Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the September 8 article: Animation Presentation at Primetime Preview Weekend at <a href="News-ID210120.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID210120.asp</a>.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy Thanks for the Animation Event update. I would have loved to have been there myself. I've had the opportunity to hear Andreas and Glenn speak before, but not Chris or Dean. And all on the same platform as Michael Eisner. As far as your observation of Michael Eisner's overall energy level -- you may possibly be right. You were there and I wasn't. But I still think it's possible that he maybe didn't get ANY sleep on Friday night. He's gotten beat up a lot lately. Friday was a topper. Would sure take a lot of the fight out of me. And overall I'm thinking that he didn't really have to be at this animation event himself. He could have sent another more enthusiastic MC type to be on stage and address the group of kids with his featured animators speaking. So the fact that he was there, I'm thinking yeah, he really did want to be.
Originally Posted By Jim Thanks for your insightful observations on Mr. Eisner and the event. I think it's a very interesting account and very telling. Sometime in the last month or so, I read that Eisner actually was planning on retiring in two years or so. If that's the case, it really sheds light on your observations. Is it possible he no longer has the drive or vision for the job but wants to leave a positive legacy and end on a high note? It certainly seems weird to me why an aging man like him (and I don't mean that in a negative way, but he's no energetic kid) would hang around during these no-win times if he was just planning on retiring in a few years.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I still respect ME in the main. The fact of the matter is his 24 hours before the meeting would have been hell. I am a Customer Relations manager and when things do not go well with out customers, my health takes a turn for the worse at times. Now let's look at ME. A guy who has heart problems. One that still does love the company (I'm sure he does, I doubt he needs the money any longer). I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Eisner when he was in PAris (about 5 months before the WDS opened) and he seemed so thrilled with what was going on. I don't know about you guys, but a chill hit me when I read about the BTM accident. I'm sure it really struck Michael. Add to that the ethical and economical concerns of the event on top of everything else that is going on, and it makes for one tired guy. I applaud him for attending the event, after all, he didn't have to. In that I see he still loves the company - it's just the passion of the new relationship has died down a little. BTW< thanks for the report. It's little events like this that truly makes Disney special. And the education facets of Disney is what truly makes them no. 1 in my heart.
Originally Posted By HyperTyper I sure wish to be a whiner, but maybe someone can educate me- How has Michael Eisner demonstrated his commitment to education? The most prominent vestiges of education that used to be seen in Disney's efforts aren't there any longer. Those great true-life adventures that Walt used to make ... Haven't seen anything like it decades. Supplemental materials for the classroom, like Donald Duck in Mathmagic Land aren't made any longer, that I know of. (I'm a teacher.) Disney's biggest educational venture, EPCOT, was developed before Eisner, who has let most of it sit without much in the way of updates or additions. The educational aspects of the park are gradually being swapped-out for more thrills. (Thrills are fine, but why not put the shine back in The Living Seas?) The Disney Channel's content is certainly not educational. Animal Planet, The Discovery Channel, etc. do far better. Disney does give educator awards, but how does this enhance the education of your average middle-school kid in Bozeman, Montana? If anything, Disney's trite offerings, especially in television ('reality' TV???), have done much more to dumb-down youth, rather than educate them. I have heard Animal Kingdom is a bit more educational than your average theme park. That's good. Haven't seen it, so I'll take that on faith. Disney Institute sounds great, if one could afford it. (One can't on a teacher's salary.) It would be nice if Disney could offer lessons that didn't require a cross-country trip and hundreds (thousands) in the wallet! More stuff like Bill Nye would be pretty cool... However, most of what Disney offers in the way of education is trite and fluffy ... and highly self-promotional. As a teacher who has had a great deal to cover in limited time, Disney has offered me very little I can really use. Disney has a foot in education, but I think it's a stretch to say Disney is an educational leader, or even as involved as it used to be. Eisner fans must see something I am missing, so please fill me in. I'm ready to learn!
Originally Posted By meowthew Playhouse Disney, the DisneyHand Teacher Awards, the Disney Learning Partnership, the Creative Classrooms program, Disney Educational Productions, Disney Youth Education Series, Disney Magic Music Days, Reading Together, Passport to Reading, Stanley's Great Big Story Time Adventure book tour, the Imagineer That! high school workshop series, Disney Interactive educational software, FamilyFun, Discover magazine, participation with Cable in the Classroom on Disney Channel, ABC Family, A&E, The History Channel, History International, ESPN and Liftime, partnerships with First Book and the Boys and Girls Club, numerous grants given to schools and educators every year. No, Michael Eisner and Disney aren't committed to education anymore. Ultimate Disney Channel Fan Page <a href="http://www.geocities.com/ultimate_disney_channel" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/ultim ate_disney_channel</a>
Originally Posted By meowthew Btw, the New True Life Adventures series aired on The Wonderful World of Disney three years ago... Ultimate Disney Channel Fan Page <a href="http://www.geocities.com/ultimate_disney_channel" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/ultim ate_disney_channel</a>
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy I also recall back when Fantasia 2000 came out -- there were some WONDERFUL classroom support materials that were available for download from Disney on the Music, Art and Animation found in the film. I ran across it by accident. I assumed if they were doing such things for the movie that there were other materials being produced as well. Promotion for the movie? -- Sure. But really good educational material in support of the movie? Absolutely.
Originally Posted By basil fan The Disney Institute is closed. Guide to Disney's Mickey Mouse Shorts <a href="http://www15.brinkster.com/wtstsgalor/shorts.html" target="_blank">http://www15.brinkster.com/wts tsgalor/shorts.html</a>
Originally Posted By arstogas >>>I sure wish to be a whiner, but maybe someone can educate me- How has Michael Eisner demonstrated his commitment to education? <<< Rhett is correct. At Eisner's behest, the company has been embracing and supporting education in not only the AMERICAN TEACHER AWARDS, but sponsoring various school initiatives around the country. Much of their charitable work is directed toward educational aims, and it seems the company is regularly publishing materials that can be integrated into school curriculums. Plus, they sponsor forums for innovation like the invention events at Epcot, and Animal Kingdom's thrust is ALL about increasing awareness of a very important component of the planet - the life cycle and the animals who share it with us. You really can't go to DAK without getting a good dose of that, and it is integrated so well with the show, that it goes down very well.
Originally Posted By arstogas >>>Slammed?!<<< Yeah, I'm scratching my head, too. I'm guessing this was a post meant for another thread or something, placed here accidentally.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy I'm pretty sure the Disney Institute is still in business. Their physical site at WDW is closed. It's smaller and different from what they set out to do when they started. But they still run programs. <a href="http://disney.go.com/vacations/websites/disneyinstitute/" target="_blank">http://disney.go.com/vacations /websites/disneyinstitute/</a>
