A Look Behind the Magic
Walt Disney always pushed the boundaries of storytelling. From his earliest animated shorts to his live-action films, Disney utilized special effects to establish new industry standards. A short featurette called “Disney Magic: How It All Began – Live Action and Special Effects” highlights this legacy. The five-minute video showcases how the studio blended practical effects, animation, and live-action in ways audiences had never seen before.
This featurette was included as a bonus on the Mary Poppins DVD and Blu-ray releases, and it was also included with the TRON home video editions.
Disney Innovation Through the Years
Disney’s storytelling has always involved more than characters and songs. It relied on constant innovation—from combining animation with live actors in the 1940s, to wire-assisted flying in the 1960s, to early digital effects in the 1980s. This short featurette reminds us that behind every magical moment stood artists and innovators pushing cinema into new territory.
Disclaimer
This official Disney archival featurette appears here for educational and historical context. Disney retains all rights.
Disney Magic: How It All Began: Live Action and Special Effects
