New Showbiz

You are here:
Once Upon a Studio

Once Upon a Studio

2023

G

Director

Dan Abraham, Trent Correy

Runtime

9 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Created for Disney's 100th anniversary, the short features Mickey Mouse corralling a gallery of legendary Disney characters for a group photo.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

5.6/10

Fair


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film offers a passive presence of diverse identities by including characters from the broader Disney catalog. It lacks specific LGBTQ+ narratives or non-cisnormative identity arcs, focusing instead on a general ensemble showcase.

Gender Representation

Fair

As a celebratory group photograph, the film avoids character-driven conflict. It maintains a neutral stance that neither reinforces patriarchal leadership nor actively deconstructs traditional gendered roles.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

The film excels by featuring culturally specific characters from films like Moana, Coco, and Encanto. This creates a non-Anglo-Saxon majority presence that disrupts the homogeneity of early animation history.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The short functions as a corporate celebration of a Western institution, prioritizing brand legacy. It reinforces institutional cohesion rather than offering critiques of Western cultural structures.

Disability Representation

Fair

Characters possess varying physicalities and non-human forms, yet there is no explicit focus on neurodivergence or visible disability. The film avoids using disability as a plot device or central theme.

Strengths

  • The film achieves significant racial and ethnic breadth by featuring a wide array of culturally specific characters.
  • The ensemble creates a non-Anglo-Saxon majority presence that disrupts traditional animation homogeneity.
  • The visual assembly presents a multifaceted, intersectional tapestry of global identities.

Areas for Improvement

  • The film lacks active narrative agency for LGBTQ+ characters or specific identity-driven arcs.
  • The celebratory tone avoids the deconstruction of traditional gendered roles or hierarchies.
  • The focus on brand legacy prevents a deeper critique of Western institutional structures.

AI Analysis

Once Upon a Studio succeeds as a visual tapestry of global identities, leveraging a massive ensemble to showcase racial and ethnic breadth. By bringing together characters from diverse cultural backgrounds, it presents a multifaceted, intersectional view of the studio's history. However, the film's purpose as a corporate retrospective limits its depth. Because it functions as a harmonious celebration of brand legacy, it lacks the narrative agency required to challenge social hierarchies or explore specific identity-driven conflicts. Ultimately, the work is a celebratory montage that prioritizes institutional continuity over active social subversion.

How are these scores produced? →

Featured in

  • Best Racial & Ethnic Representation in Film
  • Best Racial & Ethnic Representation of the 2020s

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.