When “Haunted Mansion” production designer Darren Gilford was working with director Justin Simien to bring the beloved Disney ride back to the big screen, he had a rather unique perspective. As a former Imagineering intern, Gilford had learned first-hand how the Disneyland attractions were conceived.
Gilford’s design entry point for the film was a bible devoted to the ride from Imagineering. “I got to know what was canon for Disney,” he says. “We really tried to be as true as we could to the original Haunted Mansion from Disneyland. It was going to be heavily based on all the icons from the ride.”
The film stars Lakeith Stanfield, Danny DeVito, Tiffany Hadish, Jamie Lee Curtis, Owen Wilson and Rosario Dawson as the crew who try to rid a stately old home in New Orleans of its 999 ghosts. But the exterior of Gracey Mansion was actually built on a backlot in Atlanta.
Gilford’s design entry point for the film was a bible devoted to the ride from Imagineering. “I got to know what was canon for Disney,” he says. “We really tried to be as true as we could to the original Haunted Mansion from Disneyland. It was going to be heavily based on all the icons from the ride.”
The film stars Lakeith Stanfield, Danny DeVito, Tiffany Hadish, Jamie Lee Curtis, Owen Wilson and Rosario Dawson as the crew who try to rid a stately old home in New Orleans of its 999 ghosts. But the exterior of Gracey Mansion was actually built on a backlot in Atlanta.
- 8/1/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
When it came to finding a villain for Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” horror comedy, the obvious choice was the legendary 19th-century Hatbox Ghost from the popular Disneyland/Disney World attraction. Director Justin Simien (“Dear White People”) and screenwriter Katie Dippold (the all-female “Ghostbusters” reboot) even invented a spooky New Orleans backstory for him.
Voiced by Oscar winner Jared Leto, the Hatbox Ghost became a creepy, Voldemort-inspired trickster. But creating the look of the character (designed by Dneg and animated by Ilm) provided its own set of challenges apart from other 998 apparitions that haunt the Mansion. “The character itself went through many different iterations because its involvement grew as our movie was being developed and created,” production VFX supervisor Edwin Rivera (“Joker”) told IndieWire.
“And I think the realization was that he made for a great bad guy,” he continued, “and we wanna see a lot more of him. So...
Voiced by Oscar winner Jared Leto, the Hatbox Ghost became a creepy, Voldemort-inspired trickster. But creating the look of the character (designed by Dneg and animated by Ilm) provided its own set of challenges apart from other 998 apparitions that haunt the Mansion. “The character itself went through many different iterations because its involvement grew as our movie was being developed and created,” production VFX supervisor Edwin Rivera (“Joker”) told IndieWire.
“And I think the realization was that he made for a great bad guy,” he continued, “and we wanna see a lot more of him. So...
- 7/30/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
In creating Disney’s new movie Haunted Mansion, members of the visual effects team took walks through the iconic Haunted Mansion ride for inspiration. In the ride, which first opened in 1969 at Disneyland, guests walk through the gate and into the Mansion before being guided into “Doom Buggies” in which they ride through the haunted house and meet many ghosts along the way.
Of course, this was conceived at a time before CG and other digital tricks became a familiar part of venue-based entertainment. But capturing the ride’s familiar look and feel was part of the goal of the VFX team, led by production VFX supervisor Edwin Rivera, who also works for vendor Dneg. Along with with Industrial Light & Magic and Opsis, the team completed the movie’s nearly 2,000 VFX shots. “It’s always fun to bring to life something iconic from people’s childhood,” Rivera tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Of course, this was conceived at a time before CG and other digital tricks became a familiar part of venue-based entertainment. But capturing the ride’s familiar look and feel was part of the goal of the VFX team, led by production VFX supervisor Edwin Rivera, who also works for vendor Dneg. Along with with Industrial Light & Magic and Opsis, the team completed the movie’s nearly 2,000 VFX shots. “It’s always fun to bring to life something iconic from people’s childhood,” Rivera tells The Hollywood Reporter.
- 7/28/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
For a few years there back in the early ’80s, Disney took a turn to the dark side, releasing live-action movies like “The Watcher in the Woods” (featuring a creepy late-career Bette Davis) and “Something Wicked This Way Comes” (from the mind of Ray Bradbury) that were intense enough to inspire nightmares — in kids, at least. The youngsters of that time are now parents, and some are surely asking themselves how far they can trust Disney not to traumatize another generation when a movie like “Haunted Mansion” comes along.
Truth be told, the PG-13-rated feature — which marks the studio’s second big-screen adaptation of its spooky theme park attraction — isn’t really that scary. Director Justin Simien (“Dear White People”) leans more on comedy than horror, bringing together a handful of funny stars to deal with Gracey Manor’s ghost problem. The result is certainly a lot less frightening...
Truth be told, the PG-13-rated feature — which marks the studio’s second big-screen adaptation of its spooky theme park attraction — isn’t really that scary. Director Justin Simien (“Dear White People”) leans more on comedy than horror, bringing together a handful of funny stars to deal with Gracey Manor’s ghost problem. The result is certainly a lot less frightening...
