Pinocchio (1940)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Pinocchio (1940) 
original production animation model sheet
photostat on paper, dimensions: 11" x 14"

Since the early 1930s the Disney Studio has produced model sheets of its animated characters and/or atmosphere and concept art for circulation among artists and animators working in production of an animated film. Before the 1970s they were reproduced by a photostatic or printing process. They were made when a character or setting was in development and to help animators maintain a consistent look to the character throughout the film. This photostat model sheet showing two poses of Geppetto was made at the Disney Studio during production of Pinocchio, and it was issued to animators for use in drawing the kindly woodcarver who is Pinocchio's "father." The date of "May 21 1938" is reproduced in the image, and the sheet is stamped "Return to Character Model Dept." at lower right; the drawings shown are likely the work of Vladimir Tytla, the character's lead animator.