My DH is on his way to New Orleans today on a shoot. So in honor of that:
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* Disney's 2009 Animated Release 'The Frog Princess' Taps Into
Studio's Rich Fairy Tale Legacy *
NEW ORLEANS, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Walt Disney Studios will
continue its fairy tale legacy in animation by taking moviegoers on an
all-new "once upon a time" musical adventure with its 2009 release
of "The Frog Princess," it was announced today by Dick Cook, chairman
of The Walt Disney Studios, and John Lasseter, chief creative officer
for Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. A musical set in the
legendary birthplace of jazz -- New Orleans -- "The Frog Princess"
will introduce the newest Disney princess, Maddy, a young African-
American girl living amid the charming elegance and grandeur of the
fabled French Quarter. From the heart of Louisiana's mystical bayous
and the banks of the mighty Mississippi comes an unforgettable tale
of love, enchantment and discovery with a soulful singing crocodile,
voodoo spells and Cajun charm at every turn.
"The Frog Princess" is based on an original story written by Disney's
acclaimed filmmaking duo John Musker & Ron Clements ("The Little
Mermaid," "Aladdin," "Hercules"), who will also direct. Oscar(R)-
winning songwriter/composer and New Orleans native Randy Newman ("Toy
Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "Cars")
will write songs and the score for this project. Peter Del Vecho, a
12-year Disney animation veteran, will produce.
Commenting on the announcement from The Walt Disney Company's 2007
Annual Meeting of shareholders, Cook said, "We're pleased to be here
in the heart of New Orleans to announce 'The Frog Princess,' a great
story with all the ingredients that go into making an extraordinary
motion picture experience. Like many of Disney's most popular fairy
tales, it has elements of magic, fantasy, adventure, heart, humor,
and music. The film's New Orleans setting and strong princess
character give the film lots of excitement and texture. We're also
thrilled to have John Musker, Ron Clements and Randy Newman lending
their talents and creative energies to this project. John and Ron
helped to usher in Disney's second golden age of animation nearly two
decades ago with 'The Little Mermaid,' and are on track to create the
Studio's next great fairy tale adventure."
John Lasseter added, "Aside from being longtime friends and
colleagues, John and Ron are two of the most influential and
imaginative filmmakers in the animation medium, and I am so excited
to be working with them in bringing their creative vision for 'The
Frog Princess' to the big screen. They've come up with an original
story that is deeply rooted in the fairy tale tradition, and it's
filled with great humor, emotion, and musical moments. Randy Newman
brings fun and excitement to every project, and I couldn't think of a
better choice to deliver some wonderful New Orleans style music."
John Musker & Ron Clements have directed and produced five feature
films for Disney including "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin."
Additionally they received story and/or screenplay credits as well.
Musker began his career at Disney in 1977, after studying character
animation at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). He started
as an assistant animator and went on to animate on "The Fox and the
Hound." Clements started at Disney in the Talent Development Program,
and went on to serve a two-year apprenticeship under Disney animation
legend, Frank Thomas. He moved from in-betweener to assistant to
animator/storyman with credits on such films as "Winnie the Pooh and
Tigger Too," "The Rescuers," "Pete's Dragon," "The Fox and the
Hound," and "The Black Cauldron."
Randy Newman is a 17-time Oscar(R) nominee and winner (in 2002) for
his song, "If I Didn't Have You," from the Disney/Pixar
film, "Monsters, Inc." Among his many achievements, he has
contributed songs and musical scores for such other Pixar animated
features as "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters,
Inc." and "Cars." Newman's impressive list of film credits also
includes scores for "Ragtime," "The Natural," "Parenthood,"
"Awakenings," and "Pleasantville." He was inducted into the
Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002, and his other career milestones
include three Grammy Awards, an Emmy, the first Henry Mancini Award
for Lifetime Achievement, and an Annie Award.
more...
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