The executive producer you mentioned is also responsible for the Netflix series “The Toys That Made Us” and “The Movies That Made Us,” that very much carry the same tone and style of presentation. I like you was put off by some of it in the first series, but found enough interesting stuff to kind of look past it. However, my wife loved the series, and was a little bored with “The Imagineering Story,” which I thought was brilliant. My wife also doesn’t like to have EVERY Disney secret revealed, where as I want to know everything I can find out about creation, construction and operation. So I guess that’s the big separator: I think “Behind The Attraction” is great way to show a layperson how truly amazing and innovative the attractions they enjoy are without getting too much in the weeds, which is where we enthusiasts love to lurk 😀!
That humor style is a Brian Volk-Weiss signature. He also created the fantastic "The Toys That Made Us" and "The Movies That Made Us" docu-series on Netflix. It didn't bother me much with this doc as I was already used to the style from those two series. I agree though it perhaps works better with broader subject matter.
Sure, Disney knew what they were getting when they signed on Volk-Weiss. It’s just a curious choice. But I will say I’m probably too over-protective of the sacred cow that is Disney Imagineering.
Yep - 95% of the audience are short attention span watchers with the remote firmly in hand! They tailored the presentation to keep them aboard. The 5% enthusiasts (probably even less) that want "just the facts" are not really considered. Just the way it is.
You might be right (although your percentages seem quite skewed). Still, the folks who subscribe to Disney+, by and large, are fans of the company and the parks and are predisposed to enjoy a show like this. And "The Imagineering Story" garnered great reviews and presumably got decent ratings without resorting to snappy editing. I don't mean to imply that I am advocating for a show that presents "just the facts." Of course, I (and everybody else) want a show with great production value and creativity--a show like "The Imagineering Story."
This is so interesting to me because I am that said short attention-span crowd and it was perfect for me hahaha! That said, I fully know where you're coming from — The Imagineering Story is brilliant and other documentaries with more serious tone offer so much, but I often (personally!!) find myself unable to focus on them. For me, the laid back, casual, goofy tone just dials up the wow factor of Behind The Attraction's rare access and heightens how they pulled off a series you wouldn't expect Disney to be on board with! Love the newsletter!
I'll agree with you on 2 counts: The show did have rare access to a trove of stuff and people, which is great. And no, one would not expect Disney to go in this direction. Thanks for the kind words about my newsletter!
Folks, this is the wonderful Carlye Wisel, park journalist and podcaster extraordinaire! You MUST check out her Very Amusing podcast.
oh my gosh thank you for blowing up my spot (in the best of ways) Arthur! And thank you Greg for joining in on the podcast party! Arthur's episode on Dollywood is one of my all-time faves, such a joy to have him back on!!
The executive producer you mentioned is also responsible for the Netflix series “The Toys That Made Us” and “The Movies That Made Us,” that very much carry the same tone and style of presentation. I like you was put off by some of it in the first series, but found enough interesting stuff to kind of look past it. However, my wife loved the series, and was a little bored with “The Imagineering Story,” which I thought was brilliant. My wife also doesn’t like to have EVERY Disney secret revealed, where as I want to know everything I can find out about creation, construction and operation. So I guess that’s the big separator: I think “Behind The Attraction” is great way to show a layperson how truly amazing and innovative the attractions they enjoy are without getting too much in the weeds, which is where we enthusiasts love to lurk 😀!
Great points Tom. And sure, art, in all its many forms, is subjective.
Hey Arthur! Lighten up! It's a fun show about a fun topic. I'm just thankful Disney is making shows about the parks.
Okay, okay, I hear you. I'm also thankful. I'm just not a fan of Volk-Weiss' style.
Very much looking forward to the new season!
That humor style is a Brian Volk-Weiss signature. He also created the fantastic "The Toys That Made Us" and "The Movies That Made Us" docu-series on Netflix. It didn't bother me much with this doc as I was already used to the style from those two series. I agree though it perhaps works better with broader subject matter.
Sure, Disney knew what they were getting when they signed on Volk-Weiss. It’s just a curious choice. But I will say I’m probably too over-protective of the sacred cow that is Disney Imagineering.
Ha ha Tim, I obviously came here to say the same thing!
Yep - 95% of the audience are short attention span watchers with the remote firmly in hand! They tailored the presentation to keep them aboard. The 5% enthusiasts (probably even less) that want "just the facts" are not really considered. Just the way it is.
You might be right (although your percentages seem quite skewed). Still, the folks who subscribe to Disney+, by and large, are fans of the company and the parks and are predisposed to enjoy a show like this. And "The Imagineering Story" garnered great reviews and presumably got decent ratings without resorting to snappy editing. I don't mean to imply that I am advocating for a show that presents "just the facts." Of course, I (and everybody else) want a show with great production value and creativity--a show like "The Imagineering Story."
This is so interesting to me because I am that said short attention-span crowd and it was perfect for me hahaha! That said, I fully know where you're coming from — The Imagineering Story is brilliant and other documentaries with more serious tone offer so much, but I often (personally!!) find myself unable to focus on them. For me, the laid back, casual, goofy tone just dials up the wow factor of Behind The Attraction's rare access and heightens how they pulled off a series you wouldn't expect Disney to be on board with! Love the newsletter!
I'll agree with you on 2 counts: The show did have rare access to a trove of stuff and people, which is great. And no, one would not expect Disney to go in this direction. Thanks for the kind words about my newsletter!
Folks, this is the wonderful Carlye Wisel, park journalist and podcaster extraordinaire! You MUST check out her Very Amusing podcast.
Arthur, I am a fairly new Very Amusing podcast subscriber because of your recommendation!
oh my gosh thank you for blowing up my spot (in the best of ways) Arthur! And thank you Greg for joining in on the podcast party! Arthur's episode on Dollywood is one of my all-time faves, such a joy to have him back on!!
I know you’ll love it!
Couldn't agree more! I love the content and history and I wish the graphic/joke-heavy format wouldn't get in the way as much.
Exactly! It's like it can’t decide whether it’s a docu-series covering an important topic or America’s Funniest Home Videos.