Disney is known for providing nearly a century’s worth of magic in their movies to audiences all around the world, but how much work is really put into all this magic? The making of a Disney animated film is a long and detailed process that combines creativity, teamwork, and research. From the first idea to the final frame shown in theaters, a single Disney movie can take anywhere from three to five years to complete. Every step of the process is important, and each department works together to create a movie that is visually appealing, emotionally meaningful, and enjoyable for audiences of all ages.
Everyone imagines the process of creating a movie differently. Whether you begin with fleshing out the plot or defining the moral of the story to be discussed at the end, it all looks vastly different. Jeremy Smith states that he would begin by creating a character first. When asked why, he stated, “Probably a character. I just think that people are the most important part of any story, so, y’know, that’s the most logical place to start then.” While he is not wrong, and characters are an integral part of any story, this is how the filmmaking process really begins.
The process begins with the development stage. This is where ideas for stories and characters are first pitched. Writers, directors, and creative executives work together to shape the main plot and characters. During this stage, a lot of research is done to make the story feel believable. If the film is inspired by real places or cultures, the team studies history, art, science, and traditions. They often talk to cultural experts and community organizations to make sure the film is respectful and accurate. In some cases, Disney teams even travel to different parts of the world to gather inspiration, such as for movies like Frozen, Zootopia, and Raya and the Last Dragon. As the ideas become clearer, more artists join the team, and concept art is created to explore how the characters and world might look.
After development, the film moves into the story development stage. In this phase, storyboard artists work closely with writers, editors, and directors to visually plan the movie. Storyboarding is a process that was created at Walt Disney Studios in the 1930s and is still very important today. Storyboard artists draw scenes to show how the story will unfold, focusing on emotion, timing, and visual storytelling. They aim to show the story rather than tell it through dialogue. Disney also uses its own app called StoryPad, which allows artists to draw and edit storyboards digitally. This tool helps artists work more efficiently and collaborate, even when working remotely.
The next important stage is visual development. Visual development artists focus on giving the film its unique look. They work with color, design, and composition to bring depth and personality to the characters and environments. These artists think carefully about small details, such as what a character wears, where they live, and how they might act in different situations. They experiment with facial expressions, clothing, hairstyles, and settings to better understand the characters. This process helps make the characters feel more realistic and relatable instead of just drawings on a screen.
As production continues, artists begin turning the concept art into three-dimensional characters and environments. They create models, textures, and rigs that allow characters to move naturally. Throughout this process, artists can also use the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, which holds over 65 million assets from Disney’s long history. This library allows filmmakers to study past films and techniques while creating something new.
But as technology advances, so does the way people create. And with the rise of Artificial Intelligence and its growing controversies among some, and popularity among others, there is widespread debate over whether or not this tool should be used when creating movies, which is often viewed as a form of art to many. Smith states that seeing AI in any movie would take away from every aspect of any film he watched. “There’s a show I watched that we’re pretty sure was written by AI. There were parts that just straight up didn’t make sense. I think AI isn’t up to it yet, and also, it just feels weird saying Oh, this came from a computer. If it doesn’t come from a real person, like a real experience, it just makes it feel cheap.”
Editorial and sound teams are involved throughout the entire process. Editors work to make sure the film flows smoothly and matches the director’s vision. Sound designers and music composers focus on dialogue, sound effects, and music. They make sure that the sounds and songs fit the mood of the movie and help tell the story. Each piece of music needs to feel special while still matching the overall tone of the film.
Overall, making a Disney movie takes years of hard work and collaboration. Every stage, from early ideas to sound and animation, plays a role in creating the final product. This careful process is why Disney movies continue to feel magical and memorable for audiences around the world.
Sources:
https://disneyanimation.com/process/creative-development/
https://disneyanimation.com/process/
https://disneyanimation.com/process/story/
https://disneyanimation.com/technology/story-pad/
https://disneyanimation.com/process/visual-development/
https://disneyanimation.com/process/editorial–sound/
https://disneyanimation.com/process/casting/
