‘The Little Mermaid Blu-ray: Diamond Edition’ Excl. Interview: Director/Writer Ron Clements To celebrate the release of The Little Mermaid Blu-ray: Diamond Edition (in stores October 1) Desde Hollywood had the honor of speaking with one of its co-directors / writers, Ron Clements. Together with John Musker, the duo also created other fantastic Disney animated films like Aladdin, Hercules, Treasure Planet, and more recently The Princess and the Frog (they are working on The Name Game now, inspired by the Rumplestiltskin story). What was the most challenging thing about doing The Little Mermaid? Ron Clements: Every scene that took place underwater required special effects animation. We had a lot of magic too some it was a big challenge on that sense. Also, there was something special about doing a fairytale because we knew we were going to be compared to classics like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. It was the first time for a full fleshed musical. It was the most challenging film I have ever been involved with Disney. But also a lot of fun and very exciting to work on. All the way through it was a great project. Could you predict the impact of ‘Under the Sea’ when you heard it? Clements: We were together in a warehouse in Glendale so we could hear Howard and Alan working on the songs. With Under the Sea, the two story guys that started working on the visual were right next to them. They could cross back and forth. Howard and Alan could look at the visuals and see was it was planned and that could affect their songwriting and vice versa. They wrote pretty much all the songs in the movie in just a few weeks. We didn’t foresee the impact but we liked the music a lot. Where you involved in the 3D conversion? Did you feel tempted to change things? Clements: We were involved with the conversion and the restoration. There were things in previous version that weren’t exactly right. We had some reservations about 3D but that turned out very well. It was difficult but they did an amazing job and came out well. I am not a fan of changing major things in old movies. Like they have done with some Star Wars films. If you like the original I find it a little bit disturbing. We just changed little things, improvement that none will be able to notice. Would you consider working on a project based on the Star Wars or Marvel universes? Clements: We might be open. We do have a project that we are working on that is still our own project. There is an animated film that Disney is doing called Big Hero 6, that comes out in about a year from now and is based on a Marvel comic, not a very well known one, it is on the background. It is a Disney animated film but based on a Marvel comic, so that is a little bit new. I am a big fan of Star Wars so I am very happy about Disney buying Star Wars. I know Michael Arndt a little bit who is writing it. I don’t know anything about what is going on but I love the originals so much that I kind of want it to stay the same. What is the perfect way to enjoy this movie at home? Clements: A family, or just people together. I am old school so I would say that it is better to watch it on a big screen rather than a small one. A lot is designed for kids but it has a lot for adults too. It works on different levels so if you enjoyed it as a kid you may appreciate things that you weren’t as sensitive to. There is something in there for everyone. The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition Bonus Features -@ Disney Animation -Disney Intermission -Deleted Character -“The Real Little Mermaid: Live Action Reference Model” -“Part of Her World: Jodi Benson’s Voyage To New Fantasyland” -Howard’s Lecture -Classic DVD Bonus Features
