Traditional Animation Is Back (It Seems For Good) At Disney!

Post by **Neal** » February 28th, 2009, 12:27 pm

There's been speculation over whether "The Princess and the Frog" was merely a one-off traditionally animated film meant to be the more fitting finale to the traditional animation legacy at Disney (rather than "Home on the Range").

Others said that if more traditional animation was to happen, it all depended on the success of "The Princess and the Frog".

Others have stuck to the belief that with Lasseter at the helm, traditional animation was back no matter how "The Princess and the Frog" fared.

It seems that third group may have been right.

I think we have the proof that for sure there will be another traditionally animated feature. Let's bank on 2013.

Ain't It Coll News' Quint went to WonderCon and saw a preview of "The Princess and the Frog". The presenter, a special effects guy from Disney who's been there since "The Lion King" and played big roles concerning effects in "Chicken Little" and "Meet the Robinsons" revealed the following:

He also mentioned that Disney’s animation plan is to have a digital animation film out every 18 months and a traditional hand-drawn animation film out every 2 ½ years.

That settles it. It couldn't be said any clearer.

More and source here:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40272

GeorgeC · Post by **GeorgeC** » February 28th, 2009, 4:50 pm

Woah, woah...

That's not how the business works!

All the film departments come up for review and they decide whether to hire, lay off, or close departments based on those reviews. Nobody's job is 100% secure.

You're jumping the gun here!

And the last place to give credibility to is Ain't It Cool News. That's like quoting Wikipedia as your sole source for a school report. NOT the wisest tact to take.

It's been known for years that Harry Knowles and half the people on that site have become mouthpieces for the film industry at large. Like the unpopular kids at high school, he thinks by shmoozing up to the in-crowd, polishing their shoes and doing their dry-cleaning he's somehow going to become more acceptable and a producer in Hollywood? I'm sorry, but knowing a webmaster can be bought for a hotel room and a large chalupa at Taco Bell in exchange for giving good film reviews does not make for great credibility!

Also, Lasseter doesn't have absolute control at Disney -- even Walt didn't. He's still answerable to a board that has to be convinced that making any animated film will contribute to Disney's bottom-line.

As long as the films make money for Disney and Lasseter has support behind him, fine. BUT, the moment he loses the magic touch and the next few films fail to make decent grosses, he's out of there just like anybody else...

Post by **Neal** » February 28th, 2009, 5:04 pm

Um, it wasn't Harry Knowles or any of his staff who said it... it was Marlon West, Disney animation special effects guru.

And the same report of the 18 month for CGI and 2.5 year for 2D slate can be found on LatinoReview and /Film.

Post by **Daniel** » February 28th, 2009, 5:29 pm

Yeah, I think Neal is right. Really, the above just looks like it was an excuse to make negative comments about Ain't it Cool News - again - and the people who run it... which isn't right. I've warned about this in the past and I am getting a little peeved seeing it continue. Seriously, stop it.

If only what Neal quoted in his original post was reversed, huh?

Post by **Neal** » February 28th, 2009, 5:42 pm

Well, some people are happy that the 2D will have longer intervals between releases than the CGI...that way the traditionally animated films are an 'event' and the market doesn't become saturated like it did late 90s, early thousands which contributed to the original demise of traditionally animated Disney features.

GeorgeC · Post by **GeorgeC** » February 28th, 2009, 6:21 pm

Wait until AFTER the film gets released before you start celebrating.

You're beyond naive if there are things you haven't figured out about AICN yet....

Post by **Daniel** » February 28th, 2009, 6:42 pm

Now it's true we shouldn't go overboard, but it's coming from a pretty reliable source. I say, unless god forbid TPaTF bombs, it will likely become a reality. Keep hopes low, but it's looking good!

Post by **Otis8** » February 28th, 2009, 8:00 pm

^ lol don't waste your breath. Acts like AICN is some big monster when he's worse....doesnt even listen when a mod tells him to shut up amazing

GeorgeC · Post by **GeorgeC** » March 1st, 2009, 12:02 am

Otis,

You're like a stalker, seriously.

The only time you ever come in is to be a big bother to me.

Didn't work in December so don't be delusional and think it's going to work now.

I'd have more respect for you if you actually CONTRIBUTED something positive. Announce something newsworthy instead of trying to be a bad substitute moderator. All you've done twice is show up and try to be a big bother to me, kid.

Heck, when do you EVER show up other than just to be a pest to me? Can't answer that any other way, can you?

If you ever bothered to actually look at what AICN has pulled over the years you'd see that what I said was an honest observation. The website that claims to be the "guerilla fighters" became part of the dark side a LONG time ago. They have been caught multiple times talking out of both sides of their mouths and that's a fact.

There are a million other websites more trustworthy with their film reviews that deliver news quicker and more timely than AICN bothers to nowadays. Knowles cares more about making money and giving tidbits about "friendships" with a bunch of Hollywood folk to a bunch of kids that don't know any better...

