The magic of movies.
There is a formula for making movies at Disney and it goes beyond talent. It’s passion.
I had the unbelievable opportunity last month with the #DisneyInHomeBloggers to tour the Disney Animation Studios and meet the (master) minds behind the newest Tinker Bell film, Secret of the Wings.
The music, imagery and emotion that comes through is clearly coming from brilliant, passionate animators. Passion is not something you learn in school, it comes because of your love for your work and what you do.
Here are a few of the people I had the honor to meet that brought Secret of the Wings to life!
Fred Warter and Nickie Huai
Fred Warter (Art Director) and Nickie Huai (Lead Lighting) had the ginormous task of bringing Tink’s wings come to life. Being the center of the movie they knew how much was riding on their shoulders!
They studied insects, feathers and abalone (!) to make Tinker Bell and Periwinkle’s wings as magical as possible. They brought the ‘Secret’ part in Secret of the Wings. (That’s the back of my head on the right!)
PAUL McGRATH
What’s the first thing you remember about Disney movies? The songs, the music? Thank an Audio Engineer! No Disney movie is complete without the powerful sound to represent the emotions of the characters. Paul McGrath is one of the audio engineers on Secret of the Wings.
Paul was brave enough to allow me and another blogger inside the sound booth for a voice over! I played the part of Periwinkle. “I call them found things.” That was my line! It was so fun!
RITSUKO NOTANI
This was the highlight by far! We met and learned from, Ritsuko Notani (left). She made the character Periwinkle! She has been the principle designer for all the Disney Fairies! She gave us all a lesson in how to draw Periwinkle. Yes, I got a drawing lesson from the Disney Fairy animator herself. (CRAZY?!)
This was my drawing/interpretation of Periwinkle after Ritsuko’s lesson. What do you think? Maybe a little too elf-y. 
PEGGY HOLMES
Meet the Director! I have to admit, I was a bit giddy when I found out the director is female. It just makes sense that a woman would understand how Tink moves, what she feels and how she interacts with others.
My one question I asked Ms. Holmes was about how Tink moved when she got close to her sister, Periwinkle. Well, turns out it was a good question! Holmes was originally a choreographer and used her knowledge of dance and body movement to make Tink move in an almost ballet like dance. Watch for it when you see the movie!
Learning how animation movies are made and the real people behind these characters makes me appreciate it all even more. It is an experience that feels like it just happened!
Did you watch Secret of the Wings?
Disclosure:I attended a Disney Press event on behalf of SassyMamaInLA. Travel and accommodation were provided, no other compensation was received. All thoughts and experience are mine alone.
I THINK THAT THEY NEED TO PLAY SECRET OF THE WINGS MORE OFTEN AND MAKE ALOT OF NEW ONES FOR THE KIDS ALL AROUND THE WORLD.
YA LIKE ME SAYS EMMA JADE TOO.