News Bob Iger is back! Chapek is out!!

[Mmoore29]

Ideas I would propose to Iger in a theoretical email to him about steps to take:

MUSTS

-Tamp down on abuses and excesses regarding recent price hikes at the parks and resorts, correct where necessary

-Take bold action and necessary rhetoric regarding company relations with the state of Florida, thread the needle

-Soothe potential discord and grumbling in Pixar regarding recent projects that went to streaming instead of intended theatrical release

-Make gesture that helps squash common Internet perception of "problems" at Lucasfilm, that the division is "in a state of paralysis and fear regarding the next Star Wars movie."

-Show importance of 20th Century Studios and divisions to the company, with renewed commitment to theatrical releases

-Repair relations with Johnny Depp and restore faith regarding Pirates of the Caribbean

-DO NOT sell off assets that people are clamoring for you to do (ABC, ESPN, Lucasfilm, Marvel, 20th Century Studios) just to get windfall in cash flow and ease debt burden

ADVISABLES

-Rehire John Lasseter and reestablish him as a good man and a creative wonder

-Hire Meryl Poster and/or rehire Dick Cook to helm or help helm the chair position of Walt Disney Studios

-Repair relations with Tim Burton and Henry Selick to give them runway for intimate passion projects and non-tentpole works

-Revive Touchstone Pictures imprint and show renewed focus on mature storytelling

-Do massive revamp of ABCNEWS.com, as, except for recent redesign of ABC logo, the website is boring, uninteresting, and does not look very inviting. Splashy and colorful designs, though only to the point of enhancing news reports on site and not overshadowing it, would go a a long way. Furthermore, fix notable URL content, as a large number of videos are not playable anymore, such as this one:

-Really open up the ABC News archives, in enabling people to watch old reports spanning decades and/or read transcripts, especially for curious viewers and for budding researchers. If there's a problem with The Transcription Company/aka transcripts.tv (hence that website not working), please fix. It would be nice to have options besides hoping to find something at random on YouTube (from unofficial sources) or use LexisNexis or Factiva, both of which are sadly incomplete.

-Arrange a special ABC News/Diane Sawyer Interview for Ellen DeGeneres, especially for her to give out her side of the story at last in light of the criticism she has been receiving recently, and insults and attacks on her character. Give her the chance to respond to the claims, as well as of course taking advantage of the recent uptick of interest with the tragic death of Anne Heche. Also feature mother Betty, brother Vance, and Portia DeRossi as part of the interview.

-Make more Marvel animated content(TV shows, movies, OVAs, etc..)

-Bring more variety to Disney Channel and Disney X.D., especially in following the examples of hits like Star vs. the Forces of Evil, The Owl House, Amphibia and so on

-Make a new game plan for the television animation division

-Treat animation with more respect, in a way that is visible and makes people comfortable

-Visible signs of something being done with FXX

-Integrate Hulu assets into Disney+ at earliest available opportunity.

-While I have faith Disney can navigate the streaming wars successfully, do prepare a fallback just in case. Such as a way to basically revert to the Netflix model, in having the content there, Disney to be main producer and get fees, and Disney to have main creative control, but of course, only when all else fails.

 

[djkidkaz]

As a Florida resident and passholder I would be happy if park reservations disappeared, I also do not like having to use my phone all day to plan my rides. Disney used to be a place you could go to and disconnect and relax. All you see now is everyone with their faces buried in their devices. I understand that is how the world is now, but it should not be REQUIRED at Disney World.

It’s not required. You’re more than able to go wait in line 40 minutes for Living with the Land. It just feels required because we know it used to be 5 minutes.

 

[HMF]

It's really only a difference of real estate and back catalogues at this point.

And it wouldn't surprise me if soon the sole difference was back catalogues.

Personally I think they should merge the two studios and consolidate in Emeryville.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Ideas I would propose to Iger in a theoretical email to him about steps to take:

MUSTS

-Tamp down on abuses and excesses regarding recent price hikes at the parks and resorts, correct where necessary

-Take bold action and necessary rhetoric regarding company relations with the state of Florida, thread the needle

-Soothe potential discord and grumbling in Pixar regarding recent projects that went to streaming instead of intended theatrical release

-Make gesture that helps squash common Internet perception of "problems" at Lucasfilm, that the division is "in a state of paralysis and fear regarding the next Star Wars movie."

