Kirk DeMicco on the 11-Year Journey of Disney's Animated Musical 'Vivo'

Short Circuit Shorts and Disney Animation News

• 💡 The second set of Short Circuit shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios has been released on Disney Plus, featuring experimental films in various styles.
• 🎯 Highlights from the new shorts include "Dinosaur Barbarian" for its traditional animation and 80s vibe, "Jacob's Pillow" for its minimalist style, "Songs to Sing in the Dark" for its visuals, and "Crosswalk" and "Number Two to Kettering" for their stop-motion influence.
• 🚀 The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse shorts "Duet" and "Birdwatching" also debuted, with "Duet" noted for its animation inspired by Jim Carrey and "Birdwatching" for its tributes to classic Disney characters.
• ⚠️ Distressing news emerged about the shutdown of Tangent Animation in Canada due to Netflix's dissatisfaction with their output, leading to the cancellation of projects like "The Monkey King" and "High in the Clouds."
• 🌟 In contrast, Walt Disney Animation Studios announced the opening of a new studio in Vancouver, Canada, with initial projects including "Moana the series," a "Baymax" limited series, "Zootopia Plus," and a "Tiana" limited series.

The Making of 'Vivo'

• 🎶 The animated musical "Vivo," which debuted on August 6th, 2021, took 11 years to develop, with Lin-Manuel Miranda initially working on it at a different company.
• 🗺️ The core story, focusing on the bond between Andreas and Vivo, remained intact from the original concept, while Kirk DeMicco joined in 2016 to develop the journey through Key West, the Everglades, and Miami.
• 🎨 The film features five distinct visual worlds: Old Havana, Key West (residential and tourist areas), the Everglades, and a neon-lit Miami, each designed to reflect Vivo's perspective and arc.
• 🎭 Musical sequences, like the Mambo Cabana and the "One Drum" sequence, were created with a theatrical approach, drawing inspiration from MGM musicals, Missy Elliott videos, and even album cover art.
• 💔 The emotional weight of Andreas's passing was conveyed through art direction, with color being pulled from the scene and staging that emphasized loss, using elements like a wingback chair to avoid showing the character's face directly.

Storytelling and Communication in 'Vivo'

• 🎤 The film's unique approach to communication, where Vivo and Andreas do not directly understand each other, was a deliberate choice, leveraging songs and sound design to convey emotion and internal thoughts.
• 🎵 Lin-Manuel Miranda's role as singer, songwriter, and performer was crucial, providing a tool to express Vivo's internal state through songs when direct communication was not possible.
• 🤝 The collaboration with directors Rich Moore and Jim RuDey, along with artists like Roger Deakins and James Baxter, was instrumental in shaping the film's narrative and visual execution, particularly in key moments like the separation at the door.
• 🐍 The antagonists, such as the ball python in the Everglades, were designed to be a step above the protagonists' level to maintain a grounded feel, avoiding a