invited by Walt Disney Studios to attend and take a trip down memory lane for the making of Pinocchio at the Disney Animation Research Library to celebrate the Walt Disney Signature Collection release of the classic film.

The Animation Research Library (ARL) is entrusted to conserve and protect the artistic heritage of Walt Disney Animation Studios and to ensure the ability of the Walt Disney Company to utilize the collection, “in-house,” as a resource for creative inspiration, brand enhancement, and product development. The tucked away in a secret location not far from Walt Disney Studios. While we toured the ARL, we were not allowed to take phones, post on social media. Check into the location, and there was security on hand guarding the area’s in which we were not allowed to enter.

From Animator to the Imagineers The Animation Research Library serves as a resource for all of the creative people working throughout the Walt Disney company housing possible the largest art collection in the world. Each piece of the collection is stored in individual holders and housed one of the 11 climate controlled vaults with an advanced fire suppression system at the location.

To further the lifespan and accessibility of the vast collection of artwork, they are currently digitizing each piece of the collection. The process is done by photographic, scanning and taking each piece through a form of checks and balances.

After our tour, we received parting gifts that included The Pinocchio Signature Collection. Once I made it home, I couldn’t wait to watch the classic film with my daughter Joy. However, what she love most about this DVD is the bonus content that is included in Pinocchio Signature Collections which available on Blu-Ray, Digital HD* & Disney Movies Anywhere. Which be the way I love!.

The Bonus content includes.

• Walt’s Story Meetings: Pleasure Island – The Pleasure Island scene in “Pinocchio” had much more development than what is seen in the film. Join Pixar’s Pete Docter and Disney historian and author J.B. Kaufman as they explore artwork recently discovered in Disney’s animation research library revealing some of the attractions, gags and games, which Disney animators created for this iconic location of the film, that never made it on screen.

• In Walt’s Words – “Pinocchio” – Hear Walt himself discuss the making of “Pinocchio” through archival recordings and interviews.

• The Pinocchio Project: “When You Wish Upon a Star” – Music influencers Alex G, Tanner Patrick and JR Aquino from Disney’s Maker Studios, a global leader in short-form videos, gather in a creative workspace to create their rendition of the film’s signature song, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and produce a fresh new music video.

• Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in “Poor Papa” – This recently restored and scored 1927 short features Oswald the Lucky Rabbit who gets multiple visits from the stork and is forced to attempt various methods to help stop the onslaught of baby deliveries.

• Classic Bonus Features – These offerings from prior home entertainment releases include hours of bonus material, such as the making of “Pinocchio,” deleted scenes, sing-alongs, storyboards and theatrical trailers.

Thank you, Walt Disney Studios for blessing me with such an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity. For those of you that wonder what lies beyond the walls of The Animation Research Library, here is a live tour of the facility hosted by the AR ARL manager of research Fox Carney.

P.S.

Guys my truly wow moment on at this event was meeting J.B. Kaufman has written and lectured on Disney animation, American silent film, and related topics. His books include Pinocchio: The Making of the Disney Epic, The Fairest One of All, and South of the Border with Disney; and he is coauthor, with Russell Merritt, of Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies and the award-winning Walt in Wonderland: The Silent Films of Walt Disney. Kaufman also holds forth online at www.jbkaufman.com.