Executive producer Rob Ladka wanted to bring home the long-loved Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. This summer he finally got his wish.
After a decade of off, the show returned every Friday with a new incarnation as “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+” at Disney Junior and Disney+.
After working on shows such as “Jake and the Neverland Pirates” and “Mickey and the Roadster Racer,” Ladka wondered if it was time to retire after a 40-year career. But then he got a call asking if he wanted to do more clubhouses, and Radka is back in business.
Here, Ladka talked about celebrating Mickey’s legacy and why Walt Disney’s Mouse is so loved.
What was important in honoring the legacy of Mickey and his friends?
We kept it in a highly selected world of clubhouses where Mickey surrounds himself in early cartoons. Donald, Daisy and Clalabel cows appear. Goofy was always there. It was a group of the same friends.
Originally, they wanted to do a show with CG, but I was trying to convince them. There was something specific like Mickey’s ears. In the 3D world, his ears look like a satellite dish on his head. So he had to find a computer program to slide his ears down as he turned. There were many challenges, but they turned out to be fun. Now we have the freedom to do textures, colors and shadows, and in this version of the show the world looks much more beautiful.
Another factor that stands out in the show is the song. In the second poem, the lyrics became earworms. What is the secret to that?
We have to ask our composer Mike Himmelstein how he did our music on the original show. He was happy to come back and we always worked well together. A lot of it comes from things I love to dance to. When I was a little kid, it was early rock and roll, or boogie woogie.
The kids seem to pay little attention, but the episode runs for 22 minutes. What do you think about the episodes when you put them together?
With a 22 minute show for ages 2-5, we definitely thought we needed to stay focused on them. It’s a bit dramatic and there are issues that need your help to resolve it. That’s mostly because Mickey was talking to the audience. We were seeking help on our adventures, which empowered our children to get involved. My friends also have very clear personalities. Mickey is a good guy and he is everyone’s friend. Minnie is totally adorable, and Goofy is just a huge stupidity. He’s slipping things and says, “Oops.” I think they enjoy all the personalities.
I mentioned animating Mickey’s ears. What other conversations do you have with your team about animating this world?
The characters are as eerie and stretchy as they used to be. The advances in computer animation and rendering are enormous. You can make more representations with characters. Ludwig von Drake was always a bit stiff in the past, but now he’s been very animated and was a lot of fun.
This time, we have added a second level. There’s a laughing loft and a quirky tube. Mickey, Minnie and Daisy can go up very easily. The quirky tube doesn’t really care about Donald and knows Donald is irritated. So it’s fun to have him rill. I realized I was laughing a lot at it.
I also make 2-minute shorts on YouTube. What are the challenges of that storytelling medium?
You condense this world into a two-minute video. This is, sadly, how many older children consume content. So half of them are songs, and while it’s easy, there are also funny things happening in the songs, which keeps the kids entertained. With others, we have a problem that limits to simple stories and Mickey can help. Fun is the ultimate goal.
What do you think is the reason for this love? Why do people love Mickey Mouse and friends after all these years?
Everyone wants good friends, and that’s Mickey. He is sympathetic, kind and will be there for you whenever you need him. He is exactly like that. Do I think it is the human nature that you rely on someone in your life and who you know, who will depend on?
This interview was compiled and condensed.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ airs every Friday on Disney Junior and Disney+
