div#ContactForm1 { display: none !important; }

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Must See Animation: Walt Disney's Fantasia Was a Game-Changer

So, you think you know Disney? Let’s talk about a movie that wasn't just another film—it was a full-on groundbreaker. Released in 1940, Fantasia was a mind-blowing experience that shattered all expectations for what an animated film could be. It proved that animation could be a serious art form, not just for kids. If you've never watched it, you are seriously missing out.

Here are six reasons why this movie is a total must-see:
1. The Sound System was Next Level
Way before we had fancy surround sound, Disney developed a groundbreaking stereo system called "Fantasound." It was designed to completely immerse the audience in the music, making you feel like you were right there in the orchestra pit. Remember, we are talking about 1940, and the first motion picture with stereophonic sound. Talk about next level. 2. The Multiplane Camera Was Pushed to the Max You might have heard about the multiplane camera. A camera set-up that allowed you to film through 4 layers of moving artwork placed on glass. Fantasia took it to a whole new level. They used it to create incredible depth and a three-dimensional feel that was absolutely stunning. It gave the animated worlds a sense of realism and immersion that was totally new for the time. 3. The Artists Were at the Height of Their Game It had taken the Disney artists 4 years to produce Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. Quite the learning curve. Fantasia and Pinocchio were worked on simultaneously and released three years later in 1940. Nuff' said.
         

4. The Anthology Format Was Genius. Instead of a single story, Fantasia was a series of awesome animated shorts, each set to a different classical song. This anthology style let the creators explore all kinds of artistic styles and moods within a single film, making it a unique cinematic journey.




5. Audacious Abstract Animation While most of the animation segments were about telling a clear story with no dialogue, Fantasia fearlessly went into the abstract, especially in segments like "Toccata and Fugue." It showed that animation could be used for pure visual and emotional expression, moving beyond simple storytelling to create art that was just wonderful to watch. 6. It Blended Art with Music, Making Pop Culture History The boldest move of all was fusing classical music by composers like Bach and Stravinsky with animation. Fantasia introduced these complex musical masterpieces to a huge audience, proving that high art could be for everyone and showing animation’s true artistic potential. Note: Disney was thinking of music videos way ahead of his time. Fantasia is a powerful statement about Walt Disney's vision andthe incredible talent of his studio. To this day, few animated movies can compare to this masterpiece. It's a film that remainstimeless and continues to inspire everyone who watches it.
This is number one on my top ten list for animated films.

Into storytelling, comics, and animation?
Then get a copy of these must-read guides.
Click on the links below     
       

 

Idea Genesis
Overcome writer's block and generate
 solid story ideas at lightning speed.



                                              

Cartoon Production Resource Guide      
Over 200 top resources for artists, comic creators &
animators to go next level.



Audio Production Resource Guide
Top 400 + resources to make music / audio production
easy and seamless 
for musicians, producers, and filmmakers.



Subscribe in the upper right box for more cool posts to come.



Monday, September 1, 2025

Beating the Entertainment Business at Its Own Game Part IV

Here is the long-awaited wrap to this article series!

 


Prosperity and Longevity Tips 


Mentors & Friends in High Places


It pays to have name recognition on your side. In the case of George Lucas, he and his friend, Francis Ford Coppola, they co-founded American Zoetrope Studios in the 70’s.

The studio took a hit with the dystopian Lucas sci-fi film “THX 1138”, but having the man behind “The Godfather” supporting you goes a long way.


Lucas and Copolla were part of the “New Hollywood” wave of filmmakers in the early seventies, along with Brian DePalma, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg. Lucas had his friends, DePalma, and Spielberg critique his rough cut of, Star Wars Episode 4, “A New Hope". The critique was brutal, but Marcia Lucas, (George's ex) saved the movie in the edit making it the classic that we all know and cherish.

Tip: Having a second set of eyes can work wonders!


Rodriguez and Tarantino were admirers of each other's work and became fast friends. They both had a fondness for “B” movies and collaborated on the Grindhouse double feature, “Planet Terror” and “Death Proof”.