-Show importance of 20th Century Studios and divisions to the company, with renewed commitment to theatrical releases

-Repair relations with Johnny Depp and restore faith regarding Pirates of the Caribbean

-DO NOT sell off assets that people are clamoring for you to do (ABC, ESPN, Lucasfilm, Marvel, 20th Century Studios) just to get windfall in cash flow and ease debt burden

ADVISABLES

-Rehire John Lasseter and reestablish him as a good man and a creative wonder

-Hire Meryl Poster and/or rehire Dick Cook to helm or help helm the chair position of Walt Disney Studios

-Repair relations with Tim Burton and Henry Selick to give them runway for intimate passion projects and non-tentpole works

-Revive Touchstone Pictures imprint and show renewed focus on mature storytelling

-Do massive revamp of ABCNEWS.com, as, except for recent redesign of ABC logo, the website is boring, uninteresting, and does not look very inviting. Splashy and colorful designs, though only to the point of enhancing news reports on site and not overshadowing it, would go a a long way. Furthermore, fix notable URL content, as a large number of videos are not playable anymore, such as this one:

-Really open up the ABC News archives, in enabling people to watch old reports spanning decades and/or read transcripts, especially for curious viewers and for budding researchers. If there's a problem with The Transcription Company/aka transcripts.tv (hence that website not working), please fix. It would be nice to have options besides hoping to find something at random on YouTube (from unofficial sources) or use LexisNexis or Factiva, both of which are sadly incomplete.

-Arrange a special ABC News/Diane Sawyer Interview for Ellen DeGeneres, especially for her to give out her side of the story at last in light of the criticism she has been receiving recently, and insults and attacks on her character. Give her the chance to respond to the claims, as well as of course taking advantage of the recent uptick of interest with the tragic death of Anne Heche. Also feature mother Betty, brother Vance, and Portia DeRossi as part of the interview.

-Make more Marvel animated content(TV shows, movies, OVAs, etc..)

-Bring more variety to Disney Channel and Disney X.D., especially in following the examples of hits like Star vs. the Forces of Evil, The Owl House, Amphibia and so on

-Make a new game plan for the television animation division

-Treat animation with more respect, in a way that is visible and makes people comfortable

-Visible signs of something being done with FXX

-Integrate Hulu assets into Disney+ at earliest available opportunity.

-While I have faith Disney can navigate the streaming wars successfully, do prepare a fallback just in case. Such as a way to basically revert to the Netflix model, in having the content there, Disney to be main producer and get fees, and Disney to have main creative control, but of course, only when all else fails.

 

[jinx8402]

It is and it isn't. Not everyone can or wants to devote that much time to an IP. A movie or two a year bridged by a single series, maybe. In the past 365 days, there have been 4 movies, 4 series, and 2 spinoff specials, correct?

There is a lot of content for sure. I want to add to something that sirwalter (think it was him, or maybe someone else?) stated though. He talked about how things are not as connected as the first 3 phases. I think honestly, that is part of the plan. Not every movie or series is tied to one singular larger story. This allows you to pick and choose what you are interested in and just watch those. Very similar to how the comics are. Sure, you might miss something, but you can choose to go back and watch it to get the back story if you wish.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

fair, but there are many amazing and wonderful actors out there and many yet to break out as well.

Marvel helped create some real star power from it's leads, in addition to straight up hiring established star power as well

Their best untapped potential right now are the mutants. Go with the best options

 

[MisterPenguin]

Personally I think they should merge the two studios and consolidate in Emeryville.

The "Pixar Method" instituted by Lasseter and spread to DAS (which started to make DAS films good again) doesn't allow for a large studio. The method is that each day each department presents to the entire creative staff and execs what they have done so far for critique. Too many movies would make that unwieldy.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Their best untapped potential right now are the mutants. Go with the best options

snikt

 

[HMF]

The "Pixar Method" instituted by Lasseter and spread to DAS (which started to make DAS films good again) doesn't allow for a large studio. The method is that each day each department presents to the entire creative staff and execs what they have done so far for critique. Too many movies would make that unwieldy.

Then cut down the amount of films made. I would rather have 1 quality movie over 3 mediocre ones.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Then cut down the amount of films made. I would rather have 1 quality movie over 3 mediocre ones.

