TLDR;
This video is a retrospective look at the making of "Digimon: The Movie" from the perspective of one of its creators. It covers the final recording sessions, the creation of the movie's trailer, the premiere, and the lasting legacy of the film.
- The final voice recording sessions were designed to include key figures from the Digimon TV show's early days.
- The creation of the movie's trailer involved both a well-known voice actor and the legendary Don LaFontaine.
- The premiere was a memorable event, with a mix of excitement and humorous seating mishaps.
- Despite its flaws, the movie has had a lasting impact, providing credibility and ongoing enjoyment for audiences.
The Last Day of Recording [0:06]
The final day of recording for "Digimon: The Movie" was strategically planned to include Wendy Lee, the original voice director of the Digimon TV show, and Michael Sorich, her main backup. The goal was to acknowledge their foundational contributions to the franchise. Jeff Nimoy wanted to celebrate the journey from the TV show to a movie. After Wendy Lee finished her work, the team celebrated with champagne and cake. Bob, another director, took a turn directing storage while Jeff and Terry enjoyed the festivities. Sarah also joined, and there were hugs and congratulations all around.
Gratitude and Delivering the Product [1:48]
Jeff Nimoy expressed gratitude to Terry, who made him showrunner, Rita Acosta, who brought him into voice directing Digimon, and Maureen Smith, president of Fox Family Worldwide, who supported the project. He emphasized the importance of delivering a good product to the "money people," which is the essence of show running and movie directing. After all the dialogues were recorded, the audio elements were brought together for the audio mix.
Music and Trailer Creation [2:54]
Jeff thanked Ron Kanan, president of music at Saban, for the movie's soundtrack, which included popular songs of the time. The promo department created a trailer for the movie, initially using voice actor Jess Harnell. However, the trailer was deemed suitable for TV but not for a major movie release. Fox then hired Don LaFontaine, known as the "voice of God," to narrate the trailer.
Field Trip to See the Trailer [5:37]
The team went to a movie theater in Westwood during a lunch break to see their trailer attached to the new Pokémon movie. They bought popcorn, watched the trailer, and left before the main feature. Hearing Don LaFontaine's voice say "an adventure too big for television" gave Jeff chills and made him feel like he had made a real movie.
The Premiere [6:41]
The premiere of "Digimon: The Movie" took place on the 20th Century Fox lot. Jeff invited his late buddy Karim El-Safee's brothers, who were big Digimon fans. Despite some initial confusion about seating arrangements, Jeff and Bob ended up in the back row with the fans. The audience's genuine reactions during the first two parts of the movie were encouraging. However, some people started to leave during the confusing third act, which led Jeff to jokingly reassure them that there were still 20 more confusing minutes to watch.
Opening Weekend and Legacy [9:01]
Jeff and Bob celebrated the opening weekend with friends and family, watching the movie with a paying audience in Burbank. The genuine laughter from paying viewers was particularly rewarding. Despite its flaws, being associated with the film has provided Jeff with credibility and opportunities. The film continues to find new audiences and generate online discussions, making it a point of pride for him.
Future Projects [11:04]
Jeff hopes his first live-action film, "Famous," which he made after brain surgery, will also have a lasting impact. The film is about a washed-up voice director who experiences small-time celebrity at an anime convention and stars Lex Lang, Brian Donovan, and Jeff Nimoy himself. It's a romantic comedy set at an anime convention, and more information can be found at jeffnymoy.com.