Holy moly! new character heads at WDW

Post by **spaulo** » Jan Fri 19, 2007 1:54 pm

Check out the video on The Disney Blog:

http://www.thedisneyblog.com/tdb/2007/0 ... lated.html

They blink. Their mouths move. It's CAAAARRRRAAAAAZZZZYYY!!

Post by **acp** » Jan Fri 19, 2007 1:58 pm

Spooky, yet cool!

Andy.

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Jan Fri 19, 2007 2:27 pm

I think it is a great idea for the shows but if they ever use them in the photo characters it will get weird. Like they said you would have to have a translator or voice changer built in too. And what is to stop them saying the wrong thing by accident. I know of a character that used to say stuff under her breath when she felt like it, if they put a mic in there that will have to change.

It did always freak me out when I was a kid that mickey never blinked.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Jan Fri 19, 2007 2:46 pm

I like that. I don't find it creepy at all. It's just different.

And about the meet and greets... If they used those heads for it, and had to speak, that means that the characters would have to have a script or something. Or maybe they could do a Push type thing. That's a bit much. And I would never get my chance to meet them cuz the line would be really long.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Jan Fri 19, 2007 3:20 pm

Wow, I never really thought about how their mouths never moved, especially Mickey, I guess his motions along with recorded audio were good enough for me at the time. It seems kinda stupid that no one's thought of it before. The costumes are constantly evolving though. I wonder if they'll start using them at all the shows.

Post by **rdeacon** » Jan Fri 19, 2007 3:41 pm

Wow....

Very impressive how they are synced up. They appear real, or I should say it doesn't look fake or forced. I know the Imagineers have been toying with this idea for a while. Looks like they nailed it.

Very cool.

Rich

Post by **js3901** » Jan Fri 19, 2007 4:26 pm

reminds me a bit of watching the little cinematic scenes in the Kingdom Hearts games. the way they mouths move more or less just up and down.

Still a cool effect, though. a very nice touch, instead of just having the actor inside just bob his/her whole head up and down to simulate speaking.

as far as the photo characters, I could see them at least doing the blink effect, if not the mouth...

MansionButler · Post by **MansionButler** » Jan Sat 20, 2007 12:09 am

I watched the show while I was there and did not notice. I mean, I realized their faces were moving, it was just so natural that it was litterally after I got back home that my brain went "oh yeah, they didn't do that before!"

There's still the stange "Wicked Witch of the West" effect on Maleficent that I hate, though. I wish someone would get Maleficent right one of these days.

Esmeralda · Post by **Esmeralda** » Jan Sat 20, 2007 10:51 am

It's quite the intriguing idea. I didn't actually notice when I saw the Dream Along with Mickey show, so it must be pretty natural looking. The only problem I have with the whole idea is photographs. What if you get home and your one picture of Mickey Mouse has his eyes closed?!

Post by **acp** » Jan Sat 20, 2007 12:33 pm

At a guess, you'd have taken more than one photo of Mickey during your holiday at WDW.. He can't have his eyes closed in all of them

RiaLucia · Post by **RiaLucia** » Jan Sat 20, 2007 3:02 pm

Holy crap!

That was awesome. Donald looked especially cool with his moving bill! I didn't find it creepy at all. Very natural, actually. And I agree that this probably won't--and I think it shouldn't--move to meet 'n' greet characters. Half the fun of interacting with them is that you're communicating through pantomime.

I'm going to Disneyland in a couple weeks with my Mom. It'd be cool if we could catch a show with the new talking heads, but I guess I won't be suprised if it's not there yet.

Post by **subsonic** » Jan Mon 22, 2007 11:46 am

RiaLucia wrote:That was awesome. Donald looked especially cool with his moving bill! I didn't find it creepy at all. Very natural, actually. And I agree that this probably won't--and I think it shouldn't--move to meet 'n' greet characters. Half the fun of interacting with them is that you're communicating through pantomime.

Well said. I was going to state this as well, but you beat me to it.

I thought the effect was very cool!

bbowen13 · Post by **bbowen13** » Jan Mon 22, 2007 4:05 pm

I have never even thought about it until I saw the clip, but I think it is pretty cool. It gives more personality to the characters.

soccermouse · Post by **soccermouse** » Jan Mon 22, 2007 5:38 pm

I can't wait to see it in June

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » Jan Tue 23, 2007 5:34 pm

Creepy, yet strangely enough quite cool. 8)