Mike King

The Glass Coffin

April 6, 2004 on 11:33 am | In Animation | Comments Off

An editorial over at Save Disney.com.

Well written, and makes a nice analogy of hand-drawn animation to Snow White.

Excerpt:

It’s clear to see that the executives of The Disney Company have misread the box-office results for their many poorly conceived recent projects as a disinterest in traditional animation. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We like cartoons conceived by cartoonists, not MBA’s.

Classic Disney animation has inspired artists of all ages, and the child in every one of us. This medium, like the timeless myths and fairytales it has brought to life, must be preserved for future generations. As in 1981, the triumphs of the past remain fresh and vivid, inspiring new artists and their unique visions. Cartoonists need to create cartoons. It’s not just a childish desire. They must do it to live. All it takes is a pencil, paper and persistence of vision. No computer necessary.

It’s the management style that must change, not the medium.
…
Traditional animation will awaken when a new Prince arrives with a kiss of vision as deep as his pockets. In the meantime, we dwarfs will keep the glass clean.

It’s a wistful fairy-tale analogy. But it makes me want to write something more Python-esque. With the executive management as King Arthur and traditional animation as a surly Black Knight getting his limbs lopped off. “It’s just a flesh wound!”