Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I think it takes more guts to shut down a production in progress, or remove a director from a project, than to just let it go. Too bad no one at Disney had the cajones to shut down 'Chicken Little.'
Originally Posted By idleBrain <<The only bright side I see is that he can't do this to WDI as none of his clique are capable of building an attraction and they are wise to stay out of it.>> So Lasseter just pushed back Laugh Floor's opening for the heck of it? And that he actually believes the show was 'good enough' for the theme park visitors as the WDI executives in charge obviously believe? Do you actually think that your buddies in Glendale are indeed 'untouchable' from Lasseter's influence? Or is this simply hope against hope? Don Hahn and Chris Sanders are gone, because they couldn't get on board with John and Dr Ed's new plans for WDFA. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce that plans for Imagineering's future are also being drawn up by Lasseter, and anyone who complains too much will obviously be dealt with in a similar manner. And who cares whether or not John or the Sacred Seven have experience in producing park attractions. They're talented artists, designers, and storytellers, just like the original Imagineers. They didn't have any experience, either, when Disneyland was created. But they learned quickly, making DL the world-class theme park it's been for over 50 years. Besides, much of what has been produced by the current "experienced" team in charge of Creative Development has lacked considerably. And if Lasseter feels that Laugh Floor needs to be better than simply 'good enough,' more power to him to shut it down now and get it right. Too bad the current WDI executives in charge only care about their six-figure salaries, perks, and benefits. Their obvious contempt for the 'unwashed masses' who frequent the parks and resorts speaks loud and clear in your attitude, Lee. John is now the Principle Creative Advisor for WDI, yet you claim he and his team of artisans "would be wise to stay out of" the decision making and design process for attractions? Oh yeah, Iger just gave him that title to seal the deal, and has no intention whatsoever of listening to John's plans for Imagineering. Bob just went along with the delay of Laugh Floor's opening to humor John, right? How the heck you even graduated from law school with such obvious lack of cognition is beyond me.
Originally Posted By TheRedhead "Don Hahn and Chris Sanders are gone, because they couldn't get on board with John and Dr Ed's new plans for WDFA." Right there, that is what is so distressing. Two guys that so ultimately GOT what Disney animation is all about are being pushed aside. I was upset when Musker and Clements were pushed out of the company, because it seemed like a sign that the higher-ups just didn't GET what needed to be done in animation. Now I wonder if the same is going on now. Maybe "American Dog" would have been crap. Who knows. But it's ironic (and frustrating) that Sanders had complete artistic freedom under the old regime, then gets note-d to death under the new one. If he leaves Disney, that will be a huge loss. Maybe 'genius' is a strong word for him, but he is a proven asset with a rich Disney history. Aren't we SUPPOSED to get upset when we see someone like him off a pet-project??? It's also sad and weird that an amazing bit of news - the idea that WDFA is returning to traditional animation - is buried under such worrisome news.
Originally Posted By tcsnwhite People make it seem like Chris Sanders was fired from Disney out right. If I was reading right, wasn't it that he was taken off his project as director? I don't remember anywhere it saying that he was outright leaving Disney or forced out?
Originally Posted By Dlmusic Just recently didn't Pixar replace the director for Ratatouille? This doesn't seem particularly strange for Hollywood. When you are dealing with budgest of over $75 million a movie, you can bet that the leaders in charge are going to have the final say. Hollywood has not been a place for single visions since like. . .ever.
Originally Posted By tcsnwhite actingforanimators, any new news on why this may have actually happened? just curious. and thanks for your comments. very insightful.
