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| MickeyXtreme's News Archive February 1-4 2006 | ||
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Saturday February 4, 2006 |
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Walt Disney Co. reports earnings for its
fiscal first quarter on Monday. The following is a summary
of key developments and analyst opinion related to the
period.
EXPECTATIONS: Analysts expect Disney, the world's second-largest media conglomerate, to report earnings of 30 cents per share on revenue of $8.8 billion for the quarter, according to Thomson Financial. ANALYST TAKE: "We expect very strong momentum in Disney's cyclical businesses and poor content results," Deutsche Bank analyst Doug Mitchelson said in a client note Thursday. Mitchelson expects Disney to top Wall Street's forecast by 2 cents per share on revenue of $8.73 billion. Jason Bazinet, an analyst at Citigroup, on Thursday lowered his first-quarter expectations for Disney to 30 cents per share from 38 cents but said he still expects double-digit profit growth through 2008. "Disney is our top pick in the media sector," Bazinet said in a client note. "Although there are no structural catalysts, there is a compelling organic growth story." QUARTER DEVELOPMENTS: While Disney reported several business developments during the quarter, the bigger news came after the period ended when the Burbank, Calif., company announced it was buying longtime partner Pixar Animation Studios Inc. for $7.4 billion. The deal stands to make Pixar Chief Executive Steve Jobs Disney's largest shareholder. Jobs is rumored to be a potential candidate as Disney's next chairman, succeeding former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, who is scheduled to retire when his term expires. In December, Disney announced it would produce its first Chinese film, "The Secret of the Magic Gourd." The Chinese-language film began shooting in October in the eastern city of Hangzhou and is based on a popular children's book by the late Chinese novelist Zhang Tianyi. COMPETITORS: Time Warner, the world's largest media conglomerate, reported a 21 percent increase in fourth-quarter earnings last week, exceeding analysts' expectations, on strong results in cable TV, movie studios and cable networks businesses. The New York company also during the quarter finalized a long-awaited deal to sell a 5 percent stake in AOL to Google Inc. for $1 billion. The deal came as activist investor Carl Icahn has been lobbying to unseat a majority of Time Warner directors and install his own slate. More recently, Frank Biondi, a former chief executive of Universal Studios Inc. and Viacom Inc., said he would join forces with Icahn and has agreed to be chief executive of Time Warner if they are victorious. Elsewhere in the sector, CBS Corp., which broke off from former parent Viacom at the start of the year, recently raised its quarterly dividend by 2 cents to 16 cents per share. The company recently said it would launch a new broadcast TV network with Time Warner's Warner Bros. unit using the assets of the struggling UPN and WB networks. STOCK PERFORMANCE: Disney shares edged down during the quarter by less than 1 percent, finishing the year off 14 percent. |
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HK
legislators blast Disney for chaos
Hong Kong legislators yesterday accused Walt Disney Co's theme park of damaging the city's international image after Lunar New Year tourist crowds were turned away or faced long queues. The accusations came amid three days of ticketing confusion at the Lantau Island park. Yesterday, several visitors said they were able to buy tickets at the gate hours after the park broadcast messages -- at the site and at the inner-city train station that serves it -- saying it could take no more visitors. On Thursday, hundreds of ticket-holders were turned away from the park after Disneyland said it had reached maximum capacity. Local media broadcasts showed angry tourists pushing past security guards and attempting to climb the park's tall gates. "This is just outrageous," Emily
Lau ( Disney spent HK$2.45 billion (US$315.8 million) for its 43 percent stake in Hong Kong Disneyland, its first park in China. Hong Kong's government, which owns the remainder, invested HK$3.25 billion. It spent another HK$13.6 billion on roads and other infrastructure, and extended a HK$6.1 billion loan. Yesterday's broadcast was made "based on our experience in the past few days and based on our forecast of the day," said Jennifer Liu, spokeswoman for Disneyland in Hong Kong. Thousands of Chinese tourists came to Hong Kong during the weeklong holidays on the mainland. Yesterday, visitors began waiting at the front gate as early as 5:30 am. By 7:30 am, more than 1,000 people were queuing, Cable TV news reported. The Legislative Council's Economic
Services Panel may hold a special meeting to demand
explanations from Disney management, said Choy So-yuk ( The party will ask for a "full explanation on the chaos and Disneyland's assurance that it will not happen again," Choy said. Yesterday, not all those who made it in were pleased by the experience. One tourist, from Shande in China's Guangdong Province, left the park after a little more than two hours. "There are just too many people and too few facilities," said the man, who gave his last name as Tam. "I'm pretty disappointed. We had to wait more than an hour for each ride. If I knew it was going to be like this I'd rather go to Ocean Park," he said, referring to Hong Kong's only other amusement park. |
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The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Animation
Studios have agreed to extend their current distribution
agreement to include Pixar's 2007 release, Ratatouille, a
deal that will be moot if Disney's proposed acquisition of
Pixar closes this summer as expected.
The two companies negotiated what amounts to a one-picture extension as a fail-safe measure in case the acquisition doesn't happen. "This is a deal that Disney and Pixar negotiated independent of the proposed merger to handle the distribution of 'Ratatouille' until such time as the transaction closes," Pixar said Thursday. Pixar would finance all the production costs of Ratatouille and pay Disney a straight distribution fee under the new deal, according to a regulatory filing. Pixar would also own the film. The extension differs from the current arrangement, where Disney and Pixar split the production costs and the profits, and share ownership of the copyright. |
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Disney
Goes To The Superbowl
When the Super Bowl happens this Sunday, a great many of you will be paying more attention to the commercials than the game of football. If you're a movie lover, that idea is probably doubly good, since Disney is debuting new trailers for two of their most eagerly anticipated movies on Sunday. The Shaggy Dog, and Pirates of the Caribbean and the Pixar created Cars. |
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"High
School Musical" Soundtrack Shatters Multiple Records On
Billboard Charts
Walt Disney Records' "High School Musical" soundtrack continues to raise the bar – breaking four records and making history on the Billboard charts this week. With the announcement of corrections to the charts, an unprecedented nine original songs from the "High School Musical" soundtrack have broken onto Billboard's Hot 100 chart – with five of them in the top 40. The evocative duet "Breaking Free" makes the largest jump in the 48-year history of the Billboard Hot 100, catapulting from #86 to #4 in just one week. The catchy single "Get'cha Head in the Game" breaks a 34-year-old record – making the biggest jump ever from the anchor position and soaring from #100 to #23. Seven other singles from the soundtrack also debuted on the Hot 100: #28 - "Start of Something New," #34 - "We're All in This Together," #35 - "What I've Been Looking For," #43 - "Stick To The Status Quo," #62 - "Bop to the Top," #67 - "What I've Been Looking For (Reprise)" and #72 - "When There Was Me and You." The main movie characters, Troy and Gabriella, each have set a new Billboard record by earning their first four chart entries (six, if one includes the two additional tracks credited to the entire "High School Musical" cast) within their first two weeks on the Hot 100. In comparison, it took The Beatles four weeks to rack up their first four chart entries in 1964. In addition to breaking Billboard records, Walt Disney Records' enjoys a new label best with "Breaking Free"'s chart success. The track's #4 position makes it the label's highest-ranked Hot 100 song in their 50-year history. The former titleholder was 2005's Kelly Clarkson hit "Breakaway" from "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" soundtrack. Walt Disney Records is part of The Buena Vista Music Group, the recorded music and music publishing arm of The Walt Disney Company. For more information, please visit DisneyRecords.com. |
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Disney
World Disney Dining Experience Membership Price Changes
Effective January 1, 2006 the membership fees for the Disney Dining Experience have been modified. The new rates are listed below, including the fee for the secondary membership card, which will no longer be available on a complimentary basis.
