A Chat With Ginnifer Goodwin At The #ZootopiaEvent
Ginnifer Goodwin is a self-proclaimed ‘Disney Geek’ who was in her red Mickey Mouse pajamas when she received the call offering her the role of Judy Hopps in Zootopia, opening March 4, 2016.
I had the chance to participate in the #ZootopiaEvent and speak with her about the process of creating the movie, what she learned along the way, and what she hopes you’ll learn from Zootopia.
“I mean I grew up seeing and loving every Disney film. Hence it being the goal to be in a Disney animated feature.”
Who hasn’t dreamed of one day being in a Disney movie where you could save the day? I know I have!
Hearing the joy in Ginnifer’s voice when she talked about the process really showed just how much fun she had bringing Judy to life.
“…it’s better than the dream was of getting to work on them. Like, the reality is even better than the dream is what I should say.”
Although Ginnifer was in Vancouver filming Once Upon A Time while Zootopia was taking shape, she chose to travel the Disney Studios for her recording sessions whenever she could.
“I love that they would surround me with art from the film. So the booth was always really an inspiring place to be. There’s something about the history being in the place where Disney came to be, what Disney is.”
While her animated favorites Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, and Alice in Wonderland hold a special place in her heart, she prepared for the work and challenges as she normally would.
“I think most of the challenges came from just learning how to act with only my voice, more than it was about the character…there’s something about not having your facial expression, and body language, a costume, props to which you can clink to express something. Anything.
And having to relinquish all control to the animators, to the editors, and just say, okay, I’m going to throw, I’m gonna throw everything into my voice. And I’m gonna give the directors a million different choices for every single scene, and then let them edit together what they think makes their character. I mean, I didn’t know who the character really was, I don’t feel, until I saw the movie.
And that’s the opposite of the experience I have in live action where I feel like it’s about being a control freak and sort of protecting your character from everyone else who’s working on the project.
And saying, like, no, this is my journey, and this is how I’m going to express this journey. And it was a really liberating.”
We could all learn something from Judy Hopps, and Ginnifer Goodwin shared how she can’t wait for her children to watch the movie one day.
“I feel like the overlying theme, the one that Judy articulates in the movie…anyone can be anything is gonna be one of the…I think probably one of the first things that I know I hope my kids pick up on when they’re old enough to see this film.
There’s some more underlying themes that are a little more sort of politically based and about the human condition. Ironic, since this is a story about animals, that I hope that they get to at some point when they’re ready for it.
And then I just love that, for instance, Judy takes real responsibility for her actions. And I think she’s so noble in that way. And I hope that kids pick up on that.”
It was such a wonderful experience hearing from Ginnifer Goodwin, and I can’t wait to bring you more interviews and information about Zootopia this week!
Make sure that you’re keeping up with Zootopia on all their Social Media Channels!
Like ZOOTOPIA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyZootopia
Follow ZOOTOPIA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyZootopia
Follow Disney Animation on Instagram: https://instagram.com/disneyanimation/
Visit Disney Animation on Tumblr: http://disneyanimation.tumblr.com/
Visit the official ZOOTOPIA website here: http://movies.disney.com/zootopia
ZOOTOPIA opens in theatres everywhere on March 4th!
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