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Bolt
Rhino and Mittens Share a Moment
From Story Artist to Super-Sidekick ... Mark Walton Rocks as Rhino!

Mushu, Sebastian, and Zazu — the high-profile actors behind these tiny but mighty Disney Characters prove it's not the size of the sidekick but the wit in their wisecracks that wins audiences over. So when Walt Disney Animation Studios' story artist Mark Walton was selected as the official voice of Rhino in Disney's "Bolt," the unlikely celebrity couldn't believe his luck. The result? A lovable, scene-stealing, fully awesome ham-star was born.

In theaters November 21, "Bolt" delivers an action-packed, cross-country adventure with a Hollywood super dog who's determined to return home after being shipped to New York City. When the perplexed pup realizes his superpowers aren't the real deal, he enlists a street-smart cat named Mittens and Rhino, a TV-obsessed hamster, to guide him along his journey.

Mark explains Rhino's name. "Nathan Greno, head of story development, had a cat called Rhino and thought it would be funny to ...
CONTINUED BELOW

DO YOU KNOW DISNEY?
Question: What are the names of the counties in which Disneyland in California and the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom in Florida are located?
Answer: Orange County. The same name in each state.

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"Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" let Guests experience a meeting with the great President. Hail to the Chief at the Happiest Place on Earth -- February 26, 2008
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Collector Terry Higgins shows off his spectacular Haunted Mansion pin collection. Big Pin Hunting at Disney -- February 19, 2008
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How do YOU define romance? Find out! Who's Your Disney Dream Date? -- February 12, 2008
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Dorothea Redmond's exquisitely detailed renderings come to life in the Dream Suite. 50 Years Later, a Dream Comes True -- February 5, 2008
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Sophisticated restaurant Palo is the perfect spot for a grown-up getaway. Adults Afloat -- January 31, 2008
It's no secret that a Disney cruise can be the perfect getaway for a family traveling with kids - activities, tropical islands, and Disney Characters are just a few of the elements on a cruise that al...
Inspired by Jasmine's Bohemian spirit, this is the most requested dress in the collection. Fairy-Tale Gowns for Real-Life Brides -- January 22, 2008
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Although it wasn't always easy, "Snow White," like its heroine, has lived happily ever after. Snow White Turns 70 -- January 15, 2008
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See if you have the right stuff for a Disney dream job. Put Fun on Your Resume -- January 8, 2008
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Resolve to join the Year of a Million Dreams. Resolve to Have the Best Vacation Ever in 2008 -- January 1, 2008
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Happy U Year A New Year's Created by Kids -- December 25, 2007
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Star Nicolas Cage, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and director Jon Turteltaub contemplate. Behind the Book of Secrets -- December 18, 2007
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Captain Jack beckons you and your pirate crew to adventure! Sail the Virtual Seas as a Pirate Bold -- December 4, 2007

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Sierra Boggess becomes part of Ariel's world. Under the Sea, Onstage at Last -- November 27, 2007
"Ariel is such a beloved Disney Princess -- I always loved her, and all the people who come to the show who I meet afterwards, they just love her. It's because she's so independent and has such a big ...
Amy Adams in one of the magical songs of "Enchanted." Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz brought the music to life. Making Beautiful Music Together – Again -- November 20, 2007

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The Newest Disney Legends Join the Family. The Newest Disney Legends Join the Family -- November 13, 2007

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Nicolas Cage and Diane Kruger seek treasure in "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" -- now you can seek it, too! Become an International Treasure Hunter -- Online -- November 6, 2007
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The Marrero family exploring Spain on the adventure of a lifetime. A Family Finds Adventure with Disney -- October 30, 2007

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Cuddly Disney Characters ensure Halloween fun without the fright at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Ten Ways to Spook It Up Disney-Style -- October 23, 2007

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The roya...
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Disney.com Robert Iger Disney.com Among Web Top 10 -- September 18, 2007

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These young Princess wannabes make us wonder -- just what IS it about Princesses? The Eternal Allure of the Disney Princess -- August 28, 2007

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Great Disney Art on Call Great Disney Art on Call -- August 21, 2007

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Giselle -- and her dress -- enter the all-too-real world of Manhattan. A Star, Enchanted by "Enchanted" -- August 14, 2007
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But, for "Enchanted" star Amy Adams, it was especially about The Dress.

