Disney Extra Credit - Fall 2013 - (Page 18)

research and storytelling exploring the story behind the story leads to authenticity J ournalists know the importance of good research when it comes to the credibility of their stories. And when you think about your favorite novel, movie or television show you can see just how important research is to bringing those characters, and the world they inhabit, to life in a way that makes them feel authentic. As a student in any field of study, research is just as important when it comes to understanding and more accurately exploring the issues placed before you. In fact, research is part of what makes the Disney Theme Parks and resorts so extraordinary. Step into Adventureland® at Magic Kingdom® Park and you’re suddenly transported to a faraway jungle landscape. Or visit the “Wild West” in Frontierland®. At Epcot® you can wander through World Showcase and be immersed in the culture and surroundings of 11 different countries. All of the scenery, costumes, theming and environments designed for these locations were heavily researched to ensure that, from the moment you step inside these lands, you’ll feel like you’re in another place. Walt Disney Imagineering, the design and development arm of The Walt Disney Company, is responsible for the creation and construction of Disney Theme Parks, resorts, cruise ships and other entertainment venues worldwide. Imagineers not only provide the creative ideas that eventually become new attractions at Disney Parks, they’re also tasked with exploring the back story of the worlds they create. 18 | N extra credit Joe Rohde, Senior Vice President and Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, is a master at creating a compelling story for Disney guests. Joe led the team that conceptualized, designed and built Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park at the Walt Disney World® Resort, a project that required a great deal of research. While creating the Park’s attractions, Joe traveled to remote corners of the world to ensure authenticity, including making trips to Nepal for one of the Park’s most popular attractions, Expedition Everest®. “The setting for Expedition Everest we had decided would be an area of the Himalayas in Nepal,” Joe said. “And so we went there and our primary interest was to do architectural research. When you get to this place and you stand there in the real place, it becomes clear that the wind and these flags are a major part of what makes that place itself. The movement of air through that place and the fact that it moves all these flags and that those flags make all this noise is not something that you would ever get from a photograph. You only get it from being there. That kind of thing happens a lot. What makes a place feel emotionally like itself is very often not the visual quality of the place. But the visual quality is all you can get from a photograph. So, when you go to a place you feel things about it that are simply not in the photograph.” It’s also important to understand the deeper cultural aspects of a place.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Disney Extra Credit - Fall 2013

Disney Extra Credit - Fall 2013
Contents
Welcome
Walt Disney, Educator
Career Spotlight
A Touching Reunion
Engineering for Today
Career Spotlight
Research and Storytelling
Center Stage
Disney Dreamers Academy
The Path to Newsies
Creativity in the Classroom
Educational Field Trips
Inspiring Through Theatre
Festival Disney Turns 10
New Learning Opportunities
The Visual Musicians
Beyond the Bright Lights
Music Education Excellence
Focus on the Future
Poetic License
Spotlight On: The Disney Honors
Disney Performing Arts Alumni
Mickey’s Education Adventure
Disney Performing Arts Opportunities
Disney Youth Education Series Opportunities
Students Get the “Scoop”
The Fundamentals of Finance
Advertisers and Thank You
Travel Planner Honors
Mickey’s Mind Teasers

Disney Extra Credit - Fall 2013

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