# The Art of Disney Animation (Disney Channel Documentary)

CAPTURE LINEAGE AND TECHNICAL DETAILS ARE BELOW. PLEASE READ THIS TEXT IN ITS ENTIRETY. This 1988 documentary, hosted by John Lithgow, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the intricate art and enduring magic of Walt Disney animation, spanning from its pioneering days to contemporary productions. Lithgow guides viewers through the meticulous process of bringing animated characters to life, emphasizing how simple drawings can evoke profound emotions and seem "made of flesh and blood." The program features a rich tapestry of clips from beloved Disney classics such as Bambi , Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , Dumbo , Fantasia , and Pinocchio , alongside more recent films like The Rescuers , Oliver & Company , and The Great Mouse Detective . The documentary delves into the various stages of animation production, highlighting the contributions of numerous artists and technicians. Animator Glen Keane explains the importance of truly embodying a character's emotions to translate them onto paper, while director Burny Mattinson discusses the challenging initial story phase. Viewers are introduced to key tools and techniques, including storyboards (invented at Disney in the 1930s), pencil tests, and live-action reference footage, which animators use to study movement and expression. The critical role of voice actors is also explored, with insights from Cheech Marin (voice of Tito in Oliver & Company ) and archival footage of Clarence "Ducky" Nash (Donald Duck) and Walt Disney himself…

- Kind: Documentary
- Genres: Animation, Documentary, Industrial and advertising
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/uncommon-ephemera-vhs-V98)
- Licence or status: none stated by the archive
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/ia/uncommon-ephemera-vhs-V98?play=1)