Lorenzo (film)

Plot

A cat named Lorenzo lounges on a cushion. A black cat passes by, and Lorenzo can't help but express his glee that the stray is missing her tail. Lorenzo flaunts his own luxurious backside accessory and goads the cat with expansive displays of tailery. As Lorenzo laughs the black cat casts a hex, bringing Lorenzo's tail to energetic life. Lorenzo is little more than perturbed until the tail's incessant motion begins to take its toll. The pampered cat grows both exhausted and desperate, as it becomes apparent that even the most extreme measures (such as high voltage electrocution, drowning, and being run over by a train) will not quiet his tail. At junctures the black cat appears and offers Lorenzo a knife, her intentions clear. Lorenzo resists her just as strongly as he does his tail's advances. Lorenzo is however, finally driven to capitulate and severs his own glorious tail.

Production

Lorenzo is based on an original idea by Disney artist and writer, Joe Grant. Grant began developing Lorenzo in 1949. It was written, designed and directed by Mike Gabriel, In search for a tango music, he went to a Virgin Megastore, where he spent $346 of his own money buying 40 tango CDs. For the final film's score, the creators hired Mosalini and Big Tango Orchestra, Baker Bloodworth produced the film, along with Roy E. Disney and Don Hahn who served as executive producers. Gabriel hand painted all of the short's backgrounds with Tempera paint on a black construction paper. A painterly renderer called Sable, created by Daniel Teece, was used to create 3D brush strokes on the backgrounds. Traditional animation and clean-up were done at the Paris-based division of Walt Disney Feature Animation, while all painting, digital work, and post-production were performed at the Burbank studio.

The short was developed as a potential segment for Fantasia 2006, the third installment following Fantasia and Fantasia 2000.

Awards

Lorenzo was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 77th Academy Awards in 2005. The short won the 2005 Annie Award for Best Animated Short Subject. It was included in the Animation Show of Shows in 2004.

References

References

1. (February 19, 2004). "New Disney Short Lorenzo to Premiere at Florida Film Fest 2004". Animation World Network.
2. (April 29, 2004). "Disney Attaches Lorenzo to Raising Helen". Animation World Network.
3. (November 29, 2010). "Wanna learn more about Disney's "Musicana"? Then go pick up a copy of the "Fantasia" Blu-ray". Jim Hill Media.
4. (June 4, 2015). "'Frozen Fever' (and Easter Eggs!) Coming Soon on Disney Shorts Blu-ray (Exclusive)". Yahoo! Movies.
5. (May 10, 2005). "Joe Grant, 96; Disney Artist Helped Make Films That Became Classics". Los Angeles Times.
6. (March 23, 2004). "'Lorenzo': A 'Moving Painting' with a Wild Tail". Animation World Network.
7. (May 16, 2008). "Newport Beach Film Festival Offers Rare Disney Shorts Served Up with Expert Commentary". LaughingPlace.com.
8. (April 8, 2004). "Why For?". Jim Hill Media.
9. (February 25, 2005). "Mike Gabriel Talks Oscar Nominee Lorenzo". Animation Magazine.
10. [https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2005 2005. Oscars.org]
11. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CGR0T9-Qho Short Film Oscars:2005 Oscars]
12. "32nd Annual Annie Nominations and Awards Recipients". Annie Awards.
13. (November 11, 2004). "ASIFA Animation Show of Shows Screening". Animation World Network.