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Under The Sea: An Exclusive Interview With Mark Henn

February 12, 2019 By Ashley 20 Comments

89 shares

I'm so excited I can finally share one of the most amazing moments that happened during my Ralph Breaks The Internet trip. I told you all how I would get to sit in a drawing class with legendary animator Mark Henn to learn how to draw Vanellope. But what I couldn't share, was that I would also get to learn more about Ariel to celebrate the release of The Little Mermaid in the Walt Disney Signature Collection. If you haven't already, download it now on Digital HD! Wait! First finish this story, then go do it.

What I wasn't expecting was to be able to watch Mark sketch Ariel right in front of me. I'm pretty sure I sat with my mouth open in awe the entire time. As a big Disney kid, huge Ariel fan, and wannabe animator, this was a moment I will never forget. 

Exclusive Interview With Mark Henn

Mark is affectionately labeled “The Princess Guy.” He has animated Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, Tiana, and Pocahontas. He also animated Young Simba and so many more characters throughout his 38 years at Disney.

Ever wonder what it is like to be a top animator? Or where they come up with their ideas for the iconic characters we know and love? Come with me under the sea for this exclusive interview with Mark Henn.

Exclusive Interview With Mark Henn

Under The Sea: An Exclusive Interview With Mark Henn

 

What was the hardest part about animating Ariel?

Getting her hair right was one of the trickier aspects. You could’ve easily gotten loss in endless movement. We tried to simplify the hair design and handle it in a way that made it as easy as possible.

Besides Ariel who is your favorite character the draw from The Little Mermaid?

Sebastian was a lot of fun. He’s the only other character I got to animate in the movie.

Fun Ariel Fact: Sea Shell Top

Originally it was just that they [the seashells] were just stuck on. (Laughter) We ended up putting the seaweed strap on there. 

Exclusive Interview With Mark Henn

What makes these new Princesses different from their predecessors? What can we expect from the next generation of Princesses?

What makes this generation of Princesses different from the Cinderellas and the Snow Whites? My theory is that the stories are a lot more involved and their roles in those stories are more proactive. Ariel set the mold for the new style of Princesses. She was very different.

A lot of those early Princesses are reactionary. Things happen to them and the story propels them. Whereas Ariel set a mold of a more proactive heroine that drove the story. She made decisions good or bad that advanced the story.

I think that’s going to continue.

Exclusive Interview With Mark Henn

How long does it take you to come up with a character design?

It all depends. There is a group of artists that start on any production that are called the Visual Development Artists. They are kinda the blue sky, anything goes artists. They start early and create artwork that answers questions. What could the character look like?

We come in a little later, and start looking at that artwork and have a lot of meetings. Art by committee.  Then at a certain point I’ll start doing tests to see if the shape will work. Is the voice a good match with the design?

Time wise? It could be a few months. It could be a year, it just all depends.

Simba, was actually one that came quickly. I started doing drawings and sketches, next thing I know I was in a meeting and we put them all up front. They all went “yeah good.” It could be that fast. (Laughs)

What aspect of your career has been the most challenging?

Animating the Princesses. Creating unique characters and not just leaning on something I did before is a challenge from an animator’s point of view. Thank goodness I had a few mice, dogs, cats, and a lion cub along the way. (Laughs)

As an artist, just getting better at what I do. Directing was a ball. I thoroughly enjoyed that. I would love to do that again. I’ve always been involved in team type things, collaboration is very exciting to me.

At this point in my career, it’s challenging because I want to make sure that I’m able to be a help and support the next generation. I’m taking what I learned from Walt’s original animators and I’m passing it on. I find that very gratifying. Knowing that I maybe contributed an idea or helped an animator with an idea or thought to make a scene better, that’s my satisfaction right now.

Exclusive Interview With Mark Henn

When creating new characters, have you ever used a muse?

I don’t know that I ever had a muse per say. I’ll tell you a story.

I animated Ariel and Belle, then I was given Jasmine. I hit a bit of an artistic block on Jasmine. The design was a bit of a hassle. I thought, I gotta find Jasmine.  I remembered in my hip pocket I had my younger sister’s graduation photo. I got to thinking, Jasmine is about 18/19 years old, she’s got dark hair… I pulled out my sister’s picture and went “yeah that could work.” (Laughs). I made a copy of it, blew it up and stuck it on my desk. And that got me over that artistic hurtle. Jasmine is largely physically based on my younger sister Beth.

Turning Tiana into a Frog was a bigger challenge. (Laughs)

Do you ever get to give your opinion on storylines?

That’s generally open to the whole studio. Basic practice is to have a screening and everybody who has an opportunity to see a screening has a way of sending in notes. They listen to those notes. I don’t sit in on the actual story meeting as much as I used to.

What is it like seeing your original animated creations come to life in the new live-action, reimaginations?

It’s kinda weird I guess. I just saw the rough cut of Aladdin. It was a lot of fun. If you liked our version you’re going to like this.

We had a chance to meet with the animation crew on The Lion King. We did a session where we talked about the characters and answered any questions they may have had. The big encouragement I had for them was to make their version their own. It’ll be the same but still be different enough that they need to take ownership of it and make it theirs as much as the original was ours.

Exclusive Interview With Mark Henn

Mark Henn is a Disney Legend. And he has some great advice for everyone dreaming of one day becoming an animator.

If someone has artistic inclination I would encourage them to keep developing their artistic skills. Picking up some computer skills are going to be important. But, it’s just a tool though. If someone wants to paint they are going to need to know the same color theory, [how to do] design and composition as if they were painting with acrylics or oil on canvas. Even if you’re doing it with PhotoShop you need to have that same artistic eye and thought process.

