My Childhood with Disney Memory Lane: Waking Sleeping Beauty

Tonight I attended a lecture/screening of Waking Beauty:

“The ultimate insider’s documentary! Waking Sleeping Beauty was produced by Oscar-Nominated producer Don Hahn (The Lion King; Hunchback of Notre Dame) and Peter Schneider, former Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios. Hahn directed the film, which will be released in April, 2010.

Schneider served as President of Feature Animation at Disney from 1985 to his ascension to studio head in 1999, overseeing the creation of some of the most financially successful and critically acclaimed animated films in history – Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King and many others. 

Waking Sleeping Beauty tells the story of Disney’s unparalleled success with animation during the halcyon years of 1984-1994. The film features amazing behind-the-scenes footage, shot in defiance of strict Disney company rules, documenting the intense power struggles between Michael Eisner, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Roy E. Disney and others. The guerrilla cameramen capturing the drama include former Disney animator and current Pixar chief John Lasseter!”

Plain and simple, it was awesome. Now I’m not just saying that because Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favorite movies or the fact that Disney Adventures magazine was a key source of my happiness as a child, along with Highlights and many other things, but that’s not the point. I thought it was really well done because the documentary was mostly compiled of footage and commentary of most of the people in the footage. This allowed for the viewer to have their own opinion/view without a defined white and black scenario or a clear division of good guy bad guy. The best part is that despite all the difficulties it was genuinely nice to see a group of creative people come together and work on projects for month-years, giving up their personal lives for what they’re passionate about. I know they’ve reached me. I can imagine the joy/sheer happiness when something they’re been a part of creating becomes a success in so many ways. One of my favorite parts is seeing Tim Burton, just out of CalArts, early twenties, with a bleeding mouth drawing in a small dark room. Oh the foreshadowing. Actually the whole documentary is a favorite. (Psst…there’s also mention of Steven Spiellberg, Pixar, and Dreamworks) Shhhh.

P.S. I hated when the Beast turned back into a Human. I wanted Belle to be with the Beast. They should have made her a furry lover.

Moving in.

I was just thinking the other day that if I had a girlfriend and we moved in together our place would be out of this world cute. It would be cozy with designer/vintage furniture and found items everywhere including the most amazing vintage + modern posters. I would also love to put her work up and if she likes we could put mine up next to hers. There would be lots of shelves for stuff and bookshelves along with artwork/installations our friends would give us. We would both have our pets and they would wear sweaters we made for them. For halloween we would dress them as famous museums or iconic artists. These would be our children and we’d take them to see Santa and get our Christmas pictures taken so we could put them in the cards we sent to our friends and family. Family portraits are a must for the top of our fireplace! Our dishes would consist of cups with couples of all kinds on them and plates featuring animals. Of course we’d have more adult ones for when guests come over. My toys/action figures/gadgets would be everywhere including the bathroom. Our toothbrushes would be best friends, and I’d built a holder/shelf for all her vanity items with my bare hands. The bathtub would be free standing and I’d run her baths when she got home. The view outside would be the great outdoors and I’d put in a skylight for the clouds so we could pretend that we’re in Hey Arnold. Our entire place would consist of the things we’d collect from our travels together as well as the things our parents gave us when we were younger. I’d light the fireplace whenever it got cold and wrap my arms around her if she was cold. We’d hang our raincoats by the door together, but we’d share an umbrella. Breakfast would be in bed while we looked at our individual laptops and smiled at each other. When I wake up in the morning I would sneak into the bathroom to brush my teeth so that I could give her a kiss on the forehead before she woke up. She could tell me what she’d thinks looks good on me while I think about how she looks good in anything she wears. We’d try on ridiculous outfits together and go out with them. On the weekends we’d go on fancy dinners or we’d go to the grocery store and buy everything to make with each other. Work would take up most of our week, but I’d make it a point to meet her in secret locations for lunch or a picnic with her favorite cake. Plus we’d go out for adventures and dance it up all the time. I’d sing for her in the shower while we got ready for a night out on town: museum or fancy show? Anything she fancies! Oh! and we would make a bike area so that we could park our bikes next to each other and also extra space for friend’s bikes. I’d like to hold her hand while we rode bikes to the lake and be there when she falls. We both equally enjoy star gazing, so we’d set up a designated furnished space outside to do so. I’m thinking inflatable bed with tons of blankets and pillows + a tent for the times we want to pretend like were somewhere else. Nights like these we would lay outside and talk about places we’ll explore/travel next. And if it were too cold outside, I’d set up the Laser Star Projector in our room so we could watch the faux, but real to us night sky until we’d fall asleep. At home we’d leave each other love notes everywhere and I’d count the minutes till I saw her again.

In fact we’d be so dreamy together we’d be featured on the internet. Especially on The Selby, apartmenttherapy, & Ready Made.