Conference koolit::disney

    Expect to see Pocahontas dolls in the stores sometime in the next 
    month or so. I guess Mattel Toys will have FIFTY new products that 
    will be associated with the movie.
    
    The Pocahontas doll will have long hair and will be dressed in a 
    deerskin. It will retail for less than $20.
    
    Mike

    Anyone want to start talking about the movie?  You can watch the
    "signature video" on the LION KING tape with the other previews.
    
    Art and Music are outstanding, of course.  Some folks I know aren't too 
    thrilled by it though, sayin the movie looks too "green", "an
    unrealistic fantasy where every creature in nature lives peacably
    together except humans".
    
    Me, I can't wait to get into the theater.
      

    While watching that piece on TLK tape I mentioned to everyone to pay
    attention to the song 'cause we'll all be singing it in about six
    months.
    
    Mike

    I saw an ad in the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph for auditions
    in Denver this Sunday.  Disney is looking for characters for a new
    Pocahontas stage show at WDW.  The contract starts some time in May.

    Looks like there will be a new stage show this summer.

I guess I'm going to be "brave" and count myself publically among those 
not impressed by the Pocahontas preview.  It may be that my expectations
have been raised, over and over, by The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast,
and then The Lion King.

The preview just didn't have presence to me. Of course, I'll still be
first in line...

Bill A.

    
    
    I heard an advertisement this morning on WRKO-am [Boston] re WANG
    center sponcering a Disney event.  Disney characters/music on other
    films perform, then a showing of Pocahontas.
    I didn't see anything in the newspaper, anyone else got any
    information?
    this is to run Jun16th-22nd
    
    ed
    

    The article I read appeared in the Friday March 31 issue of the Boston
    Herald (Movie Section).  The "Pocahontas Summer Spectacular" will be
    at the Wang Center June 16-22 for 23 performances.  The movie, which
    opens June 23rd, is preceded by a 20 minute stage show called "Disney's
    Magical Moments".  Tickets go on sale April 9th through Ticketmaster
    (with it's usual added charges) or at the Wang Center Box Office.
    Tickets are $10-$27  Wang Center # is: 617-482-9393 for more info.
    
    I'm sure a plethora-of-Pocohontas-paraphernalia-will-be-available-for-
    perusal-or-purchase.
    

Mayor Daly even declared that week official Disney Pocahontas week.

    
    
    
    The following is from Ken Steinhardt
    
    *******************************************************************
    
Mike, you might want to pass along to the Disney notes conference what I went 
through last night to get tickets for Pochahontas at the Wang center so that 
others can plan accordingly and not suffer a similar fate...

In yesterday's mail I received the Disney MKC mailer announcing the "special" 
tickets that are set aside for MKC members, and the "special phoneline" at 
Ticketmaster for ordering tickets for the pre-release presentation of 
Pochahontas.  I was a little surprised that this flyer was touting this offer 
as an opportunity to order prior to the general public having access, since 
it arrived one day AFTER tickets went on sale to the general public, but 
whatever...                                                       

I called the special "hotline" number, planning to order 5 tickets.  I was on 
hold (listening to ticketmaster elevator music) for 13 minutes until someone 
finally picked up, and asked how they could help.  I told them that I was 
interested in tickets for Pochahontas at the Wang Center on Saturday, June 
16th, for the 5:00 show.  They put me back on hold, where after having been 
on hold for an additional 15 minutes without any additional contact or 
information (other than more elevator music), I hung up and called in again.  

This time I was on hold for a mere 5 minutes until someone picked up.  I 
explained what had happened, and this person agreed to stay on with me.  
After telling her what I was looking for, it took her about another five 
minutes to come back and tell me that there were tickets available, but that 
they COULD NOT tell me what seats or rows they would be.  Huh?????!!???

Yes, it seem that if you plan to order tickets from Ticketmaster for any of 
the shows at the Wang center, they CAN tell you what class of ticket they're 
willing to sell you (orchestra, balcony, etc.) but they CAN'T tell you 
whether it will be in row one, or row fifty.  I asked how could they possibly 
know that my tickets were all together if they couldn't tell me what row or 
seat they were?  They don't have a good answer for that one.  Supposedly, the 
only way (according to Ticketmaster) to get a verified row and seat is to buy 
tickets in person at the Wang center.

Has anyone else gone through this nonsense, and does Disney know what kind of 
non-Disneylike "service" ticketmaster is providing to their customers?

