Studio Series: Thaumatropes and Zoetropes

In 1954, Walt Disney began construction on a long-awaited dream, Disneyland. The project required a new team of creatives to makes his vision into a reality. Walt chose one of his Nine Old Men, animator Marc Davis, to help develop many of the theme parks characters and attraction designs. In fact, Davis became responsible for designs in Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and updates to Jungle Cruise, to name a few. In this workshop, explore character styling by studying designs that center around theme, environment, and time period to then create a character of your own.

In 1954, Walt Disney began construction on a long-awaited dream, Disneyland. The project required a new team of creatives to makes his vision into a reality. Walt chose one of his Nine Old Men, animator Marc Davis, to help develop many of the theme parks characters and attraction designs. In fact, Davis became responsible for designs in Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and updates to Jungle Cruise, to name a few. In this workshop, explore character styling by studying designs that center around theme, environment, and time period to then create a character of your own.

Journey back in time to create your own thaumatrope and a miniature zoetrope, which exemplify—through nothing more than clever positioning and a simple spinning motion—how immobile drawings can appear to come to life.

Brownies visit The Walt Disney Family Museum to accomplish three of the five steps that are required when pursuing an Inventor Badge. Scouts will explore the museum galleries to learn about Walt Disney’s Imagineers, who worked at WED Enterprises during the 1950s and 60s and managed to imagine, invent, and build some of Disneyland’s most iconic attractions. Then, in the Learning Center, Brownies will brainstorm and apply these concepts to a problem, solving it collaboratively and creatively through design concepts.

In an ode to the Imagineers who worked under Walt at WED Enterprises during the 1950s and 60s, educators are invited to engage in a hands-on workshop that explores the basics of critical thinking and design strategies. While problem-solving collaboratively, learn how to utilize the 21st century skillset students need in order to become the innovators of tomorrow.

Join us for a workshop that focuses on this age-old trick, in which you will learn about the proper timing and spacing one needs in order to create a piece of animation that seamlessly repeats itself.