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Disney
to announce sale of ABC Radio next week
ABC Radio, the home of Sean Hannity and other popular talk hosts and some of the biggest and most well-known radio stations in the country, will be cut loose by parent Disney Corp. as early as next week, industry insiders tell WND. Disney has been in serious talks with Citadel Broadcasting to sell its ABC Radio division as a way of improving its bottom line. Industry analysts say the deal will be close to a $3 billion transaction and involved the assumption of significant debt and operating losses currently experienced by the radio division. The deal may not include ESPN Radio and some Disney-branded stations that are part of the ABC Radio division now. It would also not include the ABC News radio franchise. The transaction, however, would include most of the 72 stations currently operating under the ABD Radio banner. Citadel currently owns AM and FM stations in 47 markets. Walt Disney Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger has been directly involved in pushing the deal through, according to industry sources. It was Iger who recently announced the $7.4 billion acquisition of Pixar. He also spearheaded plans to cut Disney's corporate bureaucracy and shift planning duties to the company's media networks, movie studio and consumer products unit in a move to increase spur creativity and productivity. Iger came to Disney with its acquisition of Capital Cities-ABC television and replaced Michael Eisner. |
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ABC
fades to black after Super Bowl
Their season of swan songs is headed for the biggest of final bows on Sunday night. But don’t expect ABC’s crew to spend too much time waxing nostalgic during Super Bowl XL from Detroit’s Ford Field — perhaps the last time the network will get a shot at presenting television’s biggest single-day sports event. ABC is bowing out of the NFL picture next season, turning Monday Night Football over to ESPN. Sunday night games move to NBC, with Fox and CBC retaining the afternoon fare. “Monday night comes to an end on a Sunday (night) in early February, and it’s something that all of us have felt this year,” said Al Michaels, ABC’s voice of Monday Night Football for the past two decades, during a conference call earlier this week. Different tone While the final MNF telecast in December was a veritable trip down memory lane, ABC Super Bowl producer Fred Gaudelli said Sunday’s telecast won’t carry the same tone. “We spent the last telecast looking back at the 36 years and saying our goodbyes, and this is the Super Bowl,” he said. “It’s the biggest event of the year. “All of the focus and effort should be on that.” While Michaels is staying with MNF — he’ll work the ESPN games with Joe Theismann — Madden has signed on with NBC as its Sunday night game analyst. Rumours are already swirling that Michaels might bolt ESPN to team up with Madden again on NBC. Michaels won’t address the issue. “I’m under contract to ESPN for next season,” he said. “I can’t respond to rumours … that would become a distraction and it wouldn’t be fair to the people on this show.” Madden calls their pairing on MNF “four of the most enjoyable years I’ve ever spent in football.” But it might be over on Sunday night, assuming Michaels stays where he is. If that’s the case, the man who made the phrase “do you believe in miracles?” famous might be saying farewell to the Super Bowl as well (NBC, Fox and CBS share Super Bowls in the new contract). “You never know what it’s going to be,” said Michaels. “I thought it was going to be my last World Series in 1989. (ABC) lost the contact, got it back and I did it in 1995. Never thought I would be a part of the NBA Finals, and I’ve done a couple of them right now. Life takes crazy twists and turns. I can’t think that far ahead.” THE ROAD TO TURIN: Salt Lake Olympic pairs champions Jamie Sale and David Pelletier are headed back to the Games, but this time as television analysts in Turin. They’ll work on Olympic Ice, a daily magazine-style show about figure skating on the USA Network. “We’ll be trying to give the people at home an idea of what goes on at the practice rink,” Sale told the Sun. “It’ll be our TV debut.” The first step toward a new career, perhaps? “Who knows, we might really be bad at it,” said Sale with a laugh. “We might want to do it again. Or everybody might say ‘get them off there.’ ” … Rogers digital customers will have free access to all CBC video on demand programming during the Turin Games. Viewers can access each day’s complete CBC coverage package on VOD 24 hours after it originally airs. NFL’S NEW WORLD: Two things you should know about the eight-game Saturday-Thursday package of regular-season games that begins next season on the NFL Network: The games won’t be available to NFL Network subscribers in Canada, but TSN is negotiating to add them to its growing NFL portfolio, which now includes Monday Night Football … Madden on the NFL Network deal: “I just worry about overexposure. I don’t want us to become like college basketball or college football, where you have games on every night. That’s the direction it’s going in, and I really don’t know that it’s a great direction.” AROUND THE DIAL: Finally, CFL fans are getting the full-meal deal. All 81 league games will be televised in 2006 — 54 on TSN and 27 on CBC … Rogers Television will provide full live coverage of all draws from the Kia Cup Ontario men’s curling championships, which begin Monday in Guelph. Bryan Cochrane of the Ottawa Curling Club is in the field … TSN is offering four hours worth of ESPN’s NFL Countdown on Super Bowl Sunday starting at 11 a.m., along with the final two editions of ESPN’s NFL PrimeTime, tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11:30 p.m. … ABC’s Super Bowl preview show runs 2:30-6 p.m. |
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Soldier
who saw ABC anchor Woodruff after Iraq attack thought he was
dead
The first U.S. soldier to check on ABC anchor Bob Woodruff after he was attacked by a roadside bomb in Iraq said Friday: "My initial assessment of him was that he was dead." First Sgt. John McFarlane of the 4th Infantry Division was one of five soldiers honored Friday by ABC's World News Tonight as their "persons of the week" for helping to save the life of the broadcast's co-anchor last Sunday. The ABC newscast also played the last pictures taken by the cameras that accompanied Woodruff and Canadian cameraman Doug Vogt on their fated assignment. Neither camera showed the blast, ABC said. Woodruff and Vogt were both being treated Friday at the U.S. National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. World News Tonight co-anchor Elizabeth Vargas said both were improving. Both Woodruff and Vogt were standing up in the hatch of an Iraqi mechanized vehicle on patrol north of Baghdad on Sunday when the explosive device went off. Woodruff's Iraqi translator was in the vehicle and pulled the anchorman back in. "I saw Bob's face hanging from the hatch and the blood was dripping inside," said the translator, who was interviewed in shadows and not identified at his request for safety reasons. "I pulled him in and tried to reposition him on his back." McFarlane entered the vehicle to check Vogt and Woodruff, yelling out to Maj. Bill Taylor "they were bad," Taylor said. Both Woodruff and Vogt were evacuated by helicopter to a military hospital nearby in 24 minutes, ABC said. The newscast saluted Taylor; McFarlane; the interpreter; Staff Sgt. Glenn Young and the unit's commander, Maj. Michael Jason. "They would tell you that they were just doing their soldierly duty," Vargas said. "But in doing so, they remind us again what a remarkable group of people can accomplish under the greatest of pressure and we are grateful." Earlier, ABC played snippets of the story Woodruff was working on before being injured. He wanted to show how the war was going from the point of view of Iraqi soldiers on patrol. Woodruff was shown wearing a helmet and body armor. His face and shoulders were exposed; he suffered shrapnel wounds to the head, a broken collarbone and broken ribs. Before the blast, Vogt's camera was showing a picture of an Iraqi soldier. The camera pans down and the picture turns black. Similarly, a second camera mounted on the vehicle also stopped filming. "It is likely the force of the blast disabled both cameras," said ABC's Dan Harris. "You cannot hear or see anything else on either tape." |
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Friday February 3, 2006 |
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Disney last week announced a $7.4bn takeover of its sometime-partner, sometime-rival Pixar in a move that is certain to be hugely significant for Apple. On the face of it, the deal looks more like a Pixar takeover of Disney rather than the other way around, with key Pixar personnel taking over chief creative and executive roles in the new parent company. However, the key appointment is that of Pixar (and Apple) CEO Steve Jobs to the board of Disney directors. In addition to making Jobs considerably richer - a largely academic consideration for someone who is already a multi-billionaire - the deal also makes the Apple CEO the single largest stakeholder of the merged animation giant. For the legions of diehard Pixar fans, the deal puts him in a strong position to maintain the quality of Pixar's creative offering, which seems to get better with every movie compared to the undeniable decline in Disney's recent output - The Incredibles versus Brother Bear? No contest. More significantly, the move cements Jobs' position as the most influential business leader in the ongoing convergence of content and online delivery and establishes him as a major Hollywood player (to coin the industry parlance) as the film studios look to extend their digital horizons. The prospect of Jobs joining Disney was widely tipped throughout 2005. However, rather than a Pixar buyout, many speculated Jobs was in pole position to take over from former chief executive and adversary Michael Eisner. That speculation ended when current Disney CEO Robert Iger formally donned the Mickey Mouse ears in October 2005. Importantly, the departure of Eisner and the appointment of Iger also healed the relationship between Pixar and Disney, with the two CEOs swiftly closing the rifts that opened during the twilight of Eisner's tenure. Perhaps a tad over-optimistically, many are already speculating that Jobs has the Disney CEO position in his sights. After all, look what happened when he sold NeXT to Apple and took on a temporary consultancy role at the company he joint-founded? While that's unlikely, Jobs is equally unlikely to take a back seat role at Disney. Part of the package for Disney was undoubtedly his track record in guiding the iTunes Music Store to fruition as well as the creative excellence of the Pixar animation team. Either way, Jobs is now in a key position to help guide Disney's considerable network assets down the digital delivery channel. So what's in it for Apple? The Mac maker could stand to benefit not only from a content distribution deal with Disney's own animation studios but also from its extensive collection of broadcast networks, including ABC and ESPN. Indeed, the seeds of the close relationship between Apple and Disney have already borne fruit. Pixar short films have been available on iTunes since video met the iPod. Disney animated shorts followed hot on the heels of the Pixar acquisition and suggested a taste of things to come. In addition, Jobs has already forged a number of deals with Disney-owned networks to distribute programmes via the iTunes Music Store. The Apple CEO has proved that online delivery of music can work and video-on-demand seems the most likely candidate for the full iTunes treatment. In an interview with CNBC following the merger, Jobs stated that Disney CEO Iger was the first person he called to break the news about the video iPod and predicted that the next five years were going to be "pretty exciting". During the same interview, Iger said Jobs would be a "big voice" inside Disney and added that the relationship with Apple has "tremendous potential", with room for growth. In some ways the hard part is over for Jobs. Apple's emergence in recent years as a fledgling media company has been dependent on fickle third-party suppliers - the record labels and their jittery apprehension about the legal download market, for instance. In the music marketplace, consumers don't purchase based on label - so having a large collection of downloadable music from a wide range of major and independent labels was essential for the credibility of the service. Conversely, video-on-demand is more logically aligned according to individual channels, allowing Apple to add additional networks and franchises on an iterative basis rather than requiring a comprehensive established content offering. With its existing content offering and the potential of access to the whole Disney catalogue of content, Apple has a chance to prove that the concept of video-on-demand can work and convince other networks to join the party. During the CNBC interview, Jobs hinted that the existing Apple and Disney-Pixar collaboration would prove fruitful due to the nature of its content. "You may watch your favourite live action film three, four, or five times in your life," said Jobs. "But for a great animation film, your kids may watch it a dozen or a hundred times." Something most parents can probably relate to from painful experience. Ultimately, if Apple tries to forge an online distribution deal with Disney, it's likely to follow the same revenue model that made its foray into online music so successful - sleek, sexy hardware. Apple makes the vast majority of its money off the back of iPod sales and not off its revenues from iTunes music tracks where its margins are notoriously thin. It's probable the company will launch a new device to deliver video content. The video-enabled iPod is an existing candidate and already allows users to watch videos stored on its hard drive on TVs. However, the prospect of video-on-demand may point the way towards the long rumoured home media device or entertainment hub. The Apple media centre recently adopted the mantle of 'most anticipated bit of new Apple kit', taking over from former incumbent the G5 PowerBook. RIP. The inevitable emergence of such a device has long been predicted by analysts and bloggers alike. It's believed the mythical beast will take the form of a Mac mini with 'Tivo-like' functions. The launch of an Apple media centre has been awarded more credence recently given that Apple's other new best friend, Intel, hasn't exactly been shy in its advances to the Hollywood studio moguls about the exciting potential of digital video. The 2005 launch of Intel's so-called EPC (Entertainment PC) digital hub didn't cause much of a stir, even if it did bear an uncanny resemblance to a Mac mini. However, it's not hard to see what the chip maker could gain from an alignment with a company possessing Apple's marketing savvy and proven track record on selling must-have consumer products. Intel has invested considerable research into developing companion chipsets that are tailor-made to fit into consumer digital entertainment devices. With reports circulating that the chip giant will not only provide the processors but also design the motherboard for the next-generation of PowerMac, what are the chances it could do the same for an Apple digital entertainment hub? Meanwhile, Apple's Front Row technology, currently available on the iMac and the MacBook Pro, lets you browse media files with a diminutive remote control. As snazzy as Front Row is, it seems far more suited to a living-room device linked to a larger screen rather than a desktop or laptop computer. The technology seems like it's a soft launch in preparation for the launch of a different kind of device. However, the big challenge for Jobs will be how he manages his multiple pursuits and balances the best interests of the stakeholders of Disney and Apple. It will be quite a juggling act and he needs to tread with considerable care at board level to avoid any question marks over conflicts of interests. Of which there are likely to be many. This balancing act needs to take place long before any really interesting decisions over digital rights management are made. No doubt the legal teams at Real and Microsoft will be watching his every move with much interest. Many have commented on the parallels between the AOL-Time Warner merger and the permutations of an Apple-Disney 'special relationship', although the Pixar merger has been forged in eminently more stable and pragmatic times with lessons learnt from the fallout of the poster-child merger of the dot-com boom. Delivering what is undoubtedly the next evolutionary stage for the iTunes Music Store and the online delivery of content - from Disney and beyond - will prove a massive challenge, even for such an agile business leader as Jobs. He'll need to keep a fair number of plates spinning atop a fair number of poles and draw on his sizeable resources of negotiation, acumen and, above all, persuasion. Time to turn the Reality Distortion Field up to 11. |
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Disney,
News Corp. on deck
Walt Disney Co. will report its fiscal first-quarter results on Monday after the market closes. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expect Disney to come up with earnings of 30 cents a share on revenue of $8.8 billion. In the year-earlier quarter, the company earned 35 cents a share, including a 2-cent gain on a tax benefit and an extra day related to a reporting calendar change. Revenue was $8.67 billion. Results are expected to be bolstered by revenue gains at its broadcasting, cable networks and theme parks segments, somewhat offset by a decline at the studio entertainment unit. Wednesday, News Corp. will report fiscal second-quarter earnings after the market closes. Analysts expect the company to post earnings of 20 cents a share on revenue of $6.9 billion. A year earlier, net income was 13 cents a share on revenue of $6.6 billion. Though revenue at the company's film and television studio is expected to decline compared to very strong results in the prior year, robust numbers are expected to continue at the cable networks. The Fox broadcast network should show improvement, but ongoing advertising weakness could slow down revenue at the owned-and-operated television stations. Also Wednesday, News Corp.-controlled satellite provider DirecTV reports fourth-quarter results before the market opens. Analysts expect DirecTV to swing to a profit of 4 cents a share on revenue of $3.57 billion. A year earlier, the company lost 20 cents a share on revenue of $3.36 billion. On the company's conference call, analysts are likely to want more details on the company's decision to raise its rates by 4.4% as of March 1. The increase of $3 a month for current subscribers is among the more significant rate hikes among cable and satellite companies in 2006. |
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The National Fantasy Fan Club (NFFC) will be
hosting its Second Annual Florida Strictly Disneyana Show
& Sale at the Celebration Middle School Gymnasium at 510
Campus Street, Celebration FL 34747.
