Perfect Pitch
A collection of animation pitches made by John Cawley through three decades in the business.
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ALL SINGING, ALL DANCING, ALL MICKEY!
Original Pitch by John Cawley – April 2, 1988

BEHIND THE STORY...
Ever since the Disney studio had moved into features, they have toyed with using Mickey Mouse in theatrical features. Despite several valiant and promising attempts, Mickey has never made the jump. Instead he has ended up in parts of other features, theatrical featurettes or direct to video features. The fear was always that Mickey could not carry a lengthy story. Why other comedians could and Mickey could not have ever been made clear. My solution was to build a feature around segments. This would allow the film to be made at a leisurely pace, yet still be considered feature worthy. Like so many other Mickey features, this one never went anywhere. However the production idea, doing segments over years was utilized for FANTASIA 2000, the idea of gang working together in entertainment is certainly similar to Disney Channel’s HOUSE OF MOUSE and utilizing various segments to build the feature is similar to the studios various direct-to-video features like TWICE UPON A CHRISTMAS.

And now my pitch...




ALL SINGING, ALL DANCING, ALL MICKEY!

An Animated Feature Proposal by John Cawley

Mickey's got a great idea to get him into a feature film, but Goofy, Minnie and Donald sidetrack the plot.

Mickey's got a big day planned. He's made an appointment at the Disney studio to talk over a great new feature idea. He feels that the new idea is so strong the studio chiefs will have to let him make itˇ As he prepares to leave he tells Pluto to be a good boy and not to worry, the pup's in the picture too. In fact he explains to Pluto that all of his friends have a part in it. All, that is but Donald. Mickey feels his famous temper will ruin the deal.
Once at the studio, he runs into Goofy. For the past few years, Goofy has been developing TV sitcoms. While chatting, Mickey mentions why he is there. Goofy asks to hear the plot of the film and Mickey unveils a bold costume drama in which he saves the kingdom and wins the hand of the fair Minnie. When done telling the tale, Mickey finds Goofy shaking his head. Goof explains that period pieces are passé. His advice is to set it in more contemporary times like the sixties. Goof describes how the plot would revolve around Mickey and Goof as two they search for "themselves" traveling through America by bus.
Taking Goof's suggestions seriously, after all he is in TV development, Mickey continues to his meeting. Crossing the lot he runs into Minnie who is at work on a new musical special. He says hello and then talks over his ideas. Minnie instantly realizes that Mickey shouldn't aim at the nostalgia craze of sixties, but go into the hot music of today. She tells Mickey the plot should follow the fast rising career of a young female singer, played by herself, and her fast talking agent/manager, played by Mickey. Her idea would leave plenty of room for hot new dance numbers.
Just as he enters the building, he runs right into Donald Duck. Donald's all excited. He's heard that the studio is looking for a vehicle for him. Mickey, surprised that Donald is so hot a star, tells the duck his general plot idea, which is a mish-mash of Goofy's and Minnie's. Donald thinks Mickey's on the wrong track. Spectacles are what the people are buying. The duck tells Mickey he has the perfect plot. Donald and his faithful crew, Mickey and Goofy, are alien hunters. In their quest to rid the planet of aliens, they are able to rescue Minnie.
Mickey arrives at the receptionist just in time for the big meeting. He steps in and begins to discuss his plot to the chief. It has now become a special effects, musical extravaganza. The chief, at first stunned jumps from his chair and proclaims it is one of the finest ideas he has ever heard. Mickey is overjoyed until the chief states he'll start calling some of the biggest stars in Hollywood for the parts. When Mickey interjects that he was offering the suggestion as a feature for himself, the chief is slightly rattled.
The chief states that they've been considering a Mickey feature for some time, but haven't hit upon the proper idea. What they think they'd like to see is a return to his origins, perhaps a costume drama where he would rescue the fair Minnie. The chief explains it could star everyone except Donald, due to his temper. Mickey is taken slightly aback by the news. He says he does have an idea along those lines, but wonders if Donald's temper is a problem, why has he heard they are looking for a vehicle for him. The chief laughs that Donald has been wanting a company car, and that is the vehicle they are searching for! Mickey laughs along as he begins to tell his original idea.


text, image and format © John Cawley

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