Just Revealed: Disney Animation Studios Unleashes “Sneaks” Trailer!

‘Sneaks’ Makes Tracks to Theaters with New Trailer – Animation Magazine

This year marks the 60th animated film to be released from Disney Animation Studios with Encanto, a musical that celebrates Colombian culture, magic and above all, family. The film is out now at cinemas and will make its way to Disney Plus in time for the Christmas holidays, so that children of all ages and adults will surely enjoy together.

I was fortunate to speak with Clark Spencer, who is not also the President at Disney Animation Studios, but also the producer of Encanto. As someone who has produced Disney films since 2002, what makes Encanto different to you?

I’ve had the opportunity to produce five animated features at Disney Animation and one of the things that I had never done was a musical. So when I heard that Jared Bush and Byron Howard, the directors on Zootopia and who I’d worked with on that project, were doing a musical with Lin-Manuel Miranda, I was like “I have to be a part of this project”, because I’ve always wanted to have that challenge of how do you bring a musical to life at Disney Animation.

What was the biggest obstacle for you as a producer on the film?

I think there were a couple, if I may. One is, ironically, I thought to myself that a musical might be easier. In some ways, I thought, you know, you have a songwriter there writing songs or helping tell the story that might make the storytelling slightly easier, but it’s infinitely more complex because you got to figure out where do those songs go. And you have to have the right moments for the songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, to be inspired by something. So he has the song in his head and then once the song comes out, you got to record all of the actors (there’s many ensemble songs here) and we have 12 members of the family. So you got to record all 12 people in different parts of the world, and then bring that together. And then you got to bring choreography to it. So you have to have choreographers as part of that to say, what is the dance element? And how is the movement going to work? So it just layers complexity upon complexity upon complexity.

I also think that the story itself is a really ambitious one for Disney Animation, because we typically tell stories where it’s buddy films, usually two characters, maybe three, they go off on a journey or a quest and this one is about 12 members of a family. And within 90 minutes, we have to figure out how does the audience fall in love and understand all 12 members of the family even though the story is Mirabel’s, you need to know the entire family from that standpoint. And then the last piece I’d say is I think this is one of the most visually complex animated films we’ve ever made at Disney Animation. When you look at the amount of detail that’s on the screen, when you look at 12 main characters, when you think about the music and the choreography, when you think about the layers of clothing, and that each character has completely different hairstyles that all has to move, that’s really complicated. And then layer in the fact that we had to do this whole production from home, 650 people spread out in different homes. To me, all of those were challenges. And as a result, I’m incredibly proud of what the end result is and we were able to get that all done.

Disney Plus and the Future of Animation Distribution

Disney Plus became a huge streaming service over the past couple of years. How does this platform benefit Encanto and other animated films?

I think there’s a couple of things. One is, I am so excited that we get two big opportunities within one. We’re going to release it on November 24 to theatres around the world and the audience gets to go see it on the big screen. And then on December 24 in markets where Disney Plus is it will be available for families to watch. This is a family film; it’s joyous. There’s music, it’s beautiful to look at. It’s like the perfect thing to have during the holidays. So I think what is exciting is we can bring it to people, wherever they are, right? We can do that aspect of it. But there’s a second piece to it too that is

This is a game-changer for the animation industry. With Disney Plus, we can reach a wider audience and make animation more accessible to people all over the world. It’s not just about releasing films on a specific platform, it’s about creating a community around animation and bringing people together through the power of storytelling.

Releasing Encanto: The Perfect Holiday Film

Encanto is a musical that celebrates Colombian culture, magic and above all, family. The film is out now at cinemas and will make its way to Disney Plus in time for the Christmas holidays, so that children of all ages and adults will surely enjoy together.

The film is a heartwarming story that explores the complexities of family relationships and the importance of finding one’s true identity. With stunning animation, catchy music and a talented voice cast, Encanto is the perfect holiday film for families to enjoy together.

The Power of Streaming: Bringing Animation to a Wider Audience

Disney Plus has revolutionized the way we consume animation. With a vast library of content and new releases every month, it’s never been easier to find and watch your favorite animated films and shows.

The platform has also made it possible for animation to reach a wider audience, including people who may not have had access to it before. This is a game-changer for the animation industry and opens up new opportunities for creators and studios alike.

• Increased accessibility: With Disney Plus, animation is more accessible than ever before. People can watch their favorite films and shows from the comfort of their own homes, at any time.
• Wider audience: The platform has made it possible for animation to reach a wider audience, including people who may not have had access to it before.
• New opportunities: Disney Plus has opened up new opportunities for creators and studios alike, allowing them to reach a wider audience and create more content.