The doors will open at 10:00 a.m. with the admittance of NFFC members ONLY. At 11:00 a.m., the general public will be admitted. The event will close at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday the event will open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the general public Parking is FREE! Details are available on our website at www.nffc.org. Renowned Disney Artist Tony West will be just some of the special guests attending. Paid admission to the Show & Sale for current NFFC members will be $4.00 when they show their current membership card. The general public will be charged $5.00 and all Disney cast members with valid ID get in for just $4.00. Also if you bring a copy of this listing, you will receive $1.00 discount off the $5.00 admission price. You cannot combine discounts. The NFFC has held its Strictly Disneyana Show & Sale in Anaheim for the past 20 years and is excited to be expanding its activities into the Orlando area. We are making this a yearly event. |
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Citadel
Near Disney Deal
Citadel (CDL) is closing in fast on a deal to acquire Disney's (DIS) radio properties, in a transaction that is said to value the stations at between $2.7 billion and $2.9 billion, according to sources. "They're making progress," says one person who was closely involved in a rival bid for the properties. A deal could be announced as early as Monday, when Disney is due to report earnings, and comes on the heels of Disney's move last week to buy Pixar (PIXR) for $7.4 billion to bolster its movie-animation efforts. Disney put its ABC and ESPN branded radio properties up for sale last summer but said publicly that it would consider a number of alternatives -- including not selling. Disney's radio stations are much sought-after, given their presence in top markets including New York City and Los Angeles. Citadel currently owns 213 radio stations in 47 markets. Citadel didn't return calls seeking comment, and a Disney rep declined to comment. Radio companies including Entercom (ENT), Emmis (EMMS), Cox Radio (CXR) and Cumulus (CMLS), plus private equity company Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, all threw their hats in the ring. Entercom, KKR and Citadel emerged as finalists last month in what one source described as a "painfully slow" process. The deal is expected to take the form of a "reverse Morris trust," in which Disney shareholders end up owning slightly more than 50% of the merged company and get a half-share in the profits. Citadel would govern the assets. Sources say that a deal could see Citadel owning the stations, but with long ABC and ESPN affiliate agreements structured into it. Although this type of deal is pursued because of the tax benefits to Disney, Disney has plenty of extra incentive to be careful in picking the winner. Citadel's CEO Farid Suleman is an industry veteran who had a formidable ally in its corner throughout the process. Forstmann Little, the private equity group run by Wall Street icon Ted Forstmann, owns more than 60% of Citadel and has four of the 10 members on its board. Forstmann Little also has a favorite investment bank -- Goldman Sachs (GS) -- which is one of the two banks, along with Bear Stearns, advising Disney on the sale. On Friday shares of Citadel were trading down 3 cents to $12.06, while Disney shares were down 8 cents to $25.02. |
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The
Chronicles of Disney
In a move that shocked no one, Disney (NYSE: DIS) announced that it was starting preproduction work on The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. The second of the seven books in the popular C.S. Lewis series is set to be translated onto the big screen for December of 2007, coming on the heels of the runaway holiday hit, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The original has grossed $635 million in worldwide ticket sales since its December debut. For Disney, Chronicles has become a slice of redemption after the company failed to play a bigger role in The Lord of the Rings trilogy's success. Most of those spoils went to Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendation Time Warner (NYSE: TWX). The fantasy world of the Pevensie siblings gives Disney another live-action workhorse to return its film studio to theatrical glory. A sequel to its smash hit The Pirates of the Caribbean will hit a multiplex near you this summer. Pirates and Chronicles will likely be blockbuster bookends for Disney, in the same vein that Time Warner feasted on having Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings. The proposed pairing of Disney and Stock Advisor pick Pixar (Nasdaq: PIXR) will go a long way toward reestablishing Disney as the leader in theatrical animation and hit franchises; on the filmed front, the further adventures of the Pevensies and Jack Sparrow will clearly help its live-action studio. Meanwhile, Disney's theme parks are sporting record attendance, while ABC and ESPN are also thriving. Yes, Disney's back. The share price may still be trading in the mid-$20s, but the company's prospects have rarely been brighter. It took a division of the entire company over at Viacom (NYSE: VIA) to unlock shareholder value. At Disney, it has been a matter of multiplication. More Narnia. More Pirates. More Pixar. More optimism, too. |
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Hong
Kong Disneyland is seeking comedic improvisational actors
who can impersonate
Hong Kong Disneyland is seeking comedic
improvisational actors who can impersonate the voice of
"Stitch" from the Disney animated feature film,
"Lilo and Stitch". |
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Disney
World, musicians agree on labor contract
Walt Disney World and its musicians have
reached agreement on a new six-year labor contract. |
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Disney,
Pixar extend distribution deal for film 'Ratatouille'
The Walt Disney Co. and Pixar Animation Studios have agreed to extend their current distribution agreement to include Pixar's 2007 release, ``Ratatouille,'' a deal that will be moot if Disney's proposed acquisition of Pixar closes this summer as expected. The two companies negotiated what amounts to a one-picture extension as a fail-safe measure in case the acquisition doesn't happen. ``This is a deal that Disney and Pixar negotiated independent of the proposed merger to handle the distribution of 'Ratatouille' until such time as the transaction closes,'' Pixar said Thursday in a statement. Pixar would finance 100 percent of the production costs of ``Ratatouille'' and pay Disney a straight distribution fee under the new deal, according to a regulatory filing. Pixar would also own the film. The extension differs from the current arrangement, where Disney and Pixar split the production costs and the profits, and share ownership of the copyright. |
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Super
MVP Isn't the Big Cheese at Disneyland
Steve Young did in 1995 after passing for
a record six touchdowns in the San Francisco 49ers' 49-26
Super Bowl victory over the San Diego Chargers and being
named the game's most valuable player. |
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When
You Wish Upon a Merger
The $7.4 billion buyout of Pixar Animation by the Walt Disney Company has generated more public speculation than the typical mega-merger, because everyone seemed to realize that this wasn't just another corporate shuffle. It was the convergence of two institutions that have helped shape the American imagination, and it immediately prompted questions about what it might mean for the future of animated movies as well as what it might mean for the entertainment industry generally. The answer is that it might mean a lot for both. One oft-made point over the last week is that Disney, most closely identified with traditional hand-drawn, two-dimensional animation, may have with the Pixar deal now sealed 2-D's demise (after already closing its hand-drawn operation last year). What this analysis misses is that the seeming conflict between Disney and Pixar was never about old technology bowing to new. It was about aesthetics and how technology best served them. In many ways Walt Disney could be said to have invented animation, starting with the Mickey Mouse cartoons in the late 1920's and moving on to the feature animations that began with "Snow White." In the process of inventing, he pioneered the synchronization of sound with cartoons, and he led the way on color cartoons as well, even originally monopolizing the use of Technicolor for animation. But whatever Disney contributed in terms of technology, the element that made even his early animations superior was the sense of anima in them — the spirit. Walt Disney never thought of his characters as moving drawings. He saw them as living, feeling, thinking creatures, which is why he believed audiences responded to them. The technologies he advocated were simply ways to enhance the anima. In terms of technical advances, Pixar is the heir to the Disney tradition. Though it was the Disney Company itself, beginning with "The Little Mermaid," that revived feature animation in the late 1980's after a long post-Walt decline, its movies became increasingly schematic in their look, flatter and more linear. On the other hand, Pixar's fully dimensional computer-generated imagery in films like "Toy Story" took animation further into the realm of realism and wound up sounding a death knell for hand-drawn work. The tale of the box office, it seemed, was that C.G.I. had won, and there was no going back. Actually, it isn't that simple. In fact, as Pixar's chiefs would probably be the first to admit, it isn't C.G.I. itself that has made their films so wildly successful. Rather, it is the narrative craft with which those films were made. If anything, technology can be a detriment — as Walt Disney discovered when, in the 1950's, he championed a system to Xerox the animators' drawings directly onto the transparent cel, only to discover that the result had less warmth and realism than the old horse-and-buggy technique of having the drawings individually inked and painted onto the cel by hand. While Pixar's films are invariably clever and often brilliant, C.G.I. animation can be cold and mechanical, less anima than anemia. This is, perhaps, where Disney and Pixar might complement one another and change the face of animation. With the installation of Pixar's president, Ed Catmull, and its creative guru, John Lasseter, as the overseers of the entire animation operation, the goal may very well be a combination of two-dimensional animation and C.G.I. that takes the best of both — the tactile human touch of old Disney combined with Pixar's C.G.I. expertise at plot and character development. A bigger question may come with efforts to merge the two companies' corporate cultures. One reason Pixar seemed so nimble over the last decade while Disney and other entertainment behemoths galumphed along insensitive to changing public tastes is that Pixar was unencumbered by a large bureaucratic apparatus. Even Walt Disney, who ran his studio with an iron hand, was often foiled by economic considerations as his operation expanded; for years his lenders prevented him from making animated features because they thought there was no longer any money in them. Pixar, essentially a boutique, resembled more the old Disney studio of the 1930's than the current Disney studio itself did. I doubt this was lost on the Disney executives and board. Even during Walt Disney's lifetime, when he was distracted by his theme park, the question by which the bean-counters governed was: "What would Walt do?" This became an