The Wonderful World of Disney Matte Art – Part...

Here’s the latest from the Archives of Matte Shot …

Today we will conclude our lengthy and exhaustive study of the matte work featured in films from the Disney Studio. As with the previous two blog entries in this series, the majority of the effects work at Disney originated from that very same Burbank studio, in the old tried and true Disney Matte Department established in 1954 by Peter Ellenshaw, or later as the specially established and rebuilt Buena Vista Visual Effects unit which superseded the old Ellenshaw matte department around 1989. As with some of Disney’s early catalogue which have been detailed in the previous blogs, a certain small number of productions would still be based in Europe or the United Kingdom, whereby matte work and production was generally carried out on that side of the pond. One of Disney’s big releases, a VFX Oscar nominated film of the mid eighties would also see matte and effects duties split between the Burbank operation and British artists. These shows will be illustrated in the course of this article, as will one other major Disney show where some mattes were farmed out to Matte World in Northern California. There are a few films here which tend to cross over into the Touchstone era, though as they are good examples of matte shows they still deserve a place…

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Matte Shot – a tribute to Golden Era & Traditional Special Effects is a tribute to the artistry and ingenuity of traditional matte painters, this collection celebrates the hand‑crafted movie magic that once shaped cinema — from grand, epic vistas to invisible effects even seasoned viewers might miss. It’s designed for both casual fans and dedicated enthusiasts, offering a renewed appreciation for skills largely forgotten today. I’ve also reached deeper into the Matte Shot archives to bring even more of this remarkable work forward, and I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I do.