In 2001, Roberto Rodriguez was mixing sound for his movie "Spy Kids" at Skywalker Ranch and ran into the legendary George Lucas. Lucas was aware of the jack-of-all-trades wunderkind who shot his first feature film for $7000 and was impressed by the then 33-year-old mixing sound by himself at his facility. He invited the filmmaker to talk in his office.


Lucas convinced Rodriguez of the benefits of filming digitally
and the use of greenscreen compositing, which he took to heart with his later films, including the all-digitally composited film, “Sin City”. Rodriguez claims that the change to digital put him on the radar of James Cameron.


Tip: Using technology can help your vision both creatively and financially.



Genius can Recognize Genius

James Cameron, director/producer of "Titanic & Avatar", had always wanted to do a live-action version of the 1993 Japanese animated,“ Battle Angel Alita”. Due to scheduling conflicts with the Avatar sequels, he handed the reins to Roberto Rodriguez in a joint venture with both their production companies in 2019.




Jon Favreau, who was working at Lucasfilm, was impressed with the filmmaker’s direction and use of CG in “Battle Angel Alita”, and hired Rodriguez to direct a few episodes of “The Mandalorian”. This led to his work as a showrunner and directing episodes of “The Book of Boba Fett”.



The lesson here is to do good work. Take the advice of your mentors. If you have success in the industry, don’t forget to network and see where it leads you.

Don’t be the Cog. Be the Machine.

Having a production company provides you with more creative control, access to higher-quality equipment, and better hiring options for experienced professionals.


In the case of James Cameron and Roberto Rodriguez, they created
their own production companies. Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment was responsible for Terminator 2, The Abyss, True Lies, Strange Days, Titanic, Solaris, and the Avatar franchise. Creating a special effects company, Digital Domain has also served Cameron well.


Roberto Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios was responsible for the Spy Kids franchise, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, The Grindhouse series (Planet Terror & Death Proof), Predators, the Sin City franchise, and Alita: Battle Angel co-produced with Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment.


George Lucas created Lucasfilm Ltd. back in 1971 when creating Star Wars to control legal and financial options including copyright, sequel, and merchandising rights. Lucas also produced the Indiana Jones franchise through Lucasfilm as well. That worked out great when he decided to sell his company to Disney in 2012 for an estimated $4 billion in cash and $1.8 billion in stock.




Let’s not forget Christopher Nolan. Writer-director Nolan, along with his wife Emma Thomas as a producer, formed the production company Syncopy in 2001. All of Nolan’s films have been produced and co-produced through his company, including the Batman franchise, Inception, Tenet, Dunkirk, and Oppenheimer.



Tip: Don’t be expendable. Be irreplaceable.
Create your own destiny and produce your stuff.


Distribution and The Deal.

The COVID pandemic in 2019 allowed streaming
sites to compete in the same league as the more established motion picture companies for movie distribution. People stayed home watching movies on their flat screens.




The genie is out of the bottle. People have not gone back to theaters the way they used to. Movie ticket sales are down 31%. $852 million tickets sold in 2023 vs $1.23 billion in 2019.


What does this mean to big-name directors, producers and actors? You can negotiate a deal directly with streaming companies and get a cut on the backend. Know your worth and don’t get sucked into the Squid Game debacle.



Remember Scarlet Johansen and Disney? She took them to task ovr the movie, “Black Widow” when they decided to  release the theatrical version and stream simultaneously. She was guaranteed a theatrical release first with a cut on the backend. Even though she was paid $20 million, she claimed her backend was impacted by this decision.

The payday with a backend percentage is becoming the norm for celebrities. If you are producing, you are guaranteed your money if the film is a hit. Consider Oppenheimer or Barbie as examples. Margo Robbie did very well as both a star and a co-producer for Barbie. A massive double payday made her net worth $60 million as of April 2024.

If you have a good track record, streaming/film companies will try to lock you into a multi-picture deal, guaranteeing creative control, salary, and financing, which can be very lucrative to you as a director.

What have we learned? Here is a quick recap:

    Take the advice of your mentors.

    Regardless of your budget, do quality work.

    Use technology creatively and financially to your advantage.

  Be irreplaceable. Create your own destiny and produce your own stuff.

    When you achieve success, network! See where it leads you.

    Know your worth when you sign a deal.

Hopefully, you found this article useful. Did we miss anything in this article series? I would love to hear your feedback.