"Enchanted," com...
Castle Suite Parlor It Could Happen to You! Lucky Dreamers Tell Their Tales -- August 7, 2007
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Boone Narr and some furry friends. Underdog Has His Day -- July 31, 2007

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The Drog and the Cabunny are just a few of the cute creatures you can adopt at Disney Game Kingdom Online. Room for Imagination -- July 17, 2007
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Let your young buccaneers set sail for fun this summer! Plan a Swashbuckling Summer -- July 10, 2007
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Let the mental fireworks fly! Red, White, and Disney Trivia Challenge! -- July 3, 2007
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Too many cooks don't spoil the soup in "Ratatouille." Brad Bird Whips Up a Little "Ratatouille" -- June 26, 2007
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Meet Miley Cyrus The Double Life of Miley Cyrus -- June 19, 2007
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DiveQuest is just one of the possible adventures awaiting Disney Guests. Best-Kept Secrets of the Disney Parks -- June 12, 2007
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Disney Family.com offers a world of helpful information for families -- and Disney fans. Keeping the Magic in the Family -- June 5, 2007
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Remy and Linguini Hanging with the Rat Pack -- May 29, 2007
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The fleet is almost ready to embark at Disneyland Park. Dive Into Disneyland's Newest Attraction -- May 15, 2007
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Warwick and a friend share some "Star Wars" spirit. "Star Wars" Weekends with Star Warwick Davis -- May 8, 2007
For a few weekends every year, Disney/MGM Studios Theme Park becomes an outpost of a galaxy far, far away -- unearthly characters in getups beautiful and bizarre roam the streets, browsers congregate ...
Surprise Mom with a pop-up bouquet, and other Mother's Day delights with a daffy twist. Throw Mom a Marvelously Mad Tea Party! -- May 1, 2007
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Daniel Powter brings his dreams to life on stage. Daniel Powter's Disney Dream Come True -- April 24, 2007
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The adventurers assemble for their voyage to the edges of the Earth -- and beyond -- in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." A World of Excitement Approaches -- April 17, 2007
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Sleeping Beauty Castle Short, Shining Moments with Disney -- April 3, 2007
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Director Steve Anderson also played the role of the Bowler Hat Guy. Wilbur and Walt - the Disney Touch in "Meet the Robinsons" -- March 27, 2007
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Mike Wazowski is your host for a show full of laughs that's different every time. Peek at the Latest Walt Disney World Attraction -- March 20, 2007
Ever seen Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot® or Disney's California Adventure Park®? Kids are spellbound as Crush interacts directly with them -- somehow, the big sea turtle knows they're there ...
Young inventor Lewis in "Meet the Robinsons" -- the movie of the future? Looking Deeper into "Meet the Robinsons" and the Future of Film -- March 13, 2007
Phil McNally looks at things a little more deeply than most people do -- but then, that's his job. As the "stereoscopic supervisor" for the upcoming Disney film "Meet the Robinsons," it's his job to b...
Tinker Bell Restored. Tink and Wendy -- Together Again -- March 6, 2007
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Big-league action is just one of the attractions at Atlanta Braves Spring Training. Catch the Boys of Summer This Spring -- February 27, 2007
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The High School Musical Pep Rally gets Wildcats fans whipped up! Get Pepped Up with "High School Musical" Spirit -- February 20, 2007
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Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb found making "Bridge to Terabithia" a great adventure. Friendship and Magic - the Road to "Bridge to Terabithia" -- February 13, 2007
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"Beauty and the Beast" Plan a Sweet Valentine's Evening for the Whole Family -- February 6, 2007
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AnnaSophia Robb and Josh Hutcherson in "Bridge to Terabithia." "Bridge to Terabithia" author Katherine Paterson on Seeing the World of Her Book On-Screen -- January 30, 2007
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Unleash your inner swashbuckler at the Magic Kingdom. Swashbuckling Thrills and Royal Girls -- Now at the Magic Kingdom -- January 23, 2007
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The new Disney.com home page is alive with exciting features. Peek Inside the New Disney.com -- January 15, 2007
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... give a big, crazy, oversized name to this tiny hamster who believes he's truly more amazing than a hamster generally can be."

How did this behind-the-scenes talent make the leap from drawing board to big screen? According to Mark, artists are often asked to lend their voices for "scratch" (placeholder) recordings so the production team has something to work with during the early stages of story and character development. "Acting is part of the storyboarding process since you're 'performing' through the characters you draw, their facial expressions, and the way you craft dialogue. If you can get inside the character's head, then you'll be more honest and real on the storyboards," he adds.

Mark describes the first scratch recording session. "It was pretty intimidating standing in a room with a microphone in your face and a whole team of people behind the glass staring at you. I thought I'm wasting their time ... I've got to get it right ... I did the wrong accent ... was I jingling the keys in my pocket? I froze up and made lots of mistakes. Luckily they kept asking me to do scratch and after a while I became comfortable."

Directors Byron Howard and Chris Miller took their time casting a "real actor" to voice the hamster. Meanwhile Mark continued to provide Rhino's dialogue. "Rhino's a very broad, comedic character ... it was pretty easy to make him likable. He had a lot of great lines so I'm lucky to have been a part of that. It was lots of fun. And if that's as far as it went, well, that would have been fine," Mark says.

Then, as Disney magic goes, the unexpected happened. Mark was asked to re-record one of the first lines he'd read. The directors wanted more enthusiasm in his delivery, so he read the line again — this time with a twist that left the stand-in speechless. "Bolt's amazing! He can smash bridges, shoot lasers through helicopters, and destroy entire laboratories ... and I'm the voice of Rhino." For a moment he was stunned. Mark admits, "My brain pretty much shut down, I wasn't capable of much. I started jumping, yelling, hugging random people, and screaming like a little kid. Everyone was cheering. Up to this point, I had tried very hard not to get my hopes up because it just seemed way too good to be true to play a character in a Disney film — especially a great character like Rhino. So when they told me, it was like winning the lottery ... I really wasn't prepared to deal with it. It was amazing."

Despite having no professional acting experience, Mark provides the perfect amount of madness to this geeky, furry fan who doesn't let the reality that he's a hamster get in the way of his chance to be a superhero with Bolt. "I thought they'd want me to do a squeaky, cute little hamster voice, but they just wanted me to be myself as much as possible — which made it easier to focus on the acting. There were a few times when Rhino's running around in his hamsterball, pushing something heavy, or becoming so excited that I found myself getting worked up and sweaty trying to recreate those actions believably. Rhino is Bolt's unabashed fan, sidekick, confidante, and helper ... he's powered by sheer enthusiasm and unbridled hope that gets him through a lot of situations. It never occurs to him that Bolt really isn't a superhero or that what he does is impossible. Rhino's so crazy about Bolt and the show that he starts imagining that he himself can do amazing things too. That's what I tried to convey."

Mark laughs when asked about his favorite part of the film. "Probably any scene that features me is pretty cool ... I must admit I do think I have most of the best lines. I like when the pigeons try to figure out who Bolt is and when Rhino helps Bolt break Mittens out of the animal shelter. There's such great animation and dialogue — and the characters are nicely designed. The end of the film is surprisingly moving too ... I hope audiences walk away knowing that pets, dogs in particular, are trusting and love unconditionally. They believe in you even when you don't believe in yourself."

Does Mark Walton eat danger for breakfast like his pint-sized persona? "Absolutely! Well, no, I live a pretty danger-free life. I just get to pretend I'm dangerous on the job ... and that's a lot easier than if I actually had to do everything Rhino does in the movie. It's a pretty sweet deal — it's the most fun job I've ever had!" "Bolt" audiences will soon discover Mark's fun translates into a whole lot of hamster on screen!
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