A Mouse, A Duck and Seven Dwarves: The production process at Disney

Presented by Marcus Hurst, Aaron W. Rowe, Chair: Jack Feivou

Fist of all, the processes at Disney appear very similar to those for a normal production.


However, Disney has many, many more layers to go through then most theatres.


The ideas for all the parks centralise in Glendale, CA at the WDI (Walt Disney Imaginary).


These ideas get passed to the VP of entertainment, whose job it is to put as much creative in front of the guests as possible, which then goes to the director of production and so on and so forth.


Communication is incredibly important within the development process and the synergy department makes sure everyone knows what everyone is doing.


Production Phases


Investigation/Discovery

• Client discovery
• High concept - capsulates what it might be
• Treatment and moodboards
• Feasibility study
• Basic timeline
• ROM - how much money?

Concept Development

• Show treatment
• Contact sheet
• Design concepts
• Milestones (eg. it takes at least 8 months to create a firework show!)
• PWED - property wide entertainment development
• Concept development funding

Show Development

• Rough script
• Music scratch tracks
• Complete art work
• Production schedule
• Show development/production funding

Production philosophy

1. Be a leader
2. Foster communication
3. Be inclusive
4. Understand the operation
5. Explore
6. Collaborate
7. Innovate
8. Educate
9. Enforce the Rules
10. Honor the Disney Heritage

Apply honor the heritage to everything you do, challenge it to yourself and set your own 10 commandments that you apply to every project.

Production

- Schedule - Script - Final Music - Drawings

Resource Utilisation

• Technicians
• Performers
• Gear
• Production staff
• Scenic/Decor/Props
• Space
• Time
• Recycle scenery and props

Operations

• Entertainment show quality standards (ESQ)
• Contact sheet
• Prompt book
• As-builts
• Maintenance manuals 
• Operating Guidelines

From this talk, I have gained a more in-depth knowledge of not only how Disney productions work, but how most theatres work during a production process. The talk has given me a real passion for working within the Disney 'family', as they also talked about the magic each production creates and the look on the guests faces as each new thing unfolds infront of them. The guys at Disney really work hard to make everything spectacular and memorable. I would love to be part of this team where they really believe that anything is possible.