Are you writing your next film/novel/comic book? Creating a strong story with great characters is 80% of the battle! Get the must-read ebook here.
Idea Genesis is your personal idea factory, engineered to blast through writer's block and supercharge your creative output.



This book is packed with actionable strategies and industry insights, tailor-made to get your writing projects off the ground and flying.


Subscribe to this site with the upper right box to keep updated.
Enjoy, share this link with your friends, and stay tuned!
You may also like these articles:

How to Beat the Entertainment Business at its on Game Part I

Beating the Entertainment Business Part II Beating the Entertainment Business Part III

So You're Thinking About Filmmaking?

Top Ten Tips When Writing for the Entertainment Medium

Is Film School Really Necessary?

Content Creation and Ownership: Keys to the Entertainment Kingdom

 

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Ditching the Delay: Why Beating Procrastination Is Your Next Power Move


Image courtesy of Freepik

We've all been there: that nagging task staring us down, while we scroll through social media, binge-watch a show, or suddenly decide the lint trap needs a deep clean. Procrastination, the art of putting things off until the absolute last minute, is a habit most of us wish we could break. But what if we told you that tackling this beast isn't just about "getting things done," but about unlocking more time, freedom, boosting your mental well-being, and genuinely enjoying life more?

Why Do We Put Things Off Anyway?

It’s easy to beat ourselves up for procrastinating, but understanding why we do it can be the first step to overcoming it. Often, it boils down to:

  • Low Motivation: Sometimes, we're just not jazzed about the task at hand.

  • Fear of Failure: That daunting feeling that you might not be able to finish something, or that it won't be perfect, can stop you before you even start.

  • Distraction Central: In our hyper-connected world, it's incredibly easy to get sidetracked by a notification, an interesting article, or anything that pulls us away from the task.

The Sweet Rewards of Taking Action

So, what's in it for you when you kick procrastination to the curb? A whole lot, actually!

  • More Time & Freedom: Imagine finishing that dreaded task early and having extra hours for something you actually want to do.

  • Financial Gains: Whether it's avoiding late fees or seizing an opportunity, getting things done can save, or even make, you money.

  • Physical Space & Momentum: Decluttering a room or fixing something broken frees up space and creates a sense of forward motion in your life.

  • A Rush of Accomplishment: There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of checking something off your list, knowing you conquered it.

Your 3-Step Action Plan to Combat Procrastination

Ready to turn those "should-dos" into "done-dids"? Follow these three straightforward steps:

  1. Craft Your Plan: Before you dive in, take a moment to decide exactly what needs to be done. Break it down and create a clear roadmap.

  2. Weigh the Pros & Cons (Cost/Benefit Analysis): Ask yourself: What will you gain by doing this task? Will it save you time or money in the long run? Will it make you more effective or proficient? If the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, it’s a clear sign to move forward.

  3. Execute: Once you see those clear advantages, don't overthink it. Just go for it!

Procrastination-Busting Tips to Live By

Here are a few smart strategies to keep in your back pocket:

  • Start ASAP: The sooner you begin, the sooner it’s done.

  • One Thing at a Time: Focus on a single task to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

  • Chunk It Down: Break large tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your massive project be.

  • Remember the Rewards: Keep the benefits in mind as motivation.

  • Track Your Progress: Seeing how far you’ve come can be incredibly encouraging. This isn't just for chores; it applies to any task of value.

Real-World Wins: See the Impact

Let's think about how this plays out in real life:
Decluttering a Room: Will it give you more efficient workspace? Can you donate or sell unneeded items, freeing up cash or space? Will the time spent lead to peace of mind for months to come? Learning a New Skill: If you're considering a class on content creation or marketing, will it significantly boost your knowledge and shave weeks or months off your learning curve? Could it increase your email list by 30% or more? Can it lead to side income? Equipment Maintenance: Spending a little time on basic upkeep for a piece of equipment now could save you from having to buy entirely new gear a year or two down the line.
The message is clear: follow your plan and execute. The benefits are waiting for you!
What's one task you've been putting off that you're ready to tackle this week? Plan, analyze, and execute! Get 11 free Productivity Mind Hacks here! And don't forget to subscribe at the top of this page to get more posts like this.