The Walt Disney Archives' new exhibition, 'Capturing Life, Creating Character', offers a captivating glimpse into the intricate process of bringing Disney's animated characters to life. This limited-time exhibition showcases the art of live-action reference, a technique that has been integral to Disney's animation process for decades. With 60 images and 18 original artifacts, costumes, documents, and art, the exhibit provides an in-depth look at how Disney animators studied live performers to create realistic movements, costumes, and animal behaviors in their animated films.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the exhibition is the exploration of costume design. The exhibit features costumes from classic Disney films, such as the yellow-and-brown dress bodice from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the yellow-and-tan Pinocchio costume from Pinocchio. These costumes are not just visually stunning but also play a crucial role in the animation process. The type of clothing a character wears can change how they move, and the material properties of the fabric affect the behavior of the fabric itself. By studying these costumes, animators can create believable clothing that moves naturally, adding depth and personality to their characters.
The exhibit also delves into the art of movement, demonstrating how live-action references are used to capture fluid and natural movements. Photos of live performers demonstrating specific movements for different films are on display, showcasing the weight, balance, timing, and tiny asymmetries of movement that impact the realism of an animated scene. Interactive elements encourage guests to step into the dance studio and try moving like different Disney characters, emphasizing the importance of movement in animation.
Animal characters, the cornerstone of Disney Animation, are also a focus of the exhibition. Animators brought in experts like biologists, zoologists, and anatomy specialists to understand animal behavior and movement. The exhibit showcases how these studies were used to create realistic animal performances in films like Bambi, The Lion King, and Frozen. Fun facts, such as the use of human babies to create Bambi's expressions and the same lion, Joseph, used as live-action references for Mufasa and Scar, add an interesting layer to the exhibition.
The 'Setting the Scene' section of the exhibit highlights the use of set pieces and props for scale and composition. It demonstrates how props encourage natural performances and allow animators to see how an object interacts with an actor. A larger-than-life display from Peter Pan showcases Tinker Bell's technique of opening a drawer, with a photo of Margaret Kerry modeling the technique. The exhibit also pays tribute to the late Margaret Kerry, who passed away at the age of 97, with a pair of pink slippers worn by her on display.
Finally, the 'Final Animation' section provides a glimpse into the final animation stage of development. After live-action reference footage has been captured, animators work on drawing the action frame by frame. The exhibit showcases the interactive diorama of the Mad Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland and the 'Frame to Frame' interactive element, which demonstrates the continuing practice of live-action reference in today's animation process. The exhibition also explores how intuitive and accessible the art of live-action reference has become for modern animators, thanks to the proliferation of smartphones and everyday household items.
In conclusion, 'Capturing Life, Creating Character' is a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in the art of animation. It offers a unique insight into the creative process behind some of the most beloved animated films in history, showcasing the meticulous work of Disney animators and the importance of live-action reference in bringing these characters to life. The exhibition runs from August 8, 2026, to November 1, 2026, and is a testament to Walt Disney's vision of elevating animation into an art form.
