Animated Faces for Characters at WDW

[Jennifer]

I love the way to characters look. It seems like they have always been like that when watching the video. How are the mouths controlled? Do the cast members do it or is it programed to start/stop for the show?

[Iframedroger R]

are they animatronic or puppets?

[ZeekSlider]

Eat your heart out TDL castle shows!

Now now now, just because WDW got some new technology doesn't mean their castle show is better. Even with the new head, some of the characters still have some rather stiff body language compared to their Japanese counterparts.

That looks great! Wonder if they'll impliment this with audio for the walk-around characters....

Somehow I doubt it. If they were, that would mean the voice of the CM wearing them would have to be projected out as the voice of the character they are dressed as. And voice manipulation technology hasn't gotten that far yet despite things like the Darth Vader Voice Mask.

EDIT: After looking at the video, I have a few concerns myself short of how they work. Namely, how are the CMs able to see out them now?

It is clear you can no longer see out of Goofy's mouth because of the jaw now offically obstructing what would be the point of view for the CM. Also, this is like the third time Donald's head was redesigned, but if the CM is looking through the eyes still, the blinking would probably blind them. It's clear on his that the lids are plastic coverings, or else what was causing that slight shine. I'm not sure about the mice, however. Their eyes seem to have gotten smaller, which means that the CM may be able to see out just above the character's eyebrows if my human proportions are right.

[tcsnwhite]

are they animatronic or puppets?

Not to ruin the magic (hehe), but there is still a person inside. So, not an animatronic or puppet.

[Iframedroger R]

i maen the heads them selves, how do the sync so well?

I know there is still a person inside

[tcsnwhite]

Now now now, just because WDW got some new technology doesn't mean their castle show is better. Even with the new head, some of the characters still have some rather stiff body language compared to their Japanese counterparts.


Somehow I doubt it. If they were, that would mean the voice of the CM wearing them would have to be projected out as the voice of the character they are dressed as. And voice manipulation technology hasn't gotten that far yet despite things like the Darth Vader Voice Mask.

EDIT: After looking at the video, I have a few concerns myself short of how they work. Namely, how are the CMs able to see out them now?

It is clear you can no longer see out of Goofy's mouth because of the jaw now offically obstructing what would be the point of view for the CM. Also, this is like the third time Donald's head was redesigned, but if the CM is looking through the eyes still, the blinking would probably blind them. It's clear on his that the lids are plastic coverings, or else what was causing that slight shine. I'm not sure about the mice, however. Their eyes seem to have gotten smaller, which means that the CM may be able to see out just above the character's eyebrows if my human proportions are right.

As for the body language part, I think it may be to the fact that the new heads may possibly be heavier than before. Just a thought I had. It may also be because the physcial makeup within the heads now is more complicated, so movement may be a bit more restrictive. Once it starts being implemented into more parks worldwide, then we can see how each resort's performers take to it within the context of their actual performance.

Someone mentioned if the walk arounds/meet and greets would have this new technology- not right now. They said this is for scripted/pre-recorded shows and parades where the characters talk.

Also, this show (and Feld Entertainment's Disney Live Show) are the first uses of this technology. So, it is in its very early stages of actually being used. I am sure they will improve and tweak it over time as it is implemented into more parks worldwide.

[tcsnwhite]

i maen the heads them selves, how do the sync so well?

I know there is still a person inside

ahh, sorry bout that. Actually, I have no real clue. It was talked about at one board how certain movements within the heads are activated by the performers within, possibly through touching certain buttons or such within the gloves. Again, just all speculation by fans. Hopefully WDI will do a little special or press release on how it was done, though, come to think of it they may not due to it being about the characters themselves and we know how Disney preserves the magic when it comes to the characters themselves.

[Iframedroger R]

seems almost too perfect.

However, i think we shoul slap a mickey mouse costume on ASIMO and send him out.

[dlfreak]

I have a feeling its remote controlled. Look at the video I linked to and then watch the video KNRG posted. There are slight differences, I noticed them most on Donald.

[ZeekSlider]

As for the body language part, I think it may be to the fact that the new heads may possibly be heavier than before. Just a thought I had. It may also be because the physcial makeup within the heads now is more complicated, so movement may be a bit more restrictive.

Still doesn't answer my question of how they see out.

Furthermore, if the heads are the general make up of those used in Narnia, wouldn't the performers be able to at least dance like they did before? The Minitor head that they feature on the BTS Features clearly shows that you can still move your body just as fluidly and just as fast. Granted they are professional puppetteers, but still. Unless they are housing a car battery in each of their skulls (which I doubt given the amount of space in some of the smaller heads like Goofy's and Donalds), the addition of servos and moters can't weight that much. A few extra pounds, yes, but not enough to hinder the actor's performance.