Walt Disney Classified: The Layout Manual, Part 5 – Sliding Cels
Disney’s use of the “sliding cel” – the rotation of artwork on a sheet of celluloid, photographed one frame at a time to produce movement.
Disney’s use of the “sliding cel” – the rotation of artwork on a sheet of celluloid, photographed one frame at a time to produce movement.
Shooting models was not new to the Disney Studios, it was a technique used on Pinocchio for the gypsy wagon, bird cage and stagecoach.
The 11 FIELD CRANE is a fascinating Ub Iwerks designed camera stand that permitted “the use of other kinds of material than could not be used on the multiplane crane”.
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.