Originally Posted By basil fan I haven't commented on this because it is so far out of my purview. The inner workings of movie studios are a mystery to me. But do you think comments toward a fellow poster as caustic as >How the heck you even graduated from law school with such obvious lack of cognition is beyond me< are appropriate? Sorry if that offends, but I don't think it was deserved, even if said poster was 100% off base. P.S. I can't speak for anyone else, but I would certainly call Walt Disney a genius. Mouse Tales <a href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/disney/mice.html" target="_blank">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/ disney/mice.html</a>
Originally Posted By belovedclassic Hello Jan Pinkava appears co-directing Ratatouille. Elton John, Don Hahn, Alan Menken, and now Chris Sanders ...I'd like to know what the people in Disney really think about it . But if American Dog is a traditionally animated movie, Lasseter must to assure it anyway….comprehensible but sad.
Originally Posted By tcsnwhite Walt Disney was a creative genius...no doubt about it. But I think we forget that he didn't do it all alone. As for John Lassiter, I see a man trying to steer a huge ship in a whole new direction. Struggle is inevitable, but in the end, I believe his intentions are in the right place. Thing is, so many at WDFA are so used to the way things were for so long, that John's new direction is not only a creative shock, but a cultural one as well. Some are going to resist, and thus, conflict ensues. I believe Chris Sanders to be an incredible talent, but quite possibly where he was taking American Dog was just not in line with where John and Ed believe they need to take WDFA in the next several years. Perhaps Chris didn't want to take John's suggestions either. Thus, his removal from the project. All together, I really have no clue and this is just what my gut and speculation are telling me. Right now, as I see it, John is in a truly critical position. Everyone's eyes, within the industry and outside the industry, are watching him. He truly has to deliver now or this is going to be some serious discussion as to whether bringing him and Pixar into the Disney fold was truly worth it. And John and the Pixar gang as part of the Disney family, I believe, is the best thing that could have happened to Disney in this very critical time in the company's history. John and Ed are seen as having to deliver a strong film, a hit, really, as the first film out from under their direction. I see this as a time that no mistakes can be made, and I think that John is taking no risks with jeopardizing that. American Dog may not be where it needs to be at this time. I don't see either John or Chris as being the good guy or the bad guy. I believe John as Disney's best interests at heart, and I think Chris could stay as part of the Disney team, in just a different capacity at the moment. Why lose his great talent, and especially his sense of design? As for actingforanimators comments about John, I see those as being a possibility as well. It all sounds very capable of being true, and in the end, John is human. I think he is what Disney needs at this time, but I don't see or expect him to be the Disney 'savior' that so many fan boys and girls see him as. And I don't mean that in a negative capacity as well. I would hope he is making connections to the Disney story team, but what do I know? In this really critical time, I can see why he is more beholden to his Pixar family. I just he makes strong relationships & connections at Disney Features as well. Last but not least, I would hope he forms some sort of WDFA braintrust, much like Pixar has. I would like to see the artists and story men direct the studio more so than executives who have no artistic background whatsoever- and this more so for WDFA's future when John and Ed are no longer around (way, WAY in the future).
Originally Posted By cheesybaby Is Don Hahn's departure really due to friction with Lasseter? This is the first connection I've heard about this (maybe I was out of it for a while). What is the scoop on Lasseter and Hahn?
Originally Posted By Jim I think a key detail to remember is that it has been said (by someone on this board, but I don't want to put words in this person's mouth) that Chris Sanders got such freedom (including the freedom create his own marketing campaign on LILO while Musker and Clements had no say in the campaign for TREASURE PLANET) is because someone high up in Disney ranks had a major crush on him (however, Sanders was completely professional the whole time). I have a feeling Lasseter wasn't quite so enamored to cause him to give Sanders such unlimited freedom. Did Sanders earn freedom from his many talents in the first place? Was the fault with Lasseter for reeling him in or for someone else for letting him go in such a way?
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "Is Don Hahn's departure really due to friction with Lasseter? This is the first connection I've heard about this (maybe I was out of it for a while). What is the scoop on Lasseter and Hahn?" No, that happened before Lasseter was on board, it was just brought up to show how many talented people had been pushed out or left Disney.
Originally Posted By cheesybaby ^^^ So why did Hahn leave? Is it a "hiatus" he will return from or has he gone to work elsewhere?
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