Cheers,
Ken (who can't wait to find out where his seats are, but doesn't apparently 
have a "need to know" as much as just having a valid credit card)

    yeah, I've run into this.  Wang Center and Ticketmaster point fingers
    at each other when I wanted tickets for Sound of Music last summer. 
    Finally had my wife hang on the phone directly to Wang Center to get
    our tickets.  It takes time...
    
    Mark

I ordered tickets from ticket master a while ago. Actually they haven't come yet.
I didn't know about the MKC deal. Is that cheaper?

With all the extra ticketmaster charges the total camd to $123.25 for four 
orchestra tickets (of course I have no idea what row they are in.

I don't think ticketmaster ever gives out row/seat number information over the 
phone.

I think I'd better call ticketmaster and see why I've not got my tickets yet.

Peter.

I'm just getting the busy signal every time I call.

I guess there is some hot event for which the tickets have just become available.

OK.
   I did get through to Ticketmaster Monday afternoon and they assured me the 
tickets had been sent out the previous Thursday. In fact they were in the mailbox 
when I got home.

   We are way over to the right and probably looking at the stage from an angel 
as we are fairly close - row L.

Peter.

    I saw an add in Sunday's paper for the soundtrack.  $9.99 on CD at Best
    Buy, starting Tuesday the 30th.
    

    I just received Disney News yesterday and there was an article saying
    that a new Pocahontas stage show will premiere on June 23rd (to
    coincide with the movie) at both WDW and Disneyland.  
    
    It said that the show would be on the Backlot stage at WDW, where is 
    this?  I didn't think that this was the stage where Beauty and the
    Beast has been playing, or is it?
    
    Thanks,
    Gail-who-will-be-at-WDW-on-June-23rd

    They may be referring to either the stage that is at the end of the NY
    street or the stage around the corner from the Muppets. The show must
    be pretty short since in both cases there are no seats.
    
    Mike

What about the theatre that 'Beauty and the Beast' used before it moved to
Sunset Blvd?  I don't remember exactly where it was, but it did have seating.

If that was temporary and is gone, I'd guess that the new show will be on the
stage near MuppetVision.  The stage the Turtles use is tiny.

>What about the theatre that 'Beauty and the Beast' used before it moved to
>Sunset Blvd?  I don't remember exactly where it was, but it did have seating.

Yes, that is it exactly, they are reworking the entire theatre, which was
still intact, seats and all.  There is a sign up about the new show.

>If that was temporary and is gone, I'd guess that the new show will be on the
>stage near MuppetVision.  The stage the Turtles use is tiny.

And Gone!  The turtles were let go last Thursday.  There was an article in
the Orlando Sentinel which said that declining public interest was the reason,
and a desire to move on to newer things.  There was no lack of enthusiasm at
Tuesday's show, though.  You can assume that the desire for newer things and
a limited budget is more to blame.

Bill A.
Lots more info to come!

Did anyone else catch the live TV coverage of the world premiere showing
of "Pocahontas" in Central Park in New York City?

It was about a week and a half ago (June 10 or 11, if I remember right.)

A huge crowd of families on a huge astroturf lawn (in a park!).  This was
to protect the facilities.  It was a free event, but you had to get tickets,
to prevent a safety problem or party from breaking out.  Disney paid
NYHC over $1M to make sure that there would be NO COST to the city.  After
expenses are paid, the remainder will go to the recreation and parks funds.

Depsite the huge cost of logistics, the $1M, and the equipment, Disney
appeared to be doing a brisk business in concessions.  Everyone who didn't
buy and immediately wear Pocahontas clothes seemed to come dressed in their
Lion King clothes.

The TV coverage was very MTVish, complete with "in-your-face" roving reporters
who interviewed anything that moved.  SOmeone claims the crowd had coined
the phrase "Waltstock" to describe the event.

Alas, the TV coverage ended shortly after the movie began, so no reviews or
comments on the movie itself were heard.


Newspaper and TV news reports all mentioned that the the event was not without
controversy.  They mentioed people who had paid for permits to use recreation
facilties were booted without notice (showed up and found trailers with
sound equipment parked on the ballfield.)  There were accusations that
hundreds of the tickets were distributed to city officials and VIPs.  Many
said that general knowledge of the event and how to get tickets wasn't
available until after the tickets were all gone.  And, believe it or not,
Disney wanted to chop down some trees to provide better views of the
gigantic projection screens (there were at least six drive-in sized screens.)
Permission was NOT given.

In a related note, I heard today that sales of the Pocahontas soundtrack are
brisk even in areas outside the six cities where the movie is now playing.
Advance sales have outpace the advanced sales of the Lion King soundtrack
by a large margin.  

