Friday 30 April 2010

Everything I know I learnt from Disney.

I love Disney.

Not in an obsessed, thousands of cuddly toy, merchandise way (although I did work for The House of Mouse for four years). I love it in an enjoy the story kinda way.

I was born in the 80's, so it makes sense that some of the first films I saw were Disney. I can remember seeing Bambi with my mum on a re-release when I was five!

And I was hooked.

Maybe it's the inner child in me? Maybe I'm a sucker for a song? Perhaps it's my love of art and animation breaking to the surface? There is just something about the classic storytelling I enjoy.

Lets face it, those guys and gals know how to tell a story.

Now, admittedly, they have the foundations laid out for them. The rich history of fairy tales like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin.

See, even Disney 'borrow' ideas from other authors!

Their heroines, hero's -even their villains -are fleshed out and fully developed. They have back story, hopes, dreams and, sometimes, even a song telling us what they want.

But the ones who we find out the most about are the princesses. Yup, those feisty doe-eyed beauties with their needs and vulnerabilities.

Ever want to know what a Disney gal wants? Check out her song.



So, if you are ever stuck, maybe you just need an "I'm wishing" song. It doesn't have to be for your character either. Here's my writer wishing song in a Belle style.

"I want want my novels in the great wide somewhere,
I want all my books to sell,
I want to touch my fans,
I want to write the best I can,
I have themes, and scenes and plots and plans."

Go on, you know you want too write one too. :)

Happy Friday everyone.

11 comments:

Vicki Rocho said...

I love your song! I love Disney too, but believe it or not I was 18 before I ever saw a Disney movie. I was staying with my oldest sister and she rented Cinderella for me (only my favorite fairy tale) I was hooked.

Beauty & the Beast came out when my husband and I started dating. HE volunteered to take me for our 2nd date...whatta guy!

Matthew MacNish said...

Hah, what fun! Thanks Lindsay. I love Disney too - even if just for making movies I can watch with the kids that don't bore me to death.

My favorite one growing up was The Fox and the Hound.

Today's guest blogger is The Alliterative Allomorph!

Stina said...

I love your song. :D

Disney even borrows from itself. (Enchanted is a compilation of a lot of Disney movies, but mostly Snow White).

Jaydee Morgan said...

I've always loved most of the Disney shows as well. They're always so fun - and so darn colorful.

Good job on the song. I might just borrow/sing yours instead of spending the next 20 hours trying to come up with one of my own ;)

Have a great weekend!

Avo said...

Disney movies rarely worked for me... But I did love the old cartoons, the misadventures of Donald doing pretty much anything, or Goofy's troubles with insomnia or illustrating sports through the ages...

Your song is one that most writers will relate to. : j

It's not much of a song, but then I'm not much a songwriter... Here's my writer thinking out loud about revising , maybe before the princess sings her song on the neighbor's video, heard through the apartment wall.

I want the wit to do away with the doggerel that I’ve writ
And the grace under fire to do without that which I desire
A moment’s rest before putting the manuscript to the test.

Shannon said...

I love Disney, too. I actually wrote a paper in college about how The Lion King fits the classic constructs of an epic story.

Hannah said...

I think I'll just steal your song! All those things sound good. Ha! :)

Talli Roland said...

I love Disney, too! Oh to live in a fantasy world... Now, where's my wine?

Lindsay said...

Miss V. 18! Wow, but Cinderella is a great one to be introduced too first. How sweet was your hubbie for taking you to see Beauty and the Beast on your date. Awww.

Matthew. Lol. Disney movies are great for staving off boredom when watching with kids. So are Pixar ones. I like The Fox and the Hound too.

Stina. Wow, great facts about Enchanted.

Jaydee. I agree, it is like a primary colour onslaught. But I still love 'em. Glad you liked my little song. You can borrow it too. :)

Alesa. I love the cartoons too. I remember that sport through the ages one.
Like the thinking out loud writer lyrics :)

Shannon. Wow, that sounds like it would be an interesting paper. Did you know that part of The Lion King story is from Hamlet?

Palindrome. Lol. Okay, you can adopt it. :)

Talli. I agree, a fantasy world sounds great. There would be wine too ;)

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

I've always love Disney films. Their stories are classics. I have found memories of going to their movies with my parents and of taking my own children to those same movies. Great post.

Samantha Bennett said...

Fellow 80s child who loves Disney, even worked at the park for a time. :) I love the obvious, simple, and brilliant "I Wish Song" strategy. Great characterization tool!