My Mother asked me once, what I wanted to do when I grew up...I bluntly and unhesitantly said..."I'm going to work for Walt Disney!" And for there it's was history........
Almost 20 years later the dream and ambition came to it's peak when I was drafted out right out of college into WDFA-F....oh life was wondeful.....
The dream was a reality. The magic was really happening.....
Today, just 5 short years later I walked out of my FINAL DAY at WDFA-F...out past the spectaular lobby, out to the sidewalk where I'd constantly heard the sqreams of countless guest being flung down the elevator shaft of Tower of Terror, past the large oversized adz for Toon Disney and countless other overmarketed elements hanging around Disney MGM and into the parking tower where I'd for my last time see the magical surroundings of the MGM landscape..Today, the Magic Died...
YES, I'm one of the lucky ones, WHY? I Quit! Disney has literally sold it soul. The days of the "great" Animated Feature Film are GONE. Too caught up Disney has become with the next dollar bill, and not caught up enough with it's people amd the magic that made it great. Today was BLACK WEDNESDAY for me. SOB I WILL I"m sure now that I'm at home and confortable and in the privacy of my own home.
SEE I wasn't just an employee.....I was also a FAN. I, like you guys come here looking for excitment; excitment about what's next, what's hot, what's not...A TRUE FAN. And that's where my tears and loathing will come from. Looking through the countless project files for the last time the other day I didn't see anything but numerious Direct To Video features lined up......these little nasty gems aren't Disney, their an ECHO of Disney. Disney trying to occupy it's next dollar. Their not even really good art when it comes down to it.
As a EX employee and FAN...I'm asking you all, STARTING NOW..to BOYCOTT Direct To Video Features. (AND THE PEOPLE PUSHING THEM>THINK EISNER-------THE BIG SUCK ASS) These elements are taking ADVANTAGE of US, the FANS and of the Disney name and legacy. And trust me when I say I hate it as much as you do, BUT theses measures MUST be made in order to preserve Walt's Legacy of "Quality" Entertainment.
It's sad in a way, but I must sigh a gust of relief. I made my dreams come true no matter how short lived they where.
I love you all, my Disney friends and family. And for ALL of US trying so desperately to keep Walt's Legacy Alive remember and never forget.........
IT ALL STARTED WITH A MOUSE!
Animator Signing Off
End Of Transmission
The Day The Magic Died
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interactivemojo
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- Location: USA
The Day The Magic Died
If you want it, I've got it. Need Disney Treasures, Truelife and some series email me for my list.
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Jake Lipson
- Anniversary Edition
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interactivemojo, if you are who you say you are you have my upmost respect. Mulan, Lilo & Stitch and Brother Bear are among my favorite Disney animated classics in recent years and I'm grateful to you for whatever part you plyed in bringing us them. Thanks a lot, and know that if you ever feel like sharing stories of what it was like to work on those and other projects, I (and many others on here, I'm sure) would love to hear them. Also, if you had any involvement in My Peoples and would like to share, please do. I was really interested in it and am sad that it was cancelled.
As for boycotting the direct-to-video stuff, I already do that 99.9% of the time and will continue to unless a project comes along that I think shows promise and is worth a look (such as Lion King 1 1/2 and the DVD reissue of Simba's Pride, which I really liked.) The last direct-to-video sequel that I paid to see was Return to the Sea, and I don't intend to make a pattern out of supporting the DTVs. Only diamonds in the rough will have my support (Lion King sequels, Mickey's Three Musketeers, etc.) But there's always the chance that some project will come along and suprise us all as fans and when it does I don't want to turn it away.
Thanks again for the wonderful work you and the rest of the WDFA-F crew did. It's brought a lot of joy into my life. The biggest compliment I can give is to say Walt would have been proud of those three films, and I really think that's true. Congratulations on three successes, condolances on the closing of the studio and best of luck in the future. May your next employer treat you much better than Disney did.
As for boycotting the direct-to-video stuff, I already do that 99.9% of the time and will continue to unless a project comes along that I think shows promise and is worth a look (such as Lion King 1 1/2 and the DVD reissue of Simba's Pride, which I really liked.) The last direct-to-video sequel that I paid to see was Return to the Sea, and I don't intend to make a pattern out of supporting the DTVs. Only diamonds in the rough will have my support (Lion King sequels, Mickey's Three Musketeers, etc.) But there's always the chance that some project will come along and suprise us all as fans and when it does I don't want to turn it away.