Post by **Neal** » March 1st, 2009, 1:32 am

Again, you're ignoring the most important fact: A) Harry Knowles did not write that article, B) even if he did, my quote is not mere postulation or wishful thinking on the part of himself or any writer at Ain't It Cool News - it's a direct quote from a Disney insider - Marlon West, and C) other sites have posted the same quote. Would you be going bonkers with the slander right now for /Film and LatinoReview (and most likely other sites, as well)?

Now, this is not being called a 'one last go-around' of 2D. It's being called the 'return' of 2D.

Lasseter has been saying that all along, and so have other insiders.

Take Emily Hoppe, senior manager of creative marketing:

Even with all this talent working at full tilt, one wonders if The Princess and the Frog is the rebirth or the last gasp of Disney 2D animation. “It’s definitely the rebirth,” Hoppe says without a moment’s hesitation. “The studio has two separate pipelines in place, one for 2D and one for 3D. There’s a warmth in 2D you won’t see in CGI.” She credits Pixar’s maven and Disney animation head John Lasseter – the man whose CGI talent helped put 2D on the skids – for the studio’s return to hand-drawn animation. “John said 2D became the scapegoat for bad scripting.”

And now with Marlon West's statement from my original post, how is there much room for doubt?

They're not saying "we'll see how The Princess and the Frog" does, they never did. We always said that. Two insiders have stated that both mediums will continue to be utilized, and the man in charge, John Lasseter, is hailing this as a return.

I think the Eisner administration burned you one too many times, this Disney is different - you need to stop being so cynical.

Post by **Bill1978** » March 1st, 2009, 1:53 am

This is wonderful news that Disney is prepared to continue to work in the 2D medium. I was saddened the day that it was announced that Home On The Range would be the last 2D film from Disney. There is just something wonderful about 2D animation, and I think it's the fact that it is 'not real' that makes it appealing to me. Too often CG movies aim to look totally real which to me defeats the purpose of telling the sotry in animation.

I will continue to have my fingers crossed that The Princess And The Frog is a hit, to encourage Disney that with a good script and care that 2D is still a viable resource. A part of me would love it if The Princess And The Frog was 2D's answer to Toy Story. Toy Story stood out in an era filled with 2D and ushered in CG movies, hopefully The Princess And The Frog will appear different (and appealing) to a whole generation that has never experinced 2D animation.

Post by **Darkblade** » March 1st, 2009, 1:13 pm

This is awesome news.... I want more hand-drawn movies....CG is getting abit tired.

Post by **Otis8** » March 1st, 2009, 3:39 pm

You're like a stalker, seriously.

The only time you ever come in is to be a big bother to me.

I'm more of a lurker can not help your bothered with my posts. Most of the time I have valid reasons for saying what I do.

Didn't work in December so don't be delusional and think it's going to work now.

Oh boo hoo. At least I didn't post on these fine boards that I was feeling bad during that time and that was the reason for a sudden break .. yeah right. You were just laying low until the heat blew down. Funny how you needed a break as soon as Ben gave me you and Neal a warning.A little convenient wouldn't you say?

I'd have more respect for you if you actually CONTRIBUTED something positive.

Oh the irony

And no need to shout, that doesn't make you look to bright.

Announce something newsworthy instead of trying to be a bad substitute moderator.

sorry I can't be as good as you -- "You're definitely pushing it, Neal. Back off right now if you want to be able to stay on the board."

Can't answer that any other way, can you?

I could ask the same question dude.

If you ever bothered to actually look at what AICN has pulled over the years you'd see that what I said was an honest observation. The website that claims to be the "guerilla fighters" became part of the dark side a LONG time ago. They have been caught multiple times talking out of both sides of their mouths and that's a fact.

Just don't know when to keep your mouth shut huh? Ignored request again..... but I know all about AICN so you can spare me your little history lesson because nobody cares. This is not a blog where you could air out your dirty laundry, or do you not understand? You must have a lot of time to make stuff up. "honest observation" whatever makes you feel good bad mouthing someone.

The truth hurts and you sound like you have a big ego. I still laugh you can label yourself as "a know it all" and "Mr. Right" because most of the time you have it wrong. Ollie Johnson has been a top story for a week "WAAA!"

Oh and PS, stop wasting the Private Message function. Who needs a life, someone with less than 100 posts or someone with over 1000??

I bet you still don't believe this story even with what Neal kindly posted. So bitter with the site and you can't admit they might be right? Old prick......

Post by **Ben** » March 1st, 2009, 4:14 pm

Okay...I'll just ask anyone not contributing a helpful remark to the topic of this thread to just take a break from this one please.

And besides...this is old news: we've known Disney has had at least two further traditionally animated features in development for a good while now, maybe as much as a year.

We don't know what they are, and it's true that anything much past those may well be down to how they are accepted by the public, but on the flip side rest assured that they're not going to put everything on Princess/Frog being a hit.

If all three in a row completely die, then that's down to us not going to see them, but not everything rests with Princess/Frog and other films are already being made.

That all said, I'm quite happy at every 2 years or so. As someone said it goes back to the "events" of the past, what with every other month bringing out a new CGI comedy from one studio or the other.

Post by **Neal** » March 1st, 2009, 4:16 pm

Ben, where did you hear for sure two more were in development?