Inside the Movie: Who Is Behind the Wings in Tinker Bell Secret of the Wings?

Inside the Movie – Who Is Behind the Wings in Secret of the Wings?

With the release of Secret of the Wings just around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to share a little behind the scenes information with you. We already introduced you to Periwinkle, the new Disney Fairy star that shares a special secret with Tinker Bell. Now, I think telling you a little about the place where Disney Fairy magic is born sounds like a great idea. No, it’s not a room full of laughter, though I’m sure that would be good for the fairy population. In August, I had the chance to go super behind the scenes of Secret of the Wings with a tour of Disney Toon Studios where the movie first took flight. (I love being able to throw in puns like that! ;)) I was able to meet with some of the master minds behind the film and see the incredible environment that they go to work in everyday.

Meet Ritsuko Notani. She is one of the character designers on Secret of the Wings. She is the one responsible for the look that defines Periwinkle, the newest member of the Disney Fairies family. Ritsuko has been the principal designer of all the major and supporting Disney Fairies, so it’s no surprise she feels like she knows these characters personally. Listening to the process she went through while creating Periwinkle was amazing. From looking at plants like Lamb’s Ear to create Peri’s dress, to studying frost flowers for her hair, Ritsuko Notani made deliberate (and amazing) decisions to create the character we see in the movie.

Bringing three dimensional, textured, iridescent fairy wings to life and making them completely realistic, fell onto the shoulders of Fred Warter and Nickie Huai. “Always look to nature… and make it magic,” was the mantra they stuck to when working on the wings in Secret of the Wings. Fred (the art director) started by studying insect wings, feathers, opal, and even abalone to come up with his concept for the magical wings Tinker Bell and Periwinkle have. Then Nickie (lead lighting and rendering) started by accentuating the texture, adding light, and working on the 3D features. When you watch the girls come together in the movie, you can see Nickie and Fred’s magical work come to life.

Sound in Secret of the Wings is such an essential element. Paul McGrath, one of the audio engineers, worked with actors to get just the right emotion, timing, and delivery of the lines in Secret of the Wings. We paid him a visit in his booth where he let some of us try our hand at voice work. That is definitely NOT as easy as it looks!

Last but not least, please meet Peggy Holmes, the director and one of the writers for the Secret of the Wings screenplay. When we spoke with her, you could honestly feel her enthusiasm for these characters fill the room. Originally a choreographer, and not a animation artist, Holmes would use her body to demonstrate so many of the concepts she wanted to see in the film.

Remember, Secret of the Wings will be available on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack & HD Digital Download on October 23. Now that you know some of the secrets behind the wings, you’ll have to check it out!

About Ashley (Managing Editor at MomStart): Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at Momicles and follow her @Momicles2010 .

I attended a press trip as a part of Disney In Home Bloggers. All opinions are my own.