Milt Kahl used a thin felt pen for his exploratory sketches during production of The Rescuers.
He produced a ton of these sheets searching for the most inventive poses, expressions and acting patterns. Even if the scene is only 16 frames long, like the one shown here, Milt tried several variations on the main idea of Medusa freaking out at the sight of two mice.
I love the energy in these drawings, and the lines of that felt pen seem to be dancing on the paper.
It's interesting to see that he used a through away rough animation sheet, probably because it was the closest within reach.
There is so much unconventional stuff going on with Medusa's design, including the way her very round shoulders contrast her straight lower arms.
These are the key drawings for this short scene.
More thumbnails that show Medusa's panic. She grabs the lower end of her dress…because she needs something to hang on to.
Snoops is having an uncomfortable encounter with the alligators.
There will be a post with more Snoops material coming soon. He is a terrific character.
Ah I love how expressive and full of life these are.... inspiring stuff!
ReplyDeleteAndreas.... This is brilliant - it's awesome to see evidence of thumbnails from the pro's. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCrazed and full of movement – she's so fun to look at. :D
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting to see these drawings of snoops as well. They made me realize how similar of a character Snoops is to the round man in the Rhapsody in Blue sequence in Fantasia 2000. That whole segment is one of my favorite animation shorts. Overall, I think some of the Fantasia sequences are some of the best animation to come out of Disney.
ReplyDeleteBy the round man, I mean the guy that is always being dragged around and mimics the monkey.
DeleteBoth were modeled after John Culhane.
DeleteThanks AT, I hadn't realized that before.
DeleteThese are so grotesque and hilarious that they are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteamazing drawings and sketches!..Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI read the anecdote in which Kahl said to Davis, "She will top your Cruella!" and after the movie was done Davis drily remarked to Kahl, "She didn't.".
ReplyDeletePersonally, I like the contrasts between the two which in turn make them similar again. Cruella is an elegant, dried up ghoul deluding herself by hiding under expensive fashion. Medusa has a somewhat mannish face smothered in make-up and a dumpy. pear-shaped body on thin legs, a woman physically past her prime. One sees the world as her stage across which she sweeps with grandeur, the other sees it as a bother that had better get out of the way, or else. Both trying hard to keep up appearances but driven by an inner greed that turns them ugly.
This is one of many scenes in the Disney films I always wished to see the original drawings from! This has got to be without doubt, Milt at his funniest!!!! Thanks for yet another awesome post, Andreas!
ReplyDeleteI love the way Snoops moves around! His momentum seems to come from his gut, and his legs are always fighting to keep up with and control what his torso is doing.
ReplyDeleteWe mustn't forget the contribution Stan Green, Milt's assistant made to Kahl's scenes-tightening up the drawings.
ReplyDelete