Originally Posted By TokyoMack Hmm...interesting to see the same facial prosthetics for Hook (and Smee)that I used at TDL finally in use at WDW. I mean, they were already using some of their orchestrations for this new castle show. Now if only they'd use this new head technology in Tokyo, the fans would flip out!!
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 It's amazing what a little thing like character's mouths and eyes moving can do. It's just something that's not a huge deal, but is making a big impact. I do hope this technology gets used at all the parks worldwide. I can see some logistical problems with having one-on-one interactions, like the noise the heads make, having enough dialogue recorded to have a "real" conversation, etc. Also, if the characters are controlling the movements themselves, I wonder how hard it is to hear the cues? It would make more sense to have it pre-programmed so they wouldn't have to worry about timing.
Originally Posted By irishfan I love this technology, shame they cant keep Donalds hat on his head though, anyone notice it flying off?
Originally Posted By Roger55 I agree that it really looks great! However, once I noticed that Minnie's eyelashes do not move with her eye lids, it kind of made the illusion less appealing. I wonder why they chose not to have her eyelashes move with her eye lids? Didn't someone realize that it would look strange when her eyes are closed and her eyelases are still floating about her closed eyelids???
Originally Posted By Roger55 My guess is that the movements are all pre-programed and sychronized to the audio track of the show. This would not be that hard to do. Sychronized audio wireless control has been implemented for years in the various Disney parades. This would be the least expensive approach and not burden the character actors. To bring this to the characters that walk the park would be much more challenging and would probably require much more sophisticated technology. Stage shows are completely "pre-determined" and repeatable. Interaction with Guests is completly dynamic. They would have to solve two issues. Number one they would have to some how synthesize the character's voice. And secondly they would have to implement some type of advanced pupetry that the character actor would control. Not impossible, and I think it would take character "meet and greets" to a whole new and special level.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Excellent move by Disney! Simple, yet remarkable. It definitely helps to give more "life" to their costumed characters!
Originally Posted By lesmisfan my first reaction was this was kind of scary. I am not used to seeing the characters mouths and eyes move. but the more i watched the video the more i liked it! I really do hope they implentment this at the disneyland resort with Fantasmic! i couldnt help but to think that while watching mickey.
Originally Posted By Roger55 Fantasmic at DL would be an EXCELLENT application of this technology, as well as the various shows at TDR.
Originally Posted By Dznygrl I don't think the whole "why is Mickey talking on stage but can't talk to me" thing will be THAT much of an issue. Sure, there will be some kids who wonder, but there have always been some kids who wonder about those kinds of things. Characters have always "talked" in stage shows, only instead of moving their mouths with the audio track they made exaggerated hand/arm movements, and it never seemed to upset kids when it came to meet and greets. Anyway, I think the characters look AWESOME. I'm also confident that the technology will continue to be refined over the years until one day we WILL have these animated performing characters interacting with guests.
Originally Posted By WDWcap Just to clear up any misconceptions, I work with Mickey, Minnie and the Gang everyday, and I assure you they are not pre-programmed movements. It's as "alive" as you can get. So for any rumors out there that they are not actually controlling themselves, they are indeed.
Originally Posted By Roger55 Thanks WDWcap. I see this is your first post.Welcome! So can you zhare with us a clue how it is controlled? There is only so much you can control with a chin bar.
Originally Posted By PARADE OF DREAMS I was recently watching the video and i saw where there hands are controlling the mouths and when i first saw this it was actually scary
Originally Posted By DisneyGuy115 OMG!!! THIS IS SOOOO KOOL!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!! And thats kool how they control it them selfs, its so amazing i think, But its actually a little scary, lol, a real talking mouse, lol.
Originally Posted By Duncan32 I have a friend here from Scotland for the press Event and she is going to Love this show. she is a Big fan of anything Disney and has been here for Opening of Soarin,Everest and now Year of A Million Dreams. I will let you know what she says after event
Originally Posted By Kansasteen I think it's amazing, the difference in the show is ten fold, who could imagine this would make that much of an impact. And I love that Smee and Hook are face characters, are they like that around the park as well?
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 We watched this show in Dec. and my whole family just loved the show. My son loved it when Hook and Pan were fighting, and I loved it when Malicifent came out and when she left with all the smoke it was pretty cool. Everyone was happy with the dancers. My youngest daughter wants to be one of the Disney dancers when she gets older, she's 12.
Originally Posted By Labuda Oh, WOW - these new characters look GREAT! I may actually watch a castle show.
Originally Posted By Labuda "I really do hope they implentment this at the disneyland resort with Fantasmic! i couldnt help but to think that while watching mickey." Excellent idea, lesmis! This would make Fantasmic! in D-MGM something I'd see again, even! I really, REALLY like this new technology for the characters!