even more deafening and suffocating refrain after his death in 1966. In effect, the studio has spent the last 40 years trying to find its way back home to Walt — trying to find the little company within the giant one. When Michael Eisner ascended to power at Disney in 1984 he cast himself as the proto-Walt, running the company in the manner that he felt Disney himself would have run it. And he quickly found himself victimized by the same forces that had frustrated Walt — not only the bottom line but also a self-imposed need to keep the company hewed to a single vision even as it grew beyond its capacity to be ruled by that vision. (It didn't help that Mr. Eisner didn't have Walt's creative bona fides.) Robert Iger, Mr. Eisner's successor, seems to have discovered that the Disney brass had been asking the wrong question all along. It shouldn't have been, "What would Walt do?" It should have been, "Who would Walt be?" In bringing Pixar's Steven Jobs into the fold, Mr. Iger may feel he has finally answered the question. Mr. Jobs, at both Pixar and Apple Computer, has shown a Disney-like bravado and disdain for traditional business practices. (Not at all incidentally, Mr. Jobs also enjoys the same sort of news media genuflection that Walt Disney enjoyed for much of his life.) In the end, Disney is doing something that perhaps no other corporation of this size has ever done: actively de-corporatizing itself. It is reassigning authority from the bureaucracy to a small group of creative individuals. It is, in short, trying to resurrect Walt Disney and his early hands-on management style. Running the company out of his own head was a difficult enough task for Walt Disney himself. Whether the new crew can pull it off is anyone's guess. But if they do, it will reverse the dynamics of the entire entertainment industry by empowering the putative visionaries over the suits. It has already begun to change the Disney company. In the years I have spent doing research in the Disney archives, I have heard numerous animators moaning Eeyore-like over the sorry state of Disney animation. After the deal's announcement last week, one animator practically floated in, beaming. "They won't let us make bad movies," he told me of the new Pixar crew. It was something an animator might have said many, many years ago at the studio, when Walt Disney held sway and everything was right with the world. |
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ABC
Slots Four Midseason Shows; 'Alias' MIA
ABC will be performing some scheduling gymnastics to get the remainder of its large midseason slate on the air, with four new series joining the previously slated "Sons & Daughters" on the network in March and April. Left out of the mix, however, is "Alias," which was originally scheduled to return in March for its final episodes but is now a schedule orphan. First up among the new shows is the unscripted series "Miracle Workers," which debuts at 10 p.m. ET Monday, March 6, a week after "The Bachelor: Paris" concludes its season. A feel-good show in the vein of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," the series follows a team of doctors and nurses who will help people overcome overwhelming medical issues. "Miracle Workers" will air for four weeks before giving way to the drama "What About Brian," which stars "7th Heaven" alum Barry Watson as a single guy in his 30s whose friends are all married or about to be. Complicating matters, he has a massive crush on his best friend's (Matthew Davis, "Legally Blonde") fiancee (Sarah Lancaster, "Everwood"). "Brian" will premiere on Sunday, April 2, where it will have the advantage of "Desperate Housewives" as a lead-in, before moving to its Monday home the following night. ABC will also return "Supernanny" to Mondays at 9 p.m. March 6. Thursday, March 16 will bring the two-hour debut of "American Inventor," a series executive produced by "American Idol's" Simon Cowell. The show will give would-be Edisons a chance to show off their ideas to viewers and a panel of judges, with the winner getting a chance to bring his or her invention to consumers. The show will settle in at 9 p.m. Thursdays on March 23. Also that night, a series of four "Home Edition" specials featuring the show's team helping disaster victims on the Gulf Coast will debut in the 8 p.m. hour. With "Primetime" remaining at 10, "Alias" has no place to go for the remainder of its final season. An ABC rep couldn't be reached Wednesday to discuss where the show might land. ABC's final midseason entry is "The Evidence," a crime procedural from "ER" executive producer John Wells that debuts at 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 22 ("Invasion" will go on hiatus and return in April to finish its season). The show follows two San Francisco detectives (Orlando Jones and Rob Estes) who reconstruct crimes based on the evidence collected at the scene. ABC previously announced that "Sons & Daughters" will take "Commander In Chief's" Tuesday spot for six weeks starting March 7. "Chief" will return April 18. |
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Disney
at the Presidio of San Francisco
Disney now has plans to open up some of its marketing operations at the Presidio of San Francisco. Disney, is touting a museum and aiming to leaser some of the 100 series buildings on the Main Post. First it was George Lucas and it got a bargain$5 million lease for a long, long time. Now here come Mickey Mouse and Mickey Mouse one would wonder is into Preservation and Preservation? The Presidio Trust and the National Park Service (NPS) have NOT been kind to the Presidio of San Francisco.The Presidio is a National Park and the likes of George Lucas and Disney should be kept out because these organization tend to remain to themselves and foster commercialization. they do not contribute anything much to the Preservation and Protection of the Park that is the Presidio of San Francisco. The 100 series buildings at the Presidio Main Post have NOT been taken care of by the Presidio Trust. At one time in the early 1996 or so each of the buildings could have been seismically retrofitted for as little as $ 2 million dollars. Now it will take about $ 8 million. Initially, Building 103 on the Main Post was set aside so that the NPS could use it as a Vistor's Center. Then all of a sudden the NPS opted for building 102 and wasted over $2 million on a elevator and other unhistorical modifications. All tax payers money and all under the jurisdiction of Brian ONeill who is still hovering about doing nothing much. The Vistors' Center is now situated in Building 50 known as the Officers' Club. The building belongs to the Presidio Trust but accommodates the NPS and its for profit partner. Building 101 was set aside to be used as an Native American Museum but the kinds of Amy Meyer who at that time was on the Presidio Trust Board opposed leasing any building to the Native Americans. There are many building in the Fort Scott area that are NOT cared for. Others all over the Presidio of San Francisco. El Polin Springs is abused and not maintained. Now, suddenly it is kosher to lease some of the 100 series buildings to Disney and to Mickey Mouse. Many of the sane and educated organizations do not want Disney making this funny and unwanted move - there are others that do not understand the main purpose of the Park - that welcome Disney and its dubious operations. Disney is already at the Presidio of San Francisco and it is time we keep them out and stop their expansion. Too much of Whip Cream and fuzzy operations not in keeping with the Presidio of San Francisco and its military tradition. We cannot cater to the Native Americans and other good operations more in keeping with Preservation and Protection of the Park. The Presidio Trust and the NPS have failed in their obligation mentioned in the Draft General Management Plan, the Final GMP, and even in the shady amendments that accommodated Lucas Letterman Digital Center or whatever. Disney like Lucas brings a lot of money and in today's world the corrupt Presidio Trust and the more corrupt NPS will bend backwards to make deals behind close door to accommodate Mickey Mouse. This tainted money is bad for the Park. Lucas has over 1600 parking slots all underground at its site - the land is prone to liquefaction and no one mentions about this. Lucas and Disney will bring in cars and other vehicular traffic and pollute the Presidio with particulates. In recent years there have been more accidents and even deaths linked to heavy traffic. Rare animals have been killed and even the rare Presidio Quail has not been spared many deaths as a result of heavy traffic. In the interim the Dog Lovers have won their case and put the NPS and Brian O'Neil on notice. It is interesting to see the Presidio Trust and NPS waste money in the millions fighting the Lease Law and Dog Lovers in court. The millions spent all tax payers money. This money could have been spent by the upkeep of Open Space and facilitates for the Public. Many Shellmounds at the Presidio the Sacred Burial Grounds of the Online are NOT preserved. The Buffalo Soldier some 600 lie at the Presidio Cemetery and the Presidio Trust has not honored them with a monument. Has not named a road or a building after them. The all Black Buffalo Soldier managed the Parks before the NPS and the Buffalo Soldiers were once stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco. The building named after Black Jack is not maintained. The above examples are projects that mandate Preservation and Protection. |
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Thursday February 2, 2006 |
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Angry crowds storm Disneyland over ticket row Angry scenes shattered the holiday mood at Hong Kong Disneyland as hundreds of ticket-holders rushed the gates after being told the park was full, according to officials and TV reports. Scores of visitors, many of them mainland Chinese visiting the resort during the Lunar New Year holiday week, scaled the sharp railings of the locked gates to get to rides while others scuffled with staff. Cable television showed security guards looking on helplessly as the irate crowd, most of whom had paid 300 dollars (38 US dollars) for their tickets, surged towards the 3 billion dollar amusement park. The scenes of mayhem followed heated arguments the day before between Disney officials and visitors after the new ticketing scheme left hundreds stranded outside. The "flexible" ticket system allows customers to visit any time within a six-month period but doesn't guarantee entry on days when the park is full. A Disneyland spokeswoman played down the incident. "It was brought under control very early on after we sorted out the problem and let the people in," she told AFP. The ticket chaos is the latest in a string of setbacks to hit Hong Kong Disneyland, which opened to huge fanfare in September. A row over plans to serve shark's fin soup at its restaurants prompted an international outcry as conservationists, worried at the delicacy's toll on shark populations, threatened to lead a boycott. The park also ran into trouble with labor leaders after staff complained of being overworked and underpaid. The company refuses to reveal attendance figures for the park, which has a daily capacity of 30,000. Since opening it has only publicly declared itself sold out on eight days, despite cutting entry prices for local visitors over the Christmas period. The park's managing director, veteran Disney staffer Don Robinson, was replaced last month. |
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As reported yesterday.
First the theme park attraction inspired the
movie – now the movie is inspiring the attraction.
