Disney Genisys

GALLERY

PRODUCTION NOTES:

Disney Genisys – The Grand Conclusion to the DisneyParks Series

Concept & Early Ambitions The seeds for Disney Genisys were sown even before the release of World of Disney. Buoyed by high hopes for my debut feature, I originally envisioned a project with a tagline “Everyone is Here.” In my youthful arrogance, I promoted that idea with bold confidence. However, as the creative process unfolded, it became clear that the path we were on needed to diverge from that initial promise. Faced with unexpected twists and shifting priorities, I reimagined the project entirely, and thus Disney Genisys was born—a final chapter intended to cap off the DisneyParks series within Veselov Productions’ filmography.

A New Chapter in Production With filming for Disney Genisys commencing in August 2021 and wrapping up in June 2022, this period marked a transformative phase in my filmmaking journey. Just as my senior year was beginning, I was gifted a new laptop on my birthday—a present that would prove pivotal. This upgrade provided me the essential tools to pursue a cleaner, more polished vision of a modern, VFX-driven feature film. Freed from some of the limitations of outdated hardware, I could finally chase after the high-quality visuals I had long envisioned.

Facing Family Expectations & Redefining the Narrative Interestingly, the inception of Disney Genisys was not without its family drama. When I first pitched the story, my parents expressed reservations, insisting that I was getting too old to continue producing Disney-themed content. In response, I made a bold choice: Disney Genisys would not only represent the evolution of my craft but would also serve as the concluding installment of the DisneyParks series—a definitive farewell to the era of Disney content in our family’s creative legacy.

First Foray into CGI and Modern Visual Effects This film holds a special place in my heart as it's my very first production where I ventured into the realm of CGI. Transitioning from predominantly physical sets and green screen techniques used in previous productions, Disney Genisys was a bold leap into digital creativity. With the gift of a brand-new laptop on my birthday at the onset of my senior year, I finally had the power to experiment with and harness modern VFX and CGI. This cutting-edge technology enabled me to craft previously unimaginable scenes—a true milestone in my journey, as I learned to fuse narrative storytelling with digital wizardry to produce visually mesmerizing content.

Innovative Filming Techniques Amid Constraints Despite being set in a variety of locales on paper, the entire production was ingeniously filmed at Cascade High School grounds. This creative decision echoed the approach of World of Disney in 2019, where real-world locations were re-created using in-house resources. Unlike before, we didn’t get to visit the prestigious California park; instead, we built an entire environment from scratch in VFX. (Also, the Anapa scenes were actually partially filmed in Santa Barbara). The constraints of the pandemic further fueled this inventive approach, forcing the team to lean on resourcefulness. The school’s green screen booth—courtesy of the ever-supportive technology teacher, Dan Britton (who, as a former junior high mentor, was later invited to join the project as a producer)—became a crucial asset in recreating the sophisticated visual settings the film demanded.

Balancing Academics & Artistic Ambition Production took place during a particularly challenging time in my life, as I was under immense pressure to excel academically during my senior year in order to remain competitive for college opportunities. Balancing schoolwork, personal commitments, and the relentless demands of feature film production meant that every day was a race against the clock. Originally, the plan was to release the film at graduation; however, midway through the process, it became clear that adjustments were needed. An early access version was released, paving the way for an even more refined version that eventually premiered in December 2022.

Technical Hurdles & Future Upgrades Despite all the innovative workarounds and the advanced laptop that transformed my editing capabilities, not all sequences turned out perfectly. Working with CGI for the first time was both exhilarating and daunting. Despite the advances afforded by my new hardware, learning to integrate CGI seamlessly into a live-action framework came with a steep learning curve. Some scenes—laden with modern VFX elements—proved challenging to render and at times felt half-baked due to lingering technical constraints. Rest assured, a VFX update is now in the works, aiming to bring those complex sequences up to the high standard I envision for a modern cinematic experience.

Final Reflections Disney Genisys stands as a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of creative reinvention. It is a culmination of early ambitious dreams, a defiant response to limitations, and a heartfelt farewell to a cherished series. Every struggle—whether balancing high school deadlines, retooling a narrative on-the-fly, or wrestling with the intricacies of VFX—has contributed to a film that is as much a personal journey as it is a creative achievement. I invite you to experience this chapter of our legacy, knowing that each frame reflects the blood, sweat, and ingenuity that defined its making.

-- Mike Veselov, Director

GALLERY: BEHIND THE SCENES

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