Media Studies - Jungle Book

When were both Jungle Books released?

1967 and 2016.

How much did JB67 bring in in profit? (in USD)

Over $100 million.

Who directed JB67?

Wolfgang Reitherman, who also directed Sword in the Sone and One Hundred and One Dalmations.

What practice of animation did JB67 help popularise?

Traditional cel animation, the use of a thin clear sheet of plastic that drawings can be transferred onto, which created an early 3D sort of effect.

How much did JB67 cost to make?

$4 million.

What is the historical context to JB67?

The soundtrack of JB67 was the first to achieve gold disc status in the USA of an animated film. Previous Disney films such as Sword in the Stone had flopped. ‘The Bare Necessities’ and ‘I Wanna Be Like You’ were Oscar nominated.

What were the economic contexts of JB67?

Disney was already a successful company by the release of JB67, and Disney was beginning to diversify into theme parks, merchandise, and TV series. It was the 4th highest grossing film in 1967. It had a specificially strong German market, with it still to this day being the highest grossing film in Ger to this day.

When was JB67 re-released?

In USA cinema: 1978, 1984, 1990.

Rereleased as part of Walt Disney Classics collection in 1991.

Limited edition DVD from Buena Vista in 2007.

Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital copy combo pack released in 2010.

How was Disney’s ownership and distribution through JB67?

JB67 made the most of synergy and merchandising. There was an advertisement for Disneyland on ABC. McDonald’s toys released for JB2, subsequently promoting the first one.

How was Disney involved in the creation of JB67?

Disney was more heavily involved after the Sword in the Stone flopped, the first script written was ‘too dark’ in Disney’s opinion and he picked a new writing team, telling them to make it lighter and more fun. He even told a new writer not to read the OG novel.

What was Xerography and how was it used in JB67?

It was using frames from other films to recycle position and setting of characters, certain scenes in JB were stolen from Sword in the Stone.

How was JB67 created?

It was painted onto transparent cels, which were then layered on top of eachother using the multiplane camera to give a 3D affect.

How was JB67 distributed?

The film had to be sent through the post to cinemas, there was one trailer circulated which wasn’t engaging, and printed adverts were the main way of circulation. JB had a Disneyland link up, but was a bit early for the merchandise explosion of the 70s/80s, though had some.

When was JB67 released on VHS and DVD?

VHS in 1991 (1993 in UK).

DVD in 2007.

Which edition of JB67 was vaulted?

The Diamond edition.

How else did Disney make profit from JB67?

They marketed the characters for video games, such as Virgin who produced a video game for SEGA, Gameboy and PCs in the early 1990. The film was re-released multiple times.

Who directed JB16?

Jon Favreau, who previously produced Ironman and Ironman 2.

What was the difference in adaptations?

JB67 was more lighthearted and joyful, whereas JB16 is a more darker and sinister adaptation.

What was the production budget for JB16?

$175 million (est.) due to the fact it involved stars for the voiceovers, such as Scarlett Johansson and Ben Kingsley.

What was the Economic context of JB16?

Disney had 2 flops that decade, John Carter in 2012, and Lone Ranger in 2013, so the decision to remake an already popular film made sense.

What company produced the CGI for JB16?

MPC, which layered the animals from bone, muscle, skin etc. to create realism.

How does Favreau refer to the theme/genre of the film?

‘completely virtual approach’

Who is the only actor on screen and what is in the background the create the CGI in JB16?

Neel Sethi, who plays Mowgli, is the only one on stage. A bluescreen was used as it was set in the Jungle and there was many green props. People in blue suits were set around to move things if needed. Sethi walked on a turntable to make his walking look realistic.

How were motion capture suits used in JB16?

They were covered in reference points so they could recreate realistic movement of CGI animals.

How was pre-vis used in JB16?

They used previs to get an idea of what the CGI may look like, so the WIP shots wouldn’t look as empty.

How was the opening of JB16 shot?

They shot the opening on a technoplane camera as an homage to JB67.

How was JB16 distributed?

The film could be sent internationally via digital means, the distributing company that Disney uses is called Buena Vista International, which is a company owned by Disney’s conglomerate, therefore they are ‘inhouse’. Disney+ meant that distribution after the cinema period was easy.

How was JB16 promoted?

Unline JB67, there was multiple trailers - one was a ‘survival’ ideal, the other was more a coming of age excitement. They did TV interviews and used social media to build hype, Disneyland link ups, merch in the Disney store.

What were some of the cultural differences whilst promoting JB16?

Russia’s posters had threatening animals within the poster to erase the human story, China’s highlighted the grace and importance of the animals such as the tiger.

Where was JB16 particularly popular?

India, it was the highest grossing film of 2016.

How much did JB16 make gross, both in the US and internationally? (In USD)

USA: $364mil

International: $966.6mil