#disney channels theme: a history mystery

[chrisfleming]

[ifwebefriends]

[werewolf-garfield]

[yeehawpoorcryptid]

Me, wondering if I’ve become immune to media, that, even if I find something I enjoy a lot, there’s been nothing in a few years that has rocked me to my core & become a fundamental part of who I am, so maybe I’ve just read/watched/listened to too much and can no longer be affected as deeply as I used to be: 😐

Kevin Perjurer: …so what a monumental achievement it is to be remembered for four.

Me:

[meme-sauce]

The Defunctland disney documentary is true artistry and I love every way Kevin went about it. But also the moment where that first person who is interviewed moved his camera to demonstrate the notes? The genuine joy you see in him just sitting down at the piano?

It’s beautiful. It’s why artists create. We think about making our legacy survive but that’s long term. That’s for the ‘established’ artist. When you get to the roots, it’s becomes about why we keep returning to this medium! It’s because it sparks joy! Because we can’t think of ourselves doing anything but that. Because even if it’s “bad,” it’s creation. And creation is worth everything.

It also says something about the digital age, and how art has been commodified to an unprecedented extent. The video shows the true joy behind creating, whether that creation gets one persons attention or a million peoples attention.

Create, create , create!! I promise it’s worth it to someone, even if that someone is just you.

[twodoorsnotone]

I transcribed the entire music reveal monologue to the Disney Channel Theme defunctland documentary for a friend so now I offer it to you, Tumblr, you're welcome. 👍 😭

I love what I do. I get to make videos, for a living, on subjects that I'm passionate about, that people watch. I am so lucky and I am eternally grateful for every second that I am able to do this, but I'd be lying if there wasn't a small part of me that hates that this is called a video and not a documentary or a film. That I am referred to as a YouTuber or a contact creator, not a filmmaker or documentarian, or an artist.

Because the truth is that I could do this, make videos on this platform every day until I died, and I would be happy everyday. But that small part of me: that selfish, arrogant, pretentious, miserable part of me, would not be happy if that were my legacy when I'm gone. Because living my dream looks a lot different than I imagined as a kid or even 10 years ago.

I didn't know Alex Lasarenko, and unfortunately, I never will. I made this video 2 years too late and I missed my chance to interview him. I can't ask him what it was like composing for commercials and networks. I can't ask him how he came up with the Disney channel theme.

But I think the first question that I would ask would be, are you ok with this? Do you even want to be credited with writing the theme?

Because this was his most popular work. He composed for other networks and shows and commercials and films, some of which some people may recognise. But nothing comes close to these four notes. How could you compete with something that has been playing non-stop for millions of people for 20 years? And according to everyone I've spoken with, he probably wrote it in a day. And he might not have thought about it again after that. It was just another job.

Alex is well remembered by his friends and family and coworkers, but on a broader public and cultural scale, he does not have a well-defined legacy. There's the tribute that Fritz Doddy wrote, the IMDb page, the archived website, and one single photo, but when I release this video and credit him for composing this theme, it will likely become the thing that he is known for - and I'm hesitant to do that. I'm hesitant to condemn someone else to the fate that I fear for myself.

And worse, in this case, it's just four notes.

There is an obvious solution to this, and that is to expose you to some of Alex's other work while I have your attention, to give you a broader sense of his talents and artistry outside of this four note mnemonic. I could play a few clips from other compositions. I could link to some of his work and encourage you to go listen to it on your own.

But I don't have to, because you've already listened to his music. In fact, you're listening to it right now, and you have been, the whole time, since the beginning.

You've been listening to the music of the late Alex Lasarenko.

[bobcat-pie]

autism hungry. feed it the composer of the disney channel theme alex lasarenko

[crossoceans]

[thinkingnot]

i will never be the same after this video, check it out! i have no words this is genuinely the best documentary, video, piece of media analysis i’ve ever consumed

the humor aspects, the great editing and credit to some of the most impactful people of my childhood that have remained anonymous to most until now (currently holds 1.8 million views, uploaded 9 days ago). the efforts made to get in touch with all these real behind the scene people and interviewing them, deep diving the internet for an accumulation of credible sources.

and the spectacular ending, that holds weight of the entire video, a dip in tone and then a lift, ending not making you wanting more, but makes you sit and think, digesting all that. It reminds me of the first time I finished my favorite movie of all time, walking out of the theater and my ears can still hear voice lines, my head, nothing but what I just witnessed.

[vyrion]

one final question. would you do anything differently?

no. no regrets.

[ifwebefriends]

Just showed my dad the Disney Channel Theme documentary and this was basically my reaction towards the end

[werewolf-garfield]

[lonelyrat15]

i think i have a crush on the defunctland guy

[kinemon]

how am I doing today? well, a deep dive into who created the original 4-tone disney channel theme almost made me cry,

[kiarazuri]

The Defunctland video referenced in the last post you reblogged is "Disney Channel Theme: A History Mystery" and it is VERY much worth watching. Amazing all around.

Thank you!

[esichime]

My ★★★ review of Disney Channel's Theme: A History Mystery (2022) on Letterboxd: