Co.Create | creativity + culture + commerce: After cinematographer Lucas Lee Graham answered a vaguely worded movie job posting, he showed up at a Starbucks to meet filmmaker Randy Moore about the gig. Graham recalls, "Randy's first question was 'How do you feel about shooting a movie in Disney World?' And I was like, 'Sure, I love Disney World,' thinking 'I'm not sure what strings this guy pulled to be able to do this, but it sounds great.'"
11 comments:
First of all, being a cast member at the Walt DIsney World park myself, I must say this crew committed the perfect crime. Of course filming a movie inside the park for any kind of profit would not be allowed, but I commend the crew for their honesty. They hid nothing and did what they intended. I think it's interesting that the crew themselves were becoming scared and uncomfortable due to the work they were doing; I think that shows a great personal involvement in one's work. I very much understand the why someone would feel a little creeped out by the line that comes between perfect fantasy and what happens when that fantasy goes askew. I agree that I myself often live in the state of being where I am trying desperately to find perfect fantasy, and while fantasy is great world, it can be dangerous to get lost in it.
I can't imagine that Disney is going to be ok with something like this. Technically, the park is private property, and the camera crew didn't get any permits to film within the park. That's just the tip of the iceberg. There is the fact that this movie is showing Disney in an image that the company does not agree with, and that this film is going to change the public's views of "the happiest place on earth." I imagine that Disney will have a lot to say about this film when it opens in the festival on October 11. I'll be keeping an eye out for the next article regarding what's going to happen with this film.
I think that even though this film was shot on Disney's land and was shot with the intention of showing Disney in a light that they do not agree with, it is something incredibly interesting and captivating. They did not hide anything that they were doing when they made this film, and they really put the idea of fantasy and what happens when things go awry in an interesting light. I also think it is great that they became uncomfortable when they were shooting because that shows that they are challenging themselves in new and exciting ways. I strongly believe that I never want to be "comfortable" with my way of life and that I always want to have some element of "uncomfortableness" to the work that I am doing. When you become comfortable, you begin to coast.
First of all, this film has already premiered some months ago at the Sundance Film Festival, meaning that Disney is clearly aware of it. What's interesting is that Disney has not officially acknowledged it's stance on the film, or what it intends to do about it. As it's scheduled for a theatrical release in a week's time, it seems safe to assume that Disney will not be doing anything to stop it's release. This is most likely due to the fact that any action Disney takes will immediately draw attention to the film, making the public even more aware of a film Disney surely wishes to remain obscure.
Personally, I am planning on seeing it the first chance I get. Although the reviews are not amazing, knowing the story of how it was shot is exciting enough to give it a try.
No this crew did not hide anything and were able to blend in, but they made a film on private property that they are now trying to sell. They did not have permission to film on disney's property and now that they are going to sell the film for profit disney has every right to sue and shut down the film. yes it is an interesting idea but the fact of the matter is that they did not have permission to film such a movie on disney property. Dan does have a point that disney probably doesn't want to bring more attention to this film.
This concept is so clever, the crew was open with what they had in their bags, just not in their minds. They did have to hide what they did but never actually had to hide from anyone. What family at Disney does not have a camera out recording their trip? Essentially they fit in perfectly. This seems like a crazy concept though taking such a beloved place and associating it with a dark and twisted side. The film was even corrupting people as they worked on it. To me this shows that the film is truly a masterpiece. Personally if it affected the workers so much I do not think I would want to see it. I love disney and want to keep it as a place of happiness and fairtytales.
Watching the trailer, I was a bit shocked by the first message: "The following trailer has NOT been approved for all audiences by the Walt Disney Company." How has Disney not acted on this yet? They flip out if their movies are shown in public schools, and yet they haven't done anything about this major motion picture that's about to be released that turns their theme parks into dark, scary places? There's no way they would want to be portrayed like this, it would be terrible for their image. So why haven't they acted yet? Not only do I not appreciate the idea of this movie, I ethically disagree with the actions of these filmmakers and the crew. Filmmakers are supposed to pay and ask for permission to use an location, so why should Disney World be any different? As much as Disney has plenty of money, they at least deserve to be compensated when their parks are used for filming that will be played before large audiences. I hope that Disney is secretly waiting until opening day of the movie to make a stink about this, so that the film has some negative press right away. However, the feud would probably draw even more attention to the film and would actually draw more movie-goers. I can't wait to see wait happens next with this, because I can't believe it happened in the first place.
Watching the trailer, I was a bit shocked by the first message: "The following trailer has NOT been approved for all audiences by the Walt Disney Company." How has Disney not acted on this yet? They flip out if their movies are shown in public schools, and yet they haven't done anything about this major motion picture that's about to be released that turns their theme parks into dark, scary places? There's no way they would want to be portrayed like this, it would be terrible for their image. So why haven't they acted yet? Not only do I not appreciate the idea of this movie, I ethically disagree with the actions of these filmmakers and the crew. Filmmakers are supposed to pay and ask for permission to use an location, so why should Disney World be any different? As much as Disney has plenty of money, they at least deserve to be compensated when their parks are used for filming that will be played before large audiences. I hope that Disney is secretly waiting until opening day of the movie to make a stink about this, so that the film has some negative press right away. However, the feud would probably draw even more attention to the film and would actually draw more movie-goers. I can't wait to see wait happens next with this, because I can't believe it happened in the first place.
This is such an amazing article. Disney Land for its history has been know to be this overly enthusiastic place where family celebrate milestones. Disney is all about happiness and bringing joy to people in a magical larger than life atmosphere. When I finished reading this article I was so impressed first of all of how this production was so sneaky at filming and successfully shooting without being caught. How can a group of people film for 11 days without being caught? I find this fascinating. I'm so glad that someone is putting a spin on the typical image of Disney. Nothing in life can be completely positive and happy, they is a dark side to everyone and everything. Disney is just know to be happy place where nothing bad happens, but in reality there are probably horror stories of things that have happened in the park. The actors and workers are required to put on a fake smile all the time. I cant wait to watch this movie when it comes out!!
Well, I must say that the movie looks interesting and I agree with what everyone else has mentioned in terms of being surprised by the lack of public response from Disney. I am sure that they know all about the movie at this stage and have been discussing their legal possibilities. Disney has acted at lengths to protect their brand from copyright infringements and have written up many procedural documentations which I am sure must speak to incidences such as this. I don't think that they will just sit back and allow someone else to profit from their company without gaining anything from it.I am sure that more will come from this eventually. I just wonder which side of the fence they will sit on at the end.
I think the fact that disney has not taken a stance on this movie is very interesting and all together really surprising. I would have thought that Disney, trying to project the image that they have created, would have cracked down on this project long ago. I know that Disney has stopped the public sale of some movies in order to upkeep their family friendly image, so I would have assumed that they would have very quickly tried to stop this film from going public. The film itself actually seems really intriguing. The story seems really creepy and awesome and just watching the trailer I became a little creeped out. I love Disney more than most people but I would also like to see how this film pants Disney in a negative light.
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