Thanks again for the wonderful work you and the rest of the WDFA-F crew did. It's brought a lot of joy into my life. The biggest compliment I can give is to say Walt would have been proud of those three films, and I really think that's true. Congratulations on three successes, condolances on the closing of the studio and best of luck in the future. May your next employer treat you much better than Disney did.
<a href=http://jakelipson.dvdaf.com/owned/ target=blank>My modest collection of little silver movie discss</a>
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Maerj
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Sorry to hear what happened. As you may know from reading our posts, Jake and I have been two of your largest supporters. We tried to help promote Brother Bear in an effort to keep you guys working down there, since you consistently produced great films.
Its a shame about what happened, but on the bright side you at least got to fulfill your dream and work as an animator. That's a lot more than many of us can say. Many corporations are laying off people as well, I know that first hand, but at least you accomplished your dream of working for the company you wanted to work at. Look at it that way! At any rate, thank you for your contributions to some films that many of us love!
PS: Have you thought about joining the Legacy Animation group?
Its a shame about what happened, but on the bright side you at least got to fulfill your dream and work as an animator. That's a lot more than many of us can say. Many corporations are laying off people as well, I know that first hand, but at least you accomplished your dream of working for the company you wanted to work at. Look at it that way! At any rate, thank you for your contributions to some films that many of us love!
PS: Have you thought about joining the Legacy Animation group?
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Loomis
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I have to disagree with the boycott of DTV.Bill W wrote:After reading your post, I've decided to boycot all DTV releases. I don't own any now, and I've never even seen one. I was thinking of getting the Lion King 1 & 1/2, but I definitatly won't buy it now.
Disney needs to remember that the theatrically-released animated feature is its heart and soul.
While I agree that that the theatrically-released animated feature is the heart and soul of Disney, (who ever said that a major corporation was soulful) Disney does need to turn a profit. And the fact is DTVs have been quite profitable for Disney. It is the money they make off the "safer" DTVs that can be funnelled into other projects, that may be a little riskier. It is just good business. And Disney, despite the hype and mythology that surrounds it, has always been a business. Walt knew it, Roy knew it, and Einser knows it too. We may love Disney to death, but while it is a brand name that people have grown to love, it is still just that - the name of a business.
Also, by boycotting the DTV stuff, you are punishing the hard work put into making the DTV by animators still employed by Disney. Remember, they are still the only 2-D animators who have their own studio in Sydney. Do we really want to send the message to Disney that we do not care about 2D animation to the point that we will not even buy it in the one form they are now producing it in? Do we want DisneyToon shut down and more people fired? I certainly don't, and I would hope the good people of this forum wouldn't either.
Further, if everyone boycotts Disney DTV - something people accuse of being "cheapquels" - what chance do they have of improving?
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Joe Carioca
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Hello interactivemojo!
I didn’t know you were part of the magic, and I’m happy you could take you time and tell us some of your experiences, even if the least of them weren’t very positive. Be sure that not only me, but the whole animation community is very saddened about what happened to all the creative minds who worked at the WDF Florida studio, which had become the synonymous of Disney quality at its best. The films which came out of this great studio where the ones that saved the day when Disney was loosing faith in the animation department. Even with little promotion, “Mulan” grabbed people’s attention and was a success in every way, even when the previous year’s “Hercules” (unfortunately) officially signed the end of a string of phenomenal successes which started with “The Little Mermaid”. “Lilo & Stitch”, well, I don’t need to say anything about it... simply the most popular Disney feature since “Tarzan” (and maybe since “The Lion King”) and in my opinion, the best Disney feature since “Pocahontas”. “Brother Bear” was a great movie full of heart... I know this may sound ridiculous, but it made me cry during various scenes, because it was so powerful.
And now, everything comes to an end. And a very sad one. Animation has always been the heart and soul of this company. When the animated films are not doing well, the company is not well too.
I completely agree with everything you said. Traditional animation is not going well, and the cheap direct-to-video sequels are one of its cancers. Even if the artists put some effort into it, the only purpose of this films are the quick buck, no matter how well produced they are. I don’t support these films. Even if they are the only house of traditional animation nowadays, this is not the Disney I want for the next generations. I don’t care if they make money... This money will only generate more and more cheapquels. And even if they are producing 2D, it won’t take long until we see Bambi and Dumbo rendered in CG.