- 7/25/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Disney dominated the 18th annual Ves Awards with five nominations apiece for Jon Favreau’s frontrunner “The Lion King” and Robert Rodriguez’s surprising “Alita: Battle Angel” (acquired from Fox). Joining them for the top photo-real prize were the Disney-led “Avengers: Endgame” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” along with Ang Lee’s “Gemini Man”. The Ves Awards will be held January 29th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Competing for supporting VFX were Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman”, Sam Mendes’ “1917,” (which stitched together the World War I thriller as one continuous shot and offered various enhancements), James Mangold’s “Ford v Ferrari,” Todd Phillips’ “Joker,” and “The Aeronauts.”
In animation, Disney also fared well, with Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” (which grabbed five nominations) and “Frozen 2.” They were joined by Golden Globe nominee “Missing Link” from Laika, surprise nominee “Klaus” (the innovative 2D feature from Netflix and Spanish director Sergio Pablos), and,...
Competing for supporting VFX were Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman”, Sam Mendes’ “1917,” (which stitched together the World War I thriller as one continuous shot and offered various enhancements), James Mangold’s “Ford v Ferrari,” Todd Phillips’ “Joker,” and “The Aeronauts.”
In animation, Disney also fared well, with Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” (which grabbed five nominations) and “Frozen 2.” They were joined by Golden Globe nominee “Missing Link” from Laika, surprise nominee “Klaus” (the innovative 2D feature from Netflix and Spanish director Sergio Pablos), and,...
- 1/7/2020
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
The Visual Effects Society has unveiled nominations for its 18th annual Ves Awards, which honor VFX work in film, animation, TV, commercials and video games. Winners will be revealed at a ceremony January 29 at the Beverly Hilton.
Disney’s CG redo of the The Lion King and 20th Century Fox’s Alita: Battle Angel lead all film nominees with five apiece, joining the top animated nominee Toy Story 4. In TV, Disney+’s Star Wars spinoff The Mandalorian and the final season of HBO’s epic Game of Thrones lead the field with six nominations each.
Along with naming winners in 25 categories, the group’s ceremony later this month includes honoring Martin Scorsese with the Ves Lifetime Achievement Award. The Ves Visionary Award will be given to Roland Emmerich, and the Ves Award for Creative Excellence will be presented to VFX supervisor Sheena Duggal.
Here’s the list of noms:...
Disney’s CG redo of the The Lion King and 20th Century Fox’s Alita: Battle Angel lead all film nominees with five apiece, joining the top animated nominee Toy Story 4. In TV, Disney+’s Star Wars spinoff The Mandalorian and the final season of HBO’s epic Game of Thrones lead the field with six nominations each.
Along with naming winners in 25 categories, the group’s ceremony later this month includes honoring Martin Scorsese with the Ves Lifetime Achievement Award. The Ves Visionary Award will be given to Roland Emmerich, and the Ves Award for Creative Excellence will be presented to VFX supervisor Sheena Duggal.
Here’s the list of noms:...
- 1/7/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Academy invitee Eddie Redmayne in 'The Theory of Everything.' Academy invites 322 new members: 'More diverse and inclusive list of filmmakers and artists than ever before' The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has offered membership to 322 individuals "who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures." According to the Academy's press release, "those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2015." In case all 322 potential new members say an enthusiastic Yes, that means an injection of new blood representing about 5 percent of the Academy's current membership. In the words of Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs (as quoted in the press release), in 2015 "our branches have recognized a more diverse and inclusive list of filmmakers and artists than ever before, and we look forward to adding their creativity, ideas and experience to our organization." In recent years, the Academy membership has...
- 7/1/2015
- by Anna Robinson
- Alt Film Guide
©Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©Studio Pali Fekete architects/©A.M.P.A.S.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this week that the Los Angeles City Council, in a unanimous vote, approved plans for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Construction will begin this summer, and ceremonial groundbreaking festivities will occur this fall.
“I am thrilled that Los Angeles is gaining another architectural and cultural icon,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “My office of economic development has worked directly with the museum’s development team to ensure that the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will create jobs, support tourism, and pay homage to the industry that helped define our identity as the creative capital of the world.”
“We are grateful to our incredible community of supporters who have helped make this museum a reality,” said Dawn Hudson, the Academy’s CEO. “Building this museum has been an Academy...
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this week that the Los Angeles City Council, in a unanimous vote, approved plans for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Construction will begin this summer, and ceremonial groundbreaking festivities will occur this fall.
“I am thrilled that Los Angeles is gaining another architectural and cultural icon,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “My office of economic development has worked directly with the museum’s development team to ensure that the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will create jobs, support tourism, and pay homage to the industry that helped define our identity as the creative capital of the world.”
“We are grateful to our incredible community of supporters who have helped make this museum a reality,” said Dawn Hudson, the Academy’s CEO. “Building this museum has been an Academy...
- 6/27/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Strangely dropping a press release on a historic day where the nation's attention is elsewhere, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed their annual list of new member invitees this morning. For those who criticize the makeup of the Academy there was some good news and the stark realization the organization still has a long way to go. The Academy has spent the last eight to 10 years attempting to diversify its membership and this year's class mostly reflects that. There are significantly more invitees of Asian and African-American descent, but the male to female disparity is still depressing. Out of the 25 potential new members of the Actor's Branch only seven are women. And, no, there isn't really an acceptable way for the Academy to spin that sad fact. Additionally, It's important to realize the 322 people noted in the release have only been invited to join Hollywood's most exclusive club.
- 6/26/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
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