That’s the tricky thing, blending traditional approach with new tools. As much as I love hand drawn animation, the truth is the bulk of the industry is computer based. But if you’ve got somebody that knows design, color, composition, and art fundamentals that don’t change, that will make them a much stronger artist.

Exclusive Interview With Mark Henn

He complimented my Vanellope drawing and was gracious enough to take a photo with this big Lion King fan. Dreams come true you guys. 

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid is available today on Digital, 4K Ultra HD, and Movies Anywhere today. Bring her home on 4K and Blu-ray February 26th 2019.

 
 
One more O. M. Disney moment…Mark sent over his sketch and I cannot wait to frame it!
 
Exclusive Interview With Mark Henn
 
 
89 shares

Filed Under: Disney, Disney Movie, Entertainment, Interviews Tagged With: Ariel, Disney, Disney movies, Disney Princesses, Exclusive Interview With Mark Henn, Mark Henn, movies, The Little Mermaid

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatar for Alli SmithAlli Smith

    February 12, 2019 at 10:45 am

    How exciting! I love being able to see a little of the behind-the-scenes of the animations. I was just at the Magic Kingdom park yesterday with the kids so this is even more awesome to read today.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for GiGi EatsGiGi Eats

    February 12, 2019 at 10:46 am

    What an amazing experience!! I would love to get a behind the scenes look at how movies are animated! I feel like people take animated movies for granted when they’re about 3893489 x harder to make than real people movies!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for CandyCandy

    February 12, 2019 at 12:33 pm

    Wow a signed sketch plus getting to do an interview. Very exciting day for you to remember

    Reply
  4. Avatar for candycandy

    February 12, 2019 at 12:39 pm

    How exciting to have an interview plus photos and get a signed sketch all in the sameday. You must have been over them excited.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Marcie W.Marcie W.

    February 12, 2019 at 1:18 pm

    Coolest. Interview. EVER! The Little Mermaid is my all time favorite Disney film and Ursula is my most beloved character. I’m really looking forward to owning an updated copy!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Amber MyersAmber Myers

    February 12, 2019 at 1:41 pm

    So cool! I just love animators. I’m always amazed at what they can do. It would be so neat to go behind the scenes. Plus we love The Little Mermaid.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Glenda CatesGlenda Cates

    February 12, 2019 at 5:14 pm

    What a dream come true and one I wish I could have joined in with you. As for the Movie I plan on picking it up this week. I just wish my daughter was here to watch it with me.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Jenn@EngineermommyJenn@Engineermommy

    February 12, 2019 at 5:43 pm

    This was a fascinating interview. The man has such a special talent and has brought joy to generations of kids and adults.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Bethany StoutBethany Stout

    February 12, 2019 at 8:02 pm

    Oh wow, what a neat interview. Ariel was always my favorite princess when I was growing up so I found this very interesting to read. Thanks so much for sharing it.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for PamPam

    February 12, 2019 at 8:43 pm

    What an awesome interview. I have always loved Disney movies and Little Mermaid is certainly a classic.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for HeatherHeather

    February 12, 2019 at 9:12 pm

    So cool! When I was a kid, I wanted to be a Disney animator so badly. It was my dream job!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for RicciRicci

    February 13, 2019 at 2:23 am

    Oh gosh I wish I could draw and was that creative! Instead I will sit back and enjoy the fruits of other’s labors, because those Disney animators can create pure MAGIC!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for Gladys NavaGladys Nava

    February 13, 2019 at 2:36 am

    Wow! It looks great interview that you’ve done. I am also a big fan of Disney! I love this post, stunning!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for Chubskulit RoseChubskulit Rose

    February 13, 2019 at 9:48 am

    Fun interview, it gave me the chance to know more about this movie. I always admire those artists that does the animation arts .

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Terri SteffesTerri Steffes

    February 13, 2019 at 10:36 am

    I believe he has attended Cartoon Days in Marceline, Missouri and if I remember right, he was hugely popular with all of the citizens there. He is extremely talented. And if he hasn’t been to Marceline yet, he should definitely go!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for BethBeth

    February 13, 2019 at 6:20 pm

    What a great interview! I really like that Jasmine was based on his younger sister. The Little Mermaid was one of the first Disney movies my kids had, and Ariel was my daughter’s favorite Disney princess.

    Reply
  17. Avatar for Kimberly K CroisantKimberly K Croisant

    February 13, 2019 at 8:01 pm

    I’ve always wondered how they do that. My son would love to have interviewed him as he’s become a quite good artist if you ask me.

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Denay DeGuzmanDenay DeGuzman

    February 13, 2019 at 10:57 pm

    Oh my gosh, what an incredible experience! Your interview with Mark Henn was fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing it in such lovely detail. It’s a great read!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for Bohemian BabushkaBohemian Babushka

    February 14, 2019 at 12:55 am

    Pocahontas is Babushka’s all time favorite film, what a pleasure to read about one of its animators. Truly, Disney animation is a work of art.

    Reply
  20. Avatar for Barbies Beauty BitsBarbies Beauty Bits

    February 14, 2019 at 9:50 pm

    How cool, awesome that you got to me him. I love seeing the behind the scenes of this type of creative.

    Reply

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Avatar for Barbies Beauty BitsAshley Saunders is a movie critic, writer, podcaster, and gamer from the Washington DC area who is always ready to travel.
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