NFFC - News - California Convention Update

California Convention Update - Listing of Seminars

6/23/2008 8:48 PM EST

We are busy right now firming up final confirmations for this year's speakers and seminars for the 2008 California Convention, but we are excited to announce the following confirmed presentations.

On Wednesday morning, July 16^th, Kim Irvine will present a fascinating seminar on the development of the "Walt Disney Dream Suite" at the Disneyland Resort. Originally designed by Disney artist Dorothea Redmond, this area was going to be Walt Disney's new personal apartment, replacing the much smaller apartment over the Fire House on Main Street. Unfortunately Walt passed away before the apartment was completed. Over the years it either sat empty or was used as offices for various projects. In 1987 it was redesigned and opened to the public as The Disney Gallery. Now, some 40 years later, it has returned to its original planned use. You won't want to miss Kim's interesting presentation on how Dorothea Redmond's original design inspired them to create the ""Walt Disney Dream Suite". And who knows -- during this "Year of a Million Dreams", your dream might come true and you will find yourself and your family or friends walking up those stairs for an overnight stay in this beautiful suite.

Disney On-Line: Also on Wednesday morning, find out the latest news on Walt Disney Interactive products from Paul Yanover of Disney Online.

Wednesday afternoon's seminars will kick off with a visit from our friend Lisa McLain from ACME Archives Ltd., who will join us to unveil ACME's newest releases of fine art reproductions and hand-painted animation cels.

"Enviromentality": Representatives from the Walt Disney Company will be joining us on Wednesday afternoon to tell us about the Company's efforts to make our world a greener place.

"Toy Story Midway Mania": On Friday morning, July 18^th, you will find out the answer to the question you have been asking for months: "Who let the toys out?" Join us at this seminar as senior concept writer Kevin Rafferty and other representatives from Walt Disney Imagineering take us on a journey showing us exactly how they designed this attraction. You will see exactly what goes on when the toys come out to play and invite you into their world. They may just share some hints on how to improve your scores on this fun-filled adventure! We guarantee after this seminar you will want to head over the Disney's California Adventure and try your luck on this new and exciting attraction.

Disney Animation Preview: At this Friday morning seminar, we will be treated to previews for up-coming Disney and Pixar feature animation releases for 2008 thru 2012 by Don Evans from the Walt Disney Studios. Be one of the first to know what lies ahead in the wonderful world of Disney!

Podcasts and Blogging: On Friday afternoon, come along and join the fun that everyone is getting into online as we present a seminar on Disney podcasting followed by a seminar on Disney fan websites and blogs. Find out about the world of Disney podcasts and Disney blogging and join the growing community of Disney enthusiasts literally around the world. Participating in the panel for the podcasting seminar will be: Paul Barrie from A Window To The Magic, Greg McNaughton from Micecast and Imagineering My Way and Greg's Micecast co-hosts Mike and Richard, Michael Geoghegan from the Official Disneyland Podcast and Steven Ng from the MouseStation podcast (invited).

Closing out the schedule of seminars on Friday afternoon will be Jeff Kurtti, who will join us to take us on a tour of the Walt Disney Family Museum, to be opened on the former grounds of the Presidio of San Francisco in 2009. Always an NFFC favorite, Jeff will delight you with a sneak peek at what you can expect at this attraction devoted to the life and legacy of Walt Disney.

"Disneyland Pancake Races": Get the butter and syrup ready first thing on Saturday morning, July 19^th, as Rebecca Cline from the Walt Disney Archives tells us about a cast member competition from the early days of Disneyland. (And you thought the canoe races got a little crazy!)

Also on Saturday morning, David Pacheco will join us for an exciting look at rare and historical Academy Award® nominated Cartoon Shorts from the Walt Disney Company. As the Creative Art Director for Walt Disney Art Classics David has also been a Disney artist and animator since 1980 and has contributed to such films as The Fox and the Hound, Mickey's Christmas Carol, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and The Little Mermaid. He has also served as art director for Disney Publishing. Mr. Pacheco is widely recognized as having an extensive knowledge of Disney animation and characters. Some of these shorts have not been seen in their original unedited versions since first being released. This seminar will be informative as well as entertaining. Join the Three Little Pigs, Humphrey the Bear, Chip 'n' Dale, Donald Duck, Goofy, and others for a fun trip down the red carpet. This promises to be a seminar filled with fun and laughter.

"Disneyland through the Eye of a TV Camera": After the Luncheon with a Disney Legend on Saturday, Rob Kline from the Walt Disney Archives gives us a historical look at the Happiest Place on Earth through vintage footage of Disneyland, including classic Disneyland television commercials.

Last but not least, our final seminar of the Convention will be presented by Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily. Whether it's sharing their love for Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room or enticing us with the latest collectibles they have created, a seminar with Kevin and Jody is always a delight. This year, they'll be sharing a presentation on the history of Disneyland parades, featuring images of your favorite parades and a glimpse at what went in to creating them.

So, there you have it! Please keep in mind that, as always, speakers and events are subject to
change without notice, and unforeseen circumstances may lead to changes in the dates and times our seminars will be presented. There is more to come, but hopefully this will give you a
feel for what's in store for you at this year's NFFC California Convention.

The 2008 California Convention will be held at the Crowne Plaza Resort Hotel in Garden Grove from July 15^th through July 19th. Links to the Convention registration forms can be found at from the main page at the Club website, www.nffc.org. Sign up today, because it just wouldn't be a real convention without you!

(Academy Award® is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.)

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