How Documentary Filmmaker Leslie Iwerks Built ‘Disney Worldbuilders’
The new film, about the Disney Parks creatives who bring their creations to physical life, is out now on Disney+ The post How Documentary Filmmaker Leslie Iwerks Built ‘Disney Worldbuilders’ appeared first on TheWrap .
Leslie Iwerks, the granddaughter of Walt Disney's co-creator, Ub Iwerks, has built a reputation as the premier documentarian of the Walt Disney Company. Her grandfather co-created beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, while her father, Don, spearheaded numerous technological advancements at Walt Disney Imagineering.
Don's work included pioneering innovations in Circle-Vision theater attractions and motion simulators like Star Tours and Body Wars. Earlier this year, Leslie released "Disneyland Handcrafted" on Disney+, a documentary chronicling the design and construction of Disneyland using unseen footage and archival interviews. Now, she has returned with "Disney Worldbuilders," premiering on Disney+, which delves into the relationship between creativity and Disney Parks.
The film features a collection of executives and creative minds such as Pete Docter, Jon Favreau, Jennifer Lee, Jared Bush, Kevin Feige, and James Cameron. These individuals walk the audience through the process of transforming their on-screen characters into physical spaces within Disney's theme parks and cruise ships. Iwerks' inspiration for the documentary originated from a memory of Walt riding a ride at Disneyland with kids, sparking a curiosity about the feelings of modern storytellers.
She wanted to capture the perspectives of these world builders and explore the future of Disney's themed entertainment.
To create "Disney Worldbuilders," Iwerks conducted extensive research, uncovering a photo of Walt riding a ride at Disneyland with young children. This image fueled her desire to understand the experiences of contemporary storytellers who have brought their characters to life in physical space. She traveled to various Disney parks and locations, including Shanghai, Disneyland Paris, Abu Dhabi, and other sites, to interview key figures behind these creative endeavors.
Throughout the film, Iwerks emphasizes the importance of Walt Disney Imagineer Bob Iger in bringing these stories to life. Iger's leadership and foresight allowed for the acquisition of Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel, enabling the integration of these brands into Disney's portfolio. Without Iger's guidance, the world of Disney storytelling would not exist in its current form. The documentary serves as a tribute to Iger's vision and the continued growth of the company under his stewardship.
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