Disney's spooky behind-the-scenes tour (photos)
Disney doesn't often open its back lot to the public, but the studio served up a short tour of its animation facilities this week to celebrate Halloween.
Art of Disney animation
BURBANK, Calif.--Disney Interactive Media Group invited the press and families onto the movie studio's back lot this week for a special pre-Halloween tour that included a chance to play games like Lego Pirates of the Caribbean, Cars 2: The Video Game, and Disney Universe. Every Hollywood studio is security-conscious in this era of online spoilers, and for that reason (and to preserve the fairytale illusions for kids), Disney doesn't let "non-cast members" behind the scenes very often.
During the back lot exploration, visitors had a chance to explore where legendary Disney films were made. The halls of the Disney Animation Building include a record of art and imagery from the history of the studio's 2D cartoon films.
'101 Dalmatians' concept art
Don't step on Steamboat Willie
Pluto's footprints on back lot
Mickey Avenue and Dopey Drive
The streets of the Disney back lot are marked with appropriate signage, including this intersection of Mickey Avenue and Dopey Drive.
The sign terminology (multiplane, ink, and paint) harks back to the height of Disney's 2D animation era, which included films from "Snow White" to "Beauty and the Beast." While Pixar helped to make 3D, computer-generated animation industry standard, the Disney back lot still has the mechanisms in place to produce hand-drawn animation.