Walt Disney Classified: The Layout Manual, Part 2—THE CAMERA
The Camera Department at Disney provided one of the most vital functions of the animation process – because without it, how would audiences be able to view the films.
The Camera Department at Disney provided one of the most vital functions of the animation process – because without it, how would audiences be able to view the films.
Walt’s message in his 1941 employee Layout Manual marked the transition for the studio from solely entertainment production to a defense plant turning out training films.
Disney’s studio also created countless wartime posters, pamphlets and insignia for the war effort. Here’s one that uses Donald Duck as its spokesman.
Having worked with Tim Burton on five previous films prior to The Nightmare Before Christmas, Danny Elfman found this collaboration to be even easier than the rest.
These were the first U.S. Government contracts awarded to Disney during World War 2 – and opened the floodgates for many other training pictures that consumed the studio for the duration.
During World War II Walt Disney produced over 200 training films for various branches of the United States Military and other U.S. Government departments.
One of the unsung heroes of Disney’s WWII efforts is artist Henry “Hank” Porter who was a one man designer of many emblems and insignias during World War II.
During World War II, the British government designed a gas mask specifically for children which quickly became known as a “Mickey Mouse” gas mask. Here are the details of this.
By 1940, with financial pressures mounting at the studio, Walt Disney looked to Canada for new business to replace what was lost in Europe.
Walt Disney granted Kem Weber permission to shoot photos of his designs on the lot, often while in use by the artists and other employees.