With the release of the THE LION KING Blu-ray/Digital HD including bonus content, I wanted to share with you my visit to a special exhibit on the animator that created the character Scar.
This exhibit, “Deja View: The Art of Andreas Deja” at The Walt Disney Family Museum showcases Andreas Deja’s work on some of Disney’s famous villians as well as a Hero as well as shares sketches for Deja’s characters in his story of Mushka.
While visiting The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, I found it so interesting to find out the history behind the people who make all things Disney so amazing. Before entering the special exhibit Deja View, I saw the movie posters from the past and they reminded me of how much Disney is truly a part of our lives. The Jungle Book movie poster is pictured below. It is so great to be able to see what the public saw when the movie was first released – a true piece of history in the story of this movie.
Who is Andreas Deja?
While at the special exhibition Deja View, we learned about the path that Andreas Deja took in his role as a Disney animator.
How does one follow their dream or know their purpose?
Well, for Andreas it was at the age of 13 when he was inspired by The Jungle Book., a true Disney classic. Take a look at the photo below to see his words and the advice he was given.
While visiting the museum, Andreas Deja did a pencil drawing on the poster shown right as you enter the exhibit. I enlarged it in hopes that you could see the detail.
The exhibit tries to capture many of his sketches. including characters that show his thought process into creating the ones that make it to the big screen. Looking around, one is easily drawn to his style in Deja’s sketch books.
In addition to sketch books, Deja also uses wire sculptures to envision what his animations will look like.
As we get excited to watch The Lion King on Blu-ray/DVD, it is an amazing experience to look at how the characters came to life.
Pictured above is the Scar marquette Cast resin courtesy of Andreas Deja.
Pictured above are Andrea Deja’s Scar model sheets. The first one is graphite, colored pencil and ink on paper. The second one is pen ink and colored marker on paper courtesy of the Walt Disney Animation Research Library.
Some other famous characters that Deja has been the supervising animator for are Jafar, Hercules and Gaston from Beauty and the Beast.
In addition, we also viewed sketches for Deja’s independent project, Mushka, which is about a girl and her Siberian tiger. Mushka is “a story of love and sacrifice set in Russia”.
Just a few days ago, Deja announced on his blog, Deja View, that he is adding the final color to his film. I can’t wait to learn more about this upcoming film.
The exhibit, “Deja View: The Art of Andreas Deja” will be open at The Walt Disney Family Museum until October 9th, 2017. The Walt Disney Family Museum also exhibits the life of Walt Disney as well as the birth of Mickey Mouse. As a Disney fan, it was wonderful to see all the history of Walt and his family as well as the inspiration behind the art and technology that we have in film today.
For more information, visit The Walt Disney Family Museum website.
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Have you ever been to The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco?
I was invited by Disney on an all expense paid trip to San Francisco to be a part of the #PixarCocoEvent. During our time, we visited The Walt Disney Family Museum. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It is really incredible how much time and detail goes into creating these unforgettable movies. This is the magic we grew up with and I would love to check out this exhibit!
I love seeing how the artwork goes from original sketches to finished product on-screen. Really interesting.
Great article. I’d love to visit!
This was an awesome event and I am so glad that we got to enjoy it together. I loved seeing all the original artwork because you get to see all the different steps they go through to create a film.
It’s really interesting seeing the process from the initial drawings to the final result. I love the name of the exhibit too. Clever
Love everything Disney and the Lion King is one of my all time fave animated movies! What a wonderful experience to see this all first hand. So interesting to see the entire process and the character come to life.
I would love to see this all first hand. What a wonderful experience.
The Lion King is my favorite movie!! I am loving this post, it would have been amazing to see it in person. Visiting the Walt Disney Family Museum is on my Disney bucket list. Thanks for sharing all these pics!
The Lion King is one of my favorite Disney movies of all time. I haven’t been to the Disney Family Museum but would like to one day.
This is so cool. These characters are iconic. Would love to visit with the kiddos.
I have never been to this museum but I love everything Disney and Jungle Book is one of my faves. This is so interesting and I’m glad you shared!
This looks so neat and it is something I would enjoy seeing. I love anything Disney related.
I love seeing all that goes into the creative process. Neat sculptures.
Oh, wow. This looks like one of the most interesting museums ever! I recently introduced The Lion King to Oscar, and he’s become obsessed with it. He’s even asked how it was made a few times. I’ll have to show him your post in the morning as he’d love it 🙂
Louise x
I never even knew this museum existed! I would love to see this exhibit – Lion King is such a powerful movie, and the beautiful animation is a huge reason.
This is so cool! I never even knew there was a museum. Would love to go!
No, I have never been there, but it looks very interesting.