Pirates of the Caribbean, the classic Disney theme park adventure brought to the big screen in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, is adding new characters and features from the blockbuster entertainment franchise and debuting when the next adventure begins in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. Both the Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will close the attraction in March to complete the updates in time for the opening of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest on July 7. The attraction will re-open at Disneyland on June 24 and in Florida's Magic Kingdom on July 7. The attraction will feature the addition of two of Hollywood’s most infamous buccaneers, Captain Jack Sparrow and his nemesis Barbossa. Joining the wildest crew that ever sacked the Spanish Main, Captain Jack and Barbossa add an exciting new twist to the attraction’s original storyline as they race to be the first to claim a cache of plundered treasure. "Successfully adding the popular characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean films with the mythology of our classic attraction is an example of Disney synergy and Walt Disney Imagineering at its finest," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "These additions will result in an exciting new chapter for the attraction and an unforgettable experience for our guests, giving them another reason to come and be a part of our continuing 50th anniversary celebration." Woven into some of the attraction’s most memorable scenes, the rival swashbucklers will be seen interacting with some of the more familiar Audio-Animatronics buccaneers found inside the ride-thru adventure. Also making a guest appearance is the ghostly Davy Jones from the second movie in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. But new characters are only the beginning. New special effects will also be added to enhance the Pirates of the Caribbean theme park experience. "The creative legacy of Pirates of the Caribbean has come full circle with the attraction initially inspiring our highly successful film franchise and now the films inspiring exciting additions to the attraction itself," said Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. "The attraction enhancements capture the same spirit, swashbuckling humor and action that moviegoers loved in the first Pirates of the Caribbean which will continue with the highly anticipated new tales this summer and beyond." Created under the direct creative supervision of Walt Disney himself, Pirates of the Caribbean is the quintessential Disney theme park adventure, a swashbuckling voyage that transports guests back to the days when pirates and privateers roamed the Spanish Main. Starring a comical cast of rascals, scoundrels, villains and knaves, the world-famous attraction sends guests of all ages on a boat ride through mysterious caverns where "Dead men tell no tales" and then into a colonial era Caribbean seaport under siege by a band of fun-loving pirates. The attraction's jaunty theme song, "Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)," sets the show’s light tone with its tongue-in-cheek depiction of high-seas lawlessness. The original incarnation of Pirates of the Caribbean premiered on March 18, 1967, in New Orleans Square at Disneyland in California. Featuring more than 120 Audio-Animatronics performers, lavishly decorated sets and special effects, it’s considered to be one of the most spectacular and enduring attractions ever created for a theme park. With its setting revised slightly to fit a Caribbean Plaza location in Adventureland, the attraction opened to guests at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on December 15, 1973. More than 500 million people have experienced the rollicking fun of Pirates of the Caribbean in California and Florida over the past 39 years. "Enhancing the classic Pirates attractions with new characters and new technology will ensure their relevance and place in Disney theme parks as timeless adventures," said Tom Fitzgerald, senior creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering. "We're adding a layer of storytelling from the films to the attraction while retaining all the familiar elements that make it vibrant and exciting for every age group." The Pirates of the Caribbean additions are one part of the "Happiest Celebration on Earth," an 18-month salute (continuing through 2006) to 50 years of Disney park magic around the globe that started with the opening of Walt Disney’s original park, Disneyland, in 1955. |
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ESPN mobile phone service to start Super Bowl Sunday Sports cable network ESPN will launch a new mobile phone service in Best Buy stores on Sunday, coinciding with Super Bowl XL that will be carried on Walt Disney Co (DIS.N ) sister network ABC. Mobile ESPN, carried on a specially designed black-and-red Sanyo handsets, offers real-time sports content such as game highlights, scores and fantasy team coverage. The retail price of the phone is $199, and monthly plan costs range from $34.99 for 100 minutes to $224.99 for 4000 minutes through Sprint's high-speed Evolution Data Optimized service. All plans include ESPN sports content, for which users are not charged extra, an ESPN spokeswoman said. Additional handset models will be launched throughout 2006. ESPN plans to support the launch with a 60-second Super Bowl commercial featuring more than 20 athletes, including New Yorks Knicks basketball player Stephon Marbury, women's professional basketball star Lisa Leslie, and major league baseball pitcher David Wells. |
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Pre-Production
begins on 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'
Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, in collaboration with Academy Award-nominated director Andrew Adamson, have begun pre-production on "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," the next big screen installment of the "Narnia" Chronicles, and the follow-up to the international blockbuster, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," it was announced today (2/2). The latter film, based on the works of C. S. Lewis, has attracted legions of moviegoers all over the world and has grossed in excess of $637.8 million to date at the worldwide box office. It also received three Academy Award® nominations earlier this week. Internationally, "Narnia" already ranks as Buena Vista's top grossing live-action release of all-time (surpassing both "Armageddon" and "Pirates of the Caribbean") with its gross to date of $359.4 million." Domestically, the film's gross currently stands at $278 million and has already established itself as the Studio's third highest-grossing live-action film of all-time. The film is on track to become Buena Vista's all-time live-action champ, surpassing "Pirates of the Caribbean's" worldwide gross of $655 million. "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," will reunite most of the principal cast and creative team responsible for "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe." Andrew Adamson ("Shrek," "Shrek 2") will reprise his role as director, in addition to serving as a producer, and co-writer (in collaboration with Christopher Markus and Steve McFeeley). Production is set to begin later this year for a Christmas 2007 release. "Prince Caspian" finds the Pevensie siblings pulled back into the land of Narnia, where a thousand years have passed since they left. The children are once again enlisted to join the colorful creatures of Narnia in combating an evil villain who prevents the rightful Prince from ruling the land. "Prince Caspian" was first published in 1951, and is the second book in the seven-book series written by Lewis. It was intended as a continuation of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe." Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" have sold over 100 million copies worldwide, and continues to be one of the best loved and most popular series of all time. Commenting on the announcement, Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, said, "We're thrilled to be working with such a great director as Andrew, and our friends at Walden Media, in bringing the next chapter of the 'Narnia' chronicles to the big screen. Moviegoers around the world were unanimous in their love and enthusiasm for 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,' and 'Prince Caspian' offers lots of new thrills and adventures in this magical land. The C. S. Lewis books are a rich source of inspiration for great storytelling, and this book spotlights some wonderful new heroes, and villains, along with many of the characters we came to love so much in the first film." Cary Granat, co-founder and CEO of Walden Media, added, "Andrew Adamson, who possesses an unparalleled passion and vision for the 'Narnia' books, brought C. S. Lewis' world to life in an imaginative and exciting way. With 'Prince Caspian,' moviegoers will have an opportunity to revisit the magic of Narnia, encountering exciting new creatures and lands within Narnia alongside their favorite characters from these beloved books. Dick Cook and Disney have been amazing partners on this project and we look forward to working with them on this and other future installments in the 'Narnia' franchise." Adamson said, "Making 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' couldn't have been a more rewarding experience, not just in terms of creative achievement and audience response, but also because of the family we formed during production. 'Prince Caspian' not only gives me an opportunity to challenge my imagination with another classic story, it also allows me to work alongside the many talented artists who contributed to the first film, and of course to collaborate again with 'The Pevensies,' Georgie, Skandar, Anna, and William." |
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Disney Insider - Buzz Lightyear. Woody. Nemo.
The Incredibles clan. They’re characters that children
dream about and adults remember with a smile. And now, the
creative minds behind them are about to become part of the
Disney family.
On January 24, 2006, Robert Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, announced that Disney has agreed to acquire computer animation leader Pixar in a transaction expected to be completed by this summer. Next summer’s "Cars" will be the first Pixar release as a part of the Disney family, and more films are in the works. Pixar will retain its unique identity - and its adorable desklamp logo - while Pixar President Ed Catmull will serve as president of the new Pixar and Disney animation studios. The partnership between Pixar and Disney has deep roots, going all the way back to 1991. The first result was 1995’s "Toy Story," which revolutionized the world of computer animation. And ever since, Pixar films have been distributed by The Walt Disney Company, proudly displaying both the Pixar logo "Luxo Jr." and the Disney castle. What makes this such a natural match? Any parent whose child has declared "To infinity and beyond!" or been hero-struck to shake hands with Mickey Mouse at a Disney theme park knows that Disney and Pixar both understand the magic that makes an animated movie live in the hearts of viewers. It’s a legacy of quality as old as Disney itself - a company that, as Walt himself observed, "was all started by a Mouse."
"Disney is the only company with
animation in their DNA," Pixar Chairman and CEO Steve
Jobs said on a conference call following the announcement.
"They're also the only company that has Bob Iger, who
we've grown to like a lot, and trust."
Iger, in turn, has professed himself to be thrilled at how Pixar can add to the Disney legacy. "I have to think Walt Disney would be happy," he said. "We’re reaffirming our commitment to animation quality. I believe he would have had tremendous respect for (Pixar Executive Vice President) John Lasseter - and I think he would have just loved Pixar’s movies!" Walt Disney’s daughter Diane Disney Miller has expressed her happiness at the news, Iger said. And Disney’s nephew Roy Disney said on Tuesday, January 24, "Animation has always been the heart and soul of The Walt Disney Company, and it is wonderful to see Bob Iger and the company embrace that heritage by bringing the outstanding animation talent of the Pixar team back into the fold. This clearly solidifies the Walt Disney Company's position as the dominant leader in motion picture animation, and we applaud and support Bob Iger's vision." The elation doesn’t come only from the Disney side. "For many of us at Pixar, it was the magic of Disney that influenced us to pursue our dreams of becoming animators, artists, storytellers, and filmmakers," said Lasseter. "For 20 years we have created our films in the manner inspired by Walt Disney and the great Disney animators - great stories and characters in an environment made richer by technical advances. It is exciting to continue in this tradition with Disney, the studio that started it all." John Lasseter is no stranger to Disney - as a child, he became entranced by animation and wrote to the Disney Studio so many times and so eagerly that he was invited to come take a tour and meet some of the animators. When he graduated from high school, the CalArts character animation program was a natural fit. There he met many of Disney’s famous animators, and upon graduation he worked at Disney for several years - notably on "The Fox and the Hound" and "Mickey’s Christmas Carol." From next summer's "Cars" to movies not yet dreamed of, we look forward to seeing what comes next from the creative minds of Pixar and Disney Animation." |
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Disney Audition's is seeking actors to
portray the role of Pete Roleum for an exciting, new
Character Meet and Greet experience at the Disney-MGM
Studios. Full-time, part-time, and substitute positions are
available.
Description: Pete Roleum - Rust-eze Sales Representative and self appointed tour guide for McQueen and Mater from the Disney/Pixar film CARS. Pete strolls with McQueen and Mater as they cruise the Streets of America at the Disney-MGM Studios, facilitating interactions between the Characters and Guests. Pete is friendly, easygoing, and a walking encyclopedia when it comes to McQueen's career. |
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Don't know if you've been checking the
help-wanted ads lately, but Orlando has a couple of
high-profile openings.