Yesterday, I heard a little girl saying that she saw “The Little Mermaid 4”. Of course she was joking, but then I realized once more that these sequels are replacing the classics. I won’t say “Walt wouldn’t do it”, but I’m sure he wouldn’t let the situation come to this point.
It’s a sad time for Disney animation. Thanks for sharing your memories with us, interactivemojo. As Jake said, we will be willing to hear more from you about your work on Feature Animation.
[]’s
José Carioca
I didn’t know you were part of the magic, and I’m happy you could take you time and tell us some of your experiences, even if the least of them weren’t very positive. Be sure that not only me, but the whole animation community is very saddened about what happened to all the creative minds who worked at the WDF Florida studio, which had become the synonymous of Disney quality at its best. The films which came out of this great studio where the ones that saved the day when Disney was loosing faith in the animation department. Even with little promotion, “Mulan” grabbed people’s attention and was a success in every way, even when the previous year’s “Hercules” (unfortunately) officially signed the end of a string of phenomenal successes which started with “The Little Mermaid”. “Lilo & Stitch”, well, I don’t need to say anything about it... simply the most popular Disney feature since “Tarzan” (and maybe since “The Lion King”) and in my opinion, the best Disney feature since “Pocahontas”. “Brother Bear” was a great movie full of heart... I know this may sound ridiculous, but it made me cry during various scenes, because it was so powerful.
And now, everything comes to an end. And a very sad one. Animation has always been the heart and soul of this company. When the animated films are not doing well, the company is not well too.
I completely agree with everything you said. Traditional animation is not going well, and the cheap direct-to-video sequels are one of its cancers. Even if the artists put some effort into it, the only purpose of this films are the quick buck, no matter how well produced they are. I don’t support these films. Even if they are the only house of traditional animation nowadays, this is not the Disney I want for the next generations. I don’t care if they make money... This money will only generate more and more cheapquels. And even if they are producing 2D, it won’t take long until we see Bambi and Dumbo rendered in CG.
Yesterday, I heard a little girl saying that she saw “The Little Mermaid 4”. Of course she was joking, but then I realized once more that these sequels are replacing the classics. I won’t say “Walt wouldn’t do it”, but I’m sure he wouldn’t let the situation come to this point.
It’s a sad time for Disney animation. Thanks for sharing your memories with us, interactivemojo. As Jake said, we will be willing to hear more from you about your work on Feature Animation.
[]’s
José Carioca
interactivemojo, If you're indeed an animator, I *really* feel for you. I appreciate the work you've done at the studio, because man, you guys really delivered with Brother Bear in bringing back the Disney magic for me. A big thank you.
Pertaining to the boycotting of all DTV sequels: I obstain from these, as they are most of the time indeed uncreative and low on quality. However, I am fond of TLK's and Aladdin's sequels, and will not boycott them just because, overall, I'm against the group they belong to.
Picture it this way: Just for example, let's say you don't like computer animation. Then you see a computer animation movie that you end up liking it a lot. Would you refuse to buy it simply because you don't like computer animation? I think not.
As Loomis brought out, there's a lot of hard work being done on these anyway. And if I see one that I feel is good, I'd like to get it for my own enjoyment and reward the artists behind it.
Pertaining to the boycotting of all DTV sequels: I obstain from these, as they are most of the time indeed uncreative and low on quality. However, I am fond of TLK's and Aladdin's sequels, and will not boycott them just because, overall, I'm against the group they belong to.
Picture it this way: Just for example, let's say you don't like computer animation. Then you see a computer animation movie that you end up liking it a lot. Would you refuse to buy it simply because you don't like computer animation? I think not.
As Loomis brought out, there's a lot of hard work being done on these anyway. And if I see one that I feel is good, I'd like to get it for my own enjoyment and reward the artists behind it.
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interactivemojo
- Member
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- Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2003 9:00 am
- Location: USA
Thanks To All
For all posting replies to my post and truefelt thanks to all condolances, they are much appreciated.
A few people have asked in the past as to what exactly my job entailed in WDFAnimation, so here goes.
