Animation Artifacts &Bill Peckmann &Books &Disney &Models 08 Sep 2009 07:35 am
Nutcracker Models
- And speaking of the Nutcracker sequence from Fantasia, here are some models from Bill Peckmann‘s extraordinary collection of that sequece. This is probably my favorite of the sections of that feature. There’s some beautiful character animation within it, excellent effects and conceptually the images and music match.
1(Click any image to enlarge.)
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As this last model shows, the original plan for this sequence included a bug orchestra playing the score – whether part or all of it is questionable – there are a lot of models, drawings and watercolors left behind.
These can be found dominating the book that was released in 1940. There were books for each of the segments of Fantasia, and The Nutcracker Suite is one of them. Oddly, only few of the illustrations are frame grabs from the film, others feature fairies or few of the other characters who made the sequence. Most of the illustrations are these bug characters that don’t appear in the film.
So, to accompany the beautiful models above, I’ve decided to include the bug illustrations from this book – featured below.
1B&W
2B&W
3B&W
1c
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For more Fantasia items of interest, Bob Cowan is currently showcasing a number of his beautiful pieces on his website.
on 08 Sep 2009 at 10:16 am 1.Stephen Macquignon said …
I’m working on a picture book that has insects, this is a great inspiration
on 08 Sep 2009 at 10:35 am 2.Robert Cowan said …
Michael –
1) Thanks for the mention about my current Fantasia postings. Glad you check in.
2) GREAT examples of the Bug Orchestra. I just posted one of the concepts I have. But the whole Bug Orchestra thing has been tough to track down.
? Did much of the Bug sequence get cut down from the original to reduce the run-time?
? Was the Bug Orchestra initiated because of a potential dispute between Disney and the Orchestra (as I was told)?
Keep up the great posts!
on 09 Sep 2009 at 1:57 am 3.Stephen Worth said …
The bug orchestra was originally supposed to be for the nutcracker. There was also a bit with alligators carrying Chinese lanterns with fireflies for the Chinese dance. They ended up taking the threads of ideas and spinning them off into other segments. Some bits of it survived in some form and some didn’t.