Al Weiss, Walt Disney World's president, got bumped up the Mouse ladder in November to head park operations worldwide. His old job is likely to be filled this year. And last month, Bill Jennings, executive director at Orlando International Airport, gave notice that he was leaving in April. A search for his successor starts this month. For those charged with filling these two jobs, I have three words of advice: Don't blow it. These are the two most important positions in the region's tourism industry. But the people who take the jobs need to know more than tourism -- more than where the best deals are on Goofy hats or the location of an airport restroom. They have to be community leaders, too. Disney has more than 56,000 employees, and attendance at its parks exceeded 42 million last year. The airport employs more than 16,000 and hosts 33 million passengers annually. Each business may be the size of the economy of a small island -- but neither leader should act as if he lives on one. Tourism is the region's largest business, directly contributing nearly $14 billion in the economy (and indirectly, twice that). But both new leaders must see their roles beyond what is best for their employers. They have to do what is best for the community, too. Key to that will be their involvement in the region's economic development. Weiss recently was the chair of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission -- a good move that surely gave him a clearer idea of Central Florida's needs outside the parameters of Disney. The company has been justly criticized in the past for its stand on community issues -- especially related to transportation and use of the resort tax. OIA also has an enormous role to play in the economy. The airport comprises thousands of acres and is expected to be the anchor to a high-tech corridor envisioned by Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty. Additionally, there's still substantial land to be developed at the airport, providing the opportunity to lure more businesses like JetBlue, which opened a training and maintenance center there. An excellent role model for both new leaders to follow would be John Hitt, the president of the University of Central Florida. Under Hitt, UCF has stepped outside any academic ivory tower to address community needs. The region is the national leader in tourism -- so UCF opened a hospitality-management school to train future leaders. The region is looking to build its name in the video-game industry -- so UCF partnered with Electronic Arts, the state and city to open the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy downtown. And again, when Orlando had the opportunity to get one of only two National Entrepreneur Centers sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, UCF, along with Disney, played a key role in opening and running the operation. The center serves entrepreneurs from an office in downtown Orlando. Tough to say whether Orlando has the talent locally to fill either of the two open jobs. Airport officials have said they will look at internal candidates, but they also intend to launch a national search. Disney, meanwhile, is known for cultivating its bench strength, making it likely the company will find someone either already in Orlando or at another Disney park to take Weiss' place. But it doesn't matter whether the new leaders are found locally or from outside the area -- so long as they bring the ability to look beyond their own operations. Otherwise, Central Florida will be sadly shortchanged. |
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Construction
walls at Everest removed
The construction walls around Animal Kingdom's Expedition Everest have now been taken down. |
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Pleasure
Island Hosting February Events
Pleasure Island will be hosting two festive events this month; Sweetheart Island and Parti Gras. Sweetheart Island, taking place February 10, 11 & 14, is an eclectic tribute to romance. Parti Gras puts a new spin on the Mardi Gras tradition February 24, 25 & 28. Both events include a variety of special entertainers and musical performances throughout the streets of Pleasure Island and do not require Club admission. |
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Hong
Kong Disneyland Full For 3 Consecutive Days
Hong Kong Disneyland announced on Wednesday that the park was full and the tickets for visits to Hong Kong Disneyland had been sold out. The theme park has been full for three consecutive days since Monday, the second day of the Chinese lunar new year. In order to preserve the guest experience, the park allowed in only those with tickets for Wednesday. Passengers with tickets valid for six months have to choose another day to visit. Hong Kong Disneyland has been one of the major travel destinations for Chinese mainland visitors during the lunar new year holiday period. Hong Kong Disneyland has been full for six days, three in December last year and another three this year. Its visitor receiving capacity is around 30,000 at present. The average number of daily visitors to the park was around 14,000 in the first three months after its opening on September 12, 2005. Ocean Park, another major destination for mainland holiday makers, was also full on Tuesday. Ocean Park said the number of Chinese mainland visitors accounted for half of all its daily visitors in the past few days. |
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Inferno
Barge returns to Epcot
After a week of successful tests, the Inferno barge at Epcot has now returned to Reflections of Earth. |
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Lawmakers
slam Disney
Legislators have accused Hong Kong Disneyland of a breach of contract in not allowing holders of presold tickets to enter the park when it was full. They also said the chaotic scenes at the theme park Wednesday and Thursday will harm Hong Kong's reputation as a tourist paradise. The legislative slap in the face for the troubled park management came after more than 100 ticket holders who were turned away became rowdy and tried to storm the park's gates Thursday. "Since there were no entry limitations printed on the presold tickets, Disney's decision to refuse holders entry was a breach of contract," said legislator Ronny Tong, who is also a barrister. He cited a case in England where a judge ordered a travel agent to not only refund the price of a ticket, but also travel and transportation costs as well as hotel charges as the holder had suffered a "loss of enjoyment." Tong added: "Those guests who were turned away should go to the Consumer Council or Small Claims Tribunal to seek compensation." Pro-democrat unionist Lee Cheuk- yan said Disney was being disrespectful to consumers and was bringing "shame to a brand name." Disney corporate communication director Alannah Goss said the company fully understood the disappointment of ticket holders, but it was necessary to limit entry at certain times in order to ensure guest safety. Most of those who were turned away were mainlanders and Taiwanese who were spending part of their Lunar New Year holidays in Hong Kong. One group denied entry comprised 20 members of a family who had arrived from Shandong in northeast China. "We came from thousands of miles away and we are so disappointed," said one member who gave her name as Mrs Wu. "We should have been notified earlier about the doors being closed. It was a waste of our time and money." Disneyland's new managing director, Bill Ernest, said announcements that tickets had been sold out were made through the usual channels including the radio and transportation networks. Democratic legislator Fred Li said the chaotic scene at the park will only harm Hong Kong's tourism reputation. He said Disney may not have fully understood Chinese culture and may not have realized that the fourth and fifth days of the new lunar year are holidays in the mainland. He urged the park management to pay more attention to Chinese culture. The government, which is a 57 percent shareholder in the Lantau theme park, urged Disney to improve its ticketing arrangements. The government's Tourism Commission has expressed its concerns to Disney's senior management and called for improvements. Disney spent HK$2.45 billion for its 43 percent stake. The government invested HK$3.25 billion. It spent another HK$13.6 billion on roads and other infrastructure, and extended a HK$6.1 billion loan. |
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Buzz
Lightyear Space Ranger Spin reopens
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin has reopened early from it's rehab which began on January 6 2006. Changes to the ride are limited to new paint in the queue area and on the targets within the actual ride. Unfortunately nothing was done to address the rapidly deteriorating condition of the actual ride vehicles. For operations, a new console has been installed on the load platform. |
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The
Spas At Walt Disney World
A great way to get rejuvenated and re-energized for the next busy day at the Walt Disney World is to take advantage of one of the luxurious spas that are located at the deluxe resorts from Walt Disney World. Each spa has unique and special features but all of them provide a relaxing environment to unwind and lay back. Grand Floridian Spa Walt Disney World's top spa, the Grand Floridian Spa, is located in the Magic Kingdom. Guests at the Grand Floridian resort have direct access to the spa. If you're not staying at the Grand Floridian you can get there by monorail, boat and bus. The great thing about the spa is that it encourages parents and children to relax together, side by side. They even have a special program for the children that features a class on skin care and good health and also a mini facial, pedicure and manicure. The pampering at the Grand Floridian Spa is over the top as you have so many choices that you don't even know what to start with. However, one of the staff members will help you decide on your treatment program based on your individual needs and preferences. You can start by enjoying a massage to release the tension and stress in the muscles you have accumulated during a day full of events in the parks. There is a wide range of massage therapies to choose from: Swedish, shiatsu, reflexology, a special soothing massage for future mothers and also the Floridian signature citrus zest massage. After relieving the stress in muscles, the next step is taking care of face and body skin. What woman can say no to a facial that rejuvenates and revitalizes the skin and soothes the senses? Men can also enjoy this part as the spa offers facial treatments for men that provide deep cleaning and conditioning. For the body you can choose body wraps to detoxify and relax, paraffin and OPC body masques and also a sugar scrub. If you came to spend your honeymoon at the Walt Disney World, you can't miss the special program for couples at the Grand Floridian Spa - a couples massage in a romantic environment with scented candles and everything. Couples can take home a part of the magic by attending a massage class where they can learn more about different massage techniques they can use after leaving Disney World. The Grand Floridian Spa has a boutique that allows you to purchase many of the treatments used in the spa to be used at home. They have their own line of bath and body care products that are sold exclusively at the boutique. Saratoga Springs Spa The Saratoga Springs Spa is located in the downtown Disney area. It recreates the relaxing atmosphere of the healing spas of Saratoga Springs, New York. Its signature program is the Adirondack Stone therapy that uses heated stones to relax tense muscles and soothe nerves. As you would expect from Saratoga springs, the spa is famous for its hydro massage therapy. You can also get Swedish, aromatherapy, motherhood, reflexology and shiatsu massages as at the Grand Floridian Spa but you will certainly be interested in the forest inspired massage that combines reflexology and Swedish massage. Skin care treatments include facials for ladies, men and also teenagers, body wraps and masks. If you want to feel special you can choose the maple sugar treatment or the seaweed wrap that will certainly give you a glowing look. Mandara Spa The Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin brings a more exotic touch as it is modeled after a Balinese style retreat and features the relaxing customs and rituals of the East. The spa focuses on both physical and mental feeling of wellbeing. It features two Asian interior gardens that set the mood the moment you enter the spa. You're welcomed to visit the tea garden, a replica of a traditional Balinese pavilion used for relaxation, and meditate in the Meru temple before you enjoy the treatments that the spa has to offer. As expected, all the treatments are inspired by Asian traditions. The signature programs include Bali inspired rituals like the traditional cleansing ceremony practiced in the palaces of Java since the 17th century or a Balinese massage, a combination of stretching, elements of shiatsu, acupressure and Swedish massage. Lime and ginger treatments, coconut rubs, milk ritual wraps or seaweed wraps complete the ultimate sensory experience. Other specials include tooth whitening, hair and nail treatments and a makeup and styling session for the brides who plan to hold their wedding at the Walt Disney World. You can also find the Zahanati Spa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the BoardWalk Inn, the Contemporary, the Wilderness Lodge and the Yacht Club also offer spa services. Regardless of which spa you decide upon you will leave the Walt Disney World feeling relaxed and refreshed. |
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Walt
Disney World 2006 Flower and Garden Flower Power Concerts
Schedule
Turn back the clock while you groove and rock at the Flower Power Concert Series at Disney World's Epcot. Feel the vibes of some of the biggest names in music from the 60's and 70's under the skies of the open-air America Gardens Theater at Epcot. Three shows nightly at 5:45 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Tentative Flower Power Concert Line-up: April 21 - 24 - The Nelsons– Ricky Nelson songs April 25 - 27 - The Buckinghams– “Kind of a Drag/Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” April 28 - May 1 - Gary Puckett– "Young Girl / I'm Losing You / Woman Woman / Don't Make Promises" May 2 - 4 - The Grass Roots starring Rob Grill (May 4 times To Be Announced) – "Let's Live for Today/Midnight Confessions/Temptation Eyes/Two Divided by Love" May 5 - 8 - Paul Revere & The Raiders – “Good Thing/Louie, Louie/Indian Reservation” May 9 - 11 - The Association - “Never My Love/Windy/Cherish/Along Comes Mary” May 12 - 15 - Davy Jones– “Daydream Believer/Girl/Don’t Go” May 16 - 18 - The Tokens – “In The Midnight Hour” May 19 - 22 - B.J. Thomas– “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head/Hooked On A Feeling?Rock and Roll Lullaby” May 23 - 25 - Felix Cavaliere's Rascals– “Good Lovin’/ Groovin'/A Girl Like You/ A Beautiful Morning” May 26 - 29 - The Guess Who – “These Eyes/American Woman/Laughing” May 30 - June 1 - Tony Orlando – “Knock Three Times/Tie A Yellow Ribbon” June 2 - 5 - Arlo Guthrie - “City Of New Orleans/Alice’s Restaurant” June 6 - 7 - The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie– “Happy Together/That’ll Be The Day” June 8 - 11- Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone – “I’m On To Something Good/For Your Love/Saturday’s Child” |
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"The Little Mermaid" will be the
next Walt Disney animated classic to get the full VIP
treatment on DVD.
