Concept Art from "Frozen"

"Frozen" is the most successful animated feature film in history. Everybody seems to love it, and Disney continues adding attractions at Walt Disney World devoted to the film and its popular princesses. Thus, any information that dribbles out about the creation of "Frozen" is of interest to fans and industry watchers alike.

Disney virtual development artist Cory Loftis posted some concept art from the film that was hand-drawn. This art gives a good idea of what the film would have looked like if it were completed in this manner.

As you can see, there is some artwork from the "Love Is an Open Door" duet between Anna (Kristen Bell) and Hans (Santino Fontana). The snow beast "Marshmallow" and the wolves menacing with Anna and Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) also appear.

The "Frozen" project originally was titled "Anna and the Snow Queen." It was envisioned early in the development process as being drawn in the style of "The Princess and the Frog." However, that film didn't do as well as hoped at the box office, so a more standard CGI approach was adopted. Obviously, this was a good choice.

2014

Classic Lip-sync of "Love is an Open Door" from "Frozen"

These Guys Should Go on "Dancing with the Stars" Next

Lip-sync Cowboys

Pretty much everyone has seen "Frozen" who's going to see it, many people more than once. Apparently, these two guys are among the latter group.

"Love is an Open Door" is a tune from "Frozen" that hasn't gotten as much press (or notoriety) as the ubiquitous "Let It Go." The latter song has been the pathway to stardom for everyone from "Elsa" actress Idina Menzel to nine-year-old singing sensation Annelise Forbes. So, perhaps "Love is an Open Door" is feeling a little neglected by songwriters (and Academy Award Winners) Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.

Well, Naval Academy Midshipmen baseball buddies Brad Borosak and Matt Kilby have taken direct action to rectify that situation. As the Admiral once said, "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!"

The song is sung in the film (and in this video) by talented thespians Kristen Bell and Santino Fontana, who play Princess Anna and Prince Hans.

It's hard to pick out why this particular lip-sync is so good. It may be the precision with which the boys get each line perfectly. It may be the astonishment at the realization that they've actually listened to the song enough times to be able to mime it to perfection, complete with little gestures. Or, it may be the guy in the back seat who's desperately trying to hide from the camera.

You decide. Well done, guys.





2014

"Frozen" Wins BAFTA Award

"Frozen" has won the BAFTA award for Best Animated Feature. It was probably the least controversial win in the category's history, especially after last year's winner "Brave" received a somewhat more mixed reception from critics.

"Frozen" is one of the most successful Disney films of all time. So far, it has grossed nearly a billion dollars worldwide and is still going. "Frozen" beat "Despicable Me 2" and "Monsters University" to win the award, those latter two films probably handicapped by virtue of being sequels.

The BAFTA awards are trying to get a more European focus, so it is a growing mark of respect for American films to win their top awards. Most consider them the third-highest honor any film can earn, after the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes.

"Frozen" Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee were careful to thank their crew, saying "it took about 600 people on this one - we had thousands of storyboard designs they had to draw and redraw." The two, who are spending a lot of time at awards shows this year, acknowledged the superior voice recording from stars including Kristen Bell, as well as the computer rigging and the songwriters of the popular musical numbers from the film such as "Let It Go."

The other stars of "Frozen" are Alan Tudyk, Ciaran Hinds, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad and Santino Fontana.

Meanwhile, in the category Best British Short, Animation, "Sleeping with the Fishes" won.

2014