All the Disney in the Academy Museum is proof that filmmakers are inspired by each other

We already shared why there are so many Disney and Disney-related exhibits at the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, but it speaks to a greater story of film.

“Many of the filmmakers that we feature and their respective projects are inspired by the other filmmakers and films,” said Jenny He, a curator for the museum. “They are just fans of each other.”

For instance, Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter’s work in dreaming up films like “Inside Out,” “UP,” and “Inside Out” is featured in the Animation Gallery. But the concept art and other items from those films are surrounded by other animators and films that Pete cites as inspirations for his work.

One of those animators is late Disney Legend, Frank Thomas.

Academy Museum’s Animation Exhibition

He went on to say that “when Pete was going to school for animation, he mailed a letter to Frank asking for inspiration. Frank did reply back with his own encouraging letter, and that’s something we highlight next to Pete’s work.

That’s one of many other examples, Disney and not, that are featured at the Academy Museum.

From Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige’s “Black Panther” costumes being featured next to props from “2001: A Space Odyssey” and a landmark exhibit showcasing Studio Ghibli’s Miyazaki films shown adjacent to a one-of-a-kind 3D Toy Story zoetrope, it all points to that real human story that filmmakers’ fandom just speak into other fandoms.

“And we all just get to benefit with very inspired and authentic films that speak to us in only a way film can,” He said.

Our special thanks to Jenny He and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures for contributing to this story!