Bill A.

    Re: The Soundtrack
    
    Alan Menken's style is definitely recognizable. I enjoy the
    instrumental tracks more than those with the songs.
    
    I like Judy Kuhn's rendition of "Colors of the Wind" much more than 
    Vanessa Williams' rendition. The only problem with Kuhn's song is that 
    I hear squeaks (guitar/violin necks?) during the song.
    
    I assume the John Secada/Shanice Wilson song is played as the credits
    roll.
    
    Mike

We went to the Wang event last Friday.

My mother and sister were impressed. It was there first sight of a Disney event.

The movie was pretty good. I think I prefered Beauty and the Beast and the 
Little Mermaid. It was very Disney. A lot of well placed comedy.

The sound track lacks the usual mix of catchy vs. sentimental stuff.

The combination of show, movie and a visit to the wang seemed worth the money.

I had been worried about our seats but I'm sure it would be hard to find a bad 
seat in the Wang.

Peter.

    I was also at the Wang event last Friday night - it was an early
    birthday present for my Disneyholic daughter.
    
    We both thought that the stage show was terrific - she was bouncing up
    and down in her seat from the opening notes right up until the end of
    the final number when the cast members exited up the aisles to the back
    of the theatre.  She particularly enjoyed Ariel "swimming" and Jasmine
    and Alladin "floating" on the magic carpet.
    
    The movie itself was also very good and thoroughly enjoyable -
    although, clearly to me anyway, it is aimed at an older audience than
    Lion King.  The music is good - Colors of the Wind has been running
    through my mind off and on ever since Friday.  My daughter, Beth, who
    saw Lion King in the theatre 7 times, is already asking to go again!
    Her birthday, which is in July, is looking like it will be a Pocahontas
    birthday - much like last year's was a Lion King birthday.
    
    Steve

    The Disney Stores and Disney/MGM Studios are selling Pocahontas
    Commemorative Tickets. They are $50 and are treated like the TZTOT 
    ones were.
    
    

> She particularly enjoyed Ariel "swimming"

Yes that was particularly good. It took me by surprise when she pushed off 
the rock and swam.

I liked the bit with cinerella, sleeping beaty, snow white and there princes.

Peter.

    I like Pocahontas a lot, but I want to state that I think it is too
    short, even more so than the generic "gee I love'd it and wished it
    would go on for ever" too short that we would all probably apply to
    many disney animated films.
    
    I would have liked to see more of the Native Americans in the village,
    We meet Powahatan, the Shamaness, Pocahontas, Nakoma, and Kocoum.  We
    see very little of how they live with each other and react to each
    other, except for action directly related to the story, i.e. no
    character development outside the imeadiate plot line.
    
    Grandmother Willow's part could be bigger too.  When she tells
    Pocahontas that there are spirits all around her and all she has to do
    is listen, I could almost hear a song dropping to the cutting room
    floor.  I'm sure they cut it for time constraints.
    
    I'm getting tired, so I'll stop here.
     

    For those who are interested, Irene Bedard, the speaking voice of
    Pocahontas, will make a personal appearance at the Mall of New
    Hampshire (Manchester, N.H.) on Saturday, August 26th.

With one week left and time running out my daughter and I decided
to take in a film called "Pocahontas." What follows are my
observations on this latest film from Walt Disney Pictures.


Where's the Beef?
-----------------
The film lacked something. My daughter described the story as
"shallow" which was the same word that came to my mind as the
credits rolled. I think the film proggressed ever so slowly and
it appeared to me that the whole storyline walked on eggshells.


Eggshells you ask?
------------------
Yes eggshells. It seemed that every line and action was carefully
constructed...almost too constructed. It was as if the animators
and the writers were very frightened to offend someone.

Characters
----------
Let's start with Belle....erh Pocahontas. Yes Belle and
Pocahontas could very well be blood sisters. Both want to see
what's around the river's bend and leave their provincial life.
Remember the phrase "...follow your path..."?

Also, both are curious to the point that they suppress their fear
to gain knowledge or satisfy their thirst for adventure.

John Smith. I think they used a Ken doll (from Ken and Barbie) as
a model. Did anyone else find it interesting that his character
was presented to us early on as a man of action and sort of a
"Damn the torpedoes...full speed ahead" kind of guy? Remember
when he jumped in the ocean to save that kid during the storm? No
thinking; just action. Yet he did a turnaround once he met
Belle..erh Pocahontas. Okay maybe I'm being too critical but
believable characters are important to the story.