I started out doing C.A.P.S on Lilo....(C.A.P.S. stand for Computer Assisted Post-Production) NO...I know what your thinking...COMPUTER YES, CGI NO! Meaning my job while entailing the use of a computer ENHANCED 2D it didn't TAKE away from 2D or take the place OF 2D work. C.A.P.S. generally speaking was a Ink and Paint Program design for and by WDFA to digitally ink and paint cells and add special link and painterly effects (painterly refers to special effects that add an airbrush quality to cell drawn characters). It also allowed us for the first time in years to ink the outlines of characters and(or) objects with a "true color" line rather than the old method of Zeroxing used in such films as 101 Dalamations, Aristocats etc. the unique look of theses films results from several different links line strokes, giving it a more "hand-drawn" effect.
I worked on Alantis for about six months doing CAP Overlay on several scenes...then finished my career up starting a 2D-3D Combo film that didn't exactly get underway good.......the word has it MAY get picked up eventually by WDFA and we may see it reservice in the future. Unfortuantely I can't say much more about that right now.
You can rest assured there ARE quite a few other 2D projects still on the drawning board including Rupunzel (yes you hear it here first) you know the chick with the long hair (pssss past the word around it going to be good). Believe it or not Disney does have several exclusive CGI possiablities uncluding "Chicken Little" in case you guys haven't heard. BUT REMEMBER DINASOUR (same group camp there) eheheheh (or rather Disney emulating Pixar), but we'll see in time.
As for me and what's next.....other than taking a little time off and moving back to Tennessee where I belong. I may soon be in chats with another famous (or infamous to-boot) reject about a job. (Ok Don Bluth) but I don't know we'll see.............
Cheers.
A few people have asked in the past as to what exactly my job entailed in WDFAnimation, so here goes.
I started out doing C.A.P.S on Lilo....(C.A.P.S. stand for Computer Assisted Post-Production) NO...I know what your thinking...COMPUTER YES, CGI NO! Meaning my job while entailing the use of a computer ENHANCED 2D it didn't TAKE away from 2D or take the place OF 2D work. C.A.P.S. generally speaking was a Ink and Paint Program design for and by WDFA to digitally ink and paint cells and add special link and painterly effects (painterly refers to special effects that add an airbrush quality to cell drawn characters). It also allowed us for the first time in years to ink the outlines of characters and(or) objects with a "true color" line rather than the old method of Zeroxing used in such films as 101 Dalamations, Aristocats etc. the unique look of theses films results from several different links line strokes, giving it a more "hand-drawn" effect.
I worked on Alantis for about six months doing CAP Overlay on several scenes...then finished my career up starting a 2D-3D Combo film that didn't exactly get underway good.......the word has it MAY get picked up eventually by WDFA and we may see it reservice in the future. Unfortuantely I can't say much more about that right now.
You can rest assured there ARE quite a few other 2D projects still on the drawning board including Rupunzel (yes you hear it here first) you know the chick with the long hair (pssss past the word around it going to be good). Believe it or not Disney does have several exclusive CGI possiablities uncluding "Chicken Little" in case you guys haven't heard. BUT REMEMBER DINASOUR (same group camp there) eheheheh (or rather Disney emulating Pixar), but we'll see in time.
As for me and what's next.....other than taking a little time off and moving back to Tennessee where I belong. I may soon be in chats with another famous (or infamous to-boot) reject about a job. (Ok Don Bluth) but I don't know we'll see.............
Cheers.
If you want it, I've got it. Need Disney Treasures, Truelife and some series email me for my list.
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Joe Carioca
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Re: Thanks To All
Hmm, but David Stainton himself confirmed that "Rapunzel Unbraided" is going to be a CG feature, didn't he?interactivemojo wrote:You can rest assured there ARE quite a few other 2D projects still on the drawning board including Rupunzel (yes you hear it here first) you know the chick with the long hair (pssss past the word around it going to be good). Believe it or not Disney does have several exclusive CGI possiablities uncluding "Chicken Little" in case you guys haven't heard. BUT REMEMBER DINASOUR (same group camp there) eheheheh (or rather Disney emulating Pixar), but we'll see in time.
And to tell you the truth, even if the executives from the studio say it, I don't beleive there are more traditionally-animated projects.
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Prince Adam
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