Animator’s aim in Cinderella restoration: ‘Recreate original artistic intent

As Disney+ ushers in a new era of cinematic fidelity, the much-beloved film ‘Cinderella’ makes its grand debut today, August 25th, in a resplendent 4K rendition. Amid the ongoing festivities leading up to the monumental milestone of Disney’s 100th anniversary on October 16th, this release stands as a luminous gem.

The meticulous labor of love that birthed this restoration involved the dedicated expertise of Disney’s Restoration and Preservation team, complemented by the invaluable insights of Michael Giaimo and the accomplished animator-director Eric Goldberg. Their collective purpose was both intricate and profound: to safeguard the purity of the original artistic intentions, allowing this timeless tale to shimmer anew.

For Eric Goldberg, whose legacy intertwines with Disney Animation, the heart of the restoration was a quest for color fidelity. The pursuit wasn’t merely about technical precision but an endeavor to rekindle the essence of the film as it existed on the silver screen. Goldberg’s reminiscences transport us back to the era when films were experienced in theaters, revealing a dedication to rekindle those vivid hues and capture the essence of the first viewing.

The animation masterpiece that is ‘Cinderella’ adheres to the exquisite technique of cel animation. Characters, hand-drawn with meticulous care, find their place atop meticulously painted backdrops, an art form akin to crafting individual strokes of genius to form a mesmerizing tapestry.

Goldberg’s philosophy during the restoration was to retain traces of the human touch – a dash of imperfection, a hint of painterly flicker – to establish an unbreakable link between the work and its creators. Such a philosophy speaks to the profound humanity underpinning every frame of this cinematic treasure.

Yet, the mission of restoration isn’t merely technical; it is the essence of restoring the essence. Goldberg echoes this sentiment, revealing that their aspiration was to rekindle the original creators’ visions, to breathe life into their artistry and embrace the journey back to the film’s inception.

This journey, however, transcends restoration. It’s a conversation between eras, where past and present engage in a dance of colors and emotions. Goldberg’s narrative extends beyond the restoration room, encapsulating the enduring magic that pervades Disney’s narrative tapestry. His words offer a poignant reflection on animation’s evolution – a transformation where the advent of computer graphics revolutionized the canvas while hand-drawn animation retained its unparalleled capacity for unadulterated invention.

In the same breath, Goldberg crafts an ode to the wondrous ‘Aladdin,’ a film where animation’s finesse was rendered frame by frame. He underscores how the vibrancy of personality animation culminated in Aladdin’s effervescent Genie. This character, brought to life through the dexterous interplay of visual and auditory realms, embodies the fusion of sincerity and whimsy.

As the restoration of ‘Cinderella’ gracefully draws to a close, Goldberg, ever the animator, turns his attention to another classic – ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.’ As Disney’s centenary nears and the captivating allure of ‘Wish’ prepares to grace the silver screen, Goldberg’s insights transcend time. He champions personality animation as the quintessence of Disney’s timeless legacy, an art form that captures the hearts and minds of generations, ensuring that the enchantment lives on

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