The Lion King Legacy: A Conversation with Mark Henn – Episode 2

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Welcome to Talking Movies. This week we begin episode two of ‘The Lion King Legacy: A Conversation with Mark Henn’, one of the most prolific and respected animators in the industry and a leading figure within hand-drawn animation at Disney since 1980.

I was listening to an interview where you were talking about some of the preparation that went into that process. What’s some of the wackiest research you’ve had to do for an animated character?

As a longtime movie critic and someone who has had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of animation at Disney, I’ve been truly captivated by this week’s episode of “The Lion King Legacy: A Conversation with Mark Henn.” With over four decades of experience in hand-drawn animation, Mark’s stories bring a unique perspective to the art form.

“I recall an amusing incident when testing our live-action model for Ariel from ‘The Little Mermaid.’ At Walt Disney Imagineering, we had a water tank equipped with portholes to examine materials underwater. On an unusually chilly day, they decided to put Sherry Stoner in the tank to observe how her hair would behave submerged. So there I was, cheering them on as they prepared for this quirky experiment.”

She showed great resilience that day, despite the lack of warmth. That situation was quite unusual, yet I found the research process incredibly enjoyable. Having visited China while working on “Mulan” was an extraordinary experience. The production of “Lion King” stood out because we got to interact with real animals in the studio, even playing around with a young lion.

At the Florida studio during that period, we welcomed two adolescent lions resembling German shepherds. They were housing the larger, fully-maned lion, reminiscent of the infamous “man-eating” species. The experience was extraordinary as we were in close proximity to them without any barriers. This wasn’t a typical zoo visit; instead, we sketched and listened to experts in the same room. An intriguing phase during the creation of “The Lion King”.

And at the time of its release, did you think it was going to be the big smash hit that it was? And also, what do you think is the secret to its enduring success?

Creating a winning formula for films isn’t simple, if only that could be achieved by coming up with a formula and bottling it, every movie would be successful. Back then, “Pocahontas” was categorized as a B film. However, the main focus was on the “Pocahontas” project, but ultimately what matters most is a compelling story and well-developed characters.

When they unveiled the trailer for “The Lion King” remake, they opted against the typical series of quick clips. Instead, they showcased the opening sequence and the iconic theme song. This approach left many of us in awe, as we exclaimed, “Wow, this could be something truly remarkable!” Although we didn’t fully comprehend the extent of its popularity at that moment, that initial sneak peek certainly piqued our interest.

At the time, obviously, there was still that notion that animation is just for kids. You know, that’s largely been undone. Do you think that’s partly the rise of adult animation, or because the kids who grew up with it are now adults?

As a movie reviewer, I’d put it this way: I have to admit, I was taken aback. With Disney, I always assumed the creative process involved parents or caretakers shaping stories that would captivate children. But no, it seems adults are in charge, crafting films that resonate with us first and foremost. It’s an interesting approach – one that ensures a certain level of depth and complexity in Disney productions.

I’m not completely certain where the term “feature cartoon” originally came from, but Walt frequently used it instead of “feature animated film.” He might have been influenced by the traditional cartoons that were commonly produced at the time. Walt often spoke about creating full-length animated productions, referring to them as “feature cartoons.”

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I ponder over the evolution of animation. With the expansion of television, an abundance of animated content emerged, making it easily accessible to viewers. Consequently, some may have developed a reliance on it as a convenient solution for childcare. This is my theory on how animation grew increasingly prevalent during this period.

For us, this art form was deeply significant and demanding, bringing us great joy as well as challenge. We create films, carefully selecting stories that amuse both children and grown-ups alike.

And I mean, you came through the age of hand-drawn animation. I kind of want to find out from you what you think are the key pros and cons versus today’s more digital approach.

Sure, it depends on the artist’s preference. Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages. For instance, computer animation offers more precision and flexibility, but hand-drawn animation possesses a unique charm and subtlety that can be harder to achieve digitally. Therefore, the choice between the two is a matter of artistic style and intent.

Computer animation currently holds great popularity, a fact we’ve come to terms with. The technology behind it is what enables us to tell our stories more effectively. Many aspects that would be challenging in hand-drawn animation become effortless with computer animation.

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2024-07-18 15:41