Pocahontas' father, Powhatan, was well done. I felt that his brow
held much wisdom...looking forward to seeing him again.

I liked Kocoum. He didn't seem "too serious" to me. Hey the guy
is a warrior. Let him settle down, have a few papooses, spend a
quiet evening around the campfire, toss down a few cups of fire
water and he'll chill out. I thought he was a very positive
character in the film...of course jealousy can get you into
trouble....just ask him.

Gov. John Ratcliffe is the villain for this Disney film. His
greed comes across real well but he's got a long way to go before
he comes close to measuring up to to Scar, Jafar, and other
Disney villains.

There were two fellows who were the "lead" setttlers. I could
have sworn they had Scottish accents.

Meeko. There'll be a lot of Meekos wrapped up under Christmas
trees this year.

Flit. Too much coffee.

Percy. Great foil for Meeko. He served as an extension of
Ratcliffe.

Grandmother Willow. I didn't expect Linda Hunt's character to
play such a large part in the story. This added a magical element
to the film...which I thought was a mistake considering the
subject matter. Good animation.

The Craft is The Thing
----------------------
I think I'm beginning to fall into the niche of judging Disney
animated features on several planes.

The first of these is the storyline, subject, plot, character
development, and all that jazz. "Pokie" doesn't do much for me
in this area. On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd give the film a weak 5.
I still think Disney made a mistake in choosing this story. It
was a tough subject matter to work with and they told the story
in 75 minutes.......whoosh.

Then we have the craft of animation. Let's face it, what draws
many of us to see these films is that voice that says, "I wonder
how much better the animation will be from the last film." We all
remember...


 ...the ballroom scene in "Beauty..."...

 ...the Cave of Wonders in "Aladdin"...

 ...the stampede in "The Lion King..."

Pocahontas has some outstanding animation. At least a dozen times
or more I thought to myself that the actions of the human
characters were so lifelike that I almost that I WAS viewing
human beings plastered on an animated background. The animation
wonderment does not end with the characters. The opening shot as
we sail over London makes me think that Disney should consider
doing some remakes of it's classics to take advantage of the new
animation technology of today. That opening shot made me wonder
how a new version of "Peter Pan" would look with today's
technology.

The animation itself is truly the draw for me. If the storyline
and characters are appealing then all the better.

Of course I cannot leave with out commenting on the Rogers and
Hammersteinlike music of Alan Mencken. I had been listening to
the CD for 6 weeks before going to see the movie. I did the same
for "The Lion King" (soundtrack first...movie later) and I will
continue to do the same for future films. The background music
doesn't register as much if you see the film before you listen to
the soundtrack. Sure you could go back and see the fim
again...but at these prices?

I think Disney has a found a gem in Alan Mencken and I am looking forward
to his future efforts. The guy can write music...he should be
writing for Broadway.

So the formula is animation and music and I'm ready to fork down
money for a film. If the storyline and character development
works then so much the better.

I'm a little lukewarm on Pocahontas...here's hoping that
"Hunchback..." comes in at a higher temperature.

Great Pocahontas analysis.  I though much the same when I saw it.

When I think back to TLK and BatB, I remember epic stories, characters
that became lifelong friends, wondrous animation, and memorable songs.
These movies transcend the typical Disney effort.

I think Pocahontas is in a class similar to The Little Mermaid, with
songs that are very likeable, characters that are likeable, and typical
animation.  A good Disney family entertainment effort.

I have been, and will continue, however, to fund the Meeko merchandise 
machine.  I want an AVI (that's a movie format for PCs) of Meeko pressing
flit to squirt all the water out of him, while wearing that gleeful
mischevious grin!

Bill A.

    I too enjoyed Pochahontas, but felt that something was missing during
    the picture. The songs were excellent, and Alen Mencken should be a
    strong candidate to pick up more Best song/score oscars on Academy
    Awards night night Spring.
    
    I must admit I did like the soundtrack better than Alladin and TLK. I also
    prefer the movie version of Colors of the Wind to Vanessa Williams.
    
    Just my 2 cents..
    
    
    Mark

    RE: .26
    
    In the Greater Boston area - Irene Bedard will be making a personal
    appearance at the Square One Mall on Route 1 in Saugus, MA on Sunday,
    August 27th.
    

    If you are going to WDW look for Pocahontas and friends greeting guests
    at the American Adventure Garden in World Showcase. They will be there
    intermittently from 12:00 - 4:00 P.M.
    
    Mike

    "Pocahontas" will be released on video March 6th.