Being mediocre is your opinion. With the exception of Lightyear, all the DAS and Pixar films of the past 5 years have gotten good ratings from critics and audiences.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

@wdwmagic or @The Mom ...can we please put an end to the rehashing of politics that were long ago banned and deleted?

 

[SteamboatJoe]

After letting this news simmer for a bit I've been looking at feedback among many different venues of social media. Specifically NOT fan sites, but comments and responses to a wealth of articles and news reports.

And that feedback is, surprisingly, focused on parks. They suck, they are crowded, it's too expensive, never going back, no more magic, not the same anymore, money grab, you did this to yourself, bound to fail, squeezed as much as you could, etc.

I'm seeing very little response to news articles and opinions citing IP or movies or streaming or the other Disney silos. These comments are not mentioning streaming subscriptions or cruise ships or current theatrical releases or.............anything else.

They are talking about parks, and to a lesser extent - stock price.

Anecdotal? Perhaps. But check it out for yourself. Delve outside this forum for a bit. Maybe Iger will hear what the rest have ignored:

It's the parks, stupid.

They feed/support the wants and desires and motivations and success of everything else Disney does. If the parks fail, so fails the rest of the domain.

Dance with the one that brought you and don't bite the hand that feeds. Its shocking how many executives lose sight of this.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Being mediocre is your opinion. With the exception of Lightyear, all the DAS and Pixar films of the past 5 years have gotten good ratings from critics and audiences.

"Ratings" like scores. That's the problem.

Soul was a fantastic movie that I've seen once. Encanto was a decent movie that I've seen 15 times.

 

[wdwmagic]

As a reminder, no politics. If anyone gets into that on this thread they will be blocked from participating.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Being mediocre is your opinion. With the exception of Lightyear, all the DAS and Pixar films of the past 5 years have gotten good ratings from critics and audiences.

That doesn’t matter…the point is to sell “product” in all forms. Been bad since Moana if we’re honest

 

[HMF]

Being mediocre is your opinion. With the exception of Lightyear, all the DAS and Pixar films of the past 5 years have gotten good ratings from critics and audiences.

Then it would not be a problem merging the two studios.

 

[fotofx]

It’s not required. You’re more than able to go wait in line 40 minutes for Living with the Land. It just feels required because we know it used to be 5 minutes.

Fastpass you could go to the line and scan your ticket or magic band to get a Fastpass. Genie requires you to do it online.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

As a reminder, no politics. If anyone gets into that on this thread they will be blocked from participating.

…Unfortunately they gave you alot of work to do on the magic eraser today…

 

[fgmnt]

After letting this news simmer for a bit I've been looking at feedback among many different venues of social media. Specifically NOT fan sites, but comments and responses to a wealth of articles and news reports.

And that feedback is, surprisingly, focused on parks. They suck, they are crowded, it's too expensive, never going back, no more magic, not the same anymore, money grab, you did this to yourself, bound to fail, squeezed as much as you could, etc.

I'm seeing very little response to news articles and opinions citing IP or movies or streaming or the other Disney silos. These comments are not mentioning streaming subscriptions or cruise ships or current theatrical releases or.............anything else.

They are talking about parks, and to a lesser extent - stock price.

Anecdotal? Perhaps. But check it out for yourself. Delve outside this forum for a bit. Maybe Iger will hear what the rest have ignored:

It's the parks, stupid.

They feed/support the wants and desires and motivations and success of everything else Disney does. If the parks fail, so fails the rest of the domain.

Here's an anecdote that was interesting to me: I have friends who work adjacent to Wall Street and are pretty well-read on the ins and outs of F500 financials. They know very keenly about the losses the company has in D2C this year, they know about missing EPS, they know how skittish investors are because Wall Street investors are their clients.

Yet they are asking me about the parks and if they think Chapek’s operation of them contributed to his departure. Maybe, just maybe, the abuses the park division have endured stateside over most of the last 2 decades have finally breached containment of us cynical nerds and entered the public consciousness. Maybe, just maybe, this has actually been identified as a problem that needs to be handled before all of the toothpaste is out of the tube.

 

[DCLcruiser]

Fastpass you could go to the line and scan your ticket or magic band to get a Fastpass. Genie requires you to do it online.

Would you rather criss-cross the park looking for physical tickets/tapping or just pick your next ride while you're in line? I for one prefer mobile. The DLR version of Fastpass was great, without needing to book a FP+ months in advance.