The Art of Animation: Challenges and Triumphs

The art of animation is a complex and challenging process that requires skill, creativity and attention to detail. From concept to completion, animation involves a wide range of techniques and technologies, each with its own unique challenges and triumphs.

One of the biggest challenges in animation is bringing a story to life in a way that is both engaging and believable. This requires a deep understanding of the story, its characters and its themes, as well as a keen sense of visual style and pacing.

Complexity and Innovation: Encanto’s Visual Achievements

Encanto is a visually stunning film that showcases the latest advancements in animation technology. With its intricate character designs, detailed environments and innovative visual effects, the film is a true masterpiece of animation.

The film’s visual achievements are a testament to the skill and creativity of the animation team, who pushed the boundaries of what is possible with animation to bring the story to life in a way that is both engaging and believable.

From Home Production to Big-Screen Magic

Encanto is a film that was produced entirely at home, with a team of 650 people working remotely to bring the story to life. This was a unique and challenging experience for the animation team, who had to adapt to new technologies and workflows in order to deliver a high-quality film.

The film’s success is a testament to the power of innovation and creativity in animation. By embracing new technologies and workflows, the animation team was able to push the boundaries of what is possible with animation and deliver a truly magical film.

The Evolution of Animation: Past, Present, and Future

Animation has come a long way since its early days as a static medium. Today, animation is a dynamic and ever-changing art form that continues to evolve and adapt to new technologies and trends.

From traditional hand-drawn animation to computer-generated imagery (CGI), the evolution of animation has been marked by a series of innovations and breakthroughs that have opened up new possibilities for creators and audiences alike.

• Traditional hand-drawn animation: This was the earliest form of animation, which involved drawing each frame by hand and then playing it back as a continuous sequence.
• Computer-generated imagery (CGI): This is a more modern form of animation that uses computer software to generate images and create the illusion of movement.
• 3D animation: This is a type of CGI that involves creating three-dimensional models and environments, which are then animated and rendered to create a realistic and immersive experience.

A Look Ahead: The Future of Animation

The future of animation is bright and full of possibilities. With the rise of new technologies and trends, animation is becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, opening up new opportunities for creators and audiences alike.

From virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the future of animation is being shaped by a series of innovations and breakthroughs that are pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

• Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): These are new technologies that allow users to experience animation in a fully immersive and interactive way.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: These are new technologies that allow computers to learn and adapt to new data and situations, opening up new possibilities for animation and other forms of digital media.
• Cloud-based animation: This is a new approach to animation that involves using cloud-based technologies to create, produce and distribute animation content.

Trends and Predictions for the Animation Industry

The animation industry is constantly evolving, with new trends and technologies emerging all the time. Here are some of the latest trends and predictions for the animation industry:

• Increased use of CGI: The use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in animation, with many studios and creators using it to create high-quality and realistic visuals.
• Rise of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): These new technologies are allowing users to experience animation in a fully immersive and interactive way, opening up new possibilities for creators and audiences alike.
• Greater emphasis on storytelling: With the rise of streaming services and online platforms, there is a greater emphasis on storytelling and narrative in animation, with creators focusing on creating engaging and relatable characters and storylines.

The Role of Festivals in Shaping the Animation Landscape

Festivals play a crucial role in shaping the animation landscape, providing a platform for creators to showcase their work and connect with audiences and industry professionals.

From the Annecy International Animation Film Festival to the Ottawa International Animation Festival, there are many festivals around the world that celebrate animation and provide a platform for creators to share their work.

• Annecy International Animation Film Festival: This is one of the largest and most prestigious animation festivals in the world, attracting thousands of visitors and showcasing hundreds of films and shorts.
• Ottawa International Animation Festival: This is another major animation festival that takes place in Ottawa, Canada, and features a wide range of films, shorts and shorts.
• Sundance Film Festival: This is a major film festival that takes place in Park City, Utah, and features a wide range of films, including animation.

Innovations and Innovators: The Next Generation of Animators

The next generation of animators is shaping the animation landscape with their innovative ideas and approaches to animation.

From new technologies and techniques to fresh perspectives and styles, the next generation of animators is pushing the boundaries of what is possible with animation and creating new and exciting opportunities for creators and audiences alike.

• New technologies and techniques: The next generation of animators is embracing new technologies and techniques, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), to create innovative and immersive animation experiences.
• Fresh perspectives and styles: The next generation of animators is bringing fresh perspectives and styles to animation, with many creators experimenting with new and innovative approaches to storytelling and visual style.
• Diverse and inclusive animation: The next generation of animators is also working to create more diverse and inclusive animation, with many creators striving to represent underrepresented communities and perspectives in their work.