The 1988 film, which won two Oscars (for best song and best original score) and is credited with revitalizing Disney's animated features after a long dry spell, will arrive in stores October 3 as a Platinum Edition DVD, a designation that brings with it significantly more bells and whistles than a standard DVD release. The studio's eighth Platinum release -- following "The Lady and the Tramp," which comes out February 28 -- marks the first time "Mermaid" will be available on DVD in seven years. Disney said "Mermaid" is the studio's most-requested movie for release on DVD, and will be backed by a marketing campaign similar to that for the 2005 release "Cinderella," which sold more than 6.5 million units, according to Nielsen VideoScan, outselling such movies as "Batman Begins" and "Ray." Like other Platinum Edition releases, "Mermaid" will be a two-disc set, with one disc reserved solely for bonus materials. Several cutting-edge features are still being developed, along with such expected extras as deleted scenes, commentaries and featurettes on the making of the movie. The DVD also will include several musical bonuses. |
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Disneyland
Holds Monster-Size Premiere For The Opening of New
Attraction
The Disneyland 50th anniversary
celebration continues in full swing as the Disneyland Resort
rolled-out the spotted, blue carpet today in a gala
Hollywood-style premiere for the grand opening of its
all-new attraction “Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to
the Rescue!” The new attraction, inspired by Walt Disney
Pictures presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios film,
Monsters, Inc., is located in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot
section of Disney’s California Adventure park at the
Disneyland Resort. “With the addition of ‘Monsters, Inc.
Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!’ during our 50th
anniversary celebration, Disney’s California Adventure
continues to broaden its appeal with family-oriented
attractions and entertainment,” said Matt Ouimet,
president of the Disneyland Resort, citing the recently
added “Turtle Talk with Crush” and “Block Party
Bash.” “We’re confident that this new addition
will become a must-see attraction with our young guests.” |
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Wednesday February 1, 2006 |
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Throughout most of last week, Wall Street
discussed the financial and strategic implications of the
Walt Disney Co.'s $7.4 billion takeover deal for Pixar
Animation Studios.
Sanders Morris Harris analyst David Miller joined the debate over who is the bigger winner in the transaction. "This is a better deal for Disney than it is for Pixar," he argued, citing three key advantages for the Mouse House -- ownership of all film franchises, full economic ownership and benefits, as well as a transformation of its animation unit. "Despite near-term (earnings) dilution, we believe the deal is a long-term strategic positive for Disney," Citigroup analyst Jason Bazinet echoed the notion that Disney will benefit from the buyout. "It raises the odds of a successful animation turnaround and eliminates a major animation competitor." Overall, he called the transaction "a bold strategic bet" by Disney CEO Robert Iger. Bazinet expects the deal to dilute Disney's 2006 profit by 9 cents per share, or 6%, dilute them "modestly" in 2007, and then become earnings accretive in 2008 -- as Disney execs have suggested. Merrill Lynch analyst Jessica Reif Cohen estimated the acquisition will still be 3% dilutive to 2008 earnings, which she admitted is "a more conservative estimate" than that provided by Disney brass. "The difference could be explained by assumptions on how many films Pixar will make in 2008 (could there be two?)," she added. Harris Nesbitt analyst Edward Williams also drilled into the possible output issues when he suggested that "we might see Pixar, as part of Disney, increase the frequency (with) which it releases movies" to one a year or even more. Bazinet argued that either way, Disney's payment for Pixar assumes only after-tax net income of $290 million per year from the smaller studio, which compares to the about $325 million for Pixar's last five films averaged when adding in Pixar's distribution fee payments to Disney. "So with the purchase price, Disney is assuming that it will generate about $35 million less in after-tax income per film than Pixar has generated historically," Bazinet said. "This suggests that the deal should create modest economic value" for Disney. Reif Cohen summarized the views of many on the Street. "We view the Disney-Pixar combination as a near perfect strategic fit," she wrote. "Pixar's family-oriented content meshes well with Disney's brand and is an important cog in its theatrical/home video distribution, theme parks and consumer products divisions." |
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Pirates
updates confirmed
Pirates of the Caribbean at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland will undergo the much rumored show enhancements. Top of the list are the additions of elements from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, including Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa audio-animatronics. There will also be new special effects, and some new operational enhancements. The timeframe has not yet been confirmed. |
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Walt
Disney Records' High School Musical Soundtrack Takes Center
Stage
High School Musical breaks records in the first two weeks of its release, becoming the strongest selling soundtrack for a Disney Channel Original Movie in the label's history. On January 25th, the High School Musical soundtrack debuted at #1 on the Billboard Kids Chart, #4 on the Billboard Soundtrack Chart and #58 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart. The album also was the #1 selling album on both iTunes and Amazon.com. Additionally, on iTunes this week the track "Breaking Free" is the #1 most downloaded song, and High School Musical had 4 of the Top 10 songs in the iTunes Music Store and 9 of top 10 songs in the soundtrack genre. Currently all nine songs from the High School Musical soundtrack are among iTunes top 25 songs in their Today's Top Songs Chart for January 26th. |
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Gibson,
Sawyer to Fill in for ABC Anchor
ABC will announce Wednesday that Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer, two of its best-known journalists, will fill in on "World News Tonight" for anchorman Bob Woodruff as he recovers from injuries suffered in a roadside bombing. ABC News President David Westin will tell his news division of the plan later in the day, said an executive there who spoke on condition of anonymity. Gibson and Sawyer will take turns as partners to Elizabeth Vargas, who became co-anchor of the evening newscast with Woodruff last month. There was no immediate word on how that would affect their roles as anchors on "Good Morning America." Westin is committed to his revamped version of "World News Tonight," which includes an afternoon Webcast, live feeds to the West Coast and frequent reporting visits to world hotspots by the anchors. Woodruff was on one of those trips to Iraq when he was seriously injured Sunday. The 44-year-old journalist was slowly being brought out of sedation Wednesday at a Navy hospital in Maryland where he was flown for treatment the night before. Military doctors and Woodruff's brother David said his condition was improving by the day. "He moved his legs and his arms again when they got him into the Bethesda hospital. He attempted to open his eyes, and that can't be anything but good," David Woodruff said on "Good Morning America." He said his brother was coming out of "a really bad place" but showing signs of recovery. Woodruff and cameraman Doug Vogt were filming a report on the Iraqi military and standing in the hatch of an Iraqi military vehicle when the bomb exploded Sunday. They were treated in Iraq, then taken to a U.S. military base in Germany and finally airlifted Tuesday to the United States along with 15 other patients aboard a C-17 military plane. Lt. Col. Guillermo Tellez, chief of surgery at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany where the men were treated, said that while Woodruff faced a long rehabilitation, doctors were hopeful he could return to his job. "We are all very optimistic that he will be able to resume most of the daily life and the functions that he had before," Tellez told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "We're certainly hoping that he will be able to get back to his professional life." ABC reported Wednesday that Woodruff was slowly being brought out of sedation at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, and that Vogt, 46, was talking. The network said that the military recommended taking the men to the Navy hospital and that ABC was paying for their care. Doctors at the Bethesda hospital have access to specialized equipment that can treat penetrating head wounds, hospital spokeswoman Ellen Maurer said. Either the Naval Medical Center or Walter Reed Army Medical Center is typically the first American stop for soldiers, sailors and Marines wounded in Iraq. Westin said he was optimistic about Woodruff's and Vogt's recovery. "We are very encouraged overall for the both of them," he said. "The signs Bob is showing are as good as they can expect from this type of injury. He's doing better than all of us expected." Gibson, 63, had been considered a potential replacement for the late Peter Jennings on "World News Tonight," but he and Westin couldn't agree last fall on how long he would be doing the job. The news division president considered Woodruff and Vargas, both in their 40s, a longer-term solution. |
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Starz Kids & Family To Premiere Exclusive Look At Walt Disney Home Entertainment's Bambi II One of the silver screen's most cherished characters, Bambi, makes his triumphant return in Bambi II and Walt Disney Home Entertainment and Starz Kids & Family are proud to present an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film on Wednesday, February 1 at 3:50 p.m. (ET/PT). The DVD releases on February 7, but only on Starz Kids & Family will you get this in-depth look at Bambi II before its release. Bambi II is the heartwarming, coming-of-age story of a son's courage and a father's love. Following the tragic loss of his mother, the young fawn reunites with his father, The Great Prince (voiced by Patrick Stewart, X-Men and Star Trek: The Next Generation), who must now teach Bambi (voiced by Alexander Gould, Finding Nemo) the ways of the forest. Their adventure together helps them overcome their initially awkward relationship, and allows father and son to discover in each other something neither expected: family. Also joining the forest's beloved cast of characters in Bambi II are Thumper's rambunctious sisters and Bambi's rival, Ronno. Original and new characters combine to forge an inspiring story as Bambi's magnificent legacy continues. Animated in thebreathtaking style of the original classic, Bambi II also embraces its Disney heritage with captivating new songs performed by Martina McBride, Alison Krauss and newcomer Anthony Callea. Starz Kids & Family is for the young and the young at heart. Movies all families can enjoy. |
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Pixar's
Lasseter seen as 'new Walt Disney'
