Originally Posted By actingforanimators On this day, November 24th, 1941, the Walt Disney Studio was limping along on ever-decreasing box office numbers (due in large part to the close of foreign markets as a result of WWII.) Walt was still stinging from the now infamous and acrimonious strike that nearly shut down the studio that he and Roy had built from the ground up, a studio that was now out of critical favor and in the worst financial shape it had yet known. On this day, November 24, 1941, the great animation pioneer Ward Kimball made the following entry in his journal: "100 layoffs announced. Studio personnel from 1600 down to a Hyperion level of 300. Geez, It this the writing on the wall?" The only way Walt and Roy could survive was to do government training films, practically turning the studio over to the control of the U.S. Army and Navy. It would be another nine years - following the box office failure of ten more films produced during that time (films we now consider classics of animation, like BAMBI, SALUDOS AMIGOS, ICHABOD & MISTER TOAD) - before a profitable animated feature (CINDERELLA) would win both wide popular and wide critical acclaim and turn the tied for the Disney studio. Jump to 2005 - same verbs, different nouns. Everything old is new, again, and so today I give thanks to the spirit, courage, determination, tenacity and powerful artistic commitment of the animators, artists, story artists, producers and directors who are still working at Walt Disney Feature Animation, believing in a dream, striving to turn the tide of popular opinion while re-imagining animation every single day with each heart-wish. I give thanks for modern classics that will some day come to find an audience more appreciative of the unique and different aspects in each Disney feature film; and I toast a future that looks brighter than ever, thanks to leadership poised to bring renewed vision to the greatest animation studio on earth. Here's to presidential quality leadership that is D aring - H onoring the traditions and respecting the talent who are responsible for creating real animation magic. Happy Thanksgiving to the Laughing Place Family of readers, editors, contributing writers and columnists. Thank you for giving me a place at this table. r.w.
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 ^^^^Likewise and don't be a stranger to these parts. I and I'm sure many others value your insight into the animation process. And I do miss your series on the great animation performances.
