If you have no idea who Pamela Ribon is, and why you need to give her props, let me school you. I had the opportunity to listen to Pamela Ribon, co-writer for Ralph Breaks The Internet, twice in the past few months. The first interview was during our Christopher Robin junket, and the more recent time was during the Ralph Breaks The Internet event. Her words filled my heart both times.
The Disney Princess Scene In Ralph Breaks The Internet
Now, why do you need to know her name? Besides the fact that she worked on Moana, she is also responsible for the scene that broke D23, The Disney Princess scene. You know, the one where we get to see every single Disney Princess ever drawn, in one room? Yeah, Pamela Ribon did that.
The Disney Princess Scene Was An Homage
In both interviews, Pamela mentioned that she wanted to pay homage to these women who have shaped our lives in so many ways, while slightly poking fun at their backstories.
“We knew we wanted to do a scene, that was a meta moment. We wanted Disney to poke fun at itself. What if Vanellope met all the Princesses? That might break the internet.”
Because of this, Pamela was terrified to show the story boards to her fellow writers and team members.
“There were a couple hundred of people in the audience. Many of them are the directors of the original films. To say I was nervous is an understatement. At the end of it, they applauded and we were like: ‘It worked! We did it!’ “
3D Disney Princesses Was A Welcomed Challenge
Pamela said most of the Disney Princesses have only been viewed in 2D, so creating a 3D version of them was going to be a challenge. They enlisted the help of Mark Henn, who is lovingly known as “the princess guy” because he has inked many of our favorite Disney Princesses. I’m a Mark Henn fangirl, so I really enjoyed that this legendary animator had such a big role in Ralph Breaks The Internet.
Pamela said Mark made sketches of the Disney Princesses doing their signature gestures, the ones we all know and love. Ariel posing on a rock, Snow White scared in the woods, Cinderella pondering her next sewing project with furry friends by her side; we see them all in this one scene. Pamela says “It’s pure magic.”
Creating a Sub-Culture is Surreal But Fun
My goal during our interview with Pamela is to ask her what it’s like creating a sub-culture within a sub-culture. This now iconic scene is going to be a mainstay in Disney Animated Studios history, and fans are finding their comfy princess tribe to hang out with, all because of Pamela. She was very humble about the ripple she’s made in Disney pop culture, but acknowledge the
“There’s a feeling out there that people get to take part of, and that’s really need.”
Pamela IS Snow White. No, really.
When you watch the famous Disney Princess scene, and you listen to Snow White, know that is Pamela’s voice. Adriana Caselotti was the original voice of Snow White, but she passed away in 1997. During the creation of this scene, Pamela took on the voicing of Snow White, and her voice is who you hear in Ralph Breaks The Internet. So, she’s a legit Disney Princess now. Bow down to her!
It was so exciting to spend time with Pamela Ribon, and hear how honored she is to be a co-writer of the Ralph Breaks The Internet screenplay. If you’d like to watch our interview with Pamela, you can check it out below:
