disney-the-lion-king-behind-the-scenes-documentary-simba-and-nala-on-stage.jpg

Documentary video / Theatre

Behind-the-scenes documentary · Disney's The Lion King

A day backstage at The Lion King, from first checks to curtain up.

Getting Ready to Roar is a behind-the-scenes documentary for Disney's The Lion King, following the teams who get the show ready for its audience every day.

Get a free quote 
The project

Client
Disney

Production
The Lion King

Sector
Theatre

Service
Documentary video

Film
Documentary, plus five pre-roll cut-downs

Where it ran
Online, digital and social channels

From brief to finished film.

How we took audiences behind the curtain at The Lion King.

01 · The brief

Show the work behind the magic

Every performance of The Lion King relies on teams the audience never sees. Disney wanted a documentary that introduced them and showed what it takes to get the show on stage, night after night.

03 · The outcome

One documentary, five pre-rolls

Getting Ready to Roar, plus five 30-second pre-roll cut-downs that take audiences behind the scenes. Shared across online, digital and social channels.

02 · Our approach

A countdown to curtain up

We followed each department through the day, with on-screen clocks counting down the hours to curtain: masks and puppets at 9.30am, wardrobe's pre-show checks, the stage department's maintenance call and automation's final checks. Heads of department tell the story in interviews filmed in their own workshops, alongside the resident director and the company and stage managers.

04 · What we delivered

A documentary and five pre-rolls

Behind-the-scenes documentary, Getting Ready to Roar
Five 30-second pre-roll cut-downs
Interviews with eight members of the company and crew
Countdown graphics and name titles

Behind the scenes

  • Simba and Nala performing on stage in Disney's The Lion King

    On stage: Simba and Nala

  • Lioness dancers in flowing orange costumes on stage in The Lion King

    The lioness dancers

  • Close-up of Rafiki in full make-up and headdress, from The Lion King documentary

    Rafiki, in full make-up

  • Matt Clarke, Head of Wardrobe, beside a row of lion masks backstage at The Lion King

    Interview: Matt Clarke, Head of Wardrobe

  • Wardrobe team doing pre-show costume checks backstage at The Lion King

    Wardrobe pre-show checks

  • Stage crew checking rigging backstage before a performance of The Lion King

    The stage department

More case study films

Planning a documentary

Tell us your budget. We’ll show you what it buys.

Every project is built from simple credits — one for development, filming, editing or animation — at £795 + VAT each on pay-as-you-go. No minimum, no contract.

Making video all year round? Monthly plans bring that down to £495 + VAT a credit.

How our pricing works →

Tell us who the film is for, where it’ll be seen and roughly what you’d like to spend. A range is fine.

01 Brief & budget

02 A plan that fits

We show you exactly what your budget buys: scripting, filming days, editing or animation.

Script, shoot, edit and animate. Most films take 2–6 weeks from brief to delivery.

03 We make it

Your finished film plus versions for your website, social channels, events and presentations.

04 Ready for every channel

In the film

“It's our responsibility to make sure they look great night after night and that they're working at their best for the performers.”

Joe Beagley, Head of Masks and Puppets, The Lion King

In the film

“Our remit as a department involves crewing the show itself, setting scenes, crewing rehearsals, all of the performer flying and maintaining the show itself.”

Andy Todd, Master Carpenter, The Lion King

Let’s talk about your documentary.

Tell us a little about the project and your budget. We’ll reply within 24 hours with ideas and a clear plan — no obligation. Or email info@sneakglobal.com.