John Lasseter, the man chosen to revive the fortunes of Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS.N ) animation business has professed a deep regard for the legendary studio, but has criticized it for killing Walt Disney's innovative spirit. Lasseter, the creative force behind hits factory Pixar Animation Studios Inc (PIXR.O ) , is now set to take charge of Disney animation when its $7.4 billion purchase of Pixar closes this summer. Industry watchers have dubbed 49-year-old Lasseter "the new Walt Disney" and are awaiting signs that his talent for creating compelling stories and characters will rub off on a cornerstone division that has been in a slump for a decade. "Most animators regard Lasseter as the most respected current creator," Sarah Baisley, editor-in-chief of Animation World Review, said. "He lives the life of animators ... (he has) a pure dedication and love of the art and how to treat the artist." Lasseter first worked at Disney in 1975 as an animation student, then joined the company after graduating from the California Institute of the Arts in 1978. He was mentored by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, two of Walt Disney's "Nine Old Men," who animated the classics "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Pinocchio," "Fantasia" and "Bambi." But Lasseter, who championed computer animation at Disney, left the studio after Disney passed him over for a directing assignment, according to James Stewart's "Disney Wars." Moreover, the legendary studio, which turned hand-drawn figures into internationally renown works of cinematic art for generations of viewers, was not ready for Lasseter's new ideas BRAVE NEW WORLD At a tribute to Thomas, who died in 2004, Lasseter said the Disney studios of the late 1970s "was a little different than my dreams." "All of us at CalArts were just so empowered with wanting to do great films -- Star Wars had just come out. We wanted to do that in animation," Lasseter said, according to a transcript of his speech in Animation World Network. "But we get there and it was not quite what we had dreamed of. At times, we were told just to keep our ideas to ourselves and to do what we were told. It was like my heart was ripped out." At Disney, Lasseter first encountered the three-dimensional animation that he later pioneered at Pixar in "Toy Story," the first feature-length computer animated film. "I got so excited about it," Lasseter said at the tribute. "(Thomas) was so excited, too, about this notion, because Walt always was trying to get more dimension into his animation. I looked at the computer and said, 'This is what Walt was waiting for.' And Frank (said), 'Yes.'" Lasseter and another animator created a 30-second 3-D test film for Disney, but the project was deemed too expensive and the technology too cumbersome. "I followed my dream, though, and Frank was with me in spirit, and I went to Lucasfilm and worked with (Pixar President) Ed Catmull and our group named Pixar," Lasseter said. Through the years, Lasseter stayed in touch with Thomas and Johnston and put their advice to work in each of Pixar's six blockbuster films, including "Finding Nemo," "Monsters, Inc.", "A Bug's Life" and "The Incredibles." "It's not just moving something (on screen)," Lasseter said. "It's what the character is thinking. It's the heart. The character should be thinking. I never forgot that." Lasseter, who also will oversee the Imagineering division that creates rides for Disney's theme parks, has a contract with Pixar that expires in 2011. The agreement, signed in 2001, pays him $2.5 million to start with 5 percent annual pay increases, and gives him Pixar stock options worth about $84 million at Wednesday's share price. Lasseter is seen as so integral to Pixar's successes that Disney stipulated that his death or departure, or that of Catmull, could nix the deal. |
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EchoStar,
Lifetime Channel Resolve Dispute
Two Lifetime network channels were back on the satellite television Dish Network Wednesday after their parent companies settled a monthlong programming dispute that triggered protests from women's groups. EchoStar Communications Corp. and Lifetime Entertainment Services had been at odds over the programming fees EchoStar pays to carry the channels on its Dish network. The two companies announced a multiyear agreement Wednesday, a day after the cable channels were returned to the Dish Network. Details about the fees were not released, but EchoStar previously said Lifetime asked for a 76 percent rate increase while Lifetime said the proposal equaled about 4 cents per subscriber per month. Representatives of both companies said Wednesday they were pleased with the new agreement. EchoStar, based in this Denver suburb, pulled Lifetime and the Lifetime Movie Network on New Year's Eve. Four dozen women's organizations said women viewers rely on the channels for information about critical issues such as abuse, breast cancer and teen pregnancies. Protest rallies were held in Denver and several cities and an ad campaign was waged in several cities. EchoStar is the nation's second-largest satellite TV provider with about 12 million customers. Lifetime, which is based in New York, is jointly owned by The Walt Disney Co. and The Hearst Corp. |
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Narnia
Receives Three Oscar Noms
Walt Disney Pictures The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has received Oscar nominations for Sound mixing, makeup, and visual effects. The Disney distributed March of the Penguins was nominated for Documentary Feature. In the Animated Feature Film category, the nominees are Howl's Moving Castle,Tim Burton's Corpse Bride,Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit. |
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Busy
Comic Cook Joins Carell in "Real Life"
Actor-comedian Dane Cook, one of the few stand-ups to break out of the circuit in recent years, is in final negotiations to star opposite Steve Carell in the romantic comedy ``Dan in Real Life.'' The Disney project follows a widower (Carell) with three daughters who, while on a family reunion on the Jersey shore, meets a woman he begins to like. But upon returning home, he finds out the woman is his brother's girlfriend. Cook will play the brother. Peter Hedges (''About a Boy'') is directing. At the same time, Cook has sold a comedy pitch to the Weinstein Co., the new company set up by former Miramax Films chiefs Bob and Harvey Weinstein. The sale came about when Cook was making the rounds pitching another project. He told the executives a one-line idea, and they went for it. Details are being kept under wraps, though it is known to be a relationship comedy with heart and broad elements. Cook will now write the script with another writer, yet to be determined. With two best-selling comedy albums -- 2003's ``Harmful if Swallowed'' and 2005's ``Retaliation'' -- under his belt, he has been slowly making a shift to the big screen. He appeared in the restaurant comedy ``Waiting'' and is attached to star in ''Employee of the Month,'' both at Lionsgate. |
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Carnival
Creatures Return
Disneyland Paris - After all the Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations there is no time to loose until the next special event starts at Disneyland Resort Paris. In between the months of the magical Christmas time and high season there is some time to be filled up. How about Carnival! Disney Kids' Carnival! Town Square is being prepared and almost ready to start the celebration. Colorful banners can be found on the buildings around Town Square while streamers are dangling from the trees in the middle of the square. Returning to the Town Square are the funny, colorful, strange creatures that have been used as decorations in 2005. Guests of all ages are invited to celebrate Disney’s Kid Carnival starting from February 4th up to March 12th. |
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Lights,
camera, surgery: Disney's life-and-death TV
In what promises to be the most
controversial reality television show yet, Disney is
offering the seriously ill the chance of a
"miracle" cure by becoming a guinea pig for
pioneering surgery. Patients are introduced to an elite team of surgeons who will offer them a second chance of life if they sign up to breakthrough medical techniques. The producers are looking for patients who have been given little hope by doctors. They must also be too poor to afford "elite medical care". They will be filmed every step of the way, "from consultations to surgery to recovery". But the small print on the patient application form states: "The results of any medical treatment cannot be assured." For sensation-hungry television producers, a show in which human life itself is in the balance is the ultimate concept. Miracle Workers will be screened in the US this year on the ABC network, owned by the Walt Disney Corporation. The tagline is: "When a person's life is on the line and doctors insist that nothing more can be done, it's time to turn to the Miracle Workers." The series has been developed by DreamWorks, the production company co-founded by film director Steven Spielberg. The Miracle Workers medical team includes Redmond Burke, a pioneering cardiac surgeon who performed the first heart and lung transplant on a child in New England. Also taking part is Billy Cohn, a cardiovascular surgeon who has been called the Thomas Edison of heart surgery for his inventions, which have changed surgery techniques. The first show features a three-year-old boy with the potentially life-shortening spinal condition scoliosis. He undergoes a rarely performed operation to implant an expandable prosthesis made of titanium into his chest. Viewers are told the child faces the possibility of paralysis. Another program features a father and teenage son who have brain tumors. Local doctors had told the father that he would lose sight in one eye as a result of surgery, but a new brain-imaging technique enables the team from Miracle Workers to remove the tumor without damaging the visual fiber. ABC paid the $US100,000 ($132,000) cost, which the family's insurance did not cover. ABC insists the show is not a cynical exploitation of the most vulnerable. President of ABC Entertainment Stephen McPherson said: "Even if the show gets no ratings, we help a lot of people. In a day and age of mean-spirited, bug-eating shows, we've done something good." Applicants would not be required to compete against each other for operations, ABC said. The families would not be given financial inducements to undergo surgical procedures. And the producers "emphatically recommend" that they continue any medical treatment they are already having. Miracle Workers is the logical extension of a trend for increasingly extreme reality shows. It follows Extreme Makeover, an ABC hit in which participants change their appearance through plastic surgery. |
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Powerful
Greetings introduces Disney-themed line in 2006
Powerful Greetings, which produces a unique all-in-one battery and self-adhesive gift tag accessory, is launching a new Disney-themed line that will bring magic to consumers nationwide. In addition, the company's Disney line will debut in February at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. This event is the largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere. More than 1,500 manufacturers, distributors, importers, and sales agents from 30 countries are expected to attend. Powerful Greetings will expand its line of batteries featuring Disney characters to include Tinker Bell and characters from the upcoming Disney presents a Pixar film Cars. The line currently features Disney Princess, Winnie the Pooh and Power Rangers. "The Disney character line is timeless, and growing with new characters that are quickly becoming classics. We're extremely pleased to grow our line with such cherished characters that kids and adults can enjoy anytime, anywhere," said Powerful Greetings president Pam Turkin. Powerful Greetings not only enhances fun and function to just about any gift, its batteries also feature an easy-peel back allowing the product to adhere itself securely to any present. The top of the Powerful Greetings card serves as a "to/from" gift tag, giving each package an attractive, personalized feel. "We're excited to work with Powerful Greetings on this new line that is a great stand alone item as well as one that complements the perfect Disney gift," said Disney Consumer Products senior manager hard lines category Rona Goldman. The Disney-themed line, along with holiday, birthday, and congratulatory Powerful Greetings themes will debut in the first quarter of 2006. "Powerful Greetings is aligned to the Disney tradition of creating fun, high-quality, family-friendly products. The new Disney-themed line will encourage consumers to consider the batteries as part of any gift and will help us expand our customer base," added Turkin. |
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Disney
Launches 'Wondertime,' Competes with New 'Cookie'
Disney Publishing Worldwide's new magazine, Wondertime, will be on newsstands Feb. 14, carrying nearly 70 pages of advertising, including a double gatefold from Hasbro. Geared towards helping moms understand how children are learning and growing, Wondertime, the first new U.S. magazine from Disney Publishing Worldwide in more than a decade, looks to "create a new niche" in the parenting category. The magazine mixes playful learning activities and everyday adventures with insights into the ways children develop physically, socially, intellectually, creatively, and emotionally - focusing on the joys rather than the how-tos of parenting. The quarterly magazine plans to increase to six times a year in 2007 and 10 times a year thereafter. It has a rate base of 300,000. Fairchild Publications also recently launched a magazine for mothers, dubbed Cookie. Like Wondertime, Cookie too avoids the traditional, how-to aspect of most parenting magazines. It is less a parenting magazine than a lifestyle guide for parents, the company says. |
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Disney
Character PC
If your toddler doesn't already like pounding on the keys of your laptop, he'll love Epson's new Endeavor line of laptops. Starting on February 13, you'll be able to get these lightweight machines with Disney characters etched on the outer casing ... at least, if you're in Japan, where the rules of cuteness probably permit Mickey and Pooh to adorn even grownups' computers. They come in the rough equivalent of 15" and 12" versions, in white and in black, and with a Celeron chip (at 1.5 GHz) and up to 2 GB of RAM. Prices supposedly start at around $800, although they seem a bit higher if you convert the figures listed on the Epson Direct Japan site. Now that Steve Jobs owns a big slice of Disney, are we going to see a Mickey Mac? |
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